Results 401-420 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (5 Mar 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that at the request of the Department of Health and the HSE, the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is carrying out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of introducing a PrEP programme in Ireland. The aim of the HTA is to establish the clinical and cost effectiveness of providing a PrEP programme in Ireland with a commitment to rolling out a PrEP...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (28 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: What I read was the script I was given. To answer Deputy Barry's questions, I have not read it, like I have not read a lot of the documents that are sitting on my table. I gradually go through them as best I can. I have not read it and I will not say here that I read something I did not read.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (28 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I will read it. I will take it on advice from Deputies Barry and Collins and I will read it. I do not need to be lectured. Deputy Collins asked that I would ask the Minister, Deputy Harris, to consider a cross-party meeting and I will do that tomorrow. I take on board the points raised around the HSE, understaffing and whether people have a right to join the trade union of their choice....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (28 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I do not know if I can say much more than that. The Minister, Deputy Harris, is keen to see the end of this dispute. As I said, officials from the Department of Health met representatives of the HSE and the management of the national service to explore possible options for the strike to be called off. However, the Minister remains confident that a solution can be found. It is incumbent on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (28 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I am not going to be brought in here to read a statement and then be abused by Deputy Barry or anybody else as to whether I read a document or not.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (28 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I want to make it clear to Deputy Barry that I have not read it and I am not going to lie and say I did. However, I will look at it and inform myself. Prior to taking this Topical Issue matter, I had not read it and I am making that clear to the Deputy. I could not answer the Deputy in the opening statement because it was not part of the opening statement. I answered him in my reply. I...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (28 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I apologise to all the Deputies for his not being here for this debate on such an important matter. Industrial action was taken today, Thursday, 28 February, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. by a branch of the Psychiatric Nurses Association called the National Ambulance Service Representative Association, NASRA. The HSE has been advised that NASRA members...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Policy (28 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, I thank Senator Devine for raising this issue. As the Senator is aware, the Joint Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care was established in July 2017 with the aim of achieving cross-party agreement on the implementation of a single long-term vision for mental healthcare and the direction of mental health policy in Ireland. The main...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Policy (28 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I refer back to the opening statement which clearly outlines that the key concerns presented to the committee by various stakeholders during the consultation process will be taken on board. On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, I thank the members of the Joint Committee on the Future of Mental Health Services for their work. Many people's voices were heard and what they said...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (28 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: Minister Stanton and I released Bulletin 7 of the Drugs Prevalence Survey 2014/15 on the 27th February 2019. This bulletin provides detailed analysis of the first set of data on the extent of gambling in Ireland. The bulletin is published on the Department of Health website, www.health.gov.ie. The report show that 64.5% of people in Ireland engage in various forms of gambling and that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (26 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health allocated funding of almost €100 million to the HSE for addiction services in 2019. The HSE National Service Plan 2019 sets out the type and volume of addiction services to be provided, having regard to the funding allocated. In addition, the Department provides a further €28 million to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces through various channels of funding,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Funding (26 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: The Department of Health allocated funding of almost €100m to the HSE for addiction services in 2019. The HSE National Service Plan 2019 sets out the type and volume of addiction services to be provided, having regard to the funding allocated. In addition, the Department provides a further €28m to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces through various channels of funding, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (26 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: Health and wellbeing are not evenly distributed across society. There are socially excluded groups who experience extreme health inequalities. Such groups include Travellers, homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers and people with addiction issues. Inequalities in health are reflected in the mortality and morbidity rates of the population. Rates of chronic diseases are another...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (26 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: Strategic action 1.2.8 of the National Drugs Strategy calls for the development of a new scheme to provide targeted, appropriate and effective services for young people at risk of substance misuse, focused on socially and economically disadvantaged communities. This action falls under Objective 1.2 which aims to prevent the use of drugs and alcohol at a young age. It is intended that this...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (26 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: The National Oversight Committee (NOC) for the implementation of ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017 – 2025’ met on the following dates: 29/09/2017,19/01/2018, 18/05/2018, 14/09/2018 and 18/01/2019. A list of membership of the committee is attached. A Progress Report for 2018 was developed by the lead...

Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Motion (21 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, I thank all who spoke on the motion for their thoughtful and considered contributions on all of the issues raised. I will bring their comments and concerns to the Minister and I hope that we can put some of the recommendations into action. I thank the Chair of the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Equipment (21 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: I assure the Deputy that I am not here for any glory.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Equipment (21 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: The Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, is an integral part of the Ireland East hospital group, providing health services and care for the people of Westmeath, Longford and surrounding areas in the midlands. The hospital provides quality patient services through the skills and values of staff to the best of its available resources. This has been achieved first and foremost through the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Equipment (21 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: The Deputies can call it what they like, but I am not in a position this evening to announce that Mullingar hospital will receive the funding in question. I acknowledge the hard work being done by community groups around the country. They fundraise at weekends on a regular basis for various issues relating to hospitals and beyond. I thank the people of Mullingar and the surrounding area...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service Provision (21 Feb 2019)

Catherine Byrne: On behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, I assure the House that the National Ambulance Service is focused on improving the ambulance service in the north-east region and throughout the country. The improvement of service is being implemented through the multi-annual reform programme and through the National Ambulance Service reform plan. New developments are being processed,...