Results 10,901-10,920 of 45,789 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Waiting Lists (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: While some progress has been made in 2016 as a result of investment in the scoliosis service, it is clear there is much more to do to provide the level service that is needed. A draft Waiting List Action Plan for Scoliosis has been submitted by the HSE to my Department. The draft action plan for Scoliosis includes both measures to increase capacity for scoliosis treatments in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Funding (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to confirm that, as recommended by Dr Niall Herity in his review of cath lab services at UHW, an additional €.5m funding has been provided to UHW in 2017 which will enable the hospital to provide 2 additional cath lab sessions (8 hours) per week. The UHW cath lab will now be funded to provide 12 sessions i.e. 48 hours activity per week. As the Deputy may be aware, I...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The introduction of GP care without fees to children under 6 years of age represents a major step forward in improving access, quality and affordability of health care in Ireland. The under 6s GP service contract, which includes age-based preventive checks focused on health and well-being and a cycle of care for children with asthma, underlines the Government’s commitment to enhancing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: There has been significant capital investment in Letterkenny Hospital in recent years; most of the works required to repair the flood damage sustained by the Hospital in August 2013 are now complete. In addition, a significant number of other capital projects are operational. These include the: Medical Academy; Blood Science Laboratory; replacement of sterilisation equipment; expansion...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: There has been much speculation about the cost of building this hospital. It is not accurate to compare the €650 million of Exchequer funding approved in 2014 for the core construction of the new children's hospital and two satellite centres with the full programme costs set out in the Final Project Brief. The costs set out in the Final Project Brief provide for the construction of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIV-AIDS Programmes (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The use of PReP is only one component of comprehensive HIV prevention. The World Health Organisation( WHO) supports a combination of approaches to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV, including correct and consistent condom use, reduction in the number of sexual partners, HIV testing and counselling, delaying sexual debut, and prompt treatment for STIs (STIs). Condoms, when used...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (8 Mar 2017)

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: Accident and Emergency Departments (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: As Minister I, and my Department, are aware of the concerns that many nurses have in relation to the provision of services in our EDs and in the wider health services. I welcome the recent decision by the Irish Nursing and Midwifery Organisation (INMO) to defer their planned industrial action and ballot their members on the terms as negotiated at the WRC. I would also take this opportunity...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Human Reproduction (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 117 together. In February 2016, the Health Research Board (HRB) was engaged to conduct a comprehensive review of international public funding models for assisted human reproduction (AHR). This HRB evidence review is due to be published in the near future. The HRB evidence review will be analysed by officials in the Department of Health in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Air Ambulance Service Provision (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is in place between the Department of Defence and the Department of Health/HSE in relation to the provision of air (inter hospital) ambulance services. In accordance with the SLA, inter hospital air ambulance services are provided using the duty aircraft on an as availablebasis. Therefore the service is, and always has been, dependent on the availability of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Accommodation Provision (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE has put in place a National Framework for the provision of temporary alternative accommodation, as just one part of a broad range of measures undertaken under the Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017. Under the Framework, consideration will also be given to managed temporary patient accommodation solutions which are staffed. The HSE advises that the next stage will be for a mini-tender...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. With regard to Orkambi for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients aged 12 and older, an application to the HSE from the manufacturer was received in March 2016. The application was considered and not recommended for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services Provision (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: No medicines indicated for the termination of pregnancy are authorised in Ireland. It is illegal to procure an abortion in Ireland , whether by surgical, medication or other means, outside of the circumstances specified in the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, 2013, which regulates access to lawful termination of pregnancy in accordance with the X case and the judgement in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The Government acknowledges the need to improve the investment profile for ICT and eHealth in healthcare in Ireland and in the Programme for Partnership Government it is clearly stated that “we will mandate the HSE to engage strategic partners to help with the planning, financing and roll out of a 21st century ICT health infrastructure, working towards the universal use of data to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (8 Mar 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: Hospital Waiting Lists (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: As the reduction of waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of the Government’s key priorities, €20 million has been allocated to the NTPF in the Budget 2017, rising to €55 million in 2018. This funding will be dedicated to the provision of daycase and inpatient treatment to patients. Under the NTPF Daycase Initiative 2017, patients will commence receiving...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The granting of an individual licence under the Misuse of Drugs Act for the use of cannabis for medical purposes sets aside the usual regulatory processes which are in place to protect the public and which ensure that only those medications which have been found to be both effective and safe are made available to the public. Applications for controlled drugs licences are considered on a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Response Times (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has been undertaking a significant and ongoing reform programme, to reconfigure the management and delivery of pre-hospital care services. This programme will ensure a clinically driven, nationally co-ordinated system, supported by improved technology. The Capacity Review, published last year, makes it clear that a very significant programme of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Data (8 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE has responsibility for the provision, maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, 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.