Results 15,381-15,400 of 46,036 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: Pembrolizumab is authorised for the treatment of a number of cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma. These authorisations were issued by the European Commission, following a recommendation from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The Health Products Regulatory...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (18 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: Abortion Services Provision (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, officials in my Department are giving consideration to a range of scenarios that may arise if there was to be a change to Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution, including the cost and access issues referred to by the Deputy. I am committed to ensuring an informed Oireachtas and public debate on the Eighth Amendment when it comes before the Houses, and in that regard...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (18 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: Medical Card Eligibility (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: Medical card provision is solely based on financial assessment. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 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: Medical Aids and Appliances Applications Data (18 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: HSE Data (18 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: Ambulance Service Staff (18 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: Medicinal Products Availability (18 Oct 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: General Practitioner Services (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the eHealth related telehealth and teleconsultations services that are remotely delivered using online means as opposed to a traditional face-to-face consultation. The importance of, and the opportunity for, eHealth or digital health to support health care reform and the delivery of a modern health care system has been recognised for quite some time....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Human Reproduction Services Provision (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: On Tuesday 3 October 2017 the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research. Officials in my Department are engaging with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to the process of drafting this Bill. In relation to the issue of public funding and AHR treatment, I intend to revert to Government by the end of this...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Drugs Availability (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: Medicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key objective of the health service. However, the challenge is to do this in an affordable and sustainable manner. The medicines bill for the community drugs schemes – primarily the GMS, Long Term Illness and Drugs Payment schemes and the High...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Expenditure (18 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: Medical Products (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 to 157, inclusive, together. While the detailed information requested by the Deputy may not be available, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly to provide you with whatever information is available. In relation to the broader issue, the Deputy may wish to note that the role of the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is to protect and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Properties (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together. I understand that the HSE issued a reply directly to you on 6th October 2017 regarding this property.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 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: Disease Management (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis) is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans by bites from ticks infected with the bacteria. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) of the HSE has extensive information concerning Lyme disease on its website www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vectorborne/lymedisease/. Lyme borreliosis...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I apologise. The reality is that there is an additional Cabinet meeting today. In an effort to get straight into the meeting, I do not propose to go through my opening statement. We can take it as read. This is my first opportunity to acknowledge in the Official Report the incredible work of our health service staff and management in the HSE in recent days in terms of dealing Storm...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I will ask Mr. O'Brien to also comment on funding for this year's winter initiative. There will be additional capacity. There are a number of new units referenced, including the opening of step-down beds for Beaumont, the development of Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda and additional beds in Galway, to name but a few. There is also a significant emphasis on home care packages, social care...