Results 1,201-1,220 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service Provision (28 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am fully aware of the service Dublin Fire Brigade provides in the city through the council. I am a long-standing fan of Dublin Fire Brigade and the service it provides since my term as Lord Mayor. It provided a service for the Lord Mayor at the time also. I will bring the issues that have been raised by the Deputies to the Minister's attention. Unfortunately, he cannot be present, but...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (28 Nov 2017)

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 Rehabilitation Clinics (28 Nov 2017)

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.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I wish to pass on the apologies of the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, who cannot be here. I thank Senator Devine for the proposed amendment. The cost of private health insurance is influenced by a number of factors, such as the number of persons in the market, the age profile of those holding private health insurance and ongoing medical innovations. Each of these are...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on the Second Stage of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017. This is a short technical Bill comprising seven sections dealing with specific issues of health insurance, in particular the risk equalisation scheme which supports our system of community-rated health insurance. More than 2.1 million people in Ireland hold private...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I thank all the Senators who have contributed to this Bill and particularly to the previous debates, of which I was not a part. One Senator offered congratulations on the bringing forward of this Bill. However, that is due to many people who spoke on the Bill previously and who have, in many ways, steered the Bill in the direction it is going....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (21 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Government’s response to addressing substance misuse in Ireland is set out in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2020.The strategy emphasises a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland, based on providing person-centred services that promote rehabilitation and recovery. It identifies a set of key actions...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Legislative Process (21 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: There has been ongoing engagement between my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in relation to internet advertising. In April 2014, my Department made a submission to the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group whose Report was published in 2014. My Department is also represented on the Interdepartmental Implementation Group of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (21 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service Provision (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I assure the Deputy that I have noted his concerns regarding the ambulance service for the 100,000 people living in Kilkenny. Nobody can predict how many emergencies will occur in an area at a particular time. The emergency services must do the best they can in the time permitted and with the number of ambulances provided in Kilkenny. I do not know who decided on the number of ambulances...

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service Provision (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, who regrets he cannot be here this afternoon. The National Ambulance Service is committed to providing a quality ambulance service in Kilkenny, and across the country, both during daytime and night-time hours. The National Ambulance Service has advised the Minister for Health that the allocation of night-time ambulance...

Topical Issue Debate: Cancer Services Funding (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am grateful for the opportunity to read into the record the reply of the Minister, Deputy Harris, who unfortunately cannot be here today. I welcome the opportunity to speak about funding in respect of Purple House Cancer Support in Bray. Purple House Cancer Support is a registered charity which provides support to those living with and beyond cancer. Groups such as Purple House...

Topical Issue Debate: Cancer Services Funding (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I reiterate to the Deputy that unfortunately the Minister cannot be here and that he would like to be here. I have been asked to take the Topical Issue on his behalf and I have noted many of the Deputy's concerns. Organisations, such as Purple House in Wicklow and in my area, do wonderful work. Those who work in them are filled with compassion when dealing with adults and children...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Insurance Costs (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Debating topics such as this is important, but it is also essential to be clear on the matter of responsibilities. The Minister for Finance is responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither he nor the Central Rank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as these...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Insurance Costs (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Minister for Finance is concerned that there are suggestions of unfair loading elderly people's premiums, in particular, and he will continue to seek further information to see if this is a widespread issue. In the context of the general fall in the price of insurance premiums, it would be, in the Minister's view, unacceptable if this is the case. Accordingly, departmental officials who...

Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Provision (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am sorry it has not been more centralised around County Kerry.

Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Provision (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy Healy-Rae for raising this very important issue of support for sufferers of Parkinson's disease. It is estimated that 700,000 persons in Ireland are affected by neurological disease, 6,000 of whom have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Working in collaboration with consultants, nurses, health and social care professionals, patient support groups, patients and...

Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Provision (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy. With respect to the Deputy and his devotion to the people of Kerry, he is always in the Chamber speaking about his constituents. We all have constituents. I know how when people have Parkinson's it affects not only the individuals, but their families. In saying this, I am sorry some of the statistics do not cover Kerry in particular, about which the Deputy is speaking,...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Waiting Lists (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will be taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. The "RTÉ Investigates" programme in February highlighted the deeply moving personal stories of people waiting for treatment in public hospitals. Following the programme the Minister was determined that the health service must learn from those patients' experiences. Patients deserve timely, effective and...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Waiting Lists (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I agree with Deputy Kelleher that when information comes to the Dáil it must be correct because we can only act on correct information. He is right to highlight the fact that some of the information we received in the past was not as clear as it should have been. Many of those who work in the health service, clerical staff, doctors and nurses, do their jobs very well but only when...