Results 14,381-14,400 of 45,622 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I have already given that commitment but I am happy to give it again. I have engaged with Deputies on a cross-party basis in the mid-west on this issue. It is fair to say that in years gone by the region was left with an inadequate number of beds. We are fixing that problem. I recently paid an unannounced visit to University Hospital Limerick where I saw that a 60-bed ward extension is...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Martin for the question. I note the Ombudsman's comments and I intend to meet with the Ombudsman shortly to discuss this. A number of Departments have worked on it. It is a whole-of-Civil Service initiative. I will revert to the Deputy this week in terms of a timeframe for the Pathfinder project.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: All 100 will be hired.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: That is not true. The Deputy is misleading the House. I will write to him and he can correct the record.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: This is coming from the man who cut the disability allowance.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: Was Fianna Fáil in government? I had forgotten.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: It is important to note that vaccine hesitancy is not unique to Ireland. It is a global issue and has been identified by the World Health Organisation as one of the ten leading threats to global health in 2019. One of my priorities as Minister for Health is to increase vaccination rates across the country and several options in this area are being explored. In this regard, I wrote to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Consultant Recruitment (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 159 together. The Consultant Medical Oncologist with a special interest in sarcoma was due to commence on 1st September 2019. On 17th September she advised Human Resources in St Vincent’s University Hospital that she would not be taking up the post due to personal reasons. St Vincent’s University Hospital informed the Department of this...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (16 Oct 2019)

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: Mental Health Services Staff (16 Oct 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Data (16 Oct 2019)

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: Hospitals Data (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: This is a very busy period for our health services, with many hospitals reporting significant numbers of patient attendances. For the first nine months of 2019, the number of patients attending hospital EDs increased by 3%, and the number of ED admissions increased by 1.4% compared to the same period last year. In the first six months of 2019, our health services managed better and the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Palliative Care Facilities (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The HSE's Palliative Care Services Three Year Development Framework informs the development of adult palliative care services in Ireland, both generalist and specialist, for the period 2017-2019. The Framework identifies a need for a 16-bed unit for Cavan and Monaghan, which is currently in the planning stage of development. My Department is continuing to engage with the HSE and local...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families. In this regard, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (16 Oct 2019)

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: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: As the question tabled by the Deputy refers to matters that are the responsibility of the Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy. Primary responsibility for funding the digitisation programme rests with the NMBI. To date the Department has made a contribution of €44,480 to the overall costs

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The establishment of Hospital Groups has enabled a better configuration of hospital services with benefits relating to safety, quality, access, cost and sustainable medical staffing. The structure ensures that Hospitals working together in a Group will be able to support each other, providing a stronger role for smaller hospitals in delivering less complex care, and ensuring that those who...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: Minor Injuries Clinics and similar units provide valuable services to local communities and alleviate the pressures on Emergency Departments. The Minor Injury Unit in Monaghan Hospital is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and can treat both adults and children over 5 years with non-life-threatening or limb-threatening injuries. As outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Properties (16 Oct 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.