Results 18,121-18,140 of 46,081 for speaker:Simon Harris

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: Mental Health Services: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank the committee for the invitation to appear before it today. Should we have to finish up early, I would be more than happy to have my office arrange a further engagement with the committee at the earliest possible date. I appreciate the opportunity that this committee provides for a cross-party and cross-group approach to mental health. It is welcome that we now have this important...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: Mental Health Services: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I do not mean this rudely but I would be interested in hearing what the Chair, on behalf of the committee, feels its role is. It is important we have a common understanding and a common agreement as to what the committee's role is. I see this committee as having an opportunity to scrutinise in a public forum the working of our mental health services. That is extraordinarily important. I...

Order of Business (6 Mar 2018)

Simon Harris: I will respond to some of the procedural questions on the process. We have set out a very clearly defined process. We have had the Citizens' Assembly. An Oireachtas committee scrutinised the issue. We had a special Cabinet meeting on 29 January, which published draft wording. We took a decision that we would await the adjudication of the Supreme Court, which is entirely independent in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Data (6 Mar 2018)

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. October's Budget announced a total 2018...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cross-Border Health Initiatives (6 Mar 2018)

Simon Harris: As the HSE has responsibility for the administration of the Cross Border Directive, I have asked the HSE to examine the issue raised and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescriptions Charges (6 Mar 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme Data (6 Mar 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Charges (6 Mar 2018)

Simon Harris: In 2017 inpatient charges of €27.5m were reported by the Health Service Executive.  This is the approximate cost to the health system of abolishing the inpatient charges.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Data (6 Mar 2018)

Simon Harris: As of 1 February 2018 there are 1,609,183 (33.6% of the population) Medical Cards in circulation.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Insurance Data (6 Mar 2018)

Simon Harris: According to the latest information from the Health Insurance Authority, as of end-December 2017 there were 2,174,430 people (45.1% of the population) holding private health insurance.  The HIA regularly publishes updated information, including the number and percentage of the population that are insured, on their website www.hia.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Data (6 Mar 2018)

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive (HSE) operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. According to the most recent statistics provided by the HSE for 1 February 2018, 33.6% of the population or 1,609,183 people hold medical cards. Regarding private health insurance, according to the most recent statistics...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme Data (6 Mar 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Grant Payments (6 Mar 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (6 Mar 2018)

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: Hospitals Data (6 Mar 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Data (6 Mar 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (6 Mar 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Psychological Services (6 Mar 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 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: Eating Disorders (6 Mar 2018)

Simon Harris: All doctors on the Medical Council's register, including GPs, are required to maintain professional competence by enrolling in professional competence schemes and engaging in maintenance of professional competence activities in relation to their practice. In this context, the Council has established a range of professional competence schemes through formal arrangements with the recognised...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (6 Mar 2018)

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...