Results 28,541-28,560 of 46,081 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will appreciate, making comparisons between health systems can be very difficult, as no two systems are alike. However, it is clear to us all that we will need to make significant and sustainable investments and reforms across the health service if we are to meet the impending challenges of a growing and aging population. This was the key finding of the recently published...

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. Throughout 2017, the HSE and NTPF worked together to drive down long wait times for Inpatient and Daycase procedures. Over 29,000 patients came off the Inpatient/Daycase waiting list by the end of October . At present 57% of patients on the Inpatient / Daycase Waiting List wait less than 6 months, and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital Status (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The new children’s hospital is the most significant capital investment in healthcare in the history of the State and the project is an extraordinary opportunity to enhance paediatric services for children. The new children’s hospital facilities at the St James’s campus along with the Out Patient Departments (OPD) and urgent care centres (UCC) at Connolly and at Tallaght...

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

Simon Harris: I welcome the recommendations made by the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare in relation to reform of our health structures. I have already made clear my views on the need for much stronger governance and accountability arrangements, a better geographical alignment between hospital groups and community healthcare organisations, and a better balance between central strategy and...

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

Simon Harris: Health capital funding was outlined in the recently published Public Service Estimates for 2018 and the HSE is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2018-2021. The Government is preparing a new National Development Plan for the period 2018-2027, which is expected to be published alongside and in support of the forthcoming new National Planning Framework, to sustain national economic and...

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

Simon Harris: Notwithstanding significant recruitment and retention challenges, including global shortages, considerable progress has been made in the past four years in growing the numbers of doctors and nurses working in the public health services as additional resources have become available. The number of consultants has increased by 109 in the 12 months ending December 2017 to 2,971 whole time...

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

Simon Harris: Each EU member state is responsible for the procurement of its own medicinal products. However, our membership of the single market offers an opportunity for international cooperation with other member countries to reduce the cost of new drugs. I and my officials have been actively engaged with our European colleagues on the issue of drug pricing through a number of EU voluntary forums,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Provision (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: Mental Health Services Provision (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: Orthodontic Services Data (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Electronic Health Records (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Regarding the specific situation that the Deputy has referred to in Sweden, representatives from my Department regularly attend eHealth meetings as part of the European eHealth Network with their European counterparts, which includes the Ministry of Health in Sweden. Attendance at these meetings ensures my Department is up-to-date with both progress and challenges encountered by other EU...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services Provision (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

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

Simon Harris: In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together. The latest published waiting time figures (2015/16) for BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, are provided as follows: Screening Programme % Target Women re-invited for screening within 24 months of invitation at previous round 63.50% ≥90% Women re-invited for screening within 27 months of invitation at previous...

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

Simon Harris: This would appear to be an operational matter, which would be the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, if the query relates to a HSE service. However, I understand that the Deputy is awaiting further details in respect of the issue raised. When received, he should forward this to the HSE, who will then be in a position to respond.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Expenditure (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Sexually Transmitted Infections (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Freedom of Information Data (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Time spent dealing with Freedom of Information Requests forms part of the normal duties of officials in my Department and the time spent processing such requests is not monitored separately. My Department endeavours to comply with the legislation in relation to the time-frame for completing requests (i.e. 20 working days from the date of receipt of the request). Information in relation to...

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: He did not say that.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: He was entirely correct.