Results 40,881-40,900 of 46,235 for speaker:Simon Harris

Adjournment Debate: Hospital Services (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and particularly for getting his point across, despite the difficulties with his voice. First, I reassure him that I am committed to securing and further developing the role of Portlaoise hospital as a constituent hospital of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. The most important consideration in any proposed change to services at the...

Health Care Committee Establishment: Motion (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: I move:That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, Dáil Éireann: recognising: — the severe pressures on the Irish health service, the unacceptable waiting times that arise for public patients, and the poor outcomes relative to cost; — the need for consensus at political level on the health service funding model based on population health needs; —...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pension Provisions (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) is funded by the Health Service Executive under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 and employs in the region of 287 employees. It is understood that 47 employees are members of the funded pension scheme in question. Following receipt of information from the CRC in relation to the wind up of the scheme the CRC was requested, as a matter of urgency, to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Jun 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 (1 Jun 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: Cancer Screening Programmes (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The implementation of the age extension of BreastCheck to 65-69 year olds commenced in Quarter 4 of 2015. The age extension is being implemented on an incremental basis, starting mainly with those aged 65, in line with the capacity of the system to manage the additional screening and follow up workload. A total of 411 women were screened in Quarter 4 of 2015 and a further 3,935 were...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The HSE has found it necessary to discontinue reimbursing Camcolit under the General Medical Services (medical card) and community schemes, following a request for a very...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (1 Jun 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: General Medical Services Scheme (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: Under the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, a general practitioner (GP) is expected to provide his/her patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card with all proper and necessary treatment of a kind generally undertaken by a GP. Under the contract the GP is required to furnish to a person whom he/she has examined, and for whom he/she is obliged to provide services, a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drugs schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Jun 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: HSE Staff (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 among other things removed the compulsory age for certain categories of new entrants to the public service who joined on or after 1 April 2004. These employees are generally referred to as "new entrants" and under the Act new entrants are not required to retire on age grounds. Those public servants that were serving in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Discharges (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, 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: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 180, 182 and 183 together. 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: Health Services Staff Recruitment (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: Arising from Budget 2015, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced an easing of restrictions on the employment of additional staff. Submission of a Pay and Numbers Strategy, outlining planned staffing levels and pay/pensions expenditure was required to obtain sanction for the lifting of the moratorium and Employment Control Framework arrangements. The HSE are currently...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: Arising from Budget 2015, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced an easing of restrictions on the employment of additional staff. Submission of a Pay and Numbers Strategy, outlining planned staffing levels and pay/pensions expenditure was required to obtain sanction for the lifting of the moratorium and Employment Control Framework arrangements. This change allows for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (1 Jun 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: Vaccination Programme (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: There is currently a worldwide shortage of BCG vaccine.  In 2015 the United Nations Children's Funds (UNICEF) estimated a worldwide shortage of 65 million doses of BCG. The vaccine has not been available in Ireland since the end of April 2015. Consequently, BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed until new stock arrives. There is only...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has 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: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (1 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.