Results 11,121-11,140 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I have no plans to provide to provide funding for the purchase of bicycles and pedicels to travel to work in the manner described by the Deputy.  However, the Deputy may wish to note that the Health Service Executive (HSE) operates the "Cycle to Work Scheme" a government scheme to encourage people to cycle to work came into force on January 01 2009. Under this scheme, an employer...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: While the evidence relating to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is evolving, it is clear now that the risks of transmission of any respiratory pathogens such as the type that causes Covid-19 are lessened when greater distance is maintained between people. The current advice is that you should follow social distancing guidance everywhere outside the home, including keeping a physical distance of 2 metres...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As the HSE has responsibility, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disease Management (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is responsible for the surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases such as Lyme disease.  The Scientific Advisory Committee of the HPSC established a Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee to look at ways of increasing public awareness.  Part of the work of the Subcommittee is to ensure that all GPs are familiar with identifying...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Data (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 717 to 720, inclusive, together. As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (16 Jun 2020)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening of Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. Phase 1 was introduced on 18 May 2020 and the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that there was no expenditure on social media monitoring by my Department in 2018 and 2019.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I am more than happy to respond in writing.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I like to think I try to fight inequality as well. I think we all do in our own way. Certainly my comments describing the virus as a villain related to the fact that sometimes in this place there can be a culture of blame, such as blaming NPHET or blaming the HSE. From my experience, everyone has been working 24-7 to do their very best against the challenge of the virus. I offer my...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Deputy makes a valid point about barbers. I have been listening to them in the media recently and heard about the big efforts they have been making to adapt their premises. I heard them talk about bringing one or two customers in at a time. They are going to great lengths and I hope we can make progress on this. As a Government, we must consider the public health advice and I have...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: If we do not open them soon, I will have to borrow the Deputy's cap because-----

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: -----it is getting harder to stick our hair down every day. There is, however, a very serious point here. There are many people who want to go back to work and make a living and who employ people in every town and village. As I said earlier, there is also a mental health aspect to this issue. There are people, particularly older people, who get their hair done once a week not necessarily...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Deputy has raised children, residents in nursing homes, direct provision, meat factories and highlighted the inequalities in society-----

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: -----and I would like to talk about them. I have not received a letter from anybody in this House asking me to open a playground but I received many asking me to open golf clubs. That says a lot about our values as a society. In regard to BreastCheck and CervicalCheck, and any attempt to create a conspiracy theory in this regard, let us remember what we told people: "Do not leave your...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The National Public Health Emergency Team made these decisions and I accept their advice in full. I support them 110%-----

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: -----but let us not create revisionism here. The idea that we would be telling women who were not sick to go to health services at a time when we were petrified everybody would get very sick from Covid-19 is ludicrous.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The women of Ireland will be reassured that the measures that will be taken in respect of the National Screening Service will be taken in line with clinical advice rather than my political views of the world. I have already told the House today that by the end of this month the National Screening Service will outline the restart dates for each of the four screening programmes. I fully agree...