Results 20,721-20,740 of 45,789 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Provision (23 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: Vaccination Programme (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is an independent committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland which is comprised of experts in a number of specialties, including infectious diseases, paediatrics, and public health, which makes recommendations to my Department on vaccination policy in Ireland.  Its recommendations are based on the prevalence...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: Improving access to hospital treatment is a key priority for government. Budget 2019 announced a funding increase from €55 million to €75 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients. My Department is working closely with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a Scheduled Care Access Plan for inpatients/day case and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (23 Jan 2019)

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: Hospital Waiting Lists (23 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: Dental Services (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental treatments to medical card holders. In 2010 the range of treatments provided under the Scheme was reduced in order to cap expenditure at the 2008 level of €63 million. Expenditure on the DTSS in 2018 was approximately €58.7 million. Services currently available annually, without prior approval of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government. The 2019 Scheduled Care Access Plan is currently being finalised by my Department and will set out HSE activity levels to reduce waiting lists across specialties and improve access. The Access Plan will also set out activity levels for the National Treatment Purchase Fund...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Brexit Staff (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: My Department has not hired any regular grade or specialist grade civil servants specifically in respect of a no-deal Brexit. Eleven roles have been identified as specifically related to general preparations for Brexit.  Other Brexit preparatory work is being undertaken throughout the Department as part of the work of existing roles within various business Units. Staffing for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The final project brief and the definitive business case for the new children's hospital  were produced by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board and I have asked the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board  to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: Last year, in line with that Public Service Stability Agreement, in September, the Public Service Pay Commission concluded a review in respect of key health service grades, including nurses.  Also, in line with the Public Service Agreement, the Government concluded negotiations on new entrant pay with public service unions.  The Public Service Pay Commission recommendations...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (23 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: Primary Care Centres (23 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: Health Services Staff Data (23 Jan 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Data (23 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: Hospital Beds Data (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As Minister for Health, I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 recommended an increase in acute hospitals beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support the projected increase in demand for services in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Beds Data (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together. As Minister for Health, I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 recommended an increase in acute hospitals beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Planning (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As part of the Winter plan 2018/19, the HSE has focussed efforts on admission avoidance along with optimised patient flow and facilitated discharges in order to support the management of the winter surge in illness requiring admission. The purpose of Winter Ready Services/ Clinics is to take every opportunity to make sure that at-risk patients have prepared...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Discharges (23 Jan 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health and Social Care Professionals Regulation (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 293, 294 and 449 together. There is at present no system of statutory regulation for play therapists in Ireland. CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator. It was established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. CORU is responsible for the regulation of the 17 professions designated by the Act. Section 4 of the...