Results 8,501-8,520 of 45,622 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Beds Data (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The scheduling...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: In relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Legal Cases (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy knows, I have made my own views on the memo in question clear and I am pleased that the HSE has apologised and confirmed that the memo does not reflect the policy of the HSE. It is not in accordance with the HSE's espoused values of care, compassion and trust. It was written as legal advice and should never have been circulated at hospital and staff level. In relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In reaching its decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision (including the information /dossier submitted by the Company) and will take...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: My Department is aware that cannabis for medicinal use has been legalised in some countries and that there have been several studies internationally on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids for a number of medical issues. Cannabis-based preparations are strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts. However, it is open for an Irish registered doctor to apply for a licence for such...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: In relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The scheduling...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Reform (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: The health service is currently embarked on a major programme of change. Over the last number of years, seven Hospital Groups have been created (with approximately six to eleven hospitals in each group) and nine Community Health Organisations have been established which manage primary, community and social care services. Work is progressing on these new entities which will lead over time to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Water Fluoridation (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Water fluoridation is the adjustment of the natural concentration of fluoride in drinking water to the optimal recommended level for the prevention of dental decay. The Department of Health keeps the policy of water fluoridation under constant review. In 2002 the Forum on Fluoridation, which was established to review this policy, concluded that the fluoridation of public piped water...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 prescribing the 16 conditions that are covered by the LTI Scheme: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies;...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Based on the most recent OECD estimates which refer to 2015 health expenditure, Ireland is ranked fifth highest among the EU 28 countries regarding total (public and private) spending per capita, at €3,922 per capita (adjusted for purchasing power parity) in 2015. With regard to public spending on health care, the OECD estimates rank Ireland seventh among the EU 28 countries, at...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Beds Data (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Kelleher for tabling this important question on a matter which he has raised on a number of occasions. A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the undertaking of a national hospital bed capacity review "to establish the number, type and location of beds required into the future recognising the need for a range of beds including critical care, palliative and day...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Beds Data (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I agree with the Deputy about the importance of ensuring that expertise is brought in and that this review will be independent and impartial. While my Department will obviously be scoping the review, we will bring on board external support. It is not in anyone's interest for this not to be absolutely factual because we all need to get serious about the bed needs for our health service right...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Beds Data (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: As of July of this year there were 12,733 beds in the health service, 10,579 of them being inpatient beds and 2,154 day beds. There has been a range of reviews, with the most recent bed capacity review carried out by PA Consulting in 2007. It was commissioned by the HSE at the time to carry out an independent review of the acute bed capacity requirements for Ireland until 2020....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospitals Funding (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: Hospitals collect income from a number of sources, including charges for public and private patients as provided for in legislation. They also collect income in respect of facilities such as rental of shops, cark park charges and other sources. Setting targets for income collection is a normal part of effective financial planning and management for any organisation. While rates for...