Results 15,541-15,560 of 46,036 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 620, 641, 687 and 797 together. The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In reaching a decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will take...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (7 Nov 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: Vaccination Programme (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: Adjuvants (immune potentiators or immunomodulators) have been used for decades to improve the immune response to vaccine antigens. The incorporation of adjuvants into vaccine formulations is aimed at enhancing, accelerating and prolonging the specific immune response towards the desired response to vaccine antigens. Advantages of adjuvants include the enhancement of the immunogenicity of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (7 Nov 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. In relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Private Partnerships Data (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 628 and 629 together. The Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: Last Month, the HSE confirmed that funding of €100,000 will be made available in 2018 for the design phase of the new Beaumont ED project and will be included in the HSE's 2018 Capital Plan. An EU procurement process will commence in early 2018 to progress the selection and appointment of a design team for the project. The costs involved in the development of the new Emergency...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: The Surgical Symphysiotomy Ex-gratia Payment Scheme, which was approved by Government, concluded with the publication of the Report of its independent Assessor, Judge Maureen Harding Clark, on 22 November 2016. Prior to the commencement of the Scheme it was estimated that the total cost of the Scheme would be around €34 million. My Department paid all costs relating to the Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Administration (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: In order to ensure that outpatient services are used to best effect, it is important that the HSE progresses initiatives to reduce the number of people not presenting for outpatient appointments. Consequently, the HSE is investing in digital and technological systems to ensure that patients are appropriately reminded. One of the solutions eHealth Ireland has proposed is to provide a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Contracts (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 633 and 634 together. The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high-quality, integrated and cost effective health service. The Programme for Government commits to a decisive shift within the health service towards primary care in order to deliver better care close to home in communities across the country. The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Consultancy Contracts (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: It is the policy of my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy including procurement protocols on the matter. Expenditure on the engagement of consultants is paid from the Department's A7 budget. The table details such expenditure for 2016 and up to September 2017....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE advises that agreement has been reached with the adjacent college in relation to the details of the application, and it is expected that the planning application will be lodged by the end of the year. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (7 Nov 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. In relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Court Orders (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: This matter is the subject of litigation in which plaintiffs allege personal injury in which they claim the development of narcolepsy (cataplexy) resulted from the administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine. As Deputies would be aware, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual cases or matters that are the subject of litigation. However, I can provide background information...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: My Department, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills continue to work together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those affected by narcolepsy following pandemic influenza. These include discretionary medical cards, reimbursement of expenses associated with diagnosis and treatment, home tuition and learning supports. The HSE’s Advocacy Unit acts as...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments Waiting Times (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department are aware of this report and its content. This report highlights the need for the system to plan for the current and future healthcare needs of elderly patients within and beyond acute hospitals. Latest HSE data indicates that, to date this year, persons over 75 years old accounted for 11.8% of all presentations at Emergency...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (7 Nov 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: Freedom of Information (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: In response 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: HSE Properties (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: Your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Clinical Indemnity Scheme (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: The Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) was established in 2002 and from February 2004 provided cover to consultants in respect of clinical incidents occurring after that date. Also, we must take account, particularly in relation to certain maternity services-related claims, of the potential time lag between adverse incidents occurring and the initiation and settlement of claims. The State...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Clinical Indemnity Scheme (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: The State Claims Agency informed me in its response to PQ 41605/17 (1019) of 17 January 2017, which I gave on that date to the Deputy, that it settles very few claims subject to a confidentiality agreement with the exception of cases settled through mediation. The Agency does not formally record, on its IT system, the fact that any individual settlement is bound by a confidentiality clause....