Results 11,781-11,800 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

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

Simon Harris: The ECDC has advised that immunoassays detecting specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) will play an important role in the future for epidemiological surveillance, evaluation of immunity and the outcome of future vaccination studies. However, the reliability of serological tests remains a major issue as does the interpretation of what immunity means and how long it might last....

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

Simon Harris: The matter raised is more appropriate to my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the agreement with the private hospitals payment to them will be on a cost only Open Book model whereby the hospitals will be reimbursed only for the operating costs properly incurred during the period. The costs that will be covered will be limited to normal costs of operating the hospital.  The final cost will be verified by independent firms of accountants appointed by the HSE...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Human Reproduction (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 766 and 775 together. Private fertility clinics operating in Ireland suspended the provision of assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment during the current Covid-19 emergency on foot of guidance issued by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in mid-March. However, on April 23 2020, ESHRE issued a new statement...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: On December 16,  2019 the Government approved the drafting of legislation which, inter alia, would give effect to the Budget 2020 commitment to increase the medical card income thresholds for persons aged over 70.  Substantial work has been undertaken by officials in this regard.

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

Simon Harris: In the first instance it is the responsibility of individual businesses to determine whether they are in compliance with the requirements of the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business. If guidance is required in relation to a business activity in a particular sector of the economy that advice should be sought from the Government Department with...

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

Simon Harris: NPHET has considered issues in relation to overseas travel, informed by World Health Organisation and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control guidance, approaches and learning from other countries, and reports of importation of cases in a number of countries following relaxation of restrictions. As the number of indigenous cases here declines and Ireland eases some...

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

Simon Harris: Article 2 is one of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR’s) most fundamental Articles and is non-derogable. Article 2(1) places an obligation on the State not only to refrain from the intentional and unlawful taking of life but also to take appropriate steps to safeguard the lives of those within its jurisdiction. The Ethical Framework for Decision Making in a Pandemic...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Access (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I had a very constructive meeting with the Association of Optometrists in Ireland (AOI) earlier this week at which these recommendations were among the issues discussed. I will continue to engage with the AOI and other stakeholders as we progress with a new model of eye care in line with the HSE Primary Care Eye Services Review Group Report.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (20 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 (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The National Council for the Blind Ireland (NCBI) established a National Helpline (1850 33 43 53) to provide support, advice and information to blind or vision impaired people during the Covid-19 pandemic. I understand that the NCBI is currently developing guidance for employers as to what measures might be taken to facilitate blind or vision impaired employees. My Department will continue...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ministerial Correspondence (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I have appointed two special advisers under Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. It would be expected that there would be daily and ongoing interaction, including email, between myself and my advisers.  I will be more than happy to respond further to the Deputy in regard to a request for specific information.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Correspondence (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The role of the Department of Health is to provide strategic leadership for the health service and to ensure that government policies are translated into actions and implemented effectively.  The Department supports the Minister and Ministers of State in their implementation of government policy and in discharging their governmental, parliamentary and departmental duties.  The...

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

Simon Harris: My Department is not providing detailed guidance for open water swimming instructors or open water swimming sessions. Guidance in relation to activities in specific sectors of the economy should in the first instance be sought from the Governement Department with responsibility for that sector.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (20 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 Government’s Action Plan in Response to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The National Action Plan on Covid-19 identified the continued delivery of cancer care as a priority, through ensuring the delivery of national specialities and maintaining urgent activity (including cancer rapid access clinics).  In line with this, cancer services have continued following consideration of the risk:benefit ratio of treatment for individual patients, the...