Results 14,861-14,880 of 45,539 for speaker:Simon Harris

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: There has been no indication to me it will be delayed. On Tony O'Reilly's letter I will make sure I personally see that and respond to it. I am aware that Deputy Kelly has been a great support to John Wall - he said that to me - but I hear the Deputy on the issue and I am conscious of doing something. On the issues in Letterkenny I have been informed that under the patient safety...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I will deal with the first two. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, will take the question about children with disabilities. On the minor ailments scheme, I am very glad that the Senator raised the issue because representatives of the Irish Pharmacy Union came to see me in the not-too-distant past. It has been a really constructive partner on Sláintecare and in coming up...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I am sorry to interrupt Ms O'Connor; we have already made a very significant investment in extra therapy posts this year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I refer to 100 posts that the HSE is working to fill by the end of the year. I thank the organisation for its diligence in that regard. One of the conversations we had earlier, which the CEO also addressed concerned the mapping exercise of what the workforce plan looks like for each of our new regional areas. The Deputy has been a big believer that we should return to regional...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: On speech and language therapy, I reiterate the points the Minister of State and I have made. I fully agree with Deputy Durkan. The issue that he has raised highlights the need for us to create community teams in areas. I say that because where an area becomes so wholly dependent on any one healthcare professional, and things can happen in all of our lives in terms of career breaks,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I will ask Mr. Reid to respond to the question on agency staff.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: We do clinical trials all the time in Ireland and an expert group comprising scientists, neurologists, and others put the guidelines for this programme in place. We have met HPRA officials and they have satisfied themselves about the programme. The authority's advice stated that if access to cannabis were permitted for medical purposes, it should only be initiated under the direct...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: No, there are not. However, this programme will enable us to gather information. It is only operated under the advice of a medical consultant and is in line with what other European countries are doing, including Denmark-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: It is prescribed by the treating consultant.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I understand the Deputy's concern, but there is possibly less flexibility in this case. GPs could apply to the ministerial licence scheme, whereas only a treating consultant can apply to this programme. The treating consultant is the safeguard. There is no pseudoscience involved. A medically qualified consultant who is treating someone has to satisfy himself or herself that this is worth...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I am just telling the Deputy that that is my view as Minister for Health. I am not disagreeing with her view that there is no evidence base for cannabis as a medicine. However, it is the medicine of last resort. If a medically qualified consultant treating someone for one of the three relevant conditions believes it could help, he or she is allowed to seek the licence. We spent a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I agree with Deputy O'Connell 110% on the issue of contraception. I expect to receive the report of the working group in the next few days which I will publish or make available to Members of the Oireachtas quickly. I want to work on the issue in a collaborative way. The Deputy is right. As I said to Deputy O'Reilly, a significant financial commitment will be required, but there is more...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I will have to reflect on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I am always under pressure for time but I am delighted to be here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I am aware of Deputy Brassil's commitment and knowledge on this as a professional, as is Deputy O'Connell also. I said, but want to repeat, that the IPU, particularly in relation to Brexit, has been an extraordinary organisation to engage with. I made the comment at the last external stakeholders meeting, "If only we could all be as collaborative on other issues." It has been brilliant in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I note the importance the Deputy attaches to it by the time he has had to spend here to raise it today. No doubt there is significant unmet need when it comes to both permanent residential places and emergency places. We are endeavouring to prioritise both in our budgetary discussions, which, as he can imagine, are tricky considering the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy, who has raised a very important matter. I share his concern because, as he correctly states, we have sanctioned the funding for these 14 posts. I have also been in contact with the HSE seeking an update. I do not know if Ms O'Connor has an update or whether she will revert to the Deputy and me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: There is funding in place.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I am pleased the Deputy asked about this as I am asking many questions about it. The short answer is that the MRI for Kilkenny is absolutely funded. I thank the Friends of St. Luke's Hospital Carlow-Kilkenny, one of whom has been in direct contact with me, for the incredible fundraising work that the local community has done with this facility. We are putting in more than just a new MRI...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Meeting on Health Issues: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: Yes. It is in the capital plan. The next step in the sequence is going to tender.