Results 37,841-37,860 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (29 Nov 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (29 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: OECD statistics are useful for comparing expenditure in medicines and other areas. However, per capita figures are only one of a number of measures that can give a view of drugs spending in Ireland. The OECD report cited by the Deputy uses data from 2014, the last year for which full figures are available. In 2014, expenditure on prescription and over the counter medicines accounted...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (29 Nov 2016)

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 Procedures (29 Nov 2016)

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 of...

Select Committee on Health: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: As Members will be aware from the debate on Second Stage, the main purpose of the Bill is to specify the amount of premium to be paid from the risk equalisation fund in respect of age, gender and level of cover from 1 April 2017 and to revise the stamp duty levels required to fund the proposed risk equalisation credits. The Bill makes two changes to the operation of the scheme. It sets a...

Select Committee on Health: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for the amendment which I did consider following our discussion on Second Stage. Since there has been a lot of misinformation in the public commentary on the linkage between stamp duty and affordability, although not from the Deputy, there is a point worth making in this regard. It must be recognised that any changes to the operation of the scheme which result in lower...

Select Committee on Health: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: This question is important, valid and timely because, currently, the scheme targets credits to people based on age. It makes it easier for a private health insurance company to make the decision to take on a 70 year old rather than a 30 year old. That is at the core of the scheme but we need to get to a better place in terms of refining where we want credits to go and make sure we are...

Select Committee on Health: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: I would very much welcome the opportunity for the committee to engage with the HIA. As I said to Deputy Kelleher, the function available to me to ask the HIA to review and report on various issues is a mechanism I am happy to use in collaboration with this committee. As members know, we brought in lifetime community rating to ensure there would be an incentive and reason for people to sign...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (24 Nov 2016)

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: Hospital Appointments Status (24 Nov 2016)

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 Services (24 Nov 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 180 together. The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of products under the community drug schemes, including the LTI Scheme, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Insurance Cover (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Under EU Regulations, all persons ordinarily resident in the EU are entitled to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC certifies that the holder has the right to receive emergency healthcare during a temporary stay in any EU country as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland. This right is guaranteed to all persons who are covered by the public healthcare...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (24 Nov 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (24 Nov 2016)

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: Departmental Agencies Staff Data (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 216 together. The nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (24 Nov 2016)

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: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (24 Nov 2016)

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: Hospital Waiting Lists (24 Nov 2016)

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: Hospital Services (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: The new orthopaedic theatre in Crumlin will provide for additional scoliosis activity in 2017 dependent on the recruitment of additional theatre nurses. While the hospital continues to recruit nursing staff successfully, balancing this with attrition rates, maternity leave and sick leave continues to present a challenge. However, the Children’s Hospital Group is exhausting every...