Results 2,841-2,860 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Long-Term Illness Scheme (19 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris is in the Dáil taking questions on health. The Minister apologises to the Senator for his absence but I will deal with the issue on his behalf. I thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter in the Seanad. The long-term illness, LTI, scheme was established under section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970, as amended. The conditions covered under the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Long-Term Illness Scheme (19 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I cannot give such a commitment. The Minister will have to decide whether there will be a review or not. I come across this issue quite a lot as a public representative. I am aware of it from members of my own family who have rheumatoid arthritis, which affects people as they get older and can lead to very disturbing inability to be able to move around. I will convey the Senator's views...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (24 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: While there are no specific plans along the lines requested by the Deputy, there are a number of existing instruments directly relevant to this area. Existing legislation stipulates that energy drinks that contain caffeine in excess of 150 mg/l must be labelled 'High caffeine content - not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women' in the same field of vision as...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (24 Apr 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.

Seanad: Smoking Ban: Motion (25 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank all the Senators who have spoken on this issue, Senators Reilly, Buttimer, Wilson, Ó Domhnaill, Coughlan, Dolan and McFadden. This issue affects all our lives whether personally or in our families or extended families. The Bill aims to protect our children. We can have no greater gift than our children and we should keep that in perspective when we speak about this. Senator...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I apologise that the Minister of State cannot be present for this discussion. I will make a statement and refer to some of the issues the Deputy raised. I hope I will also be able to fill in some of the gaps for the Deputy. I am pleased to confirm that the national programme,...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: As I indicated, the rate of referral to the services in Kildare west Wicklow continues to grow. As a public representative, I understand that parents need to have their children assessed within a specified timeframe. If a timely assessment is not carried out, a child will, unfortunately, regress to a certain extent. While there is no issue with funding for services, sometimes staff are not...

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise to Deputy Mattie McGrath on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, who cannot be here. I have been asked to take this matter on his behalf. I have taken notes because the initial issue submitted was so broad and the reply may not cover all of the matters to which the Deputy referred. Mental health remains a priority care programme for Government. Since 2012,...

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I assure Deputy Mattie McGrath that I do not take it lightly when I am asked to read from a prepared statement in the Chamber. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, can reply to the Deputy personally. I will ask him to do so. To claim money is not being poured into the mental health services is wrong. This year the budget allocation is €910 million.

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: Up to €24 million will be put into funding mental health services in Tipperary this year. I understand the concerns the Deputy has raised and his frustrations. I can hear them. I am not deaf.

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: It is not nice to come down here to be ridiculed.

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I have read a statement-----

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: -----from-----

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I have read a statement from the Department. Whether the Deputy agrees with the statement is a different case.

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: To accuse me of not being able to reply back is not fair, however.

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I understand the Deputy's frustrations and concerns. I will take them personally to the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly. To claim the Government does not take mental health services seriously is wrong.

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I totally disagree with the Deputy, as somebody who has personally been affected by a family member who has had to use mental health services in the past two years. I can stand over the care provided by my local mental health service to my daughter, who was struck with bad post-natal depression. The service was provided in our community. That is what I was trying to relate back to the...

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The people in it are working hard and are extremely professional. I doubt anybody who works in mental health services goes into it for any wrong reason. They do it to help people with mental health issues.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospitals Building Programme (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator. I am here on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, as this matter falls under his remit. I take this opportunity to discuss developments at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire here in the Seanad. The Government recognises the excellent rehabilitation programme the National Rehabilitation Hospital delivers and the hospital’s...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospitals Building Programme (26 Apr 2018)

Catherine Byrne: This will support staff to deliver quality care and treatment in a facility which affords dignity, respect and privacy to all. The Government is committed to advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community, and the redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital is central to achieving that. The National Rehabilitation Hospital provides complex specialist rehabilitation...