Results 11,261-11,280 of 45,563 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: A major part of the Government's Action Plan in response to Covid-19 was to substantially increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities to cope with the anticipated additional demand. In order to urgently ramp up capacity for acute care facilities, an arrangement was agreed with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system on a temporary basis, to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, during these exceptional times, some of the normal aspirations of people at end of life and of their families have had to be curtailed in the interests of containing the spread of the coronavirus.In particular, restrictions have been placed on visiting hospitals and residential care settings, and the numbers attending funerals have been severely reduced, while the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (9 Jun 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cycle to Work Scheme (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the staff of my Department who have availed of the cycle to work scheme since 2013 is set out in the following table. Cycle to Work Scheme - Amounts by Year Year No. of Applications Total Cost Department of Health 2013 5 €4,470 2014 ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The public health advice for people arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days. Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people. Information for those who are self-isolating and for people living with those who are self-isolating is published by the HSE on www.hse.ie. Information resources on self-isolation are also...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: Both my Department and the HSE are committed to protecting the identity and medical confidentiality of direct provision residents, as required by law, and therefore do not give specific information about individuals or locations. Information on cases or outbreaks of any illness (COVID-19 or otherwise) is provided only if there is a public health reason to do so. However, I have asked the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 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, as the Deputy is aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Physiotherapy Services (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 121 of 2020) and subsequent amendments were in effect until 8 June 2020. Physiotherapists are members of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005) and have been and continue to be permitted to operate. On 8...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme (9 Jun 2020)

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. In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Screening Programmes (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: Currently all newborn babies (between 3 and 5 days old) are offered newborn bloodspot screening (generally known as the ‘heel prick’) through their parents/guardians for eight very rare conditions that are treatable if detected early in life. A National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) was established in 2019 and has held two meetings to date. The Committee’s role...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 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 (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I and my Ministerial colleagues engage regularly with our EU counterparts; in my case this is done at the EPSCO (Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs) Council meeting of Health Ministers and through bilateral contacts. Since 15 April there have been five Informal Video Conferences of Health Ministers where a wide range of Covid-19 related issues were discussed. This followed...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 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, as the Deputy is aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: Day care services play an important role in enabling people with dementia to continue living in their communities, and the Government appreciates the work of these services. The Department of Health and the HSE are undertaking work to determine the current level of service delivery in the community and to set out plans, including associated required capacity, to resume services, including day...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I take the Deputy's question to relate to provision of non-Covid acute services specifically. In line with the National Action Plan for Covid-19, delivery of essential non-Covid acute care has continued to date, albeit at lower volumes than previously, often in alternative locations and using innovative methods of care delivery. Where possible, hospitals are working to provide services in a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Environmental Schemes (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I am advised that responsibility for keeping land or property rodent free under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act 1919 lies with the owner/occupier of the land/property in question. As the properties referred to by the Deputy are owned by Dublin City Council, it is a matter for the Council to ensure they are kept rodent free. I have no plans to set up a special unit in my Department to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Data (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: A major part of the Government's Action Plan in response to Covid-19 was to substantially increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities to cope with the anticipated additional demand. In order to urgently ramp up capacity for acute care facilities, an arrangement was agreed with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system on a temporary basis, to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.