Results 17,341-17,360 of 46,081 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Data (31 Jan 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Commencement of Legislation (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: Officials in my Department are undertaking the work necessary to facilitate the commencement of parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. We are working to resolve a small number of technical issues in order to ensure that the processes associated with Parts 2 & 3 of the Act can be commenced. I hope to be in a position to lay the regulations before the Houses...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Citizenship Status (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: The provisions of Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, which fall within the remit of my Department, relate to children born within the State. As the scenario which the Deputy describes relates explicitly to a child born outside of the State, the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004 will apply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. Budget 2018 allocated a total of €55 million for the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, and more than doubles the 2017 allocation of €20 million....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (31 Jan 2018)

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...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank the Members of the Seanad for the opportunity to make a statement in this House today. Trolleys and waiting lists are critical measures of how our health service is functioning and in recent weeks I have referred regularly to the pressing need, once and for all, to break the vicious cycle that leaves patients waiting in unacceptable circumstances. There are four fundamental issues...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: I speak quite fast, and I have never been gagged, so I will not start now. I did not mean you, Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: I did not mean the Leas-Chathaoirleach at all. I was responding to Senator Devine's comments. In response to her query, although the HSE's primary care steering group does not include a parent representative, as part of its ongoing work around paediatric home care packages it will hold two focus groups with parents in receipt of such packages in 2018. This will be a recurring annual...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: I understand Senator Gallagher raised that matter with------

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: -----the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, who told the Senator that he will visit the hospital. I take the Senator's point on smaller hospitals. Decisions regarding Monaghan Hospital were taken long before I became Minister for Health. I am actively considering the role of smaller hospitals at a national level and what they can appropriately do.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Maternity Strategy Implementation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016 - 2026- aims to ensure that appropriate care pathways are in place in order that mothers, babies and families get the right care, at the right time, by the right team and in the right place. Similarly, it recognises that, while all pregnant women need a certain level of support, some will require more specialised care....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Access (1 Feb 2018)

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: Health Services Staff (1 Feb 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are devices that can correct abnormal heart rhythms in certain types of cardiac arrest. In the past number of years a number of AEDs have been installed in a wide variety of places throughout the country. In December 2014, HIQA published ahealth technology assessment which found that public access to defibrillation would result in a number of patients...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I am committed to ensuring that the recommendation included in the The Make Work Pay for People with Disabilities Report to raise the medical card income disregard from its current level of €120 per week for people on Disability Allowance or on Partial Capacity Benefit is implemented. The Department of Health has been working with the HSE and the Department of Employment Affairs and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Recruitment (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198, 200 to 202, inclusive, together. 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: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Feb 2018)

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: Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive 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. The HSE informed my Department of its decision not to reimburse Ataluren (Translarna) in July 2017. The HSE, in deciding not to reimburse Translarna, cited...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Products (1 Feb 2018)

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.