Results 32,941-32,960 of 46,095 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services Provision (22 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: The cost of GP visit and medical cards varies significantly with the age of the cardholder. The following table outlines the current indicative annual cost for GP visit card eligibility and medical card eligibility, by age group. - Indicative Annual Cost per Card - Age Group GP Visit Card Medical Card 0 – 4 Yrs €243 €392 5 – 15 Yrs €163...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Beds Data (22 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: In relation 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: Hospital Appointments Status (22 Jun 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. The scheduling...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Jun 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: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 170 together. In order to reduce the long waiting times for scoliosis surgery for children and young people, I asked the HSE to develop an Action Plan for 2017. The HSE Scoliosis Waiting List Update and Service Development Plan has been finalised and details of it are available on the HSE website. The Plan aims to ensure that no patient who...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (22 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Maternity Hospital (22 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that I recently asked for a period of time to reflect on, and address, issues associated with the National Maternity Hospital project. While work is continuing on these issues, I am happy to note the significant developments that have taken place over the period. I have met with the Chair and CEO/Master of both hospitals and reaffirmed my commitment to the project....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (22 Jun 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. The scheduling...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (22 Jun 2017)

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: Medical Card Applications (22 Jun 2017)

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: Orthodontic Services Provision (22 Jun 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Provision (22 Jun 2017)

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

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (21 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: I respectfully say to Deputy Browne that he is wrong in suggesting that everybody else in every other part of the country has access to this on their doorstep. That is not the case. I referenced two examples - Monaghan where people must travel to Dublin and parts of Kerry where people have to travel to Cork. There are a number of places in this country that are outside the 90 minutes and...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (21 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: Well people are people and citizens are citizens. We need to ensure that every citizen in this country can access services. I am not making a partisan point but Deputy Cullinane made a number of what I view as potential slurs on officials in my Department and the HSE. I stand over their integrity as hard-working public servants. The Deputy might know-----

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (21 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: My officials do their job to the best of their ability in accordance with all good practice in the public service. It is the same position as that held by officials in Northern Ireland. If Deputy Cullinane asks the leader of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland, who was a good colleague and counterpart of mine as Minister of Health, he will discover that the same procedure applies in respect...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (21 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, Deputies Butler, Browne, Cullinane, my colleague from the region, the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, and from the other House, Senator Coffey, who have all raised this important issue of cardiology services at UHW. I too was very saddened to hear of the tragic death of a young man, Mr. Power, who was being transferred between two...

Other Questions: Hospital Services (21 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. In fairness, he has highlighted the seriousness of this issue to a person's quality of life, safety and well-being. As I stated, the €5 million was to treat in excess of 2,000 patients. The NTPF has transferred 2,500 patient files, because not every patient will be in a position to accept treatment for a variety of personal reasons. Today, 631 of these patients...

Other Questions: Hospital Services (21 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: They were national figures. Obviously, included in this is meeting the longest waiters regardless of where they live in the country. The figures that relate to the Deputy's region will be focused on in this regard. The South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital is actively working with the NTPF in terms of ophthalmology to ensure a number of patients will have their procedures performed...

Other Questions: Mental Health Services Provision (21 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Wallace for raising this important issue. The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, who has responsibility for mental health policies since yesterday has had to go to the Seanad to take a Private Members' motion so he is already working hard. I am taking this on his behalf. I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very serious issue in Wexford. I have received correspondence...

Other Questions: Mental Health Services Provision (21 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: Obviously I do not want to comment on individual staff matters or comments that may or may not have been said because I am not familiar with the details, but let me be very clear about my commitment and the commitment of the Government on developing further the peer support programme. It seems extraordinarily logical that we would benefit from the experience of people who have been through...