Results 2,881-2,900 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Strategy (8 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The national Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) was approved by the Government in 2016. The OPAP recommended that a code of practice for food and beverages promotion, marketing and sponsorship be developed, implemented and evaluated in conjunction with the food industry, HSE, Dept of Children and Youth Affairs, safefood, Food Safety Authority of Ireland and advertiser organisations. The...

Topical Issue Debate: Emergency Departments Services (10 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: Unfortunately, the Minister cannot be here so he has asked me to convey his apologies. I will read the reply and then come back to the Deputy regarding some of the issues she raised. On behalf of the Minister, I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to update the House on this matter. We are all aware that this winter was particularly difficult for our health service. The most recent...

Topical Issue Debate: Emergency Departments Services (10 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: Unfortunately, I cannot answer some of the specific questions because I am not familiar with Cavan General Hospital. I take the Deputy's concerns on board, particularly those relating to the minor injury unit and the fact that the opening hours have been cut. I see that as a very real issue so I will relay that. I do not have any information about the application. All I can tell the...

Topical Issue Debate: Emergency Departments Services (10 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I assure the Deputy that any time I take a Topical Issue, the first thing I do afterwards is go back to the Minister's office. The second thing I do is send on emails outlining all the questions that were asked. I cannot be responsible for whether people reply but I complete matters on my end in order to ensure that people's concerns are raised. I expect the Minister to respond to the...

Report on Mental Health Care: Motion (10 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I will try to be as quick as I can. On behalf of the Government, the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, and myself, I thank Deputy Browne and everybody who has contributed to today's debate. I welcome the very constructive contributions which have been made by everyone in the Chamber. I also welcome this opportunity to reiterate the Government’s commitment to the development and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (10 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: In July 2016 Government approved the creation of a Healthy Ireland Fund and subsequently provided an initial allocation of €5 million in Budget 2017 to kick-start its establishment. A further €5 million has been approved in Budget 2018 for the Fund.  The Healthy Ireland Fund is intended as an innovative mechanism to stimulate and support inter-sectoral action and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Strategy (10 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 192, inclusive, and 199 and 200 together. As the issues rasied in the Deputy's questions are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Strategy (10 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193, 194 and 196 to 198, inclusive, together. A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Data (10 May 2018)

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: Commencement Matters (Resumed): HSE Staff Recruitment (10 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, who is unable to take this Commencement matter raised by Senator Devine. The current director general of the HSE will be vacating the post towards the end of July. Preparations are at an advanced stage regarding the process for appointing his replacement. This will be done in accordance with the provisions of the governing...

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): HSE Staff Recruitment (10 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I do not have the information on who is on the interview panel to hand. I am sure when the Minister brings the memorandum to Cabinet, matters about that will become clear. I do not know who is running. I hope there will be women with the relevant qualifications from here and further afield who would be interested in the job. I do not agree with the Senator, however, about proven clinical...

Report of Joint Committee on Corporate Taxation: Motion (15 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I move:That Dáil Éireann: (1) notes the agreed Report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach under Standing Order 114 on the Proposals for a Council Directive laying down rules relating to the corporate taxation of a significant digital presence – COM(2018)147 and a Council Directive on the common system of a digital services tax on...

Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 Regulations 2018: Motions (15 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I move:That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft:Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (Section 95(3)) (Variation of Title: Dietician) Regulations 2018, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 10th April, 2018.

Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 Regulations 2018: Motions (15 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I move:That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft:Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (Section 95(3)) (Variation of Title: Speech Therapist) Regulations 2018,copies of which have been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 10th April, 2018.

Mandatory Open Disclosure: Motion (15 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I will respond to the debate on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris. I echo the Minister, Deputy Harris’s gratitude to Vicky Phelan for speaking out. It cannot have been easy for her or her family to have chosen to take on this task. She has done a great service to the women of Ireland and to the people. The Minister, Deputy Harris, is intent on ensuring her actions will...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (15 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together. Local and regional drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses in their localities, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse. Section 2 of the task force handbook sets our the membership...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (15 May 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.

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (17 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy Joan Collins for raising this issue. Unfortunately, the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, cannot attend. St. John of God community services provides for a range of HSE-funded supports in the area of disability and mental health. It is committed to the provision and development of services and supports of the highest standards to children and adults with...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (17 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy. I saw the report by Ms O'Kelly on the television. I was shocked by some of the statistics raised, including those raised by Deputy Collins, as well as by the information she has given me. Unfortunately, I cannot answer any of the accusations Deputy Collins has made on paper. If Deputy Collins gives me the information I will certainly bring it to the attention of the...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (17 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I hear Deputy Collins loud and clear. We need to improve and organise more effectively the process under way at present nationwide. The key object is to bring about access to disability services consistently and to ensure services are delivered with a clear pathway for children with disabilities and their families. I do not have the information available to Deputy Collins. I know St....