Results 241-260 of 11,236 for speaker:Colm Burke

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: As this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: It is a strategic priority under the national drugs strategy to enhance access to and delivery of drug services in the community. There are five actions to support the implementation of the priority in strategic action plan 2023-2024. In 2024, I launched an interactive map of publicly-funded drug treatment and drug-related family support services, which can be accessed ). The online tool...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1358 and 1361 together. People from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds face a higher prevalence of physical disease, mental illness, and substance use, and are more likely to die prematurely. These health inequalities are rooted in the social determinants of health, where social exclusion worsens physical and mental health and increases...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: It is a strategic priority under the national drugs strategy to enhance access to and delivery of drug services in the community. There are five actions to support the implementation of the priority in strategic action plan 2023-2024. The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) is the national surveillance system that records and reports on cases of drug and alcohol treatment in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, is a health-led response to drug and alcohol use, which runs from 2017 to 2025. The strategic action plan relating to the strategy for 2023-2024 contains 34 actions across six strategic priorities. The Department of Health has commissioned an independent evaluation of the strategy which is expected to be completed in early 2025....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Domestic Violence (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: As this PQ refers to operational matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: The Dept and the HSE published the national Traveller health action plan (NTHAP) in 2002. It states that Travellers have the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health as is the norm in Irish society. To achieve health equity, the Dept and the HSE have produced a comprehensive public health response that provides tailored and affirmative measures to prevent...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Investigations (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in the implementation of the national drugs strategy. Task forces are required to have proper arrangements in place for the selection and renewal of the Chairperson, Members of Task Forces and for addressing conflicts of interest. The governance and operation of the task forces is set out in a handbook published in 2011. It defines the role of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: As this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: As this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: As this is a service matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Homeless Persons Supports (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: I convened a meeting between officials from the Dept of Health and Dept of Housing and the promoters of the Cork Integrated Inclusion Health Hub (IIHH) in October 2024. I welcomed the excellent collaboration between the Cork City Council and the HSE to develop this comprehensive proposal to address the health and social needs of people who are homeless in Cork city. The IIHH would...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Policy (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I thank the Acting Chairperson. I am here on behalf of the Minister for Education. I thank the Senator for the opportunity to update the House on this important matter. The State Examinations Commission or the SEC has responsibility for operational matters relating to State examinations. There is a reasonable accommodation for certificate examination scheme which facilitates access for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Policy (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I think the Senator would acknowledge that the SEC in the past has taken on board the concerns of both parents and students and has developed a comprehensive scheme. It is important there is a review. As mentioned earlier, almost one in four candidates in the 2024 certificate examinations was provided with some form of reasonable accommodation within the RACE scheme to support them in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education. I think Thomas Byrne was to take it but he is in the Dáil dealing with a number of matters.I thank the Senator for raising this matter. Before I address the specific issue raised, I will provide an outline of the extent of the school transport scheme. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I understand the Senator's frustration. This was the response I was given by the Department of Education. In fairness to the Department, it is continuing to review the situation. From my experience, I know that one of the challenges in several areas is getting drivers. It is a challenge. By the way, the closing statement I have here refers to the Senator as a Deputy. I am sure this was...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I thank the Senator. I apologise that the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, is not available to do the reply. She has asked me to deal with it on her behalf. A priority for this Government is to ensure that all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to our schools to ensure the needs of children with special educational needs are met....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: In October 2022 the Department wrote to all post-primary schools requesting each school begin planning to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of children progressing from primary school.Just last month, the Department issued a circular to all schools setting out new measures to support the forward planning of special education provision. Included in this circular was a...