Results 44,341-44,360 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: The problems that arose in the case of the difference between a 1.2% cut and a 2% cut were encountered by the disability organisations and service providers in advance of the Haddington Road agreement. That brings me to my next difficulty. I will give an example of what is happening in many organisations around the country. I think I gave notice of my wish to discuss this case. A service...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: That brings us back to the previous discussion between the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Health about what the HSE could actually achieve under the Haddington Road agreement. The extra bit was divided across a range of sectors, in the first instance, before it was decided that it should be taken centrally.

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I will direct my final point at Mr. O'Brien in the first instance. The HSE has carried out an extensive audit of another disability services provider in my constituency, St. Catherine's Association. This matter has appeared on the front page of a national newspaper on at least two occasions. I am concerned about a couple of aspects of the issue. The HSE seems to have carried out a very...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Discretion being a somewhat subjective concept in and of itself, if more than 100 different people are applying it.

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Okay, it is useful to have that stated. Mr. O'Brien, as the director general of the HSE with Mr. Burke the head of the medical card section, is saying that discretion is being applied on a consistent and uniform basis, regardless of postal address. The criteria and same level of checks and balances apply whereas in the past that was not necessarily the case.

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Thank you. I wish to raise the issue of deceased medical card holders. I looked recently at the figures in relation to this issue and I was concerned to see a level, although lower than in the past, whereby the medical cards of the deceased were continuing to run up costs for the taxpayer. Mr. Burke supplied the figures. Of the 17,059 medical cards, 2,361 belonged to deceased people. As...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: That is very helpful. That figures of 2,361, if funds were paid out, they have been recouped.

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: That makes sense. I am concerned that much of the discussion on probity - this word that has now entered the lexicon - the probity focus has been on medical cards being taken from people who currently hold them. From what I have read and heard from the HSE and the Department of Health, there must be concern about over-payments made to GPs, pharmacists and other. I have heard the Minister...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I have a final question on the issue of medical cards before I raise a few other points. There seems to be a very high level of "non response" when the HSE writes to an individual seeking information. The Comptroller and Auditor General has referred to it in his report and it has been alluded to in the figures presented to us today. Am I correct in saying that a cohort of people who...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Thank you Chairman. I thank Mr. O'Brien, Dr. Mc Loughlin and their teams for their patience during what was quite a lengthy suspension. We will now switch our attention from bailout exits to medical cards. The conversation we have had so far this morning has been helpful and constructive. The figures Mr. Burke provided on the review of discretionary medical cards and how that breaks down,...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 22 - Eligibility for Medical Cards (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I thank Mr. Hennessy for that helpful response. I wish to focus on the question of consistency because this committee is not so much concerned with policy but with the implementation of that policy in a correct manner. Therefore the expenditure of taxpayers funds is correct. Every member of the delegation who has spoken today has alluded to an inconsistency or a previous inconsistency in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to reinstating an EAL teacher based in a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow owing to the specific circumstances in this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48612/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (13 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who has been refused a reader for next year's State examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48514/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Service Issues (12 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 266. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the procedures and policies in place in Wicklow County Council in relation to the fire service; if he is satisfied that all these policies comply with circulars set down by his Department and relevant legislation; his views on the recent findings of a court in relation to this local authority...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Scheme Eligibility (12 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 273. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the circumstances in which a person may enter the rental accommodation scheme even though they have not been in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47814/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I know a person who contacted the helpline and was told a letter would be received by 11 November. That is probably not good enough. Are there people who should have received letters who have not yet received them?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I thank Ms Feehily. With regard to the helpline, I know that becasue of all the confusion demand is very high. Many people report significant delays, although I have encountered them. What is the target? How quickly does Revenue hope to deal with those who call the helpline today?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Why is it the case that payment was accepted from somebody last year based on one valuation band, but the person in question has received a charge seeking the full year amount in a higher band?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Therefore, Revenue has gone back to the original.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Revenue can go back.