Results 20,681-20,700 of 45,789 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Expenditure (24 Jan 2019)

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: Pharmaceutical Sector (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has increased its fees to all pharmaceutical companies by an average of 8% in 2019. It should be noted that the Authority's last significant fee increase was in 2010. In 2011 and 2012, the HPRA reduced fees, and there were no fee increases between 2013 and 2017. Fees were increased by approximately 2% in 2018. The impact of new EU...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (24 Jan 2019)

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: General Practitioner Services (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to the continued development of GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. Several efforts to increase the number of practising GPs have been undertaken in recent years. These include increases in the number of GP training places, which have...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Driver Licence Renewals (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The GMS contract stipulates that fees for medical and GP visit card holders are not paid to GPs in respect of certain medical certificates which may be required, for example, "under the Social Welfare Acts or for the purposes of insurance or assurance policies or for the issue of driving licences". Any fees charged by GPs for services provided outside the terms of the GMS contract are a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Legislation (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: It is not appropriate for either me, as Minister for Health, or the Department of Health to comment on any individual case. As the Deputy is aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law by the President on 20 December 2018, and services for termination of pregnancy commenced just over three weeks ago, on 1 January 2019. Section 11 of the Act...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for answer.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: Governance structures, approved by Government in April 2017, are in place to oversee and monitor progress on the Children’s Hospital Project and Programme. These include the Children’s Hospital Project and Programme Board,  chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health, and the Children’s Hospital Project and Programme Steering Group, chaired by...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: This development is included in the HSE's National Service Plan for 2019 and the necessary capital funding is in place for the delivery of this project, which is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2019 and operational in Q2 2019.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Brexit Issues (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As part of a whole of Government response to Brexit, I and my Department are working to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated set of preparations to ensure continuity of health services post-Brexit. This work involves the Department and the HSE and other agencies in engaging in intensive Brexit preparedness and contingency planning. A key consideration will be to ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Industrial Relations (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: SIPTU is recognised by the HSE and has negotiating rights for frontline ambulance grades employed by the Executive. As a result, the HSE deducts subscriptions at source for those ambulance staff that are members of that union. However, the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have  negotiating rights. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Regulations (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is the pharmacy regulator in Ireland and is responsible for regulating pharmacists and pharmacies in the public interest. Several of the PSI’s functions under the Pharmacy Act 2007 relate to education, including promoting and ensuring the highest standards in education and training for the qualification to practise as a pharmacist, and make...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Records (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: Generally, access to one's health records, including copies of x-rays, should be provided routinely and administratively, having regard to privacy, confidentiality and the public interest. An application may be made in writing to the appropriate service or agency providing enough information (date of birth, current and previous addresses, dates of contact with the specific services etc.) to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: 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 reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services Provision (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The 2019 HSE Service Plan included additional funding for the expansion of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule to include HPV vaccination for boys.  The HSE National Immunisation Office has advised that it will develop updated materials and a communication strategy for a gender neutral HPV programme which will be available for parents and healthcare professionals in advance of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Contracts (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to engaging with GP representatives on the development of modernised GP contractual arrangements.  Talks between the State and the Irish Medical Organisation resumed in October 2018 and there was intensive engagement, particularly in the weeks leading up to Christmas. While some progress was made, there are a number of outstanding issues that need to be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (24 Jan 2019)

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: General Practitioner Training (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.