Results 22,261-22,280 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I am pleased that the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, and I were today able to announce funding for 550 extra home care packages in the period between now and the end of the winter. This will help significantly to address the issue about which Deputy Butler rightly talks of trying to reduce the number of delayed discharges in order that people can actually-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I believe over 300 will be in place by the end of the year, but I will revert to the Deputy in that regard. I believe there will be 300 this year and 200 next year. We will see a reduction in the number of delayed discharges. I have specifically asked the Minister of State to lead a task force in the Department which will work with the HSE to drive down the numbers. At the request of the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I will decide on its publication when I receive it. I have to receive and approve it. I expect to receive it by the end of the month.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I take the initial point made by the Deputy as partisan and look forward to debating health policy with him on another occasion. On CervicalCheck, he is correct that there have been capacity issues owing to the fact that many women sought reassurance during what was a very fraught and difficult period in the public health service and sought and obtained an additional smear test. Women who...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: It was my understanding when I wrote back to Deputy Boyd Barrett that the matter had been resolved, but in light of his intervention I will make further inquiries and revert to him today on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Persons over 70 years of age do not have automatic eligibility for a medical card, however, under the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Act 2013, they do have a simplified application process where, when a person attains the age of 70, the medical card income limits are €500 gross income per week for a single person and €900 gross income per week for a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The recommendations in the Make Work Pay for People with Disabilities Report in relation to medical cards were, firstly, to remove the requirement that work undertaken for the purposes of the medical card earnings disregard must be of a "rehabilitative" nature and, secondly, to increase the earnings disregard.  The first recommendation was implemented by the HSE last...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Minocycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic which is authorised in Ireland for the treatment of infections caused by tetracycline-sensitive organisms.  It is not currently authorised as a treatment for schizophrenia.  The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), the competent authority for medicines in Ireland, have advised that there is a clinical trial registered in the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (21 Nov 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: Departmental Correspondence (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: A reply to this correspondence has now issued from my office. 

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Expenditure (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: System of Health Accounts is the most widely accepted methodology for estimating health expenditure and is used by both the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Eurostat. It is important to note that SHA focuses solely on expenditure for health purposes and excludes other expenditures, such as elements of social care expenditure, which would also come under the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (21 Nov 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: Health Services Access (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Anyone travelling abroad within the EU should apply for a EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) before they travel. The card ensures that a  person will get the same access to necessary medical treatment under public sector health care (e.g. a doctor, a pharmacy, a hospital or a health care  centre) as nationals of the country they are visiting. The Department would also...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I gave approval earlier this year for a switch to HPV testing as the primary cervical screening test, with cytology as a reflex test. This change will improve the sensitivity of testing and reduce the number of false negatives arising, although it is important to be clear that false negatives will always be part of any cervical screening programme. This change in testing is a priority,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Equipment (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (21 Nov 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 (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: In relation to the particular query raised, I have asked the HSE to ensure that a reply to the PQ No.176 is forwarded to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (21 Nov 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 Services (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, I have decided to proceed with the provision of a second cath lab in University Hospital Waterford based on the HSE’s preferred option for its location and operation. It is intended that the cost of progressing the project to design, planning and construction stages will be considered in the context of the HSE’s Capital Plan for 2019.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments Data (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments (EDs) cause to patients, their families and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country. This Government remains committed to tackling overcrowding in EDs and improving access to health services. My Department is working with the HSE to ensure the most effective...