Results 38,861-38,880 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Relations Contracts Data (20 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: Since January 2015 my Department has not engaged the services of any external public relations firm to disseminate Government policy. It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external groups where it is felt to be appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Remuneration (19 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: Approval has been given to the restoration of incremental credit for all nurses in respect of the 36 week clinical placement undertaken by 4th year student nurses in the context of the 2017 Estimates. This decision means that all nurses and midwives will have incremental credit for the 36 week placement restored from 1 January 2017, restoration of the credit to 2016 and future graduates...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Prices (19 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: In recent years a number of new initiatives have been implemented to reduce the cost of all medicines paid by the State and patients. The implementation of pricing agreements with the pharmaceutical industry has delivered lower prices. Most recently, the new four year Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association provides...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (19 Oct 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: National Treatment Purchase Fund Payments (19 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) previously arranged for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister. Since 2011 this function has been suspended. The NTPF supports the management of in-patient, day-case and outpatient waiting lists, by working with the HSE to assist hospitals in developing local demand and capacity planning and providing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Building Programme (19 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: Funding has been made available in the current Capital Plan to bring the project to the design and planning stage. The expansion of the Intensive Care Unit is currently at design stage. Further funding is dependent on the costing and timing of the project, the availability of resources in the context of many other demands across the country and the future capital envelope for the health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (19 Oct 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 to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Access (19 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: I understand my colleague the Minister for Social Protection also been issued with this question and will address the issue regarding social welfare, which falls under his remit. Entitlement to healthcare services for people who are resident in a member State other that the State that is responsible for the cost of their healthcare is established through the exchange of one of the relevant E...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Administration (19 Oct 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 Appointments Status (19 Oct 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 Appointments Status (19 Oct 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 (19 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (19 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (19 Oct 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 (19 Oct 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 Appointments Status (19 Oct 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 Appointments Status (19 Oct 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: Medicinal Products Availability (19 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 146 together. 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. Prior to deciding whether to reimburse a medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Applications (19 Oct 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: Information and Communications Technology (19 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: I presume the Deputy is referring to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in his question. The potential that technology offers to improve patient safety and to enhance the delivery of health services in Ireland is recognised by the Government. The table below shows the outturn for ICT since 2011 in capital and revenue expenditure. Current expenditure in relation to ICT...