Results 15,201-15,220 of 46,036 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Data (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. 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. In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Data (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. 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. In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together. As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Building Programme (10 Oct 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Services (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that in October 2015, my predecessor, Minister Leo Varadkar T.D., signed regulations which allow certain prescription-only medicines to be administered by trained members of the public in emergency situations. It is important to note that these regulations do not in any way change the existing ‘good Samaritan’ rule, which allows any member of the public...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ministerial Functions (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I have delegated responsibilities to the three Ministers of State assigned to my Department as follows: Finian McGrath, TD, Minister of State for Disabilities at my Department, has been delegated responsibility for all legislation, policy and funding relating to the provision of specialist health and personal social services to persons with a disability. The Order S.I. No. 335 of 2017...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (10 Oct 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: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE is actively implementing the action plan they developed to ensure that no child will be waiting over 4 months by year end and are focussed on maximising all available capacity both internally and externally to achieve this target. Additional nurses are now in post in both Crumlin and Temple Street. An additional consultant orthopaedic surgeon commenced last month in Crumlin. So...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Data (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled. Maintaining scheduled care access is a key priority for hospitals, and balancing this with emergency demand is challenging. However, all efforts are made to limit cancellations, particularly for clinically-urgent procedures. Cancellation of elective procedures can occur...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly concerning the vacancy rates requested. However, it should be noted that typically the HSE does not operate a 'vacancy rate', but rather records a staff turnover rate. The HSE estimates that for 2016, the adjusted turnover rate was 5.7%. This means that, each year, at any one time, people will be moving in and out of about 1 in 20 posts...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy Waiting Lists (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 372 together. As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (10 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (10 Oct 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 National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Parliamentary Questions (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: My Department consistently answers more Parliamentary Questions than any other. A significant number of theses, as they relate to service matters or individual queries are referred to the HSE for answer. Questions referred to the HSE should be answered within 10 working days. To October 5, this year 9,024 PQs were received by the Department, 6,342 of which were referred to the HSE. 74% of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida;...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescriptions Charges (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: My Department is aware of the issues raised by the Deputy and is in contact with the HSE to seek a resolution of the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I am aware that a business case for the establishment of a dedicated centre for Intestinal Failure was prepared by St James’s Hospital. Any proposals for the funding for the centre for Intestinal failure in St. James's, including children with intestinal failure transitioning from the national paediatric unit at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, will have to be considered as...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Qualifications (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Palliative Care Facilities (10 Oct 2017)

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