Results 941-960 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Hospital Accommodation Provision (13 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I thank the Deputies for raising this very important matter. Let me start by recognising that this Government has approved a record level of capital investment in health at €10.9 billion over the next ten years, which will provide for a major enhancement of the capacity of our health services to meet demand in the coming years. Within this...

Topical Issue Debate: Addiction Treatment Services (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I will refer back to the structure of the new strategy on reducing harm, support and recovery. I am very much dedicated to helping people through the strategy of bringing people into services, particularly with regard to recovery and counselling. It is not in my remit to allocate money to certain individual groups. The allocation of money through the strategy on reducing harm, support and...

Topical Issue Debate: Addiction Treatment Services (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. When I conclude my contribution, he probably will not be happy, but I will explain as I go along. The Department of Health co-ordinates the strategic response to drug and alcohol problems, as set out in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. An objective of that strategy is to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Dementia Strategy (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, I thank Senator Kelleher for raising this matter. The national dementia strategy, which was published in 2014, sets out a framework for the development of dementia supports and services in Ireland. The overarching aim of the strategy is to provide dementia care so that people with dementia can live well for as long as possible and can...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: It is National Carers Week and I compliment the people who, in their communities and homes, look after people with all kinds of conditions. This gives them an opportunity to stay in their homes, live in their communities and play a part in family life. It is important to acknowledge the work being done, especially as it is National Carers Week. I cannot give the Senator any commitment on...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Senator Mac Lochlainn for his Commencement matter. I will be taking this question of behalf of the Minister of State with special responsibility for disability issues, Deputy Finian McGrath, who is, unfortunately, out of the country at present. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, together with the Minister of State, recently announced...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: While listening to the Senator's concerns and anger I have taken some notes. There is an appeals process and I do not know whether the organisations the Senator speaks about went through the appeal process. It may not be for me to say that.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I can only give the reply that I have in front of me. Unfortunately the Minister of State with responsibility for people with disabilities cannot be here to listen to the Senator's concerns. I will relate them to him. I do not believe that we as Ministers should have an influence on decisions made by different groups around the country. I know the Minister for Employment Affairs and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Care Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The National Strategy for Women and Girls, 2017-2020 (NSWG) was published in April, 2017, and is the framework through which the Government is pursuing actions to advance the rights of women and girls, and to enable their full participation in Irish society. Implementation is co-ordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality. The Department of Health was represented on the Strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy Implementation (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The establishment of a pilot supervised injecting facility is a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government and is a key action in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. The purpose of the facility is to provide a clean, safe, healthcare environment where people who inject drugs can access medical and social services from healthcare...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Food Labelling (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 711 to 713, inclusive, together. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC) requires the European Commission to adopt a report on the use of additional forms of expression and presentation of the nutrition declaration, their effect on the internal market, and the advisability of further harmonisation in this...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 728, 729 and 731 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: A key policy priority for my Department and the HSE is to increase the proportion of people who are healthy at all stages of life through the Healthy Ireland Framework, Healthy Ireland – A Framework for Improved Health and Well-being 2013-2025. This involves addressing risk factors and promoting protective factors at every stage of life, including the period from the pre-natal...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Data (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Health Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Catherine Byrne: This is a matter for the HSE therefore I have referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.

Other Questions: Dietician Service Provision (29 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Health Service Executive has advised my Department that approval for a locum dietitian in Cork north has been given and the recruitment process is under way. The Health Service Executive envisages that this post will be filled by late June. I am also pleased to advise the Deputy that the Health Service Executive has further informed my Department...

Other Questions: Dietician Service Provision (29 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I will provide Deputy O’Keeffe with a copy of the reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (29 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (29 May 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 109 together. Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse in local communities. I secured additional funding of €250,000 in Budget 2018 to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Advertising Regulation (29 May 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...