Results 22,841-22,860 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I am delighted that I have secured over €200m in budget 2019 which will directly support a range of initiatives proposed in the Sláintecare Report and committed to in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy including: - Ringfenced funding for the Sláintecare Programme Office; - €20m for the establishment of a new ring-fenced Sláintecare Integration Fund to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Provision (6 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: Health Services Reports (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 502 and 661 to 664, inclusive, together. As Minister for Health I am committed to putting in place the measures necessary to ensure that both the current use of Transvaginal mesh implants (TVMIs) in surgical procedures in Ireland, and the ongoing clinical management of women who have had these procedures in the past are in line with international best...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Human Reproduction Legislation (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: As you will be aware, the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research in October last year. The General Scheme is published on my Department’s website. This comprehensive piece of legislation encompasses the regulation of a range of practices, including: gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research;...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Service Stability Agreement (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Section 2.12.2 of the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) 2018 to 2020 provides that in recognition of work life balance issues that may arise, an opportunity shall be offered to public servants to permanently revert their working hours to pre-Haddington Road Agreement hours. Any individual exercising this option will have their pay reduced commensurately, in line with previous...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Provision (6 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: Disease Management (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 674 together. Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borelliosis) is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is the commonest cause of tick-borne infection in Europe. Lyme neuroborreliosis was made statutorily notifiable in Ireland by the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. no 452 of 2011). ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Capacity Review (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The Health Service Capacity Review was a key commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, and was commissioned in response to the growing demand for health services. The Review, which reported earlier this year, examined capacity requirements in key elements of acute care, primary care and services for older people. Increasing capacity alone will not address the...

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

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting times for access to hospital appointments and procedures is a key priority of Government. In relation to the outpatient waiting list for Roscommon Hospital, waiting list data complied by the NTPF shows that at the end of September 2018 there were 2,906 patients waiting for a first appointment, with 52.9% waiting less than 9 months. More broadly within the hospital Group,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Data (6 Nov 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Regulations (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The Pharmacy Act 2007 established the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the functions of the Society are set out in the Act. The functions of the PSI are carried out on its behalf by the Council of the Society. Section 30 of the Pharmacy Act 2007 provides for an exception to the general provision in the Act which requires the sale and supply of medicines at a pharmacy to be...

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

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." The HSE has advised that the GMS contract would comprehend the...

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

Simon Harris: The GMS contract stipulates that fees for medical and 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 matter...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (6 Nov 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: Organ Donation (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 686 together. The General Scheme of a Human Tissue Bill is being finalised at present and will be submitted to Government shortly. The proposed legislation will include provisions for a soft opt-out organ donation system.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Medicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key health service objective. However, the challenge is to do this in a safe and sustainable manner. Treatment must be appropriate and proportionate and clinical decision-making, such as prescribing, should be based on both patient needs and sound medical...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Products containing 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) are considered to be medicines in Ireland. 5-HTP is reported to have actions in the body that could potentially be used to treat some medical conditions such as depression. Under national and European legislation, products for which medicinal claims are made, or which contain substances that could have medicinal effects on the body, are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Human Reproduction Services Provision (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: As you will be aware, the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research in October last year. The introduction of legislation in relation to AHR and associated research is a priority for me and the process of drafting this Bill will be completed in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. The General Scheme is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters, and accordingly I have asked the HSE to reply directly to her on the specific issues raised. The HSE advises that CervicalCheck laboratory activity remains significantly above normal levels. This is a result both of out-of-cycle smears, and also increased uptake generally. This has impacted turnaround times for results of smear...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Services Provision (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Significant progress has been made over a number of years in dealing with cancer treatment with significantly improving survival rates in Ireland. The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 aims to build on the progress already made, with improved cancer prevention, diagnostics, treatment and aftercare support. The Irish Cancer Society made a significant input into the drawing up of the Strategy...