Results 38,121-38,140 of 46,232 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmaceutical Sector (15 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: I am aware of recent media reports on this issue and have asked my Department to consider whether any additional guidance or measures may be merited, in order to ensure that the public interest is safeguarded in all respects. I have also asked the Director General of the HSE to remind all senior health service staff of their legal obligations, particularly under the Ethics in Public Office...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: I am very pleased to have the opportunity to appear before the committee again. I am joined today by my ministerial colleagues, the Minister of State with special responsibility for disabilities, Deputy Finian McGrath, the Minister with responsibility for mental health and older people, Deputy Helen McEntee, and the Minister with responsibility for communities and the national drugs strategy,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Deputy O'Reilly asked about policy. Policy is set by me, not by lawyers or anybody else. Let me be very clear that it is not the policy of the Irish health service - in any way, shape or form - to interact with patients in the manner suggested by the memo. Not only is that not the case, it is also not the case that front-line staff would or should ever find themselves in that position. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy O'Reilly for those questions. First, the INMO has decided to ballot but I do not think the ballot has yet commenced. I am due to meet the INMO towards the end of next week. I would ask the INMO to do what it, in fairness, has always done during my six months in office, that is, to constructively engage. It has reaffirmed its commitment to the Lansdowne Road agreement and to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: If one settles any pay dispute, one will have to find it from the existing budget. There is no spare money.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: The Government made it very clear this week that the resources to fund that Labour Court decision, which was not a Government deal but a decision by an independent part of our industrial relations mechanism, which I presume the Deputy's party supports as well as the Government, will have to be found within the existing budgets. The INMO is a member of ICTU. ICTU is in a process of engaging...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: No, it is not, but let us be clear about a couple of things. While An Bord Pleanála did not look at a planning application for the Coombe, and I am not suggesting it did, it did look at the capacity of the St. James's site. The capacity is there. I will say this for the first time today - I have not said it before - I would like to see us now moving ahead with the planning permission...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Which question is that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: I agree and will try to get some answers to those questions. The questions are largely about operational management of the HSE, in respect of agency staff numbers, filling maternity posts and the question Senator Burke asked, and the gynaecological waiting lists in Cork. We will try to give an assurance that Senator Burke’s question will be answered with the information that was not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy O'Connell. She raised many issues I am very pleased that she raised the issue of the HPV vaccine because it is really important that - based on all of the medical advice available to me, the Department and the chief medical officer - I get to put on the public record my support for this very important vaccination programme . The Deputy is aware that the immunisation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: I forgot to answer one of Deputy O'Connel's questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Yes, the Chairman also remembered it. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, has responsibility for our national drugs strategy. Issues that concern drugs on the whole will be dealt with in that strategy and I will ask the Minister of State to comment further on it. However, in terms of my area of responsibility within the Department, it is important to provide an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Deputy Kelly is making up for not being here the last time. I ask him to bear with me while I try to work through the questions he has asked. I share his view on the composition of delegations attending these meetings. I discussed this issue with my own team earlier. Respectfully, it is largely a matter for the committee to tell us who it wants here. I will come here, stand in the middle...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Not yet.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: We are more than happy to limit the number of delegates. It is a matter for the committee to order its business. As there are a number of Ministers of State in the Department of Health, perhaps thematic ways of discussing these issues would allow people to get into a level of detail. That is entirely a matter for the committee. While I am grateful to the Deputy for asking me about the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: It is, and it is important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: The facts I have mentioned are very important because I believe the solution to any industrial unrest, industrial action or sense of grievance within the public service, including the health sector, should be dealt with within the ICTU structure. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, met representatives of ICTU earlier this week and will have further meetings with them. I will meet...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: That will have to be found within the new resources available to the Government. That was made clear earlier this week by the Cabinet and by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in his public comments. I am proactively engaging with this matter. At the same time, I am saying very clearly to the INMO and this committee that the INMO voted for the Lansdowne Road agreement. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: A level of contingency is built in, but no one can say with any certainty when the payments will fall due. This is why there is a caveat. The director general can comment further on this if the Deputy wants.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Harris: Yes.