Results 1,641-1,660 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services Provision (2 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator. The matter has the heading of transparency in mental health budget allocations and whether the Minister of State will agree to disclose where resources have been allocated since October 2016. The response in many ways outlines the avenues where the funding was spent. I assure the Senator that with any business I take here on behalf of a Minister or Minister of State, I...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (2 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016 was passed by the Oireachtas on the 27 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. It is expected that various sections of the 2016 Act can be...

Topical Issue Debate: National Children's Hospital (1 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise for the fact the Minister cannot be here to take this Topical Issue but I am glad to take it because it is in my constituency and I have been involved for a long time in respect of the location of the project in St. James's Hospital. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am pleased to take this opportunity to update the House about the new children's hospital. The...

Topical Issue Debate: National Children's Hospital (1 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will.

Topical Issue Debate: National Children's Hospital (1 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Hopefully, there will be no unnecessary deaths. The children this hospital will most the benefit are very sick children who must endure very cramped conditions in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. These conditions go back 30 or 40 years. For the first time in this country, there is a commitment by this Government and the previous one to build a national children's hospital. I...

Topical Issue Debate: National Children's Hospital (1 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will finish because I do not want to end up arguing with anybody in the Chamber because that is not my way of doing politics but I assure the Deputy that there has been wide consultation during the past two years with every community group, every family with a sick child, every neighbourhood and all the staff and different services on the campus. I attended the oral hearing, which lasted...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (1 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I do not mind. I note what the two Deputies have said. With the greatest of respect to them, their knowledge of the area they speak about is far greater than mine. Although it might be against my will, I agree with them that I would not like anybody to have to travel more than 200 miles for a service. While a relevant point has been raised, the Minister also raised a relevant point in...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (1 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I have made a note of it. I will pass on the suggestion to the Minister.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (1 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise to Deputies for the Minister not being present, but he has another engagement. I was asked to take this slot. The Deputies could have withdrawn this matter before standing if they did not want me to reply. I am here so I will reply if that is okay with the Deputies.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (1 Feb 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I must be honest, in that what I am going to say will probably not satisfy them, but I will convey their concerns when they finish their contributions. I welcome the opportunity to speak about the services at Letterkenny University Hospital. The hospital provides medical oncology services to patients and has two consultant medical oncologist posts. One of these posts is currently vacant and,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Commencement of Legislation (1 Feb 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: Addiction Treatment Services (1 Feb 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.

Bus Éireann: Motion [Private Members] (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I echo the earlier comments of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, on the counterproductive leaking of information about Bus Éireann's challenges in recent weeks. We must all remind ourselves that more than 2,500 people are employed in the company. They have been subjected to headline after headline and speculation about their careers. The distress is not...

Topical Issue Debate: Tenant Purchase Scheme Eligibility (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, cannot be here and has asked me to respond on his behalf. The incremental tenant purchase scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016 and is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the...

Topical Issue Debate: Tenant Purchase Scheme Eligibility (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: In line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of all aspects of the first 12 months of operation of the scheme is being undertaken by the Minister's Department in close consultation with local authorities. The Minister will consider the need for any change in the terms and conditions of the scheme based on the evidence...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coroners Service (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator for his statement. On behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, who cannot be here today, I thank him for raising this subject that affords an opportunity to update the House of the most recent developments. I acknowledge his active involvement in promoting reform of the system in which the coroners operate. Senator Conway, along with other...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coroners Service (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I have taken note of what the Senator said. I concur with the reply from the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to the effect that the current cohort of coroners strive to offer the best possible service within the confines of the existing administrative framework. The Department agrees that there is a need to get on with a long-term plan to modernise the system. The aim...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Redundancy Payments (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator for tabling this Commencement matter. As he correctly pointed out, it is not within my area of responsibility. I have been asked to take it on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy John Halligan, who sends his apologies that he cannot be here. I will read the statement I have been given. I have taken note of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Redundancy Payments (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: No, I just-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Redundancy Payments (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Senator Gavan. I appreciate that the reply has frustrated him. To be honest, I could raise my own concerns in that regard. I will bring the issues he has outlined this afternoon to the attention of the Minister. The Minister and his office will reply to the Senator in more detail and answer some of the questions he has raised. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to provide...