Results 861-880 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Data (3 Jul 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Places (3 Jul 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: National Drugs Strategy (3 Jul 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: Gender Recognition (3 Jul 2018)

Catherine Byrne: On the 18 June 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an updated international classification of diseases, ICD-11. In this new classification, "gender incongruence" is now categorised under conditions related to sexual health, instead of mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders. WHO said gender incongruence "is characterized by a marked and persistent incongruence...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Gender Recognition (3 Jul 2018)

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) and were devised by experts in transgender healthcare, along with members of the International Transgender, Transsexual and LGBT community, and supported by the Transgender Equality Network of Ireland (TENI). A...

Implementing the National Drugs Strategy: Statements (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: Yes.

Implementing the National Drugs Strategy: Statements (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I welcome this debate on the implementation of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery: A Health-led Response to Drug and Alcohol Use in Ireland 2017-2025. It is timely to have this debate, as next month marks the first anniversary of the launch of the strategy by the Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Harris, and me. On taking up my role as Minister of State with...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Free Travel Scheme Eligibility (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator for tabling this Commencement matter, to which I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, who apologises for being unable to come to the Chamber. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection provides a free travel scheme as a secondary benefit for older people and certain people with...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Free Travel Scheme Eligibility (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I have taken note of the Senator's concerns and will bring them back to the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly. I remind the Senator that I mentioned in my initial response that a supplementary travel benefit can be made available to people who find themselves under considerable stress because of the circumstances of their illness. Perhaps it might be possible for the Senator to look into...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Diaspora Issues (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, I thank the Senator for raising this matter in the Seanad. The Minister is unavoidably absent as he in the Dáil Chamber dealing with Priority Questions and asked me to come in his place. The cost of contraception has often been cited as a factor in unintended pregnancies. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Diaspora Issues (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I shall return to the recommendation made by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. On numerous occasions the Minister for Health has said he fully supports the recommendation made by the joint committee and its call for contraception to be made available free of charge. Work on the legislation is ongoing, particularly since the passing of the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disease Management (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I hope the Senator is interested in the response which is wide-ranging, but I will have some notes to add at the end. Chronic diseases are largely preventable diseases linked with a set of four common risk factors - tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity - and which can remain preventable until late in life. As described in the recent Sláintecare...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disease Management (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I know that the Senator is passionate about this subject, as we all are. Obesity is becoming very prevalent, particularly among young children. I do not have a specific answer to the Commencement matter, about which I am disappointed. I was handed this note before I walked into the Chamber and will read it. The Minister and the Department of Health do not have a role in decisions on the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: Transgender-specific guidelines have been developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and the Endocrine Society. The guidelines recommend a comprehensive assessment prior to commencement of hormone therapy. They highlight several criteria which must be met prior to referral for hormonal intervention, so that people access the supports needed to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: Measuring the effectiveness of responses to the drug problem is an important objective of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. The level of progress in delivering the strategy can be measured using performance indicators linked to specific objectives and actions. Measuring progress is supported by a coordinated system of monitoring, evaluation...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health secured an additional €6.5 million for drug-related actions in Budget 2018, as a first step in implementing the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. This additional funding is being used to expand the availability of drug and alcohol treatment services and to improve health services for drug-users who are homeless.   Drug...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Food Marketing Programme (28 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: In February, I launched new voluntary Codes of Practice for the advertising and marketing of food and non-alcoholic drinks in the non-broadcast media - including digital media - in accordance with a recommendation in the national Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP). The OPAP was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. The purpose of the Codes, which...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (26 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: Funding for the Irish Men's Shed Association is provided by the Health Service Executive; I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (26 Jun 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: Drug Treatment Programmes (26 Jun 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.