Results 601-620 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Funding (24 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: There is a song called "I Don't Like Mondays" but I am starting not to like Thursdays, to be honest, because I seem to be the only one here on Thursday evenings. I welcome this Topical Issue debate and I thank Deputy Wallace, Deputy Daly and Deputy Ó Caoláin. I will set out the prepared response but I will respond to some of the comments made as well. On behalf of the Minister...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (24 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I want to make it very clear to Deputy Curran that the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Harris, were very much a part of the launching of the new strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. The latter came into being as a result of a public consultations held throughout the country. At those consultations, it became very clear that task forces are unhappy because funding has not been...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (24 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy Curran for raising this issue. I know he is very passionate about it, as am I. I will go through my speaking notes first and then I will address some of the issues raised by Deputy Curran in his contribution. Government policy in relation to drug and alcohol addiction services is set out in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Card Appeals (24 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senator Byrne. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris.As the Senator will be aware, eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970, as amended. Applicants must complete and submit a medical card application form to the Health Service Executive national medical card unit...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Card Appeals (24 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I agree but there are legislative protocols in place.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Card Appeals (24 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I will.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services Availability (24 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this important issue and giving me an opportunity to outline the position in relation to the provision of respite services in counties Cavan and Monaghan. This Government's ongoing priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services Availability (24 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator again. I certainly will speak to the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, regarding the concerns he has raised. I emphasise again the importance of respite services. My family has used respite services in the past for my parents. It is very important that we reach out to families because they are doing an extraordinary amount of work, much of which cannot be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (23 Jan 2019)

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: Health Action Plan (23 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: Significant progress has been made on the implementation of the National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) since its publication in 2016. Progress is overseen by an Implementation Group (IG), which is co-chaired by the Departments of Health and Transport, Tourism and Sport.  The NPAP IG includes representation from the Departments of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Rehabilitation Clinics (22 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: Budget 2019 provided for a significant increase in health funding which will assist families with the cost of doctor visits and medicines. Homeless people in receipt of a medical card can access GP services and get prescribed drugs and medicines. However, as with all holders of a medical card, they are obliged to pay a prescription charge of €2 per item, up to a maximum of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Gender Recognition (22 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: 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 community.  A proposed model of care for transgender...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Brexit Issues (22 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: As the question relates to service matters, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (17 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: Work is continuing on the implementation of the ancillary recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. This includes exploring issues associated with enhancing access to contraception, with a view to developing evidence-based policy in this area. Preparations are ongoing for the initial expansion of free access to condoms in 2019. Condom use has the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (17 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: The following table outlines the funding allocated to Drug and Alcohol Task forces by the Department of Health and the HSE for the years 2015 to 2019. The Deputy's attention is drawn to the fact that the HSE's allocation of approximately €22.394 million to Task Forces in 2018 does not include (a) one off funding of €0.25 million, announced in May 2018, to fund initiatives to...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions and for their overall support for the Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2018. I have listened carefully to the speakers and share some of their concerns and experiences. I do not agree with some of things that have been said. I believe we have a health service where there is transparency and accountability. We might need a little bit...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (16 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Health pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).

Written Answers — Department of Health: Youth Services (15 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: As the issue raised refers to service matters, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for their direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Warmer Homes Scheme (15 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: The Warmth and Wellbeing Pilot Scheme is a joint initiative between the Department of Health, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Health Services Executive (HSE). To date, the HSE have referred 1,345 qualifying households to the SEAI for assessment for energy efficiency upgrades such as attic and wall...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (15 Jan 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 800 and 801 together. Statutory responsibility for Government policy on gambling issues comes under the ambit of the Department of Justice and Equality. There are no plans under consideration by the Department of Health for a nationwide gambling and gambling addiction awareness campaign. The Department of Health provides the HSE with an overall allocation for...