Results 2,781-2,800 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Administration (13 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: A proposed model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults was submitted by the HSE Quality Improvement Division to the HSE Divisions of Primary Care, Mental Health and Acute Hospital programme. The model was developed in consultation with key treating clinicians, planners, policy makers, advocates and service users. The model outlines key services required to ensure the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Rehabilitation Clinics (13 Feb 2018)

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: National Drugs Strategy (13 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The Government's drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025 was launched by An Taoiseach on 17 July 2017. The strategy provides an integrated public health approach to drug and alcohol use, focussed on promoting healthier lifestyles within society. The strategy contains a 50 point Action Plan for the period...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (13 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: There are 10 Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Forces in Ireland. They were set up in 2003 on foot of recommendations from the first National Drugs Strategy (2001-2008), to facilitate a more effective response to the drugs problems in areas experiencing the highest levels of substance misuse. Task Forces are partnerships between local statutory, voluntary and community sectors. Their...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services Staff Remuneration (13 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I am responding on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. I thank Senator Gavan for raising this issue. The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live with dignity and independence in their homes and communities for as long as possible and to support access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate The HSE has operational...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services Staff Remuneration (13 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I will read a prepared statement and add to it. I again thank the Senator for raising the matter. He will appreciate that the Newport Day Care Centre is funded by the HSE under section 39 of the Health Act 2004 and neither the Minister nor the HSE have a direct role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to the staff. This means that I cannot get involved in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Waiting Lists (13 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The Minister, who unfortunately cannot be here, has asked me to answer on his behalf. I acknowledge that there are some challenges in accessing services in the three children’s hospitals at present. The Children’s hospital group works with the each of the three paediatric hospitals to manage capacity challenges, providing support in terms of bed utilisation on a daily basis....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Waiting Lists (13 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator again. I absolutely agree with her that it is unacceptable that adults or children should have to wait any length of time to be facilitated in a hospital. I have outlined in the response from the Minister that a lot of money has gone into this service, and a lot of things are happening in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. That must be said in all fairness to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Female Genital Mutilation (14 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012 provides for the creation of an offence of female genital mutilation and other offences relating to female genital mutilation (FGM). The legislation takes a human rights perspective and stipulates that the right to practise one's cultural traditions and beliefs cannot be used to justify FGM. The HSE is committed to progressing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Gender Recognition (14 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 188 and 189 together. Transgender-specific guidelines have been developed by WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) and the Endocrine Society (who updated their guidelines in 2017). These guidelines were devised by experts in transgender healthcare, along with members of the International Transgender, Transsexual and LGBT...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (15 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 to 193, inclusive, together. The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is in the Programme for a Partnership Government and is currently undergoing second stage in the Dáil Eireann. One of the primary policy objectives of the Bill is to reduce alcohol consumption to 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per person per annum by 2020. This equates to a 20 % reduction of...

Topical Issue Debate: Respite Care Services Provision (20 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy Browne for raising this issue. Unfortunately the Minister of State is not here to relay his reply to the Deputy but I will read his briefing notes and then the Deputy may like to come back in. I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. On his behalf I am pleased to...

Topical Issue Debate: Respite Care Services Provision (20 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I think the Deputy hit it on the head; respite is an integral part of this. When people are dealing with people with difficulties, they have to have time out for their loved ones to go into respite. I believe that is a clear indication from all of us. I am very familiar with what it is to be a carer. My own mother had unconditional love from my two brothers, who cared for her until she...

Topical Issue Debate: Long Stay Residential Units (20 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputies Pearse Doherty and Gallagher for raising this Topical Issue. Unfortunately the relevant Minister of State is not here, as the Deputies have noted themselves, but I will read the statement. I cannot provide any commitment on anything being turned around. I want to make that clear to both Deputies before I begin. I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the...

Topical Issue Debate: Long Stay Residential Units (20 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I do not have much more to add. I have listened to both Deputies. After the meeting in Donegal this evening there might be more clarity about the hospitals but I do not have that in writing and I cannot offer the commitment the Deputies are looking for. I apologise to both Deputies if they feel that the written statement I have read out is not appropriate at this moment in time. Perhaps...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (20 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The Government's drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025,recognises that drug and alcohol use is a complex issue requiring an inter-departmental response, focused on promoting healthier lifestyles within society. A National Oversight Committee (NOC), which I Chair, gives leadership and direction to support...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ministerial Meetings (20 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 365 together. I acknowledge receipt of the request for meetings from the individuals and organisation mentioned by the Deputy. My Office will be in touch with the individuals concerned as soon as a decision has been made.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (20 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 347, 364, 366, 408 and 415 together. Transgender-specific guidelines have been developed by WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) and the Endocrine Society (who updated their guidelines in 2017). These guidelines were devised by experts in transgender healthcare, along with members of the International Transgender, Transsexual and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (20 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (20 Feb 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The Drug Use in Ireland and Northern Ireland, Drugs Prevalence Survey 2014/2015contains data on prevalence rates on gambling. A section on gambling was included in this survey for the first time at the request of the Department of Justice and Equality. The first results of the general population survey, Bulletin 1, indicated that 64.5% of respondents aged 15 or older reported gambling in the...