Results 39,921-39,940 of 46,235 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: I congratulate the Deputy on his election as Vice Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts. I have previously served on that fine body and know that the Deputy will have an interesting day on Friday. I have read the same documentation he has read on a certain organisation. It is very disturbing and disgusting in parts. I have received a breakdown of the funding received by the 40...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: I agree with the Deputy. I sat on the Committee of Public Accounts when we discussed this issue back, I think, in 2013. I, like most people on both sides of the House, was repulsed by the carry-on. A number of measures have been implemented in terms of the charity regulator and with new structures in the HSE, but clearly more needs to be done. I do not want and I know no Member of this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Browne for this important and timely question in light of a number of public concerns that have been raised in respect of organisations funded by the Health Service Executive. I wish to inform the Deputy and the House, as the Tánaiste did some moments ago, that a review of all section 38 providers is being conducted by external consultants. This review is now under...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: I too am very concerned by what I am seeing in St. John of God's. That is why an investigation is now under way by the HSE in respect of those payments. I have been clear, the HSE has been clear and, today, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has been clear in stating that if any payments have been made above and beyond the allowable level of payments, then those payments must be...

Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: Here is Brendan to save the day for us.

Business of Dáil (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: Correct, and we need it.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: For poetry.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: There is only the RCSI.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: Not since last week.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: I have not been.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, two reports have recently been published by the Board which identify historical organisational and financial governance shortcomings in its operation. The NMBI has acknowledged that appropriate operational and governance procedures were not always properly applied. The Board is already implementing the reports' recommendations and is committed to ensuring that all...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: I met with members of the Sarcoma Action Group last Wednesday and discussed sarcoma services with them. The recruitment of a consultant medical oncologist with a special interest in sarcoma, based in St. Vincent’s University Hospital, will be prioritised to facilitate further development of the service there. The Director General of the HSE has directed that work on the open...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure timely access to health services. This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required with a particular focus on those waiting longest. While waiting list numbers nationally have increased in the first half of the year, this must be seen in the context of increased demand for care in our health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is ensuring timely access to health services. This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required, with a particular focus on those waiting longest. While waiting list numbers have increased nationally in the first half of the year, this must be seen in the context of increased demand for care in our health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Reports (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 114 together. The Second annual National Healthcare Quality Reporting System (NHQRS) Report was published on Thursday 16 June 2016, and included data on a wide range of indicators. The purpose of the annual NHQRS Report is to use easily accessible information to develop a better understanding of whole health system performance. The mechanism was...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (12 Jul 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: HSE Governance (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: While I recognise that continually strengthening accountability and good governance within the HSE is of critical importance, I have no plans to introduce a legislative based accountability framework for the HSE. My Department has, however, engaged intensively with both the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform over recent weeks with a view to considerably strengthening the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Prices (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 43 together. OECD statistics serve as a useful metric to compare expenditure in medicines and other areas. However, per capita figures represent one of a number of metrics that can be used to develop a view of drugs spending in Ireland. For example, aggregate spending on the GMS, Drugs Payment Scheme, and Long Term Illness scheme has reduced since...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 82 and 552 together. There have been significant developments in the general practice service recently, with more services being made available to our citizens and additional support provided by the HSE. Under a Framework Agreement, signed in 2014, the HSE, Department of Health and IMO are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the GMS and other...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (12 Jul 2016)

Simon Harris: Significant investment has been made to improve radiology services at South Tipperary General Hospital. I understand that building work, to extend current facilities, commenced in November 2015 and is expected to be substantially completed by September 2016.A new CT Unit has been purchased and is in storage pending completion of the building works. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to...