Results 161-180 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Accommodation Provision (3 Oct 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I acknowledge it is not the first time I have heard the Senator's concerns and anger. I can understand his frustration. It must be acknowledged that attendances at emergency departments are increasing on a yearly basis and the health service capacity review indicates that Ireland has among the highest acute bed occupancy rate in the developed world. Against that backdrop, the HSE capacity...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Traveller Community (1 Oct 2019)

Catherine Byrne: Under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, the HSE is committed to developing and implementing a detailed action plan to continue to address the health needs of Travellers, using a social determinants of health approach. The HSE circulated a first draft of the action plan in March 2019 for consultation with stakeholders, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (1 Oct 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I understand from the HSE that it does not provide on-going funding to the service referred to by the Deputy nor does it have a service level agreement with them.  In addition, the HSE advises that the service hosted a special CE Scheme for people with addictions, which falls within the remit of the  Department of Employment Support and Social Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (1 Oct 2019)

Catherine Byrne: 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: Health Services Provision (1 Oct 2019)

Catherine Byrne: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Cross-Border Health Services Provision (26 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The directive on patients' rights in cross-border healthcare, commonly called the cross-border directive, provides rules for the reimbursement to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in his or her home member state. The directive seeks...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Cross-Border Health Services Provision (26 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: Nobody is forced to use the cross-border treatment scheme. It is an option for patients if they wish to avail of it.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Cross-Border Health Services Provision (26 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: The Minister, Deputy Harris, is fully aware of the matter and has spoken to the HSE about it. Overtime has been increased and trained staff have been deployed to deal with the backlog. There is a backlog because the scheme has been such a success.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Cross-Border Health Services Provision (26 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I will continue to outline to the Minister the need to reimburse those who have to borrow to have an operation abroad. Having to wait for 90 days falls short of what is desired. Patients should be reimbursed within 30 days. I will continue to follow up on the matter with the Minister on behalf of all those who raised it in the Dáil this morning and afternoon. I cannot make a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Funding (26 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. I thank Deputy McGuinness for raising this important issue and for giving me the opportunity to outline the position with regard to the provision of respite services to clients of SOS in Kilkenny. This Government's ongoing priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Funding (26 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I reiterate that the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, is very aware of the importance of access to planned respite and that he assures the Deputy that everything possible will be done to help those who need respite, particularly families with an ongoing need for respite for their child and adult members in order to have a break. I have taken down the names of HSE staff the Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I acknowledge the work that is being done on the ground by task forces and the extra funding that has been given in the last number of weeks of over €1 million to identify different scourges of drug-taking and the influence of drug and alcohol addiction with young people right across the board. In relation to Bray and the co-ordinator, I know there are problems there. The interviews...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I have been pursuing it since the beginning of September and I intend to make sure that the position is allocated as soon as possible. The Deputy and those in Bray task force, who I have spoken to and visited, know my sincerity about having a co-ordinator in place as soon as possible. There have been difficulties in recruitment so let us be very clear on that. There is somebody now who-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: That will be carried out as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (24 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: As the question refers to service matters, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy Implementation (24 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: The National Drugs Strategy, 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery', focuses on a coordinated, comprehensive effort involving all sectors to create safer, healthier communities by supporting people to avoid, reduce and recover from drug related harm. This public health approach to drug use aims to prevent and address health problems that may arise from drug use. The report of the Working...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (17 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: A core objective of the National Drug Strategy, 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery', is to promote and protect the health and well-being of our population by delaying the use of alcohol and other drugs among young people. This is delivered through a number of evidence-based substance use education programmes which are designed to increase the understanding of the harmful effects of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (17 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: 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: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (17 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: Drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of substance misuse in their areas, and in supporting community responses, as part of a coordinated approach involving all sectors at local and regional levels. Task forces were allocated in the region of €28 million in funding for 2019.  In March 2019, I announced additional funding of €1...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (17 Sep 2019)

Catherine Byrne: The national drugs strategy 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – A health-led response to Drug and Alcohol Use in Ireland 2017 – 2025' is underpinned by the values of equity and partnership and a commitment to an evidence-informed approach. The Department Of Health  and the Health Research Board hosted the inaugural National Drugs Forum (NDF) in November 2018 as a means...