Results 23,081-23,100 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I will do so. I will keep in contact with Deputy Browne in respect of this matter and will ask that the HSE comes back to him after 14 November with regard to how successful it has been in filling that vacant post.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy MacSharry for raising this matter. As he is aware, in budget 2019, we have prioritised improving access and reducing waiting times for patients with funding to the NTPF increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019. I am pleased to say this increase in funding will allow us to target 40,000 outpatient appointments. The Deputy has raised with me...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: General Practitioner Services (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for her question. As she is aware, preparations for the implementation of the termination of pregnancy services are at an advanced stage. I welcome that the House passed the Bill through Second Stage, which is crucial, as is ensuring that the services will be ready to be put into operation. As the Deputy is aware, it is envisaged that most terminations up to nine weeks...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: General Practitioner Services (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: We are providing for extra GP training places. It is not good enough just to train more GPs; we must work to ensure that general practice is and will be a sustainable career for those studying to become a GP. That is why we are providing a programme of investment as well as extra training places. Talks on that general programme of investment are to take place tomorrow with the IMO, which...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: General Practitioner Services (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I have addressed the issues of FEMPI cuts and investment in general practice by outlining the process we intend to undertake and on which there will be further engagement with the IMO tomorrow. I will save my comments on how the service will operate in terms of the three-day period for Committee Stage of the Bill, when there will be an opportunity to engage on such issues. My basic...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Treatment Purchase Fund (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for his important question. Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures remains a key priority. As the Deputy correctly stated, in budget 2019 we further increased investment in this area, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to increase from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019, an overall increase of 150...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disease Management (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: My record on this is not one of doing nothing but asking that we update our scientific advice, not just based on our experiences and evidence but also looking at what has been done across the water in the UK. We will have the basis of information next month, which will enable us to make informed decisions in this regard. Lyme disease can be very successfully treated in many cases using...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disease Management (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I recognise that reports are only as good as their implementation and the commitment I give the Deputy is that when the report goes to the scientific advisory committee I and the Department will base our actions, and I use the word actions, based on the scientific advice. I would be happy to meet the Deputy to discuss further these actions and implementation, once the report has been...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Charges (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies Scanlon and Curran for the question. Significant progress has been made over a number of years and over the lifetime of successive Governments in dealing with cancer treatment, with significantly improving survival rates in our country. The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 aims to build on the progress already made, with improved cancer prevention, diagnostics, treatment...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Charges (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I accept there were a number of issues on which the Irish Cancer Society campaigned in advance of the budget. I recognise it welcomed some of the measures in the budget. It welcomed the fact we heard their call regarding a rise in the price of cigarettes, which was supported throughout the House. It also welcomed the extension of the HPV vaccine to boys and the reduction in medication...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Charges (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Deputy Curran and I are not going to disagree on this. There is no doubt there are extra costs when somebody has an illness, particularly one that can last a sustained period of time, such as cancer. It is not just a cost to the person but also to their entire family. We all have to work to try to reduce that cost burden. I am committed to doing that. The Deputy referenced the issue of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disease Management (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I have received correspondence from the Deputy on this issue on which he has advocated strongly. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has a Lyme disease sub-committee which has been tasked with producing a report which covers awareness of Lyme disease among clinicians and members of the public; identification of best international practice in raising awareness about Lyme disease;...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Funding has been provided to increase the capacity for additional consultants in order that even more procedures can be carried out in the hospital. The reconfiguration of the existing orthopaedic post in Crumlin hospital is being worked through the consultant appointment approval committee. Funding for an additional two new consultant posts for paediatric orthopaedics has been provided...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy not just for raising this matter but for his advocacy in this area and for introducing me to the family of Marion Kelly. I have seen first hand, through his work, their dedication to making sure that this issue is resolved for the 19 families. I share that determination. The HSE assessed the application for the pricing and reimbursement of Respreeza and in August 2017,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I accept that this has been going on for a long time, and I would be interested to hear directly from the Deputy about the failure to respond to emails so that I can pursue that matter. He has separated the two issues. The broader reimbursement issue for patients beyond the 19 on the trial is a matter of, in the first instance, the company submitting an application. I am open to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I also hope that this can be concluded quickly. On the question of the administration costs, I have no information other than what I have in front of me. The HSE agreed that because of the unique and exceptional circumstances these 19 patients find themselves in, it would fund the provision of the necessary nursing services to ensure patients could continue to receive the medicine. I will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hospital Consultant Recruitment (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for his point acknowledging that recruiting psychiatrists is a challenge but also highlighting the increase in numbers while vacancies remain. Given its analysis, the Public Service Pay Commission proposed that the parties to the public service stability agreement jointly consider what further measures could be taken to address the pay differential between pre-existing and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hospital Consultant Recruitment (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I agree that more must be done on this and I will pass on the Deputy's observations in the context of drawing up the service plan for 2019 with the HSE. In addition to the psychology posts and the benefits they bring to the service, we are also committed to increasing the number of psychiatric nurse undergraduate places by 130 annually by 2021-22. That will increase from 270 undergraduate...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for highlighting this important issue and continuing to return to it, as we rightly should. The development of a sustainable scoliosis service has been prioritised by my Department and the HSE in 2018. An additional €9 million was provided to the Children’s Hospital Group, CHG, in 2018 to support the development and implementation of a sustainable and safe...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (23 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I do not have the figure for how many people have been offered surgery abroad but I will get it for the Deputy quickly. I want to re-emphasise that the CHG advises that clinical criteria for determining a care plan for scoliosis-related surgeries and other spinal procedures is complex, which we appreciate, and is based on established clinical guidelines and best practice, both nationally and...