Results 2,121-2,140 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (11 Oct 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.

Financial Resolutions 2017 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (13 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I welcome the €3 million being provided to support drug and social inclusion measures in 2017. This will bring the total funding available to the HSE for social inclusion services to over €131 million. The Department also provides more than €6 million for drugs and local task forces. The additional funding announced in the budget will enable the HSE to continue to...

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (13 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this topical issue debate on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality who cannot be here this afternoon. As the Tánaiste recently outlined in responses to a number of parliamentary questions on this issue, we should be clear there is no official refugee or migrant camp in Calais. Calais does not fall under the EU relocation or resettlement decisions...

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (13 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Deputy is not alone in his concerns for unaccompanied minors. The Tánaiste and I share these concerns and have acted upon them. Unaccompanied minors are an especially vulnerable group and we expect the issue will remain high on the agenda at EU level. I have already stated the measures we are taking under the Irish refugee protection programme to take unaccompanied minors from...

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (13 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Unfortunately, the Minster for Health cannot be present and he has asked me to take this matter on his behalf. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on a matter which has been the subject of speculation recently. The National Ambulance Service has undergone a significant process of modernisation in recent years and a number of key...

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (13 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I do not question the Deputy's knowledge of rural Ireland and the distance between locations and hope he did not take offence at some of my remarks. I understand his concerns, particularly as we live in a country with many roads and access is not what it should be for ambulances in rural areas. The rapid response service plays a huge part in attending to ill patients throughout the country....

Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres Provision (13 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I thank Deputy Curran for raising this issue. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a decisive shift towards primary care so that we can provide better care close to home for communities around the country. Primary care centres are an integral part of this because of the range of multi-disciplinary services they can provide and...

Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres Provision (13 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Deputy Curran is more familiar with this area than I am. I know he is frustrated but I am unable to provide any more information. However, I assure the Deputy, as I did Deputy Harty, that I will raise this issue with the Minister on his return. What is important for me is that people get a proper service. Like Deputy Curran, I work with people in areas where primary care centres are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (18 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: On 12 October 2016, I announced the allocation of an additional €3m in the 2017 Budget to increase support for interventions aimed at improving the health outcomes of the most vulnerable in our society, including Traveller and Roma communities, those affected by addiction issues, those experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers and refugees. The additional funding will also be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Traveller Community (18 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Health Service Executive continues to work closely with Traveller Organisations and Agencies to ensure ongoing availability of psychological services for those affected by the tragedy and will continue to respond to any requests for services from families and extended families involved. The psychological and wider needs of the survivors and bereaved family members will continue to...

Topical Issues: Health Services Staff (20 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this issue on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, who apologises for having to attend another engagement. The HSE has advised that Louth primary care services have not applied staffing cuts during 2016. Department officials have, however, been advised by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI, hospital group that its cost containment plan for the Louth...

Topical Issues: Health Services Staff (20 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I understand that the Deputy is very frustrated with my reply. Unfortunately, I cannot give her any assurance that the €1.5 million in cuts will be reversed. I cannot answer that particular question because I do not have the details in front of me. However, I will pursue the matter with the Minister for Health on Deputy Munster's behalf.

Topical Issues: Health Services Staff (20 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The second part of the Deputy's question related to the 18 beds that were closed in Louth. Unfortunately, I do not have any information on that either. However, I will come back to the Deputy on it. I will make a commitment to the Deputy to revert to her on it because I do not have the relevant information in front of me now. In the reply I have in front of me, it is made very clear...

Topical Issues: Ambulance Service Accommodation (20 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy Deering. I am responding to this matter on behalf of the Minister. The National Ambulance Service, NAS, has confirmed that following a health and safety audit, an issue was identified in the shower and changing facilities used by staff at the Carlow ambulance station. Works are planned to take place to rectify the issue concerned and this is being treated as a priority by...

Topical Issues: Ambulance Service Accommodation (20 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I understand where Deputy Deering is coming from. It is unacceptable that the staff of a service that helps people have to work in conditions in which they cannot do normal things like wash their hands and use the bathroom. All I can give the Deputy is the answer I have in front of me. I cannot specifically say to him where the base will end up. I will raise the matter with the Minister,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (20 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I am aware of the report of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on a harm reducing and rehabilitative approach to possession of small amounts of illegal drugs which was published in November 2015. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to supporting a health-led rather than a criminal justice approach to drugs use. It is envisaged...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (20 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I have been made aware of the incident to which the Deputy refers. Government policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The overall objective of the Strategy is to continue 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,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (20 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, who cannot be present. The National Ambulance Service, NAS, has confirmed that following a health and safety audit, an issue was identified in respect of the shower and changing facilities used by staff at Carlow ambulance station.Works are planned to rectify the issue which is being treated as a priority by...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (20 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I agree with the Senator that no one should have to work in an unsafe environment. As I stated, the Health Service Executive will prioritise the allocation of a building for the service. I will also raise the matter with the Minister when I meet him later and outline the Senator's concerns about staff having to use a building that is in such poor condition. I will urge the Minister to give...

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tOchtú Leasú a Aisghairm) 2016: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Repeal of the Eighth Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (25 Oct 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy Coppinger and her colleagues for the publication of the Bill. I also thank those who have spoken for their passionate and thoughtful contributions. Many of them suggested that Article 40.3.3° needs to be revisited. They have different views on how to strike the right balance and on what they wish to be in a final proposal to amend the eighth amendment. I share the...