Results 17,521-17,540 of 46,081 for speaker:Simon Harris

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (7 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: That is interesting. I will comment first and then pass over to the director general. I do not disagree with a word Deputy O'Connell has said on the issue of our maternity services - I doubt anyone present disagrees either. The fact that we did not have a national maternity strategy in Ireland until 2016 tells us all we need to know about it being the proverbial Cinderella of the Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (7 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: On that housekeeping issue, we should agree or agree again what the protocol is in order that questions will go in in a timely manner. There is a real need for clarity on this issue. The director general has tried to bring clarity to it. I suggest we provide a written brief for the committee, today if possible, in order that members can best advise their constituents and bring clarity to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (7 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: That is what I meant. I meant how we got back to the committee.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. I thank Deputy Kelleher and Deputy O'Reilly for their questions. We had an opportunity to engage extensively on this matter yesterday. The meeting involved myself and the director general of the HSE. Anyway, I welcome an opportunity to engage again this morning. As I said yesterday, the need for effective financial management...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: When I write a letter, I am aware of the law of the land with regard to freedom of information. If I did not want processes to be transparent, I would not write letters. Presumably, the same is the case for anyone in my Department or anyone in the health service. I know some people, rightly, will use what this House has passed. I know how the law works. It is an entirely transparent...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is correct. It was the same in 2011 and 2012. The Taoiseach, when he was Minister for Health, reversed that policy.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I know Deputy O'Reilly gets upset when I agree with her. I would not want to destroy her street credibility by doing so.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: However, we need more beds in the health service. We will fund that through the capital plan which will be seen in the coming weeks. Deputy O'Reilly is correct on the issue of recruitment and retention. That is why we have asked the public sector pay commission to look at strategies for recruitment and retention. This process was welcomed by the nurses' organisations and one to which...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: It is not just in that area.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I did not say that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Deputy Kelleher rightly identified the fact we had a significant number of people on hospital trolleys in January. I pointed out that one of the contributing factors was the decision to reduce hospital beds. That is why we are going to put in more hospital beds. We already have opened 170 and we will open 300 this year. I expect the capacity review will be funded through the capital plan...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The HSE made it clear yesterday that it will put in place a value improvement programme. We are asking people to find value for money in the context of not cutting but dramatically increasing their budgets. The health budget has increased by €1.4 billion since I became Minister. The health budget will continue to increase year-on-year. That has to be matched-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: That has to be matched by reform. Why does Deputy O'Reilly never comment on 479,000 people missing outpatient appointments? Why does she never comment on the fact that inpatient day-case lists have gone down for five of the past six months? There are good things happening in our health service too.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for asking this important question and for consistently raising the issue of how we can better use Our Lady's hospital in Cashel to support the care needs of people in Tipperary while also working hand in glove with what is being done in Clonmel. I am pleased that we are making progress on the modular build in Clonmel. The next phase must determine what more can be done...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Absolutely. A number of services are being provided there in the form of the minor injuries unit, community intervention teams, primary care teams, community mental health services, disability services, outreach services provided by the Irish Wheelchair Association, a substance misuse team, home care services, acquired brain injury services, catering for the St. Patrick's Hospital campus,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is right. When I went to Cashel I was annoyed to see the potential that there is in that facility is not being fully utilised when there is clear pressure on South Tipperary General Hospital. Therefore, we need joined-up thinking. As a result of working with the Deputy and others, I have asked the HSE to look at Cashel and Clonmel hospitals together to see what services can most...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Maternity Hospital (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which I know she has consistently raised. I will recommit to those two issues. I want to assure the Deputy that we are making progress on the draft legal framework. We have involved the Chief State Solicitor's office on that to make sure it is as robust as we would all want it to be from the State's point of view. That will ensure the State's...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Maternity Hospital (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is correct in that there was significant public concern regarding this situation, which I heard loudly and clearly. That told us that while we have invested significant resources in the past in facilities that we have not necessarily owned, the public want that to change now. That is why I have set up a group chaired by Dr. Catherine Day and including Professor Jane Grimson and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Maternity Hospital (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I have no knowledge, nor has any issue been brought to my attention, that an issue relating to any bank is causing any delay. I have been told that there has been very constructive and intensive engagement, which has moved this situation significantly in terms of an agreement, in principle, that the building and ownership of the new national maternity hospital would remain in State...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Maternity Hospital (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: No, I am not confirming that. I am saying that it is being finalised. I will brief the Deputy. I have used examples of how it is used. I do not wish to say anything on the floor of the Dáil to jeopardise this project and I am trying to provide the Deputy with as much information as possible.