Results 16,421-16,440 of 45,608 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: The HSE’s latest income and expenditure position at 30 April 2019 shows a revenue deficit of €116.2m which represents 2.3% of the available budget. The main drivers of the deficit are acute hospitals, PCRS and demand led schemes, disability services, and the treatment abroad scheme. Current gross expenditure on the Health Vote, year to date, is 8.8% higher than the same period...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: Comparing health expenditure across countries is not straightforward, and there are a variety of ways of measuring health spend e.g. as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), modified GNI* (a national indicator that excludes the globalisation effects that disproportionately affect the measurement of the size of the economy), or per capita; or the public versus private spend. The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Data (2 Jul 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. Last year saw considerable improvement in the number of patients waiting for procedures. As a result of increased activity and the ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: In any given year, the Government has a finite amount of money for allocation in the Budget and has many competing priorities. During the fiscal crisis, as with most areas of public spending, significant reductions in health funding were experienced. Including 2014, the budget provided for health was less than that provided in the previous years, with significant targeted savings through pay...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Governance (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: The report of the cross-party Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare, Sláintecare, identifies four core building blocks that underpin a well-functioning health system. The first of these building blocks is a clear governance and accountability framework. In that respect, I was pleased to meet the new HSE Board last week prior to their inaugural meeting, who will assist in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Screening Programmes (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Data (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Data (2 Jul 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: The public health service in Ireland operates in a global market for medical specialists which is experiencing a world-wide shortage. Notwithstanding this fact, progress continues to be made in attracting and retaining consultants and in addressing improvements in the training, working environment and career pathways for Non Consultant Hospital Doctors in Ireland to encourage the supply of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (2 Jul 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines. If a company wishes to have a medicine reimbursed,...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2019)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Neville for raising this important issue. This is a key post which we funded in the budget for the development of our mental health services. The HSE is progressing with recruitment for this post. I will get the Deputy a written note in that regard.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2019)

Simon Harris: It is welcome that on a monthly basis the number of people waiting for hospital operations or procedures is fallling consistently, thanks to the investment we are making. Regarding the situation at Navan hospital, I will ask the National Treatment Purchase Fund if more can be done to deal with the issues raised. I will revert to the Deputy directly.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2019)

Simon Harris: It is a statement of fact that there are 125 more consultants working in the health service today than there were 12 months ago and 500 more than five years ago. That is not to suggest there is no challenge in recruitment and retention, as the Tánaiste outlined. The Government has shown an ability to engage on a new nurses’ contract and a significant addition to the GP contract....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Recruitment (27 Jun 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: Hospital Charges (27 Jun 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together. Patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan. These charges typically include: - Out-patient charges; - Emergency Department charges; - Daily in-patient charges;...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Charges (27 Jun 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, I have asked them to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme Data (27 Jun 2019)

Simon Harris: As the Health Service Executive collects and maintains vaccination records, I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Services Funding (27 Jun 2019)

Simon Harris: In 2019, funding of €26.1m was allocated to BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme. A 10% increase in funding for BreastCheck would amount to €2.6m. BreastCheck is a population based re-call programme that offers women aged 50 to 64 a free mammogram every two years. The extension of the service to women between the ages of 65 and 69 commenced on an incremental...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Services Funding (27 Jun 2019)

Simon Harris: Government has committed to fully implementing the recommendations of Dr Scally’s Scoping Inquiry. Full implementation represents a very broad programme of work incorporating improvements across the National Screening Service and wider health services, and funding to support this work was allocated in Budget 2019, together with funding to support the switch to HPV primary testing. The...