Results 18,961-18,980 of 45,736 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that the development of the  primary care centres in Arklow, Baltinglass and Rathdrum is being progressed.    Construction has commenced on the Baltinglass site, with the opening of the centre scheduled for 2020.  Construction of Rathdrum Primary Care Centre is planned to commence...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital Status (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: As I advised Government in December 2018, the overall cost to complete the new children’s hospital project is €1,433m – €450m more than advised to Government in April 2017.  The Revised Estimates adopted by Government for 2019 provide for the costs arising this year in respect of this priority project. The costs in future years will inform future capital...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Generic Drugs Substitution (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: My Department and the HSE are engaging in a number of initiatives which will endeavour to lead to better access to medicines for patients, value for the taxpayer and the cost- effective provision of medicines in Ireland.  A public consultation on a National Biosimilar Medicines Policy was undertaken by my Department in 2017.  The responses to that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: Recruitment and retention of nursing staff in the public health service continues to be a priority for the Government.  It is a significant challenge given a backdrop of global shortages in health professionals and international competition for nursing staff trained in Ireland. Considerable progress has been made in growing and retaining the nursing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 38 together. There are currently no plans to construct a regional hospital for the north east in Navan.  The proposal that a regional hospital be developed in Navan originated in a report prepared for the HSE in 2008.  This proposal was superseded by the Government's decision, in 2013, to re-organise acute hospitals into Hospital Groups. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (13 Mar 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services Provision (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: The HSE’s MyOptions service is a free unplanned pregnancy support service for support and information about an unplanned pregnancy. MyOptions offers non-directive, free counselling and information for people experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Information is available about all options, including continued pregnancy supports and abortion services.   The MyOptions phone line is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Staff (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: As we are aware, a branch of the Psychiatric Nurses Association called the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) has been engaged in Industrial action.  The PNA state that their industrial action is in connection with the automated deduction of union subscriptions and a refusal by the HSE to engage in negotiations with the PNA or to recognise the PNA as union...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: Following the publication of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme on 12 September, Dr Gabriel Scally committed to providing a supplementary report into certain further aspects of the laboratories, such as procurement, quality and accreditation arrangements, and governance structures. The Terms of Reference for this report were published on my...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (13 Mar 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services Provision (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to engaging with GP representatives on the development of modernised contractual arrangements.  Talks between the State and the Irish Medical Organisation resumed in October 2018 are continuing. The focus of the current phase of the talks is on developing a range of modernisation, reform and sustainability measures and the development of a chronic disease...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy Waiting Lists (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (13 Mar 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Data (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the up-to-date number of doctors working as consultants who are not on the specialist register of the Medical Council. With regard to the steps taken to address the issue, the HSE has statutory responsibility in relation to consultant posts. My Department is currently engaged with the HSE in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (13 Mar 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: Implementation of the National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016 - 2026 - is being led by the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme. I have therefore asked the HSE to reply to you directly in relation to your query on the roll out of Alongside Birth Centres.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Provision (13 Mar 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital Administration (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: There are clearly defined procedures around the recovery of excessive tender inflation in relation to the build cost for this project. The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) procurement process agreed with the contractors requires the contractors to take all risk for quantities following completion of the GMP process, and, as per the contract, limits their recovery of additional costs incurred by...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Recruitment (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: As Minister for Health, I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 recommended an increase in acute hospitals beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support the projected increase in demand for services in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services Provision (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: Two hundred and ninety-four (294) GPs have signed the contract to provide a termination of pregnancy service and more GPs are signing up as the service evolves. The HSE is satisfied that there is a good geographic spread of GPs taking part, enough to meet the needs of people who may need to access the service. In consultation with GPs, a decision was made to make participating GP details...