Results 2,021-2,040 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (8 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: A Bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act to bring a number of new substances under the scope of that legislation is currently being drafted and it is the intention to publish it before the House rises for the summer. In addition to this, regulations will be made to introduce substantial additional controls on certain prescription drugs being traded illicitly, such as benzodiazepines and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (8 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health is developing a new National Drugs Strategy, which will cover the period from 2017 onwards. A Steering Committee, chaired by the former General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation and with representatives from the relevant Statutory, Community and Voluntary Sectors listed below, has been established to oversee the process. Sector Body Number of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs-related Deaths (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: In May 2015, the HSE undertook a demonstration project to assess and evaluate the suitability and impact of using a pre-filled Naloxone injection which is designed for non-medical administration in Ireland. Naloxone is an antidote used to reverse the effects of opioid drugs like heroin, morphine and methadone, if someone overdoses. An external Evaluation of the Naloxone Demonstration Project...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The South West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force receives annual funding from the Health Service Executive to allocate to community-based drugs initiatives at a local level. It is a matter for the Task Force concerned to ensure that its budget is effectively deployed based on locally identified needs and priorities, taking into account the changing nature of the drugs problem. Applications...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Policy (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health is developing a new National Drugs Strategy, which will cover the period from 2017 onwards. A Steering Committee, chaired by former General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation and with representatives from the relevant Statutory, Community and Voluntary Sectors, has been established to oversee the process. The Steering Committee will provide...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (14 Jun 2016)

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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy Implementation (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Health is developing a new National Drugs Strategy, which will cover the period from 2017 onwards. A Steering Committee, chaired by John Carr, former General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation and with representatives from the relevant Statutory, Community and Voluntary Sectors, has been established to advise me on how a new...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The HSE maintains the Central Treatment List, which is a register of all clients in receipt of methadone maintenance treatment for problem opiate use in Ireland. However, the information sought by the Deputy is not available as only individuals who come into contact with drug treatment services are recorded. Obtaining a reliable view of the extent of illicit drug use in the population...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Government's response to the problem of drug misuse in our society is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The overall objective of the National Drugs Strategy is to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The nature and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 to 489, inclusive, together. As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received replies from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 491 together. The overall objective of the National Drugs Strategy is to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. Periodic reviews of progress of the actions across the five pillars of the current...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (15 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank both Deputies for raising this matter. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, who cannot be here. I am aware of concerns about discharges in north county Dublin and the subsequent impact on beach water quality, including in Rush. However, it is important to state neither the Minister nor his Department has any direct role in monitoring or...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (15 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I will move to the last sentence. The next stage of the strategy, to connect the entire Rush catchment to the wastewater treatment plant, is set to commence construction in the third quarter of the year and expected to be completed in two years. The scheme involves the construction of three new pump stations and approximately 6 km of associated sewers.

Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (15 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I will take the Deputies' concerns on board. As I said at the beginning of the reply, there is historical underinvestment in water infrastructure which is the reason we now have this major crisis. I will raise with the Minister the Deputy's concern around his lack of response to the crisis. Perhaps he might come back to the Deputy himself. While tackling the causes of beach pollution is a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (21 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Drugs Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and co-ordinating action at local level so that there is a targeted response to the drug problem in local communities. I am informed that the Interagency Group, who carried out the survey, are presenting their findings to the East Coast Regional Task Force at the next Task Force meeting. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (21 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health is developing a new National Drugs Strategy, which will take effect in 2017, when the current policy expires. A Steering Committee has been established to oversee the process and to advise me on how the new Strategy should address problem drug use, including the structures through which this should be done and incorporating key performance indicators to measure the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (21 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 459 together. As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputies. If the Deputies have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days they should contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (22 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy for providing me with the opportunity to speak on the subject of strokes. I am replying to this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, and I am sorry that he cannot be here. The aim of the HSE national clinical programme for stroke is to improve the quality, access and cost-effectiveness of stroke services in Ireland. Since the...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (22 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I certainly will convey the Deputy's concerns. The figure of 4% for strokes in Kerry General Hospital is a huge concern. I emphasise again that the Minister has made it clear that the HSE is trying its best to recruit staff but it has been challenging. It is in the process of ensuring there will be a unit in place as soon as possible. I will convey the Deputy's comments to the Minister....