Results 12,181-12,200 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: The law, I believe, says that they can open but the clear public health advice -----

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I know that. I am aware of that and if Deputy Byrne wants to ask me a question about that in a moment, I ask that he please do so. The clear advice from Dr. Tony Holohan, our Chief Medical Officer, is that hardware shops should only be open for emergencies. That will be reviewed as will all other things. We have operated a compliance structure based on buy-in and support from the...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I am happy if Members are.

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputies. There were quite a few questions there and as I have a limited amount of time, I will respond to each of the seven questions that have been tabled in writing. I want to reassure Deputy Connolly because at the heart of her questions is this idea of why long-term residential facilities were not the first priority, presumably because of the vulnerability of the residents...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Michael Collins for bringing the issue of PPE to my attention. If he wants to give me the details of the individuals or institutions involved, I will certainly liaise directly with the HSE on his behalf. In respect of the letter dated 4 April, I would hope that we have seen an improvement since then based on the decision taken by NPHET to have parity of access regarding PPE...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: Obviously, the current restrictions on work and the likes have an impact, but I am very eager for that second cath lab in Waterford to proceed.

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that the Deputy has done a huge amount of campaigning and work in regard to cardiac services in the south-east. I also congratulate him on his election. On the second cath lab in Waterford, money is ring-fenced for it. I will get a status update for the Deputy. It is not for me to police what is essential or non-essential in regard to construction works, but there is an...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: The Deputy absolutely did no such thing. I just happened to catch her eye at the time but Deputies in this House did, in recent days, contact me through a variety of fora and suggest that we should rip up the agreement and give back the private hospitals, but I have no intention of doing that.

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies Bríd Smith and Barry for their questions. In fairness, Deputy Bríd Smith acknowledged that the cases of those in long-term residential care may be complex because a number of factors quite apart from Covid-19 may be involved in someone deciding to leave his or her home - which is what a nursing home is, his or her home - to seek hospital treatment. That decision...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I will do my best to answer them.

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: There are a few parts to them. I thank the Deputy for the questions. Regarding testing, tracing and public health surveillance, that will be a major part of the easing of restrictions at whatever point that happens. However, it will not be the sole factor. Restrictions are not in place in Ireland today because we do not have the public health surveillance in place, but because the virus...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is correct that we are seeing a very significant increase in the number of infections in the nursing home setting. One of the reasons for that, I would imagine, is that we are actively looking for it in that setting. Particularly since Friday, we have seen a concerted effort, starting with nursing homes where there has been a significant outbreak, to test all asymptomatic...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies Smyth and O'Gorman for their questions. I do agree that we need to sort out the problem in respect of radiography students. I need, however, to find a mechanism similar to the one we used to resolve the issue for student nurses. We have not paid student nurses but we have offered them the right to be employed as healthcare assistants and have paid them for that. I have...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I join Deputies Feighan and Durkan in thanking our front-line staff, including those in the ambulance service, for the work they are doing. I get the point Deputy Feighan made about builders providers but taking into account the reminder that Deputy O'Reilly gave me about not speculating, which was fair, these issues will be examined by the NPHET to ensure that there is clarity for all...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I join Deputy O'Reilly in offering my sympathy and condolences to the family of the care worker to whom she referred and indeed to all families who have been bereaved. We think of them all. On staffing in nursing homes, Deputy O'Reilly made a valid point. All Members know that nursing homes often face staffing challenges and that there is often significant competition between elements...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I do not think it serves us well in our understanding of public health to differentiate between a response in the community and a response in terms of long-term residential care settings as though they are not linked. Had we not managed to flatten the curve as a people in the community, I shudder to think what the situation in our long-term residential care facilities would be like. I...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I welcome this opportunity to update the House on Covid-19 and our response to it. First, and most importantly, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of those we have lost to this disease since this House last met. I am conscious that news bulletins every night are full of statistics and reports of new cases and new deaths but we should never forget that behind...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (16 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: If we can join up plans better, we should, so I would like to hear from Dr. Lambert and I would welcome his input in that regard. Did I miss the Deputy's last question?

Health (Covid-19): Statements (16 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I do not have that information, but I would very much like to see it as well. I will try to get that figure for the Deputy this week.

Health (Covid-19): Statements (16 Apr 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies Connolly and Harkin. In response to Deputy Connolly, I have to put on the record of this House that whether they appeared in a briefing document or not, nursing homes certainly were a constant source of attention. I say that because HIQA, which regulates our nursing homes, is on the National Public Health Emergency Team so the nursing homes regulator has been sitting at the...