Results 33,401-33,420 of 46,197 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Reports (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: Supporting the establishment of the cross-party Committee on the Future of Healthcare in June 2016 was one of the first actions I took on becoming Minister for Health. The establishment of the Committee was supported across this House, demonstrating a shared understanding of the scale of the challenges facing our health services and recognition of the need for a fundamental re-shaping of our...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. There is no doubt that our public hospital system is challenged in meeting the growing demand for care. Last year alone, there was a 2% increase in inpatient and day-case activity over 2015. Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Prices (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: Each EU member state is responsible for the procurement of 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. In June 2016, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council adopted conclusions on strengthening the balance in the pharmaceutical...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Maternity Hospital Location (20 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: Primary Care Centres (20 Jun 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Data (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1382 and 1385 together. As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1383 and 1387 together. There has been a significant improvement in the staffing of the public health services in the past three years as the economic position has improved and additional funding has been made available to support service delivery. Total numbers employed have increased by from end April 2014 to end April 2017 by over 10,000 whole time...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Data (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: As this 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: Medicinal Products Prices (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: The 2016 Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines provides for a new and more robust process for the reimbursement of medicines offering greater certainty to manufacturers regarding the reimbursement process. The revised process now requires that each product seeking reimbursement under the community drugs schemes will undergo an assessment process by the National Centre...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (20 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 National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Provision (20 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 National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (20 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: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (20 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: Hospital Appointments Status (20 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 Staff (20 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: Ombudsman's Remit (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Harris: The functions and powers of the Ombudsman are set out under the Ombudsman Act 1980, and responsibility for the Office of the Ombudsman comes under the aegis of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Ombudsman published a report in 2015 entitled "Learning to Get Better - An investigation by the Ombudsman into how public hospitals handle complaints". One of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (20 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 Appointments Status (20 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 Reviews (20 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: Hospital Appointments Administration (20 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...