Results 28,441-28,460 of 46,081 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Maternity Hospital (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I have no knowledge, nor has any issue been brought to my attention, that an issue relating to any bank is causing any delay. I have been told that there has been very constructive and intensive engagement, which has moved this situation significantly in terms of an agreement, in principle, that the building and ownership of the new national maternity hospital would remain in State...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Maternity Hospital (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: No, I am not confirming that. I am saying that it is being finalised. I will brief the Deputy. I have used examples of how it is used. I do not wish to say anything on the floor of the Dáil to jeopardise this project and I am trying to provide the Deputy with as much information as possible.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Maternity Hospital (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I expect it will be.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for asking this important question and for consistently raising the issue of how we can better use Our Lady's hospital in Cashel to support the care needs of people in Tipperary while also working hand in glove with what is being done in Clonmel. I am pleased that we are making progress on the modular build in Clonmel. The next phase must determine what more can be done...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Absolutely. A number of services are being provided there in the form of the minor injuries unit, community intervention teams, primary care teams, community mental health services, disability services, outreach services provided by the Irish Wheelchair Association, a substance misuse team, home care services, acquired brain injury services, catering for the St. Patrick's Hospital campus,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is correct. It was the same in 2011 and 2012. The Taoiseach, when he was Minister for Health, reversed that policy.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I know Deputy O'Reilly gets upset when I agree with her. I would not want to destroy her street credibility by doing so.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: However, we need more beds in the health service. We will fund that through the capital plan which will be seen in the coming weeks. Deputy O'Reilly is correct on the issue of recruitment and retention. That is why we have asked the public sector pay commission to look at strategies for recruitment and retention. This process was welcomed by the nurses' organisations and one to which...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: It is not just in that area.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I did not say that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Deputy Kelleher rightly identified the fact we had a significant number of people on hospital trolleys in January. I pointed out that one of the contributing factors was the decision to reduce hospital beds. That is why we are going to put in more hospital beds. We already have opened 170 and we will open 300 this year. I expect the capacity review will be funded through the capital plan...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The HSE made it clear yesterday that it will put in place a value improvement programme. We are asking people to find value for money in the context of not cutting but dramatically increasing their budgets. The health budget has increased by €1.4 billion since I became Minister. The health budget will continue to increase year-on-year. That has to be matched-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: That has to be matched by reform. Why does Deputy O'Reilly never comment on 479,000 people missing outpatient appointments? Why does she never comment on the fact that inpatient day-case lists have gone down for five of the past six months? There are good things happening in our health service too.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. I thank Deputy Kelleher and Deputy O'Reilly for their questions. We had an opportunity to engage extensively on this matter yesterday. The meeting involved myself and the director general of the HSE. Anyway, I welcome an opportunity to engage again this morning. As I said yesterday, the need for effective financial management...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: When I write a letter, I am aware of the law of the land with regard to freedom of information. If I did not want processes to be transparent, I would not write letters. Presumably, the same is the case for anyone in my Department or anyone in the health service. I know some people, rightly, will use what this House has passed. I know how the law works. It is an entirely transparent...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Administration (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The most recent NTPF figures published for December 2017 show that there was a total of 41,678 people on the Outpatient waiting list for hospitals in the Children's Hospital Group. 65% of these children (26,958) are waiting up to 12 months and 35% (14,720) are waiting over 12 months for a first Outpatient appointment. The HSE has confirmed there have been challenges in addressing the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Provision (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation 8 has a service arrangement with ABI Ireland to provide neuro-rehabilitation services in the Midlands area covering Laois/Offaly and Longford/Westmeath. Acquired Brain Injury Ireland is funded by the Health Service Executive and is a dedicated provider of community-based neuro-rehabilitation services for people with acquired brain injury...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The current Programme for Partnership Government commits to improving services and increasing supports for people with disabilities, particularly in the areas of early assessment and intervention for children with special needs. Since the commencement of Part 2 of the Disability Act in June 2007 the HSE has endeavoured to meet its legislative requirements as set out in the Act. The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Tackling overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs) is a key commitment of the Government. Accordingly, as part of Budget 2018, €30 million in additional funding was provided in 2017, and a further €40 million is being made available in 2018, to manage the expected peak in demand for our health services over the winter period and strengthen capacity moving forward. Since the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Staff (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The shift of healthcare delivery towards primary care remains a key priority for the Government and, indeed, is one of the key features of Sláintecare. Primary care centres facilitate the shift from acute care to primary care because of the range of multi-disciplinary services they can provide and the role they can play in keeping people out of the acute hospital setting. I...