Results 19,041-19,060 of 45,789 for speaker:Simon Harris

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: Departmental Reports (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy has been made aware on numerous occasions, there are two separate pathways for accessing cannabis for medical use. Each pathway serves a different purpose and therefore the Deputy's assertion that a contradiction exists is misinterpreted. For the purposes of clarity the two different access pathways are:  1. Via Ministerial licence: Under the...

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 details sought on unfilled posts. The Government is committed to increasing the consultant workforce to support service delivery and to move to a consultant delivered service. While the Pay Commission noted that the incremental measures being introduced for new entrants would not be sufficient to bridge the gap...

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

Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to introduce HPV testing as the primary screening method for the prevention of cervical cancer as soon as possible. Funding to implement the switch to HPV screening, and extend HPV vaccination to boys, has been allocated in Budget 2019. The decision to switch to primary HPV screening follows on from a Health Technology Assessment carried out by HIQA. This found that...

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

Simon Harris: The Emergency Department in University Hospital Limerick is one of the busiest in the country, with the number of patients attending growing year on year. Limerick was identified as a one of 9 sites requiring additional investment, focus and support as part this year’s Winter Plan. The problem of overcrowding in hospitals requires a full system, patient focused response. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Data (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: Emergency Departments Services (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: Cancer Screening Programmes (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: The increased volume of smear tests since the CervicalCheck issues arose in April 2018 has been significant, and includes women who have availed of the out of cycle tests, but also a greater number of women presenting for scheduled screening. This increased level of engagement with the programme is welcome. However, the increased demand has undoubtedly put pressure on lab capacity and...

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

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that talks are ongoing with GP representatives on the development of modernised GP contractual arrangements.  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 management programme. This will enable GPs to better meet the needs of patients and...

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

Simon Harris: I was advised by my officials in September 2017 of a potential cost overrun of €61m, related to a number of factors (including programme alignment, resequencing of works at OPD urgent care centres and fire certificate requirements).  This was monitored through 2017 and 2018 with a view to offsetting the potential cost increases through a variety of measures.  I was next...

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

Simon Harris: The HSE’s monthly financial reporting is against a monthly budget that is based on annual profiles determined as part of the annual process of preparing the organisations detailed operational plans. The 2019 operational plans are currently being finalised by the HSE and final figures on year to date performance will not be available until the plans are signed off. In overall terms,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Industrial Disputes (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: Representatives of my Department, the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have been engaged in intensive talks with representatives of the INMO in relation to the recent Labour Court recommendations that were issued in relation to the nursing dispute.  At the conclusion of engagement between all sides on 11th March, agreement was not reached...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Budgets (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: The 2019 National Service Plan set out a budget of over €16.05 billion for the HSE, the highest budget ever allocated. The HSE current expenditure budget was increased by over €848 million on the 2018 Supplementary budget, a substantial additional level of funding. The amount allocated follows an extensive process of engagement between my Department and DPER, which considers...

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: Hospital Services (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: In 2016, the Herity Report concluded that the needs of the effective catchment population of University Hospital Waterford (UHW) could be accommodated from a single cath lab and recommended that the operating hours of the existing cath lab should be extended. Approval and funding has been provided for the additional staff required to facilitate this service expansion and five staff (Grade IV...

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

Simon Harris: The Government is aware of workforce issues facing general practice, including the influence of demographic factors, and has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice. These include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible GMS contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme...