Results 1,761-1,780 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (27 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016 was passed by the Oireachtas on the 21stJuly 2016. The primary purpose of the Act is to protect public health by bringing certain substances which are open to misuse and known to be traded on the illicit market under the scope of the Misuse of Drugs legislation, thereby aiding the law enforcement activities of An Garda Síochána. These include...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Direct Provision System (27 Sep 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (27 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Under European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market the manufacturer has to seek an authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A determination on an application for authorisation of a medicine is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy Implementation (27 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I meet regularly with Minister Harris and the other Ministers of State in the Department of Health to discuss matters of mutual interest. Such arrangements may be either formal or informal, as the circumstances require. I intend to liaise with all appropriate cabinet Ministers to ensure that the new National Drugs Strategy, which will commence in 2017, provides an up-to-date and effective...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (27 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 593 together. I have overall responsibility for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, which addresses the issue of problem drug use through five inter-connected pillars dealing with supply reduction, prevention (including education & awareness), treatment, rehabilitation and research. The Oversight Forum on Drugs (OFD)...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (27 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee, with an independent chair, has been established to advise me on a new National Drugs Strategy, which will commence in 2017, when the current policy expires. On 6 September, I announced the details of a public consultation in order to assist the Steering Committee determine the key priorities to be addressed in the new Strategy. The public...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy Implementation (27 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Government policy in relation to drugs underlines the importance of providing opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use to a drug-free life, where that is achievable. In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Health Service Executive has reoriented the addiction services in recent years so that they are capable of dealing with all substances. The HSE is continuing to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Products Regulatory Authority (27 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) works in conjunction with Revenue’s Customs Service regarding importations to Ireland, and with An Garda Síochána regarding supplies within Ireland, in order to detect illicit supplies of anabolic steroid containing medicines for abuse purposes. Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. They...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (16 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Possession of a drug testing kit is not prohibited under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016, so long as none of the constituent chemical components or reagents are subject to control under that legislation. However, under this legislation the possession of a controlled drug, other than for legitimate medical or scientific purposes, is prohibited.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (16 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health is primarily responsible for the health related aspects of drug policy. Under the Misuse of Drugs (Custodial Treatment Centre) Order, 1980 (S.I. No. 30 of 1980) the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, Dublin is designated as a place where persons convicted of certain specified offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 may receive custodial medical treatment or...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Local Drugs Task Forces (16 Sep 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (16 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1185 and 1186 together. As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (16 Sep 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (16 Sep 2016)

Catherine Byrne: As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee, with an independent chair, has been established to advise me on a new National Drugs Strategy, which will commence in 2017, when the current policy expires. On 6 September, I announced the details of a public consultation in order to assist the Steering Committee determine the key priorities to be addressed in the new Strategy. The public...

Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (21 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: During the discussion on the proposed amendments to the Bill, Deputies referred to injection centres. I assure Deputies, Deputy Wallace in particular, that I intend bringing legislation to the Dáil regarding clean injection facilities. This legislation will be ready for the autumn term. I understand the frustration behind Deputy Ó Caoláin's argument. On Committee Stage,...

Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (21 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank all the Deputies who have spoken on the amendment. The proposed amendments, if accepted, would mean that a person in possession of certain controlled drugs could not be prosecuted under the misuse of drugs legislation where the amount could be thought to be for personal use. I fully understand and appreciate the intent behind the proposed amendment. However, overnight, it would...

Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (21 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I move:"That Report Stage be taken now."

Written Answers — Department of Health: Community Care (21 Jul 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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy Publication (21 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health is developing a new National Drugs Strategy, which will take effect in 2017, when the current policy expires. A Steering Committee has been established to oversee the process and to advise on how the new Strategy should address problem drug use, including the structures through which this should be done and incorporating key performance indicators to measure the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (21 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Buprenorphine-naloxone is a medicinal product, authorised as a substitution treatment for opioid drug dependence within a framework of medical, social and psychological treatment. It is currently being provided to a cohort of patients involved in a piloting and feasibility study. The report of an implementation group established by the HSE to determine the conditions to govern the...