Results 30,261-30,280 of 46,095 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (14 Nov 2017)

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. In relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (14 Nov 2017)

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. In relation...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Records (14 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: The archived files retrieved and examined thus far contain no information on the detail of agreements between the Department and the Irish Sisters of Charity in respect of St. Vincent's hospital. When the remaining files have been examined I will revert to the Deputy with any relevant information pertaining to the question. In the meantime, the Deputy may find useful the Dáil Debates...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Reports (14 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, I have consistently supported the work of the cross-party Committee on the Future of Healthcare, and welcomed the level of consensus and stakeholder support it has attracted. Work is underway in my Department to develop a detailed response to the Sláintecare report. The report is wide reaching, and the response will involve the whole of the Department, with...

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I have experts.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: It is the regulator.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: That is a slur.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is misrepresenting people.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I welcome the opportunity to have this report. I begin by thanking the Joint Committee on Health and all its members for the incredible work they put into considering this issue and for the unanimous report they produced which we are debating today on the floor of the Dáil. The last time we met to debate the Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016, we agreed not to divide this...

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I have received two applications from consultants. Neither Deputy Boyd Barrett nor I are consultants. Such applications from doctors will be considered because they know an awful lot more about this issue than Deputy Boyd Barrett or I do. Separately and importantly, we are progressing well with work on the cannabis for medical use access programme. That follows on from a commitment I gave...

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I do not need that much time.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: That is not the case in respect of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. I am delighted that this landmark Bill passed Committee Stage in the Seanad yesterday, having been delayed for many years. Many of the arguments being made are similar to those made when the smoking ban was introduced. In fairness, Deputy Micheál Martin had the courage to stand up to the accusation that the ban would...

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: The Deputy specifically referenced the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. I assure him that it is being rural-proofed by engaging with retailers.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: Waiting lists are not increasing nationally; they have fallen for the third month in a row. Of course, patients on a pre-planned list, which is where a doctor wants to see the patient in another six months and the date for that appointment is set, are not counted as waiting. When the patient visits the doctor, is told that he or she is clinically not well enough for a procedure and is sent...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge the contribution made by general practitioners and other health professionals who provide services under contract on behalf of the HSE, through reductions in the fees in respect of these services, to addressing the unprecedented economic crisis which the State faced over recent years. In the context of the publication by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Fire Service (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I am aware that a mediation process between Dublin City Council and staff associations is ongoing in relation to Dublin ambulance services. In these circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to make any comment pending the conclusion of this mediation process.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive for a direct response.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Data (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 to 143, inclusive, together. I acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Under waiting list initiatives run by the NTPF, the NTPF liaises directly with...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Data (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 147, inclusive, together. The Irish Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register, based in Beaumont Hospital, was set up in 2001 for pregnant women with epilepsy in Ireland. The aim of this Register is to find out which type of epilepsy drugs women are taking while pregnant and to collect information on the health of their babies after delivery. Since 2007,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Regulation (9 Nov 2017)

Simon Harris: Valproate medicines have been authorised in all EU Member States for the treatment of epilepsy; whilst valproate-containing medicines are also approved nationally in Ireland to treat bipolar disorder. Valproate medicines should be initiated and supervised by a specialist experienced in the management of epilepsy or bipolar disorder. It is also recommended that valproate should not be...