Results 1,481-1,500 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Topical Issue Debate: Youth Services (6 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: In the 1970s and 1980s, I had the privilege of bringing children from my own local youth club on holidays to Rathangan on many occasions. As a result, I know Rathangan very well. We were always well accepted by the community even though we were from the inner city. We always gelled with the people there. It was a lovely place to go. Even though it was not a very long drive to Rathangan,...

Topical Issue Debate: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (6 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. I thank Deputy Butler for raising this issue. Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The HSE has statutory responsibility for the provision of services for people with intellectual,...

Topical Issue Debate: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (6 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: In respect of the specific case identified by the Deputy, in subsequent correspondence today with officials in the Department of Health and following consultation with the HSE, I am informed of the following. It is the responsibility of the prescribing clinician to ensure that a comprehensive assessment relevant to each service user’s needs is completed prior to prescribing an item of...

Topical Issue Debate: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (6 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will bring the remarks made by the Deputy in her opening statement, particularly that the floor hoist offered would not fit into the child's room, to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Harris. I do not think the cost of a piece of equipment should inhibit any child having a proper standard of health service within his or her home. I do not think a cost of €2,700 is a huge...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Funding (6 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Programme for a Partnership Government gave a commitment to strengthen the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, SICAP, and to reactivate the RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) Programme. It is anticipated that the re-cast RAPID programme will roll out in 2017. The logistical and other arrangements for that programme are...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am delighted to be in this House to introduce the Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017. With the support of Senators I hope it will be possible to have it enacted as soon as possible. As I mentioned in the Lower House, I feel I am part of a relay team. I acknowledge the role of the then Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, and the then Minister of State, now...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I feel inadequate. Listening to the contributions and over recent months I have learnt that there are many people who know about addiction and who have witnessed family members struggling with their addiction. There are many who, sadly, have lost loved ones because of addiction. This Bill brings forward a new beginning for people, particularly chronic users. It is clear from the programme...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: What we must first do is seek the tenders, find a place to locate the centres and base this on the evidence. The HSE and the committee set up through the HSE are mapping the entire centre of Dublin and the location of the facilities, where people are injecting, where they are unfortunately dying on the street and in their homes and the paraphernalia left around. All of this is centred...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Already. That is good. I was not told that before coming to the Chamber.

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I knew it was in the pipeline but I did not think it had happened that quickly. I would be delighted to attend. I wish to refer back to something Senator Devine said about living in an area which down through the years has had its fair share of addiction problems, particularly in respect of young people and the families left behind. Any public representative, whether in Cork, Dublin,...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Many questions were asked, and I will have to decipher some of my handwriting. I thank the Senators who took part in the debate on the Bill. Before I reply to a number of the points that have been raised, I reiterate that the Bill is about reaching out to those people who are chronic drug users and who may also face other problems such as mental heath issues and homelessness. Every person...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (5 Apr 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. Its aim is to tackle poverty, social exclusion and long-term unemployment through local engagement and partnership between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations, public sector agencies and other stakeholders. SICAP is a key intervention for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (4 Apr 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.

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will reply as I should to the Deputy. I agree entirely with him. He was told in the reply that he was uncontactable but I am sure there were plenty of occasions to speak to him today and, as the Deputy said, he met the Minister of State face to face. I reiterate that I have just received the reply to this Topical Issue.

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will go back to the Minister, Deputy McGrath, and request that he meets the Deputy and discusses fully with him what is happening in Dunboyne. I am not familiar with the service there that he raised. I will convey to the Minster of State a stern message from the Deputy pointing out that he is very distressed with the reply he received, and I do not blame him.

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I wish to advise Deputy Collins that I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister. If she wishes to withdraw the matter she may do so, but it is up to herself. I have a reply for her.

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Before we proceed, I apologise to Deputy Thomas Byrne that the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, cannot be here and I will take this matter. If he would prefer for the Minister of State to take it another time, I have no problem.

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Looking at the reply from the Minister of State, I do not think Deputy Thomas Byrne will be happy with it. I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue today and I am pleased to outline the position on services for young people with disabilities who need continuing supports from the health service upon leaving school. In the time permitted, my colleague the Minister of...

Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Vocational training services for people with disabilities, including training for the open labour market, comes under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Skills. Many young people with intellectual disabilities avail of this option. Life skills training for people with disabilities who have continuing support needs are the responsibility of the HSE. If the Deputy has any specific...

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The amendment tabled by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan proposes to review the Act, not to review the centres in terms of their success or failure. I have already made it very clear that reviews will be conducted by An Garda Síochána and the HSE. They will monitor and review the centres. We would expect that there will be a period of time - possibly 18 months to two years - before such...