Results 21-40 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (20 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: The national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, sets out government policy on drug and alcohol use until 2025. The strategy aims to provide an integrated public health approach to drug and alcohol use, focused on reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery.  The strategy contains 50 actions for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (20 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 787 and 798 together. 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: Addiction Treatment Services (20 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: Officials in the Department of Health have been working with Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and the HSE Social Inclusion Services to ensure that services and supports continue to be provided for those with  problem drug and alcohol use. I have asked the HSE to investigate the issues raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Midwifery Services Provision (13 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dietetic Services Provision (13 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: As the question relates to service matters, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Sexually Transmitted Infections (13 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: Sexual health is a priority for my Department, as evidenced by the implementation of the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 -2020, which was launched in October 2015. The Strategy’s key aims are to improve sexual health and well-being and to reduce negative sexual health outcomes. A mid-term review of the Strategy, conducted in 2018, found that implementation is going well and that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (13 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 552 and 553 together. Under the auspices of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, in 2018 I launched the Voluntary Codes of practice for Non-Broadcast Media Advertising and Marketing of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, including Sponsorship and Retail Product Placement. These Codes of Practice were developed in collaboration with the food industry, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (13 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: ‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Government’s Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. It covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Data (13 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (13 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 692 to 694, inclusive, together. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Policy (13 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: As the question refers to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (13 May 2020)

Catherine Byrne: The National Drugs Strategy, ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025’, promotes a more compassionate and humane approach to people who use drugs, with drug use treated first and foremost as a public health issue, rather than as a criminal justice issue. One of the actions within this Strategy (3.1.35) was to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (5 Mar 2020)

Catherine Byrne: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in local communities. They ensure that a coordinated approach is taken across all sectors to address substance misuse based on the identified needs and priorities in their areas. The Department of Health and the HSE provide total annual funding of €28m to task forces for local...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (5 Mar 2020)

Catherine Byrne: ‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Government’s Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (5 Mar 2020)

Catherine Byrne: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Alcohol Pricing (18 Dec 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I will address some of the questions Senator Buttimer raised. I thank him for raising this matter. The Public Health (Alcohol) Act was enacted on 17 October 2018. On 1 November the Minister, Deputy Harris, commenced 23 of its 31 sections. Some of these sections have already become law. By restricting the advertising and promotion of alcohol, they are changing the environment in which our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Alcohol Pricing (18 Dec 2019)

Catherine Byrne: In September the Minister, Deputy Harris, submitted a draft regulation made under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act for assessment of compatibility with EU law and initial market principles. The purpose of the regulations is to restrict pricing promotions of alcohol products. Now that the EU assessment process is complete, it is the Minister's intention to make those regulations in the new...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second and Subsequent Stages (18 Dec 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the House on the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2019. As Senators will be aware, the Bill concluded its passage through the Dáil last week. This is a short and technical Bill comprising six sections all focused on the specific issue of health insurance regulation. The provisions outlined in the Bill will ensure the ongoing...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second and Subsequent Stages (18 Dec 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Senators for their contributions. Senator Gallagher referred to the confusion around renewals, and he is correct, as it is something I deal with myself on a daily basis. A lot of people, when renewing their insurance, whether motor insurance, health insurance or otherwise, find it difficult to access information that would help them to comprehend prices and other options. There are...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second and Subsequent Stages (18 Dec 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I will ask the Minister to come back to the Senators on that point. I thank Senators for their support for this Bill. Its provisions are technical but they are important for all the people who want an opportunity to buy into a health insurance scheme and to have proper guidance in making their choice. Health insurance is held by a large proportion of people in Ireland relative to other...