Results 2,361-2,380 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I move amendment No. 9:In page 6, line 39, after “holder” to insert “or any person acting under the direction of the licence holder”. Section 9 provides an exemption for licence holders from a liability in respect of the provision of an injection centre and for any assistance, advice or care provided to an authorised user. This will include any servants or agents...

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I wish to pick up on one or two points that have been made. I share Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's concerns about communities that have been loaded in the past with facilities compared with other communities. The direction of this supervised injection centre is all about where the need is greater. That is why the HSE and the Department are engaged in a mapping process to try to identify where...

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The amendment tabled by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan proposes to review the Act, not to review the centres in terms of their success or failure. I have already made it very clear that reviews will be conducted by An Garda Síochána and the HSE. They will monitor and review the centres. We would expect that there will be a period of time - possibly 18 months to two years - before such...

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: It is "review".

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Yes, the Deputy is correct. The word is "renewal".

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I did say that the pilot centre would be subject to ongoing monitoring and review.

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Before we proceed, I apologise to Deputy Thomas Byrne that the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, cannot be here and I will take this matter. If he would prefer for the Minister of State to take it another time, I have no problem.

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Looking at the reply from the Minister of State, I do not think Deputy Thomas Byrne will be happy with it. I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue today and I am pleased to outline the position on services for young people with disabilities who need continuing supports from the health service upon leaving school. In the time permitted, my colleague the Minister of...

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Vocational training services for people with disabilities, including training for the open labour market, comes under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Skills. Many young people with intellectual disabilities avail of this option. Life skills training for people with disabilities who have continuing support needs are the responsibility of the HSE. If the Deputy has any specific...

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will reply as I should to the Deputy. I agree entirely with him. He was told in the reply that he was uncontactable but I am sure there were plenty of occasions to speak to him today and, as the Deputy said, he met the Minister of State face to face. I reiterate that I have just received the reply to this Topical Issue.

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will go back to the Minister, Deputy McGrath, and request that he meets the Deputy and discusses fully with him what is happening in Dunboyne. I am not familiar with the service there that he raised. I will convey to the Minster of State a stern message from the Deputy pointing out that he is very distressed with the reply he received, and I do not blame him.

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I wish to advise Deputy Collins that I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister. If she wishes to withdraw the matter she may do so, but it is up to herself. I have a reply for her.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I thank the Senator for raising this issue. At the outset, I would like to assure the House that the Government is committed to enhancing primary health care services, including GP services, throughout the country. The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost-effective health...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I again thank the Senator. Unfortunately, I do not have some of the information he is looking for but I will come back to him.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will come back to the Senator. There is a clear answer. The Minister has outlined and explained about the GP services. The Senator made it clear in his opening statement that there is a need for GPs in rural areas. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, GPs are not attracted to rural areas in some cases. The Government cannot force GPs to go into rural areas to become part of a practice.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: There is a clear indication from the Minister's reply that the HSE and the Department are doing everything to enhance training for GPs and to bring more GPs into the service. That is something we all welcome. I will get the Minister's office to come back to the Senator on the review for the past three months and what the accomplishments have been. It is not fair to say that the people do...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I do not agree with Senator Gavan on that one-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: -----and neither does the Minister. I will come back to the Senator on the various points which I have made note of and I will relay them back to the Minister's office.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (4 Apr 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.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (5 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. Its aim is to tackle poverty, social exclusion and long-term unemployment through local engagement and partnership between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations, public sector agencies and other stakeholders. SICAP is a key intervention for...