Results 12,061-12,080 of 46,456 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Data Collection (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Data Protection Commission is the statutory body charged with responsibility to ensure protection of data subjects’ rights and compliance by data controllers with data protection law in this country, including the Health Research Regulations. In line with established international best practice on informed consent in health research, the Regulations require any data...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: In order to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in acute hospitals, the National Public Health Emergency Team mandated the implementation of  a suite of 29 measures across a number of different areas including in relation to governance, risk management, outbreak management and staff. My Department is working with the HSE to ensure that these measures are implemented consistently...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Podiatry Services (16 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: Health Insurance (16 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (16 Jun 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Government's approach regarding the reduction of measures introduced to control the spread of Covid-19 is public health-led and grounded in evidence, in line with the recommendations of the WHO, the ECDC and the EU Commission, as well as experience and learning from similar countries, both in Europe and further afield including China and elsewhere. The Government’s Roadmap for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I have no plans to provide to provide funding for the purchase of bicycles and pedicels to travel to work in the manner described by the Deputy.  However, the Deputy may wish to note that the Health Service Executive (HSE) operates the "Cycle to Work Scheme" a government scheme to encourage people to cycle to work came into force on January 01 2009. Under this scheme, an employer...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 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 (16 Jun 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disease Management (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is responsible for the surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases such as Lyme disease.  The Scientific Advisory Committee of the HPSC established a Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee to look at ways of increasing public awareness.  Part of the work of the Subcommittee is to ensure that all GPs are familiar with identifying...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (16 Jun 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (16 Jun 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 Data (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 717 to 720, inclusive, together. As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (16 Jun 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 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 the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that there was no expenditure on social media monitoring by my Department in 2018 and 2019.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I am more than happy to respond in writing.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I like to think I try to fight inequality as well. I think we all do in our own way. Certainly my comments describing the virus as a villain related to the fact that sometimes in this place there can be a culture of blame, such as blaming NPHET or blaming the HSE. From my experience, everyone has been working 24-7 to do their very best against the challenge of the virus. I offer my...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Deputy makes a valid point about barbers. I have been listening to them in the media recently and heard about the big efforts they have been making to adapt their premises. I heard them talk about bringing one or two customers in at a time. They are going to great lengths and I hope we can make progress on this. As a Government, we must consider the public health advice and I have...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: If we do not open them soon, I will have to borrow the Deputy's cap because-----