Results 3,161-3,180 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Staff (14 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The Senator is very kind.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Staff (14 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Senator Norris for his kind words. Unfortunately the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, cannot be here this morning because of the Cabinet meeting and he asked me to take this on his behalf. I am delighted to. It is always nice to hear Senator Norris speak. He speaks with such drama and respect.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Staff (14 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: Passion, that was going to be the next word out of my mouth. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McHugh, I would like to thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the position on staffing in primary schools and, in particular, Scoil Chaoimhín, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, which I know well. The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts are...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Staff (14 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: That is grand. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Staff (14 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I will indeed. I again thank Senator Norris. Whenever I hear Senator Norris speak in this House, he speaks with the reality of life. The Senator speaks clearly and loudly, as he has done today. I certainly will raise the issue with the Minister, Deputy McHugh. As has been outlined in the reply, it is an independent process. When schools are not successful, it is difficult to take it any...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Infectious Diseases (15 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The Minister, Deputy Harris, asked me to pass on his apologies for not being present to take this Topical Issue. On his behalf, I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I will read the script and then respond to some of Deputy Connolly's concerns. I wish to assure the Deputy that the incidence of tuberculosis in Ireland is low. The World Health Organization categorises Ireland as a low...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Infectious Diseases (15 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise to the Deputy if she feels that the answer I read was not adequate. However, I cannot answer the specific questions she asked. All I can do is read the material I have been given. It does not set out the specific pattern of what exactly happened in this case. I have taken note of a number of the concerns raised by the Deputy and I will bring them back to the Minister. I will...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medicinal Products Availability (15 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise for the inability of the Minister for Health to be here for this debate. Deputy Kelly could have withdrawn his Topical Issue if he had wished. I have been asked to respond to him on behalf of the Minister. I will read the reply that has been furnished to me. If the Deputy is not happy with it, I am sure some other arrangements can be made. I thank him for raising this...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medicinal Products Availability (15 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue matter and I apologise again that the Minister is not here. I cannot give a definite response to the Deputy. I can see his compassion for, and passion in speaking about, people who are fighting the scourge of cancer daily. There is no family in this country, including mine, that is not affected by somebody who has either passed away from...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medicinal Products Availability (15 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I assure Deputy Kelly that I will speak to the Minister, as I always do when I leave the Chamber. I always make sure that if I cannot get the Minister who has asked me to stand in, I give an outline of the question to a member of his or her staff and request that the Minister respond more comprehensively to the Deputy in question. Unfortunately, I am not able to say we will be able to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Traveller Community (15 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 120 to 122, inclusive, together. Health and wellbeing are not evenly distributed across society. There are socially excluded groups who experience extreme health inequalities. Such groups include Travellers homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers and people with addiction issues. Inequalities in health are reflected in the mortality and morbidity...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Food (15 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The quality of hospital food is a priority issue and the HSE has been requested to develop a National Hospital Food and Nutrition Policy. Development of this Policy is now at an advanced stage and it is expected to be available for publication by the end of the year. The development of the Policy included extensive consultation and it will provide guidance on minimum nutrition standards,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Strategy (20 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the universal implementation of my Department's national Obesity Policy and Action Plan is continuing for the benefit of public health. 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. This Policy, which takes a ‘whole...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Homeless Persons Supports (20 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Patient Data (20 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together. Good nutrition is fundamental for good health, healing and recovery from illness and injury. Many factors including illness predispose to malnourishment and indicators of malnutrition can found in community patients. Nutritional screening is a first-line process in identifying patients who are malnourished or at risk of becoming so;...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (20 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The 2012 Report on the Review of Drug Task Forces made fifteen recommendations aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and impact of Drug Task Forces. The Review's recommendations focused on the role, composition and boundaries of Drugs Task Forces, the national structures as set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, and the development of a performance measurement system. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Data (20 Nov 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: Obesity Strategy (20 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The issue that the Deputy has raised is being addressed in the context of the national Obesity Policy and Action Plan being implemented by my Department. 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. This Policy, which takes a ‘whole system’ approach, and covers a...

Older People: Motion [Private Members] (21 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I am replying on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, who had to leave. In his opening statement the Minister of State agreed with many of the sentiments expressed in the motion. It reflects work that is, hopefully, well under way. It is one of the great success stories of our age that so many more people are living for much longer. The success achieved in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (22 Nov 2018)

Catherine Byrne: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the provision of addiction services I have asked it to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to an outreach response to address the rise in drug addiction in the Drogheda area. The HSE's National Service Plan 2018 sets out the type and volume of health and social care services to be provided by the Health Service Executive in...