Results 1,561-1,580 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Legislative Process (7 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016 was passed by the Oireachtas on the 27th July 2016. Controlling the substances in the Act was part one of a two-step process and Regulations and various Orders are also required to allow legitimate users (e.g. patients with a prescription, health professionals) to possess the substances. Drafting of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations and Orders is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Provision (7 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: In line with Action 1.15 of Rebuilding Ireland, €2m in funding was made available in 2016 from the mental health budget for enhanced care and case management programmes to link homeless people with complex needs within the Dublin region into mental health and addiction services. This allocation will continue in 2017. In addition, the HSE Service Plan 2017 has earmarked a further...

Topical Issue Debate: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I do not have the specific answers to the Deputy's questions but I will inform the Minister in question and ask him to get back to the Deputy. This is the first national re-evaluation to take place in over 150 years so it is important that the process is completed as soon as possible. A number of small businesses in my constituency have seen rates go up by €3,000 or €4,000 and...

Topical Issue Debate: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I should point out that the Valuation Office came within the aegis of the Department of Justice and Equality with effect from 1 January 2016. Under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015, the Commissioner of Valuation who is independent in carrying out his functions has sole...

Topical Issue Debate: Occupational Therapy (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will try my best. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, who unfortunately cannot be here this evening. A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a decisive shift within the health service towards primary care in order to deliver better care close to home in communities across the country. Community occupational therapy is a...

Topical Issue Debate: Occupational Therapy (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I cannot remember the question the Deputy asked at the start but my answer would be "No". He spoke about the difference between people living in Tallaght and Clondalkin in terms of the length of time it takes for them to be assessed by occupational therapists. I will not disagree with the Deputy because I am dealing with that problem in my own constituency where people have to wait a long...

Topical Issue Debate: Addiction Treatment Services (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Health Service Executive has provided the Department with an update regarding the funding for the appointment of two clinical nurses for the Finglas Addiction Support Team through the Community Alcohol Response and Engagement, CARE, initiative. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the general manager for social inclusion and addiction in the Dublin north city has approved this...

Topical Issue Debate: Addiction Treatment Services (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I certainly will follow-up on the recruitment dates and any other information the Deputy thinks might be necessary to move staff into place. I will do that as soon as tomorrow.

Topical Issue Debate: Addiction Treatment Services (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: We will see.

Topical Issue Debate: Occupational Therapy (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I do not know about pleasing.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Accommodation (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Before I read the reply, I want to reassure the Senators that when I take Commencement matters, I make it my business to go back to the Minister and speak to him personally.I am sorry if Senator Murnane O'Connor has not received a response.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Accommodation (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will follow up on the matter. I will set out the response on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I wish to thank the Senator for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to provide an update to the House on the Carlow ambulance base. As the Senator is aware, there have been difficulties recently with a prefabricated building...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Vaccination Programme (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I thank Senator Lombard for giving me the opportunity to update the House on this important matter. Meningococcal disease is a vaccine-preventable disease which has a high mortality rate if untreated. It is statutorily notifiable in Ireland under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2016. However, this does not require reporting of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Vaccination Programme (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I acknowledge again the Senator's concerns around the catch-up programme for 1.2 million children. As a mother and a grandmother, I am very conscious of the fact that when the word meningitis is mentioned, people have real fears. All of us around Leinster House, whether public representatives or staff, have been touched through our families because, unfortunately, people have contracted...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Redundancy Payments (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: First, I want to address Senator Gavan's remarks on our previous engagement. I assure the Senator that any time I take a Commencement matter, I always make sure to go back to the Minister on a personal basis. I went back to the Minister on a personal basis and relayed Senator Gavan's concerns regarding the Commencement matter that day. I was in contact again this morning and have been...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Redundancy Payments (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, who cannot be present. Under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2013, eligible employees who lose employment as a result of redundancy are entitled to two weeks' statutory redundancy payment for every year of service, plus a bonus week. In the first instance, it is the responsibility of the employer...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Redundancy Payments (2 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: If the Senator wants to send me the details, I will bring them to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, as it would be of help to have them. Alternatively, he can bring them to the Department. I will raise his concerns with the Minister.

Topical Issue Debate: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (1 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will convey the Deputy's concerns to the Minister. As I outlined in the reply, the Minister has no control over how drugs are given out on a compassionate scheme basis. That is a matter for the company in question. I agree with the Deputy that people are suffering as a consequence of being denied access to this lifesaving drug. However, the manufacturers have a responsibility to their...

Topical Issue Debate: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (1 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this issue on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, who sends his apologies for not being here. I thank Deputy Brassil for raising the issue. The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Rates (1 Mar 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. Unfortunately, the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, is before the Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and I will be taking this matter on his behalf. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation...