Results 1,801-1,820 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I begin by thanking the 27 Deputies who took the time to come to the Chamber to speak on this issue. It was the same with the Senators last week. The drugs issue is beyond politics or political parties. It is about people's lives. It is in every town and village throughout the country so it is not just relevant to the capital city. It knows no boundaries. It can affect people who are...

Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (6 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016 to the House. Everyone is aware of the devastation that drugs cause to individuals and communities across the State. Recently we have become all too aware of the on-street dealing in prescription medication, some of which is controlled under the misuse of drugs...

Topical Issue Debate: Accident and Emergency Departments (6 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I have taken note of all the questions the Deputy has asked. Unfortunately I cannot answer them for him, but I will say from the reply the Minister gave that it is good news that University Hospital Limerick will have a new emergency department in the first quarter of 2017 and I will ask him to come back with a specific date if that is possible. I also acknowledge, as the Minister has done...

Topical Issue Debate: Accident and Emergency Departments (6 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister. I welcome this chance to update the House on the current position on the accident and emergency department at University Hospital Limerick. Pressure on accident and emergency departments throughout the country has been rising as the population is both growing and ageing. Accident and emergency department attendances have been...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (5 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 430, 433 and 439 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (5 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 435 to 437, inclusive, together. As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. 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: Drug Rehabilitation Clinics (5 Jul 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. 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: General Practitioner Data (5 Jul 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. 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: HSE Staff Training (5 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: In line with action 47 of the National Drugs Strategy, a core objective of the HSE National Addiction Training Programme (NATP) is the development of national training standards for those involved in the provision of substance misuse services. The specific aims of the programme include the provision of training based on current evidence-based practice, prioritising training programmes to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (5 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: In line with the National Drugs Strategy, my Department administers a Drugs Initiative which primarily funds community based drugs initiatives supported by Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. The budget allocation for the ten Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and the fourteen Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for each of the years referred to by the Deputy is set out in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (5 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 472 to 474, inclusive, together. As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. 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: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (5 Jul 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. 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 (5 Jul 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Government policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. A Steering Committee, chaired by an independent chair and with representatives from the Statutory, Community and Voluntary Sectors, has been established to advise on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy, which will cover the period from 2017 onwards. The terms of reference of...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Senators for their contributions. We had a long discussion about this yesterday, Several weeks ago I requested to meet Senators Ruane and Black because I know they have long experience of working in drug addiction services and with families. We had a long discussion and analysis. I want to meet people who have a passion to do something for people who get trapped in drug addiction....

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I understand from where Deputy Ruane is coming but I cannot give her a commitment that if something develops in the inner city or elsewhere in Ireland, the Government will not introduce legislation to change it. It would be wrong of me to say that. I will not do it. The aim of the legislation is to protect the health of individuals.

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I am sorry Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin was not present when I spoke on the amendments. I missed the Senator's previous contribution, as I was in the ante room. As a new Minister of State, I need as much advice as I can get, as does anyone in a similar position.I depend on people in the Departments of Health and the Environment, Community and Local Government, as my...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I will make a few comments in response to comments from Senators and then I will refer to the amendments. I made it very clear in this House last week that I do not want to criminalise anybody who takes drugs because of addiction, but decriminalisation is a complex issue which has to be worked out properly before we can say that people should not be criminalised for carrying drugs in their...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I wish to address one or two points before I conclude. Does Senator Devine wish me to tell her now, tomorrow, next week or the week after that there will be four new detox beds in St. James’s Hospital? I cannot do that, but I will give a commitment that I will do everything I can within my role as Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy to make sure that...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Okay.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social Enterprise Sector (29 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Government currently provides substantial funding to social enterprises through a range of programmes and schemes, many of which are implemented through the nationwide network of Local Development Companies, including the Community Services Programme, Community Employment Schemes, the Wage Subsidy Scheme for the employment of people with disabilities, public sector contracts through the...