Results 28,761-28,780 of 46,081 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ministerial Advisers Data (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: There have been two special advisers appointed to me as Minister for Health (Joanne Lonergan and Kathyann Barrett). The salary applicable to both advisers is the standard scale for the grade of Principal Officer in the Civil Service (€80,852 - €99,408) in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform instructions to Personnel Officers on Ministerial...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (31 Jan 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Regulation (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: In accordance with Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC (as amended), the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) does not have a direct role in approving, licensing or certifying medical devices that are placed on the market in Ireland. The HPRA has a post market role where they monitor the medical devices on the market. As Minister for Health, I have no role in the approval, licensing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: The Smaller Hospitals Framework defines the role of smaller hospitals and outlines the need for smaller hospitals and larger hospitals to operate as Hospital Groups. The Framework identifies the activities that can be performed in smaller hospitals in a safe and sustainable manner. These include extended day surgery, selected acute medicine, a local injuries service, a large range of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Funding (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: Budget 2018 allocated a total of €55 million for the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, which more than doubles the 2017 allocation of €20 million. This funding will enable the provision of treatment for patients on the inpatient/daycase waiting list across a range of specialties and procedures and will focus on long-waiting patients and overall waiting list numbers....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Capacity Review (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: The terms of reference and the scope of the capacity review did not include the costing of additional capacity. The analysis has established two extremes that define the indicative range and scale of potential capacity needs up to 2031 and the level of reforms involved. The key findings and recommendations of the report recognise this and outline further work required, including: ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Data (31 Jan 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Commencement of Legislation (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: Officials in my Department are undertaking the work necessary to facilitate the commencement of parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. We are working to resolve a small number of technical issues in order to ensure that the processes associated with Parts 2 & 3 of the Act can be commenced. I hope to be in a position to lay the regulations before the Houses...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Citizenship Status (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: The provisions of Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, which fall within the remit of my Department, relate to children born within the State. As the scenario which the Deputy describes relates explicitly to a child born outside of the State, the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004 will apply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. Budget 2018 allocated a total of €55 million for the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, and more than doubles the 2017 allocation of €20 million....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (31 Jan 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 objective of the health service. However, the challenge is to do this in an affordable and sustainable manner. The medicines bill for the community drugs schemes – primarily the GMS, long-term illness and drugs payment schemes and the high...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Procedures (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 to 348, inclusive, 441 and 442 together. As Minister for Health, I want to ensure that both the current use of mesh implants in urogynaecological procedures in Ireland, and the on-going clinical management of women who have had these procedures in the past, are in line with international best practice and emerging evidence. At my request, the Chief...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Procedures (30 Jan 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: EU Directives (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 350, 355, 366, 367 and 403 together. These questions relate to the transposition of the medical provisions of the Basic Safety Standards Directive (BSSD) by my Department and whether chiropractors will be designated as referrers and practitioners in the transposing regulations. Ionising radiation has many beneficial applications however as the use of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage (30 Jan 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 objective of the health service. However, the challenge is to do this in an affordable and sustainable manner. The medicines bill for the community drugs schemes – primarily the GMS, Long Term Illness and Drugs Payment schemes and the High Tech...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage (30 Jan 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 objective of the health service. However, the challenge is to do this in an affordable and sustainable manner. The medicines bill for the community drugs schemes – primarily the GMS, Long Term Illness and Drugs Payment schemes and the High...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme (30 Jan 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: Long-Term Illness Scheme (30 Jan 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: Hospital Appointments Status (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.