Results 28,501-28,520 of 46,081 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccine Damage Compensation Scheme (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to “...put in place a scheme, on a no-fault basis, that will respond to the needs of people with disability arising from vaccination”. The final report of the Vaccine Damage Steering Group was published in 2009 and recommended establishing an ex-gratia payment scheme. The policy objectives in putting in place a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting times for patients is one of the Government's key priorities. Data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund indicates, that as of 29 December 2017, there were 3,790 people waiting for Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) gynaecology outpatient services and 425 people waiting for gynaecology inpatient/daycase services. Of this number, approximately 48% (202...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The National Service Plan 2018 sets out a budget of over €14.5 billion for the HSE which is the highest ever budget allocated. Since Budget 2015, the HSE has received significant additional funding of almost €2.5 billion, or an extra 20%, with an additional €600m provided for 2018 alone. This is a substantial additional level of funding for our health services and the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme Administration (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 215 together. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: October's Budget announced a total 2018 allocation of €55m for the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for 2018. This significant increase in funding more than doubles the 2017 total allocation of €20m. The HSE and the NTPF are in the process of finalising Waiting List Action Plans and Initiatives for 2018. This will include ambitious targets for both the HSE and the NTPF...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Expenditure (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Section 10 (b) of the Health Service Executive (Financial Matters) Act 2014 states “(3) (a) If the amount of net expenditure incurred by the Executive in a financial year is greater than the amount determined by the Minister for that year, the Executive shall charge the amount of such excess to its income and expenditure account for the next financial year and (b) If the amount of net...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Funding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 makes provision for the HSE to provide assistance to bodies that provide services similar, or ancillary to, services that the HSE may provide. Section 39 organisations provide a broad range of services and these are governed by Service Level Agreements with the HSE. Decisions on the provision of funding to these organisations is a matter for the HSE. The...

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

Simon Harris: The Herity Report, published in July 2016, recommended investment to enhance cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford to address waiting times and to provide improved access for patients. Accordingly, an additional €500,000 was allocated to the hospital for 2017 with a further €500,000 being provided in 2018, to support extension of the existing cath lab operating...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Seirbhís Otharchairr (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: De bhárr gur ábhar seirbhíse atá i gceist, d'iarr mé ar Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhísí Sláinte (FSS) freagra a thabhairt duit go díreach.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The HSE carefully considered the pricing and reimbursement of human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (Respreeza). The manufacturer, CSL Behring were notified in August 2017 that the HSE was...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: My Department is currently preparing an implementation plan in response to the Committee on the Future of Healthcare's report, Sláintecare. This process is at an advanced stage, and officials from my Department are now engaging with the Departments of the Taoiseach and Public Expenditure and Reform on this matter. It is my intention to bring proposals to Government in the near future....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (8 Feb 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: Medicinal Products Prices (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Department of Health has been informed that, following an intensive process, the HSE decided not to reimburse Elosulfase alfa (Vimizim). The applicant was notified on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together. In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.

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

Simon Harris: The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014,has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follows an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Administration (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: With reference to the provision of public hospital services, including consultant services, x-rays and blood tests, the Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are entitled, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient and out-patient hospital services. The Act also provides that persons with full eligibility, i.e. those with a medical...

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

Simon Harris: I have asked Dr. Donal de Buitléir to chair an Independent Review Group to conduct an impact analysis and review of removing private practice from public hospitals. The Group held its first meeting on 14 December 2017 and is considering issues such as: - The existing nature, level and role of private practice in public hospitals; - The negative and positive aspects of private practice...