Results 11,721-11,740 of 45,563 for speaker:Simon Harris

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I will indeed. To be clear, I am aware of the 15 minutes within 2 m in terms of close contact and I am aware of the two hours in terms of close contact. It is a question of how long one must leave an area before coming back.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I first became aware this week that one needs to have a 24-hour period. I am a Member of this House and I want it to be able to do its business. I am one of the few people who is here answering questions every single week along with the Taoiseach and a couple of others. I am sure there are ways we can get this right. I am a receiver of the advice-----

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: -----rather than a maker of it. I am sure the Ceann Comhairle and the House's authorities can clarify, but my understanding is that the Oireachtas made a decision to seek public health advice in terms of how it conducts its business. The Oireachtas is sharing that public health advice with Members.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: One is not less of a Member upon becoming a Minister-----

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: -----in terms of one's own health. Regarding other workplaces, I heard the deputy Chief Medical Officer speaking about this matter yesterday. It is about carrying out a risk-based assessment of any workplace and a variety of factors can obtain, for example, the safety of a location, how long to spend in a room and the like, but I am sure there can be more clarification. I hope that a...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I doubt the whole country is waiting to hear what I will say on this, but I will be clear. On 27 March, workplace protection and improvement guidance was issued by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI, for all workplaces that were open. The NSAI is the body from which people and businesses around the country are taking their advice. Guidance has been issued for many different...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Certainly, on a North, South, east and west basis this is a matter I have discussed with my counterpart in Northern Ireland and I know the Taoiseach has spoken publicly about his discussions with the British Prime Minister. At a European level, there is no doubt this is discussed at various ministerial European Union Councils and the like. We must acknowledge that different countries are in...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I became aware of it this week, I believe. I have heard this mentioned during the day and I have heard people asking the Taoiseach to clarify the matter etc. I am open to correction from the authorities in the Oireachtas but my understanding is that the Oireachtas brought in a public health expert. I heard Deputy O'Reilly describe the person as an independent public health expert.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: There was an assessment of this workplace and guidance was to be provided not just to Deputies, Senators and Ministers but everybody who works in this place to whom we owe a duty of care. That includes our staff and everybody else. It was the view in the advice, and I am only going along with that not as a Minister but as a Deputy in my workplace. It is the Oireachtas public health advice...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Smith for raising this matter. We know that roughly from the middle of March until 12 May the position was that all non-essential health services were effectively paused. Then, on 12 May, the national public health emergency team said that from a public health point of view the team believed it was appropriate to lift the pause and replace it with a recommendation on...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: That is a really important question. We have all probably met with Mental Health Reform and other organisations on this. We need a new vision for change, absolutely. My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health services, has been working on this and there is now a draft new version of A Vision for Change. It was considered by a Cabinet committee. It is ready...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Yes. I was going to be funny and say that Deputy Smith could answer that, but I will not because it is a serious matter. It is ready to go to Government. There is a longstanding principle that I would not bring forward a new policy after an election but it could be brought by a new Minister for Health during his or her first or second week in the job.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I absolutely will do so. I discussed this with the chairperson of the HSE and the chief executive. I am conscious and clear about the fact that NPHET advises the Government from a public health point of view on the Covid-19 pandemic. The running of the health service falls to the HSE. I have had good discussions with the HSE on non-covid planning. I see Deputy Kelly nodding in agreement....

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that Deputy O'Dowd has been working on nursing home issues, if I may call them that, since long before I was a Member of this House. He has championed the rights of older people, so I take very seriously what he has to say about the matter. He is right. At the end of this pandemic, or when a new Government is formed, there will be a big job of work for this Oireachtas to do...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I offer my sincere sympathy to the Deputy for the loss his community is feeling because of people losing their lives to suicide. The Deputy is entirely right to put on the record of this House that it is okay not to feel okay and that there are supports available. I direct people to yourmentalhealth.iefor a range of good information and supports. I am in favour of the suggestion of a...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: According to my note, it is 300 hours per quarter. The funding is being provided to fund an additional 300 hours for high-risk clients and the quarterly review will ensure that any client who commences a programme of support can have reasonable assurance of its completion. The cashflow supports are also contingent on a continuation between the HSE and Pieta House. I will confirm that in...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy and note his sincere and strong interest in the issue of mental health. I could outline, although I do not have the time now, what we are doing to beef up the public mental health services but I agree with the Deputy that Pieta House does a really good job. It is very well regarded by people throughout our country, as was seen in recent weeks in terms of how people...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: There are quite a few questions from the Deputy, as always, which is good. I might respond in writing to some of them. I have a list of the breakdown for inpatient discharges, day cases, diagnostics and total outpatient figures relating to the private hospitals. If I was to read it out, it would take up all of the time so I will send it to the Deputy. I have an open mind regarding how...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I will ask nicely. I am sure the Deputy does so too. I am of the view that it should be on a legal footing. Government is working on that and I hope to have news for Deputy O'Reilly in respect of it shortly. We are also keeping our Northern Ireland colleagues informed of our plans in that regard and we had a quad group meeting recently with the Deputy First Minister, the Secretary of...