Results 12,721-12,740 of 46,456 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: The decision to proceed with the NCHD changeover on 13 July this year was taken after detailed consideration and consultation, in particular with the Forum of Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies and clinical sites. It was heavily weighted on the interests of trainees and training, whilst be cognisant of the Public Health advice and patient care. This decision has been communicated by...

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 Tests (20 May 2020)

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

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: Voluntary Sector Remuneration (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The employees of section 38 organisations are classified as public servants and therefore, the employer is obliged to adhere to the salary scales as set out in the Department of Health consolidated salary scales. Section 39 organisations, however, are private sector employers and are therefore not required to adhere to these salary scales.  It is a matter for the individual employer...

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

Simon Harris: At present real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for diagnosing suspected cases of COVID-19. There is no role for using this test as an indication of past infection. It can only detect whether there is active virus present at the time of the test. However serological testing can be used to estimate the level of past exposure and immunity...

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.