Results 2,201-2,220 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (18 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: With effect from 1 January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for the North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force was transferred to the Health Service Executive. Therefore, this service matter has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (24 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise that the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government cannot be here to take this matter, which I thank the Deputy for raising. On 1 April 2011, the social housing assessment regulations introduced a new standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing in every housing authority. The aim of the new system is to move closer to a transparent,...

Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (24 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I understand the Deputy's concerns and have noted many points he has raised, which I will bring back to the Minister. I am satisfied that the current income limit generally provides for a fair and equal system of identifying those households unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. These limits generally provide that a household in receipt of social welfare will not breach...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (24 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: My Department has been advised by the Health Service Executive that it is not involved in the provision of accommodation at the location mentioned.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (24 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Government is committed to putting a new National Drugs Strategy in place from 2017 onwards, when the current policy expires. A Steering Committee with an independent chair has been established to advise me on the new Strategy. This Committee has been mandated to develop an integrated public health approach to substance misuse, which is defined as the harmful or hazardous use of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (25 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Government policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The Strategy is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery, which requires a coordinated response to tackling the drug problem, involving the statutory, community and voluntary sectors. The overall objective of the Strategy is to tackle the harm caused to individuals and...

Topical Issue Debate: HSE Funding (26 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy Curran for raising the issue of the provision of funding for Tiglin residential rehabilitation services. As the Deputy is acutely aware, problem drug use continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing our country and is becoming more complex, with a wider range of drugs issues and abuse. I would like to emphasise this Government’s commitment and ongoing...

Topical Issue Debate: HSE Funding (26 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter. He knows that the State has come through a very tough period. As a result of visiting different groups in recent months, I have become very much aware that many of them lost a great deal of funding and that services have been curtailed as a result. I hope that we may be able to reverse the position in this regard in the coming years. I...

Topical Issue Debate: Tenant Purchase Scheme Eligibility (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, cannot be here and has asked me to respond on his behalf. The incremental tenant purchase scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016 and is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the...

Topical Issue Debate: Tenant Purchase Scheme Eligibility (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: In line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of all aspects of the first 12 months of operation of the scheme is being undertaken by the Minister's Department in close consultation with local authorities. The Minister will consider the need for any change in the terms and conditions of the scheme based on the evidence...

Bus Éireann: Motion [Private Members] (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I echo the earlier comments of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, on the counterproductive leaking of information about Bus Éireann's challenges in recent weeks. We must all remind ourselves that more than 2,500 people are employed in the company. They have been subjected to headline after headline and speculation about their careers. The distress is not...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 519 together. As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputies.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Government is committed to putting a new National Drugs Strategy in place from 2017 onwards, when the current policy expires. As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee with an independent chair, has been established to advise me on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy. While the format of the new Strategy has not yet been agreed by the Steering Committee, I very...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (31 Jan 2017)

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.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coroners Service (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator for his statement. On behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, who cannot be here today, I thank him for raising this subject that affords an opportunity to update the House of the most recent developments. I acknowledge his active involvement in promoting reform of the system in which the coroners operate. Senator Conway, along with other...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coroners Service (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I have taken note of what the Senator said. I concur with the reply from the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to the effect that the current cohort of coroners strive to offer the best possible service within the confines of the existing administrative framework. The Department agrees that there is a need to get on with a long-term plan to modernise the system. The aim...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Redundancy Payments (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator for tabling this Commencement matter. As he correctly pointed out, it is not within my area of responsibility. I have been asked to take it on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy John Halligan, who sends his apologies that he cannot be here. I will read the statement I have been given. I have taken note of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Redundancy Payments (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: No, I just-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Redundancy Payments (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Senator Gavan. I appreciate that the reply has frustrated him. To be honest, I could raise my own concerns in that regard. I will bring the issues he has outlined this afternoon to the attention of the Minister. The Minister and his office will reply to the Senator in more detail and answer some of the questions he has raised. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to provide...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (1 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise to Deputies for the Minister not being present, but he has another engagement. I was asked to take this slot. The Deputies could have withdrawn this matter before standing if they did not want me to reply. I am here so I will reply if that is okay with the Deputies.