Results 1,141-1,160 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Hospital Trolley Crisis: Motion [Private Members] (16 Jan 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I am sorry the Minister had to leave but he has asked me to make the closing contribution. I thank Members for their contributions, some of which I listened to before I arrived in the Chamber. The Minister and I have taken notes. It is clear from the debate that the House shares our commitment and determination, and that of the Government, to do better for our patients. Despite the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Eating Disorders (16 Jan 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Industrial Relations (16 Jan 2018)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health has not contracted any services from the company referred to by the Deputy. I have therefore referred the matter to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to him.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (16 Jan 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: Health Strategies (16 Jan 2018)

Catherine Byrne: ‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the national Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (16 Jan 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: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (16 Jan 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 (16 Jan 2018)

Catherine Byrne: With effect from 1 January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for the North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force was transferred to the Health Service Executive. Therefore, this service matter 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 (16 Jan 2018)

Catherine Byrne: In recognition of the key role Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play in providing a targeted response to the drug problem in local communities, I will shortly be announcing details of a range of new funding initiatives to strengthen the capacity of Task Forces to support the implementation of Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery during 2018.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Strategy (16 Jan 2018)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1118 to 1121, inclusive, together. The sub-groups of the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) have agreed to meet and agree their draft Terms of Reference, which in the interim, remain under active consideration in the Department. The work of the Reformulation sub-group - including work that feeds into a methodology for measuring the...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (14 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise to the Ceann Comhairle and the Deputy for my late arrival. I did not expect-----

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (14 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: As the Deputy said, I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister of State. I received this statement a short while before I entered the Chamber. The Deputy will not be happy with what I have to say-----

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (14 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: -----but I will read the statement and hope something will come of it. I extend my apologies to the Deputy because, having read it, I do not believe the reply is comprehensive. On behalf of the Minister of State, I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to respond. The National Rehabilitation Hospital provides complex specialist rehabilitation services...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (14 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I made it very clear to the Deputy in my opening statement that I was not happy either with the answer I had received. I will relay the Deputy's concerns to the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, in the morning. My mother-in-law was an amputee for 30 years and I was in the National Rehabilitation Hospital with her many a time. The work the staff did on her was remarkable. It is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Emergency Departments Waiting Times (14 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Senator Conway for raising this very important issue. I am here on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, who wishes that I update the House on the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick. There is no doubt that too many patients continue to wait on trolleys for admission to hospitals on a daily basis. I wish to acknowledge the distress that...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Emergency Departments Waiting Times (14 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I acknowledge Senator Conway's contribution this morning. Let me assure him that the Minister, Deputy Harris, and his officials will continue to monitor the performance of the emergency department. Members of the Oireachtas are concerned about the significant numbers attending emergency departments, particularly during the winter months. This puts major pressure on hospital staff. It is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Children and Family Services Provision (14 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will read the statement that has been provided by the Minister's office and I will refer to some of the issues the Senator has raised. The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 reforms and updates family law to address the needs of children living in diverse family types. As Senator Warfield is aware, the Minister for Health is responsible for the commencement of Parts 2 and 3 of the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Children and Family Services Provision (14 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I have just come from a meeting in the Department with the Minister, Deputy Harris, and departmental officials. There are details that have to be ironed out before it is brought in. I assure the Senator that January to early February will be the timeframe. If possible, it will be implemented by the end of January and if not, then the beginning of February. That is what came from the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (14 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (14 Dec 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Making Every Contact Count (MECC) was launched in May as a framework to support the implementation of Healthy Ireland in the health services. The vision for MECC is that health behaviour change interventions will become part of routine clinical care delivered by health professionals in the health service. It will capitalise on the opportunities that every health professional has on a daily...