Results 81-100 of 1,546 for speaker:Áine Brady

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: I thank Senators for their contributions on and their support for this measure, which I greatly appreciate. I also endorse and acknowledge the wonderful work done by the Office of Tobacco Control which is located in my constituency in Millennium Park in Naas. I agree with Senators that we need to reduce the numbers who smoke, particularly among young people. Whenever I visit schools, I...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: Section 3 refers to the transfer of functions and provides for the preparation and implementation of the plan for the national co-ordination of the activities of the Office of Tobacco Control and the HSE in respect of the Bill. It provides that the office shall establish a body, to be known as the Tobacco Free Council, which was never established by it. Its role was to be available to the...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: I am not sure if there was lobbying by the industry. Research points to the law of diminishing returns in terms of the tax take. I am not sure what other research findings or details were included in the document.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: The high level steering group comprising representatives of the Office of Tobacco Control, the HSE and the Department of Health and Children has been established to oversee the merger. All of the functions of the office are to be transferred to the HSE on commencement of the Act, with the exception of those I mentioned. I made a mistake and wish to correct it. The exceptions include the...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: It is being transferred with it.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: Section 15 of the Health Act provides that the HSE board can establish committees to assist in the performance of its functions. Section 44 of the Act provides that the Minister may direct the HSE to establish an advisory panel for a specific purpose. If it is decided to set up an advisory panel on tobacco control issues, such a panel can be established under one of the sections.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: The premises will be available until the end of next year.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: A reduced rate has been negotiated.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: We will check.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: We will seek information on the reduced rate to be paid.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: I appreciate Senator Fitzgerald's concern. The office is being subsumed into the Health Service Executive and she is afraid it will be lost. I have met staff of the Office of Tobacco Control on many occasions. They are very committed. The chairperson has now welcomed the move. Initially, there was concern along the lines expressed by Senator Fitzgerald, which I shared, that the office...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: I do not know what level of cutbacks have been made. The health promotion budget has remained sound in general. The Office of Tobacco Control is bringing with it the budget of €1.5 million. As far as I am aware the health promotion budget has remained quite sound generally.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: It is a matter of trying to get more for less. We are concerned that we would get as much information out as we can in terms of advertising to get the message across to people. Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: The Health Service Executive is required to have the final report of the activities of the office submitted to the Minister within one year of the commencement of the Act. The legislation provides also for the Minister to lay copies of the report before each House of the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: The report must be submitted within one year. That is the maximum amount of time it can take.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: Yes. Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: In Budget 2009, as part of the programme of rationalisation of State agencies, it was proposed that the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Irish Medicines Board and the Office of Tobacco Control would be merged to form the Public Health and Medicines Safety Authority. The case for this merger was based primarily on the broadly similar functional responsibilities of the three bodies in...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (7 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: It is in everyone's best interests that older people are supported and encouraged to remain self reliant and to remain actively involved in their own well-being and that of their families, friends and the wider community. As the Deputy is aware, a range of services are available to support older people living in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and where this is not...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (7 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (7 Dec 2010)

Áine Brady: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.