Results 36,361-36,380 of 46,197 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Funding (2 Feb 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 Staff Recruitment (2 Feb 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 Waiting Lists (2 Feb 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 Staff Recruitment (2 Feb 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 Staff Recruitment (2 Feb 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 Funding (2 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: In relation to the particular query raised, future investment in Cavan General Hospital must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. During 2017, my Department will work with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (2 Feb 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (2 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Rintatolimod (brand name Ampligen) is an experimental medicine in development for the treatment of a variety of chronic diseases and viral disorders, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). The medicine is not currently authorised by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of ME in the European Union. Should the medicine receive marketing authorisation...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (2 Feb 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: EU Bodies (2 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: The European Medicines Agency plays a vital role in the protection and promotion of public health through the evaluation and supervision of medicines for human and veterinary use. The result of the Brexit vote has caused considerable uncertainty for the Agency and its staff as it will have to be relocated to a country remaining within the European Union. This scenario creates real risks for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (2 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Budget 2017 makes specific provision for those patients waiting longest for treatment within the health service. In this context, I am considering a national cardiology waiting list initiative which will address waiting times for cardiology treatments in a number of hospitals, including University Hospital Waterford (UHW). A range of measures are envisaged including sharing of facilities...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services Provision (2 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE has advised that the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar currently provides foetal anomaly scanning to high risk patients one day per week. In addition, some patients are referred to the National Maternity Hospital. The Deputy is aware that the National Maternity Strategy is clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services. The Strategy will be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Communications (2 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: All Ministers at my Department conduct official business through official Department of Health secure email accounts. The Department's ICT Acceptable Usage Policy states that users may not transmit sensitive or classified information using third party email services. Access to webmail services is not permitted from the Department's network. The Ministers of State do not use personal email...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Commencement of Legislation (2 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will appreciate that legislation coming wholly or partly under the auspices of my Department goes back many years. The information sought is shown in the following table in regard to legislation passed since 2004. The Deputy might let me know if she would like information in regard to any specific earlier Act. Name of the Act Sections not in force Timeline Misuse of Drugs...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (2 Feb 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: Assisted Human Reproduction (2 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: Officials in my Department are currently drafting the General Scheme of legislative provisions on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated research, which will include provisions relating to surrogacy. It is envisaged that the General Scheme will be completed by the end of June 2017. Once the General Scheme has been approved for publication by Government it will be submitted to the...

Other Questions: General Medical Services Scheme (1 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I have already outlined what the HSE will do. In other words, if a constituent of the Deputy or of any other Deputy is charged incorrectly for a service that my Department and the HSE believe is covered under the current GMS contract he or she, or another person on his or her behalf, can make a complaint in that regard to the HSE and it will impose a deduction on the GP's practice support...

Other Questions: General Medical Services Scheme (1 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: It is of concern to me that people are being referred to hospital for a service that can be adequately provided in primary care and which the GMS contract enables to be provided in primary care. However, I do not want to escalate this disagreement with our GPs in the context of contract negotiations which have already commenced. My Department and the HSE have commenced the process of...

Other Questions: General Medical Services Scheme (1 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: I will communicate in writing with the Deputy on the matter.

Other Questions: National Treatment Purchase Fund Data (1 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: The Deputy would be upset if we went through an entire Question Time where we agreed on everything. We had better not do that. We have a difference of opinion in regard to the NTPF. I believe it to be an effective vehicle to reduce waiting times for patients and the Deputy believes differently, as is her right. Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this...