Results 35,501-35,520 of 46,197 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services Provision (7 Mar 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 Delays (7 Mar 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 (7 Mar 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 Regulation (7 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: In November 2016 I initiated a review of policy on the use of cannabis for medical purposes and asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to provide expert advice on the matter. On 10th February I published the HPRA’s report ‘Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review’ and announced my decision to establish an access programme for cannabis-based...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Industrial Disputes (7 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to confirm that industrial action by support staff grades scheduled for today (7th March) was averted following an agreement reached between SIPTU and the HSE on 24th February, with the support of my Department. I can also confirm that the INMO Executive Council decided on Saturday 4th March to ballot all members on expanded proposals which emerged following extensive...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Administration (7 Mar 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: Hospitals Discharges (7 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: In September 2016, the HSE launched the ‘Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017’ which provided €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness and to assist hospitals to deal with increased demand. A key element of the Winter Initiative is to support hospitals to improve process in relation to patient flow. This includes supporting hospitals through access to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Services Funding (7 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 648 to 650, inclusive, together. The Department of Health no longer operates a National Lottery Fund. However, the HSE operates a National Lottery funded scheme under which it provides grants to health agencies and other organisations. Details of the scheme are available on the HSE website at: .

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (7 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: Recent data from the HSE indicates that in 2016 there was a circa 5% increase in Emergency Department attendances nationally. In addition, early January 2017 saw continued significant pressure on our EDs due to high demand, increased incidence of flu mainly affecting older people, as well as ongoing bed capacity constraints due to staff shortages. The Emergency Department Taskforce...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (7 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts and the Regulations made thereunder, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis is currently unlawful except under licence. Following the recent publication of the Health Products Regulatory Authority’s report Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Reviewa process is currently underway to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (7 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 to 658, inclusive, together. A draft Waiting List Action Plan for Scoliosis has been submitted by the HSE to my Department. The draft action plan for Scoliosis includes both measures to increase capacity for scoliosis treatments in the children's hospitals and proposals for the outsourcing of procedures. Officials are currently reviewing and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (7 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: In relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (7 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 661 and 662 together. In relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Beds Data (7 Mar 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: Nursing Home Services (7 Mar 2017)

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

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 38 - Health (Revised) (2 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: I am conscious that many issues pertaining to today's Revised Estimates, including how various health-related matters are to be funded and addressed in 2017, were discussed when I had a lengthy engagement with the joint committee last week. The script I have circulated can be taken as read. I will make a few brief points at the outset. I hope the 2017 Revised Estimates can be seen as a...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 38 - Health (Revised) (2 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The Deputy makes a fair point. In considering the health Vote, we must accept the elephant in the room, which is that the health Vote is not configured along programme lines. The Department of Health is working towards the development of programme budgeting and changing the structure of the health Vote to reflect this. It will take some time though because the financial systems in the HSE...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 38 - Health (Revised) (2 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: It is still a substantial body of work and we are a number of years away in terms of it. The HSE needs to be cognisant of the fact that we are going to presumably undertake more structural reform when the Committee on the Future of Health Care reports in April, which may enable us to have more fruitful conversations on structures across the health service. I looked through the various...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 38 - Health (Revised) (2 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: The Deputy makes an important point. Last week at this committee we had a detailed discussion on the increased numbers of people working for the health service. A number of Deputies and Senators raised the issue of the growth in administration and management. The national director of HR has committed to giving a report to the committee showing a more detailed breakdown. From my initial...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 38 - Health (Revised) (2 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: It is a very fair point. I reiterate that if we have to find additional resources for pay measures above and beyond the Lansdowne Road measures that were agreed by and expected by Government in advance of the preparation of budget 2017, there is no new pot of money to use. I am conscious of that and I am sure the INMO is conscious of that as well. The IMO - the doctors - is being dealt...