Results 36,201-36,220 of 46,197 for speaker:Simon Harris

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: We cannot usurp the Public Service Pay Commission process. That process is due to report in a matter of weeks and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has set out the process for addressing issues of pay and allowances. I believe issues of allowances and pay will need to be looked at if we are serious about recruitment and retention in the future and I believe the public sector...

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Connolly for the specific questions. I will try to be as specific as I can. I presume the meeting on 12 December last the Deputy referenced is where I met the clinical director while I was in Letterkenny.

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I had a conversation. Let me be clear, I believe there is a need to do more in Merlin Park. I want to see the Saolta Hospital Group and the clinical director in the Saolta Hospital Group------

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: If the Deputy will bear with me a moment, I will address the three parts. The hospital group has made a submission on Merlin Park. There is merit in the suggestion that more can be done in Merlin Park. We are about to have a mid-term capital review this year and I have asked that the HSE consider it in that context. That is the situation in that regard. In respect of University Hospital...

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge Deputy Buckley's track record in pursuing mental health issues and being a strong advocate in this area. If he sends me details of the first matter he raised, I will have it examined. I am not aware of the issue he raised in regard to the ambulance service but will have it checked out by my officials and revert back to the Deputy. We need to expand our ambulance fleet...

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Moynihan. He has been a passionate advocate for a greater role for our level 2 and level 3 hospitals to take the pressure off our level 4 hospitals and the point he made is very good. It is policy and we need to look at what more we could do. As the Deputy knows, I visited Roscommon. There is huge potential, and not just in terms of the endoscopy unit which we opened there,...

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I have not been saying that. There are already some proposals to see what we can do with Merlin Park University Hospital. I agree there is a need to look at some non-acute services that could perhaps be provided on the Merlin Park University Hospital site. In the context of Deputy Tóbín's comments about horse manure, he can use any phrase he wants. Quite frankly, however, he...

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Excuse me-----

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I will answer the Deputy's question.

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: The Deputy asked me about three points and I am answering the three points. I am not going to defend the indefensible. When I see something that is appalling and unacceptable, I will call it out as such. I will tell Deputies what I, as Minister, will do to mitigate it and I will also tell Deputies what I expect from the people who receive €14.1 billion of taxpayers' money to fix the...

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I will try to be succinct with my answers. In response to Deputy Fitzmaurice, I reserve the right to try to put more funding into the NTPF. I am currently considering that but am waiting to see the HSE's proposals in its action plan for waiting lists for 2017. As the Deputy knows, we have already put €20 million into the NTPF for this year. This is the first year in long number of...

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I am.

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: That is unfair.

Hospital Waiting Lists: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I welcome the opportunity to address the issues raised in the harrowing "RTÉ Investigates" programme, "Living on the List". People all over Ireland watching the programme found it hard to bear the pain and anxiety etched on the faces of the men, women and especially children who very bravely told their stories, and the shattering impact on those who love and care for them. I was...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Education (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 to 169, inclusive, together. The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes all applications for nursing and midwifery undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Decisions on admissions to undergraduate courses are made by the HEIs who instruct the CAO to make offers to candidates who meet the required criteria. I can...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In reaching its decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision (including the information /dossier submitted by the Company) and will...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (9 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In reaching its decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision (including the information /dossier submitted by the Company) and will take...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Audiology Services Provision (9 Feb 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Audiology Services Data (9 Feb 2017)

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