Results 1,841-1,860 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs-related Deaths (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: In May 2015, the HSE undertook a demonstration project to assess and evaluate the suitability and impact of using a pre-filled Naloxone injection which is designed for non-medical administration in Ireland. Naloxone is an antidote used to reverse the effects of opioid drugs like heroin, morphine and methadone, if someone overdoses. An external Evaluation of the Naloxone Demonstration Project...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The South West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force receives annual funding from the Health Service Executive to allocate to community-based drugs initiatives at a local level. It is a matter for the Task Force concerned to ensure that its budget is effectively deployed based on locally identified needs and priorities, taking into account the changing nature of the drugs problem. Applications...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Policy (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health is developing a new National Drugs Strategy, which will cover the period from 2017 onwards. A Steering Committee, chaired by former General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation and with representatives from the relevant Statutory, Community and Voluntary Sectors, has been established to oversee the process. The Steering Committee will provide...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (14 Jun 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 Implementation (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Health is developing a new National Drugs Strategy, which will cover the period from 2017 onwards. A Steering Committee, chaired by John Carr, former General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation and with representatives from the relevant Statutory, Community and Voluntary Sectors, has been established to advise me on how a new...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The HSE maintains the Central Treatment List, which is a register of all clients in receipt of methadone maintenance treatment for problem opiate use in Ireland. However, the information sought by the Deputy is not available as only individuals who come into contact with drug treatment services are recorded. Obtaining a reliable view of the extent of illicit drug use in the population...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Government's response to the problem of drug misuse in our society is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The overall objective of the National Drugs Strategy is to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The nature and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 to 489, 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 replies 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 (14 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 491 together. The overall objective of the National Drugs Strategy is to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. Periodic reviews of progress of the actions across the five pillars of the current...

Adjournment Debate: Hospital Waiting Lists (8 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy Murphy for his question. Every year there are 3.2 million outpatient attendances at our hospitals. A total of 100,000 patients have an elective inpatient procedure and 800,000 have a planned day case procedure. For those waiting to see a consultant or to have tests or surgery, the biggest worry is not the size of the list but how long they are likely to be on it. ...

Adjournment Debate: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (8 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for his kind words. The Deputy will be aware that I have recently been given responsibility for the national drugs strategy, which aims to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society through the misuse of drugs. I am keenly aware from my own work at community level that the drugs problem is a complex and challenging issue that has far-reaching...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Places (8 Jun 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: Health Services Provision (8 Jun 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: Misuse of Drugs (8 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: A Bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act to bring a number of new substances under the scope of that legislation is currently being drafted and it is the intention to publish it before the House rises for the summer. In addition to this, regulations will be made to introduce substantial additional controls on certain prescription drugs being traded illicitly, such as benzodiazepines and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (8 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Traveller Community (2 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: My Department understands that the Health Service Executive intends to conduct a general evaluation of Traveller health services. The evaluation will be undertaken in consultation with the Traveller community and other relevant statutory agencies. The outcome of the evaluation will, inter alia, inform the operation of the Traveller Primary Healthcare Teams in order to address the health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (2 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health has commenced work on the development of a new Strategy for the period after 2016. This process will involve a comprehensive consultation with key stakeholders and the public on the current national drugs policy and future priorities. A Steering Committee with an independent chair has been set up to oversee the development of the new Strategy and focus groups...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Proposed Legislation (2 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: Government policy in relation to drugs emphasises the importance of providing the opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use, through drug treatment and rehabilitation, to a drug-free life where that is achievable. The provision of harm reduction measures, such as needle and syringe programmes and methadone maintenance treatment, reduce drug-related harm and facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (2 Jun 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (2 Jun 2016)

Catherine Byrne: In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem. Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and coordinating action at local level, so that there is a targeted response to the problem of substance misuse in local communities. ...