Results 19,861-19,880 of 46,095 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Policy measures to be incorporated into the forthcoming Budget will be considered by Government as part of the 2019 Estimates process and, in that context, it is too early to comment on any proposed measure at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Health: State Claims Agency Data (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I cannot comment on individual cases or matters that are the subject of litigation but I can provide background information on this litigation and clarify matters that are already in the public domain. As of 9 May 2018, legal proceedings against the Minister, the Health Services Executive and GlaxoSmithKline Biological SA have been initiated by seventy individuals. The plaintiffs allege...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Properties (17 May 2018)

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: Smoking Ban (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: The current legislative framework on tobacco control is the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 to 2015. Section 47 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts prohibits smoking in most enclosed work places. This includes office blocks, public houses/bars, restaurants and company vehicles (cars and vans). The overall purpose of the ban is to limit people from the harms of second hand tobacco smoke....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments Waiting Times (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Against a background of growing demand for unscheduled care and high acute hospital occupancy rates, Government provided €30 million in 2017 and a further €40 million in 2018 for measures to increase acute hospital capacity and alleviate overcrowding in Emergency Departments. Almost 50% of this funding was used to deliver home support packages and transitional care beds to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Data (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: The information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). A response will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as the information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (17 May 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: National Treatment Purchase Fund (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients. The recently launched Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) activity in 2018. The Action Plan places a particular focus on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Cervical Screening Programme Data (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the HSE that there is a geographic aspect to the allocation of smear tests for analysis but that it will take some days to collate the required information as far as it is possible on a county basis. I will ensure that the data is forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Cervical Screening Programme Data (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Currently cervical smear testing is carried out by three laboratories: - Quest Diagnostics Inc, Teterboro, New Jersey USA; - MedLab Pathology Ltd, Dublin; and - Coombe Women and Infant’s University Hospital, Dublin. Approximately 50% of the testing is done in Ireland. All three laboratories meet quality assurance standards and are certified by the relevant national authorities.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Cervical Screening Programme Administration (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the HSE that smear tests from the IFPA and Dublin Well Woman Centre clinics are assigned to the Coombe Woman and Infants University Hospital for analysis. The analysis of CervicalCheck smears from a number of GP practices, as well as the testing of samples arising from 3 colposcopy clinics, is also undertaken at this hospital. The HSE advise that they have no knowledge...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (17 May 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: Disease Management (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together. Ireland is committed to the WHO target of eliminating hepatitis C, including making it a rare disease by 2030. In 2015, the National Hepatitis C Treatment Programme (NHCTP) was established as a multi-annual public health plan. It aims to provide treatment over the coming years, across a range of healthcare settings, to all...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (17 May 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: Hospital Staff Recruitment (17 May 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Cervical Screening Programme Data (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 to 182, inclusive, together. All laboratories contracted by CervicalCheck meet the programme’s standards and have ISO accreditation, certified by the relevant national authorities. The laboratories undergo annual certification or surveillance audits from the relevant national certification body for their continuing accreditation. CervicalCheck...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 190 together. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Mortality from cervical cancer in Ireland is above the European average. In 2018 more than 90 Irish women will die from cervical cancer. According to the World Health Organisation, which has reviewed international evidence, there is a strong association between...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Audiology Services Provision (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: An audiology clinical lead structure, including formal clinical governance and quality assurance mechanisms, was put in place in the HSE in 2013/2014 on foot of recommendations of the National Audiology Review Group Report 2011. As part of regular audits of standards under this new structure the HSE noted potential concerns in 2015 in relation to the provision of aspects of community...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services Provision (17 May 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Contracts (17 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge the important role that general practitioners play in our health service and I recognise the commitment of GPs to ensuring a responsive, accessible and high-quality service to patients. The Government is committed to engaging with the representatives of GPs on the development of a package of measures and reforms to modernise the current GMS contract and which will enable...