Results 9,861-9,880 of 45,736 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Data (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: This is a matter for the HSE therefore I have referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together. Budget 2017 makes specific provision for those patients waiting longest for treatment within the health service. In this context, I am considering a national cardiology waiting list initiative which will address waiting times for cardiology treatments in a number of hospitals, including University Hospital Waterford. A range of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018. I wish to assure the Deputy that action is being taken to address the number of persons awaiting spinal surgery throughout the country. The €40 million Winter Initiative...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is available to medical card holders, on prescription, on the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. NRT products are also available as over the counter items, without the need for a prescription. NRT is not reimbursable under the Drugs Payment Scheme. There are no plans to change this arrangement. However, two non-nicotine prescription medicines are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Services Provision (7 Feb 2017)

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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I received permission from Government to draft the new Bill in December. This new legislation will effectively mean that all children in respect of whom a DCA payment is made will automatically qualify for a medical card and, therefore, no longer be subject to the medical card means test at any point in the future while in receipt of DCA. The legislation is currently being prepared and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Under the Health Act 2004, the HSE has responsibility for operational issues which includes the determination of the terms and conditions of employment for its employees. I advised the Deputy recently that the HSE are dealing with this matter in accordance with the HSE HR policies and procedures and that the HSE continues with its efforts to bring the matter to a conclusion which will...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Sector Staff Retirements (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I will first address the general issue of retirement age. An Interdepartmental Working Group, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, was established in early 2016. This Group was to examine the issues arising from prevailing retirement ages for workers in both the public and private sectors, in the context of the increase in the State Pension age from 65 to 66 in 2014...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIV-AIDS Programmes (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: The National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020 was launched in October 2015. The strategy was developed in response to a recommendation of the National AIDS Strategy Committee on the need to establish clear leadership within the health sector around the area of sexual health. The Strategy contains 71 recommendations that address all aspects of sexual health and a Sexual Health Action Plan...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy (7 Feb 2017)

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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy (7 Feb 2017)

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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Data (7 Feb 2017)

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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Reimbursement Service Payments (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Budget 2017 provided an additional €20m in the HSE's budget for the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS). €10m of the €20m was provided for the implementation of the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to extend medical cards to all children in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance. The implementation of this DCA\Medical Card...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme Administration (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: As the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme, was introduced in 2008 and offers free smear tests to women aged 25-60. This is in line with international best practice. Invasive cervical cancer is extremely rare in women aged under 25, with less than 5 women in this age group being diagnosed with this condition in Ireland each year. While changes in the cells of the cervix...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Data (7 Feb 2017)

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 and Social Care Professionals Regulation (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Psychotherapists and counsellors are not currently regulated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. However, the Act provides that the Minister may, by regulation, designate a health and social care profession not already designated if he or she considers that it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so and if specified criteria have been met. The regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Departments Closures (7 Feb 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (7 Feb 2017)

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...