Results 11,541-11,560 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Acquired Infections (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: As this is an operational matter the Question has been referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for answer and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Home Accommodation (27 May 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 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 Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (27 May 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I have no plans in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Services (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Saolta Hospital Group advise that a number of improvements were made in University Hospital Galway in 2019 to streamline processes, thereby facilitating an increase in the number of chemotherapy slots per day from 16 to 22. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the feasibility and estimated cost of providing further additional chemotherapy slots at the hospital.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 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 Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Detailed guidance and FAQs have been prepared and circulated by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to payment for public servants while on special leave in relation to a COVID 19 related absences. As per the DPER FAQ document, where employees are eligible to receive special leave with pay while absent from work due to COVID-19, payment is based on basic salary and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Childcare Services (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Several options to support essential workers who are parents and have childcare difficulties have been considered, and unfortunately none of the options are without their challenges in the current circumstances. While the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers that Dr Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was to establish regrettably cannot proceed...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Correspondence (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The letters the Deputy is referring to were published on the website of the Department of Health on 14 May 2020 and are available at

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Although GPs will ordinarily accept new patients who hold a medical or GP visit card on to their GMS panel, a GP may choose not to accept such a patient. Additionally, the GMS GP contract stipulates that the maximum number of medical card or GP visit card patients that a GP can have on his/her panel is 2,000, or 2,200 if the GP also holds an under 6 contract, except in exceptional...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 529 together. As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The HSE, together with my Department and other bodies, has worked hard in the last two months to develop Ireland’s testing and tracing process, to expand capacity and to reduce turnaround times, and significant progress has been made. On 14 May the HSE published its Roadmap on Testing and Tracing which confirms capacity is now in place across the full testing pathway to test 15,000...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organization, and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Most personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed for single use and immediate disposal so as to minimise the risk of spreading infection. However, this practice creates a number of issues in terms of cost, sustainability of supply, and environmental impact. With these issues in mind, the HSE is already investigating the possibility of procuring more sustainable PPE, such as reusable...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (27 May 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 National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: On the 16th December 2019, the Government approved the drafting of legislation which, inter alia, would give effect to the Budget 2020 commitment to provide for the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under. The initial stage of this phased expansion is the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged between 6 and 8 years. Substantial work has...