Results 2,661-2,680 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service Provision (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, who regrets he cannot be here this afternoon. The National Ambulance Service is committed to providing a quality ambulance service in Kilkenny, and across the country, both during daytime and night-time hours. The National Ambulance Service has advised the Minister for Health that the allocation of night-time ambulance...

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service Provision (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I assure the Deputy that I have noted his concerns regarding the ambulance service for the 100,000 people living in Kilkenny. Nobody can predict how many emergencies will occur in an area at a particular time. The emergency services must do the best they can in the time permitted and with the number of ambulances provided in Kilkenny. I do not know who decided on the number of ambulances...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (21 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Government’s response to addressing substance misuse in Ireland is set out in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2020.The strategy emphasises a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland, based on providing person-centred services that promote rehabilitation and recovery. It identifies a set of key actions...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Legislative Process (21 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: There has been ongoing engagement between my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in relation to internet advertising. In April 2014, my Department made a submission to the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group whose Report was published in 2014. My Department is also represented on the Interdepartmental Implementation Group of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (21 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on the Second Stage of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017. This is a short technical Bill comprising seven sections dealing with specific issues of health insurance, in particular the risk equalisation scheme which supports our system of community-rated health insurance. More than 2.1 million people in Ireland hold private...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I thank all the Senators who have contributed to this Bill and particularly to the previous debates, of which I was not a part. One Senator offered congratulations on the bringing forward of this Bill. However, that is due to many people who spoke on the Bill previously and who have, in many ways, steered the Bill in the direction it is going....

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I wish to pass on the apologies of the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, who cannot be here. I thank Senator Devine for the proposed amendment. The cost of private health insurance is influenced by a number of factors, such as the number of persons in the market, the age profile of those holding private health insurance and ongoing medical innovations. Each of these are...

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service Provision (28 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputies for giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, to address this issue and the concerns they have raised. Dublin Fire Brigade provides emergency ambulance services in Dublin city and county by arrangement between Dublin City Council and the HSE. The National Ambulance Service provides non-emergency patient transfers in the...

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service Provision (28 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am fully aware of the service Dublin Fire Brigade provides in the city through the council. I am a long-standing fan of Dublin Fire Brigade and the service it provides since my term as Lord Mayor. It provided a service for the Lord Mayor at the time also. I will bring the issues that have been raised by the Deputies to the Minister's attention. Unfortunately, he cannot be present, but...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (28 Nov 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: Drug Rehabilitation Clinics (28 Nov 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.

Topical Issue Debate: Respite Care Services (30 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy O'Keeffe for raising this issue. My colleague, Deputy Jim Daly, the Minister of State with special responsibility for mental health and older people, cannot be here, unfortunately, and has asked me to take this issue. The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as...

Topical Issue Debate: Respite Care Services (30 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: There could be. Actually there is. I will read what is here and then I will come back to that question. I thank the Ceann Comhairle. Following the resignation of a medical officer in 2017, the HSE managed, with great difficulty, to engage another GP to provide the service. However, in September 2017 a second medical officer retired. Despite strenuous efforts to engage another GP in the...

Topical Issue Debate: Respite Care Services (30 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: First of all, I have been in situations, as has Deputy O'Keeffe, where services have been suspended for short periods of time. The difficulty is trying to get proper staff. I will, however, take on the Deputy's concerns. To be honest, I am not familiar with Fermoy. I will speak to the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, about the issue. I have taken down a number of the Deputy's points, and...

Topical Issue Debate: Respite Care Services (30 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: That is fine.

Topical Issue Debate: Respite Care Services (30 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will take that on board.

Seanad: World AIDS Day: Statements (30 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the House for providing me with the opportunity to speak to Members on this important topic in advance of World AIDS day tomorrow, 1 December. HIV is one of the most stigmatised conditions of our time. In September, I opened the national HIV conference hosted by HIV Ireland which focused on this stigma. The conference examined how the stigma of HIV/AIDS is an additional burden on...

Seanad: World AIDS Day: Statements (30 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank all the Senators who have taken time out to be here in the Chamber to speak about the importance of World AIDS Day tomorrow and in the years ahead. I congratulate Senator Norris on opening our eyes and for the service he has given to the Seanad. He opened our eyes to the need for people to understand what is occurring and to be taught about people who have an illness. He opened our...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (5 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and in coordinating action at local level, so that there is a targeted response to the problem of substance misuse in local communities. Every effort has been made to protect the budgets of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in recent years. In excess of €27.6m has been...