Results 11,741-11,760 of 45,563 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: The short answer is that, yes, it is something I consider doing as a matter of urgency but there is work under way in respect of it. The Deputy is entirely correct. Our clinical experts believe we are going to need to keep bed occupancy in our public health service at approximately 80% to 85%. That is what it should normally be but we know that this has not been the norm in Ireland. We...

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

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy Butler. On the nursing homes, I have informed Nursing Homes Ireland of this expert panel and we will certainly have an opportunity for it to input. There will be many stakeholders from which the expert panel will need to hear. I do not intend to have people from representative bodies on it but it is important that there is a way for those bodies to have an input. ...

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

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Browne for raising these matters. It is timely because, yesterday, I spent much of the day meeting, at the request of Deputy Shortall, the Disability Action Coalition, Disability Federation of Ireland and the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, which work with and represent people with intellectual disabilities and their service providers. They have done an...

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

Simon Harris: Okay. I will certainly undertake to do that and will revert to the Deputy next week.

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

Simon Harris: Can I make a point?

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

Simon Harris: Can I ask-----

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

Simon Harris: May I reply to the Deputy?

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

Simon Harris: I will be brief. I am not going to stand in this House and have any slur made against my name.

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

Simon Harris: I abide, as I expect all of us to do in our workplace, by the public health advice that is given. The public health advice given to the Business Committee, and commissioned, I believe, by the Oireachtas, pertains to how we do our business in a safe manner. Should that public health advice change or should the Oireachtas adopt a different position----

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

Simon Harris: I am more than happy to be here. I am abiding by the public health advice and I suggest Deputy Carthy do the same.

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

Simon Harris: By the way, I am here and Deputy Carthy can ask me any questions he wishes.

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

Simon Harris: I welcome this opportunity to be in this House again regarding Covid-19 and our national response to it. I am sure Deputy Carthy would like to stay and ask me some questions on the topic, although he is leaving the Chamber now. First and most important, I wish to express my sympathy to the family and friends of those that have been lost to this disease since I was last in this House. I...

Written Answers — Department of Health: State Claims Agency Data (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims, including claims in respect of clinical negligence, on behalf of Delegated State Authorities (DSA’s) including the Health Service Executive.  I have been informed by the SCA that it has not received any claims relating to COVID-19 to date and also that it is not possible to predict with...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Direct Provision System (20 May 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: It is an offence to cultivate, import, export, produce, supply and possess cannabis except in accordance with a Ministerial licence. The Misuse of Drugs (Designation) Order 2017, limits the purposes for which such licences for cannabis can be issued, for example for forensic analysis or research - including research involving the cultivation of cannabis for use in approved clinical...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Agency Staff (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Public Health Emergency Team (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for COVID-19 was established on 27 January 2020. It is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer. The NPHET oversees and provides national direction, guidance, support and expert advice on the development and implementation of a strategy to contain COVID-19 in Ireland.  It is not a permanent structure, but rather is established in response to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: As the HSE has responsibility for procurement issues, I have asked the agency to respond directly to the Deputy. 

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital.  I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.