Results 1,681-1,700 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (14 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Speaking personally, as a mother and a grandmother, no parent should be left waiting for surgery for such a long time. Unfortunately, as the Deputy knows, in the past matters were not as fluid as we would have liked them to be, but funding is now beginning to build up again and the Minister is doing his utmost to ensure that staff are provided. The HSE has tried to recruit people especially...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Addiction Treatment Services (14 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator for raising this matter, but I am afraid that he will not be very happy with my reply. I am not happy with it and will explain why. The Government is committed to tackling alcohol misuse in Ireland and the widespread harm and pain it causes. Alcohol is causing significant damage across the population and in workplaces, families and communities and is a substantial...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Addiction Treatment Services (14 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: As I said in my initial remarks, I am not happy with the reply I received this morning and have already informed the HSE of this. I have asked it how it plans to reconfigure addiction services in the west to ensure all individuals who will present with an alcohol addiction will be catered for in the coming weeks. I will make it my business when I leave the Chamber to get back onto the HSE...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Accommodation (13 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. I thank the Senator for raising the issue and giving me the opportunity to update the House on the ambulance base in Carlow. The National Ambulance Service has experienced ongoing difficulties with a prefabricated building that forms part of the station facilities at Carlow ambulance base in the grounds of St. Dympna's Hospital....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Accommodation (13 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: There are some similarities in the reply, but a different location is being looked at on the campus. A temporary new prefab is also being considered because of the structural work that must be done. I am not familiar with the campus or the building being considered. It is very clear to me consultation has been taking place with the staff and services in Carlow. I will bring the Senator's...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Accommodation (13 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I will relay to him there does not seem to have been any definite decision in the reply. I certainly will come back to the Senator on this. I apologise again, but there are a number of indications that something is happening. On a long-term basis, and with immediate effect, more decisions should be made more quickly. I will bring this back to the Minister.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Drugs Strategy (13 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The national drug-related deaths index was published this morning. The figures are shocking. There is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, not only within communities, but as a Government and a nation. I will not say that we will continue monitoring the situation, as monitoring is not good enough. Through the national drugs strategy, we will identify why so many people are losing...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Drugs Strategy (13 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I very much appreciate the Senator's contribution to and participation in the public consultation process. As she is aware, I come from a community-oriented background and know and understand the difficulties and the work being done in communities. This morning I was in Tallaght visiting various groups and was taken aback by the work being done on the ground. If we intend to tackle the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (8 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: With effect from 1 January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for the Kildare West Wicklow Community Addiction Services Ltd. was transferred to the HSE. In the circumstances, I have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (6 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The South Western Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force is responsible for working with communities in County Kildare in order to co-ordinate the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy in the area. As the specific issue raised by Deputy 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: Addiction Treatment Services (6 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Reflecting the Government's commitment to a health-led response to drug use, an additional €3m in funding has been provided in the 2017 budget to increase support for interventions aimed at improving the health outcomes of those affected by addiction. In relation to Kildare and West Wicklow, the Department of Health has provided Drugs Initiative funding of €102,820 to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Prices (6 Dec 2016)

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.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use (Regulations) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: This Bill is about three words, families, compassion and hope. It is about families on a daily basis who have to comfort their loved ones who, because of a serious illness, live a nightmare on a 24-7 basis. Sometimes politicians are not seen as being compassionate or having compassion in abundance. However, a new pathway, the new politics we all hear a great deal about from all sides, has...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (1 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I am not the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. I have been asked to take the Commencement matter on his behalf. However, I am a woman and given that I have five children and have been obliged many times to go to accident and emergency units for gynaecology, I understand. I know how important it is to have a service up and running. On behalf of the Minister, I thank Senators Colm Burke...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (1 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I understand the Senators' frustration and concur with some of the things they have said. My response did not specifically identify some of the issues they raised. However, things are happening in Cork University Hospital. Let us not be in any doubt that the Government is committed to providing a better service for women, particularly in gynaecology. The money that is being set aside and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products Availability (1 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I am glad to be here this morning to take this Commencement Matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris. I thank the Senator for raising this issue. PKU and HCU are lifelong conditions, with serious dietary restrictions for people who have them. Essential clinical nutritional products, specifically for PKU and HCU, as well as some low-protein foodstuffs, are reimbursed under the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products Availability (1 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I am sorry that the answer has not fully cleared up the issues the Senator raised. I will meet the Minister, Deputy Harris, today and I will raise her concerns with him. I have personal experience of somebody at home who had a child who needed special food and because of the cost it was difficult for them to get it.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Traveller Community (1 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Healthy Ireland is our national framework for action to improve the health and well-being of the people of Ireland. Healthy Ireland takes a whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach to improving health and well-being and the quality of people’s lives and provides an overarching approach to addressing health inequalities among Travellers. The Government is committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Availability (1 Dec 2016)

Catherine Byrne: With effect from 1 January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for the Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme was transferred to the HSE. In the circumstances, I have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply.

Topical Issue Debate: Traveller Accommodation (30 Nov 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I do not have answers to some of the specific questions posed by Deputy O'Brien. I have taken note of them and will revert to him as soon as possible. I thank the Deputy for his comments and observations and assure him that I am committed to ensuring Traveller accommodation needs are met in a safe and suitable manner. As is appropriate in the aftermath of such an appalling tragedy, the...