Results 2,401-2,420 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Staff Recruitment (13 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I offer the apologies of the Minister who, unfortunately, cannot be present. I do not know specifically where he is but I have been asked to take this matter on his behalf. In 2007, in recognition of the particular and unique geographical circumstances applying to Donegal, the Department set out a clear policy direction approved by Government that the Letterkenny breast cancer service...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Staff Recruitment (13 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I wish to make a number of comments. Deputy Gallagher has requested a meeting with the Minister and I will certainly pass on that request. It is my understanding from the reply that every effort is being made to fill the post but, unfortunately, it has not yet been filled. The Deputies have clearly indicated their concerns in respect of the service in Letterkenny University Hospital. As a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Wind Energy Guidelines (13 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. I thank Senator Leyden for raising this issue. Since May 2016, the Minister has liaised closely with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, having regard to his responsibility for renewable energy policy, on the focused review of the 2006...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff Recruitment (13 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: No.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff Recruitment (13 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Minister apologises for his absence. I will relay the Senator's concerns about the failure on occasion of Ministers to appear in the Chamber to deal with Commencement matters. A paediatric insulin pump service was initiated in May 2015. The service is based in Sligo University Hospital, with outreach clinics in Letterkenny University Hospital. The Saolta University Healthcare Group...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff Recruitment (13 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I have taken a note of it and will ask the Minister to communicate with the Senator on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Funding (2 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) was rolled out across communities, both urban and rural, in April 2015 and will run until 31 December 2017. The aim of SICAP is to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality through local, regional and national engagement and collaboration. SICAP is a key priority of Government and its vision is to improve the life...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescriptions Data (2 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Medication therapy is one of a number of tools available to health professionals for the treatment of children with mental health difficulties. It is however essential that the medicines in question are safe and that appropriate prescribing guidelines are followed by the health professional treating the child. Before a medicine is made available to the public, it undergoes an...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (2 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1052 and 1065 together. 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,...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Waiting Lists (3 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I agree entirely with the Deputy who I know has a huge interest in ICT and how it should work. That said, it is remiss of patients not to keep their appointments. Given that there are so many on waiting lists, when people do not show up, it causes difficulties for the staff running clinics. It is for this reason that most hospitals over-estimate the numbers who will not show up when making...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy Publication (3 May 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 Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (3 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: In relation to the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), there are a number of actions being undertaken which will lead to a better understanding of SICAP and its impacts, and which will inform my Department in reshaping the next iteration of SICAP, due to roll out in 2018. Firstly, my Department is leading a targeted national consultation...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (3 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Under the Technical Standards and Regulations Directive 2015/1535/EU, Member States are required to inform the European Commission of any new regulations or standards which may create a barrier to the free movement of goods. The new Misuse of Drug legislation has the potential to affect trade, in particular because of the introduction of a requirement for import licences for certain...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Rehabilitation Clinics (3 May 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 Health: Gambling Sector (9 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: At the request of the Department of Justice and Equality, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol (NACDA) Drug Prevalence Survey 2014/15 for the Republic of Ireland included data on gambling for the first time. In the general population survey, results indicated that 64.5% of respondents aged 15 or older reported gambling in the 12 months prior to the survey and 41.4% of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Discharges (9 May 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 Health: Hospital Discharges (9 May 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: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Section 3 provides for the criteria with which the Minister may be satisfied in order to consider granting a licence. These include, but are not limited to, consultation with An Garda Síochána, the HSE or other Ministers as the Minister considers appropriate. It also includes the matters that the HSE will consider when advising the Minister as to the appropriateness of such an...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: To allay any fear Senators may have, particularly about the legislation and the need for consultation, I have said from day one that no service can be provided in any community unless the wider community takes part in facilitating it.It is our intention when the Bill is enacted to have an open conversation with the community in which the service will be provided. I do not know where that...

Topical Issue Debate: Housing Issues (11 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy McConalogue for raising this matter. I apologise that the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, cannot be present. I do not know why that is but I was asked to take the Topical Issue. I will read the reply, although I am sure Deputy McConalogue knows most of the details, and I will then take questions. I will be taking this matter on behalf of Minister, Deputy Simon...