Results 31,261-31,280 of 46,095 for speaker:Simon Harris

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: There were other questions but I am afraid we could keep going. There is a great deal to be said and it is an important conversation. I addressed the issue of respite already when Senator Burke was out of the room. I addressed it in response to Senator Dolan. The Chairman raised it as well. There is clearly an issue. That is not in any way to criticise HIQA, because HIQA is an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: It is a regular conversation we have. There is a requirement to outsource several of the day case procedures, especially because we are coming into a time of additional winter pressures in our hospitals. This is relevant for public hospitals that do not have emergency departments, the hospital in Cappagh being the obvious one. It could apply to some of the smaller model hospitals the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: As the Chairman stated, this is a recruitment challenge. The community intervention team activity is running ahead, which assists to some extent in that regard. However, we continue to face a challenge in recruiting public health nurses. On child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, the percentage of bed days used in CAMHS inpatient units is above the expected service plan level...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I instinctively agree with the Chairman and I will revert to him directly on the specific capital project. As he indicated, the other issues are sub judice. I believe I answered most of Deputy Durkan's questions. However, the Deputy has frequently raised with me the need to collaborate on the issue of medicines procurement. If Ireland endeavours and other countries grapple with the issue...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I will continue to make that point at meetings of European health Ministers. However, given that health is a national competence, instead of making that point, on which I agree with the Deputy, and waiting for progress, I decided that Ireland should show leadership and join other European countries of a similar view by moving ahead with the Valletta declaration. It is open to other member...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: Yes, and the Deputy is aware of my views on it. The structure is not fit for purpose. Let there not be any doubt that I believe the Health Service Executive in its current guise will not be the HSE of the future. I fully accept the necessity to have a national health service body and to drive maternity strategies, standards, cancer programmes, procurement and so forth at a national level....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: That is correct. There is a very clear direction of travel in that regard. The Deputy is also correct on the issue of a troubleshooter. As I indicated, we have just hired a new deputy director general in charge of operations who brings with him vast experience from the Scottish health system. The Scottish national health system is often held up by political parties in the House as a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE does not desire to have agency staff. It is a recognised fact, however, and one the Deputy also acknowledged, that such staff are sometimes required, particularly in smaller hospitals where it is proving extraordinarily difficult to recruit permanent consultants. That is part of a broader conversation. To take nursing as an example, we have made clear that we want to convert agency...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: The page numbers are obviously different in the document I have. The Deputy's question relates to additional demand on mental health services.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: With the normal proviso that we are involved in a budgetary and Estimates process and that these decisions are made on budget day and within a service plan, it is our intention to continue to increase mental health funding. If a service need is there, it will be our intention to endeavour to meet it. I have to wait to budget day to fill it.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Constitutional Amendments (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government established a Citizens’ Assembly, in line with its Programme for Partnership Government commitment, to consider a number of matters including constitutional reform. The Assembly first considered the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Article 40.3.3), and submitted its final...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ministerial Responsibilities (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I have delegated responsibilities to the three Ministers of State assigned to my Department as follows: Finian McGrath T.D., Minister of State for Disabilities at my Department, has been delegated responsibility for all legislation, policy and funding relating to the provision of specialist health and personal social services to persons with a disability. The Order S.I. No. 335 of 2017...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff Data (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff Recruitment (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (27 Sep 2017)

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: HSE Properties (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together. Your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (27 Sep 2017)

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: Hospitals Data (27 Sep 2017)

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: Hospitals Data (27 Sep 2017)

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.