Results 38,921-38,940 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: There definitely is not a link. The Director General of the HSE has decided, as is his prerogative rather than mine, to restructure how people report to him within the HSE. He issued a circular to his staff outlining how people can report to him, subject to him filling the deputy director general post. That is the extent of the matter. I take very seriously the point made by Deputy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Durkan and I assure him I am very clear on how policy is made in health, and in every other area. Health policy is made by me, in consultation and with the agreement of the Oireachtas, advised by the Department. The job of the HSE is to get on with implementing and delivering it and dealing with operational matters. It has a lot to keep it going on this front in a very busy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for welcoming me to Bandon the other day. We had a good day all around Cork but I was particularly happy to tell the people of Bandon that their community hospital is not only safe but will be invested in and has a bright future. On the UN convention, I echo my comments to Senator Kelleher. This is a priority issue not only for me and the Minister of State, Deputy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: Where we want to get to with activity based funding is exactly as the Chairman outlined in terms of what we, namely, patients, citizens and taxpayers, are getting for the payment for that activity. This must also take outcomes into consideration, which means not only whether a procedure was carried out but how the procedure in question went. I must be honest and stated we are some distance...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: While we will do whatever suits the Chairman, we have provided a detailed hard copy briefing to the joint committee on the state of play. In terms of the multi-annual budgeting approach we need to take to new developments, I would very much welcome the input of the committee. Members will have seen the programme for Government, which contains 136 health commitments, many of which require...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: There will certainly not be any barriers. I and my officials will be willing to engage with the joint committee. I will make an offer I meant to make earlier. Compared with other Departments, the health Vote and health system are complex. If there is a benefit in having an official briefing provided to members on the structure of the Vote, I would be happy to make such a facility available.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages Provision (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 200, 205 and 207 together. The Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014, with the objective of increasing awareness, ensuring early diagnosis and intervention and developing enhanced community based services. In parallel with the Strategy the Department of Health and the HSE have agreed a joint initiative with the Atlantic...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescriptions Charges (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: The estimated cost of reducing the medical card prescription charge by 25%, 50% and 75% is set out in the following table. The estimated cost of eliminating the charge is approximately €120 million per year. % Reduction Cost (€m) 25% 29 50% 58 75% 86 These estimates assume a monthly cap of ten items per card holder and a linear relationship between the per-item charge and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescriptions Charges (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: The estimated cost of reducing the medical card prescription charge to €2, €1.50 and €1 is set out in the following table. Charge (€) Cost (€m) 2.00 23 1.50 46 1.00 69 These estimates assume a monthly cap of ten items per card holder and a linear relationship between the per-item charge and the cost of the reduction.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (29 Sep 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: Ambulance Service Data (29 Sep 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (29 Sep 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 (29 Sep 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: Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage (29 Sep 2016)

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. Prior to deciding whether to reimburse a medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available. The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (29 Sep 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: Primary Care Centres (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (29 Sep 2016)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (29 Sep 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 (29 Sep 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 (29 Sep 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...