Results 301-320 of 5,909 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. The Government is committed to delivering real and tangible solutions to enhance services to better support the needs of children with special needs in Ireland.  The current delays in accessing therapy services, directly related to vacancies across the children’s disability network team, CDNT, network...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: I assure the Deputy that the HSE is committed to delivering efficient, high-quality occupational therapy to all eligible service users. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is aware of the situation. I understand that she has met with representatives of CHO 5 in the hope that it can be resolved. She is aware of the issue. The Government is committed to delivering real and tangible...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Citizens' Assembly (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: There is an An Bord Pleanála appeal on the supervised injection facility in Merchants Quay. We hope it will be taken as quickly as possible. It is part of the overall national drug strategy. I am very fortunate as Minister of State to have the national drugs strategy to which there has been more than 20,000 submissions. It has had its mid-term review. That is about reducing harm and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Citizens' Assembly (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for his informed and measured remarks. The Government is committed to a health-led approach for those in possession of drugs for personal use through the health diversion programme that will divert them away from the criminal justice system and connect them with health services. The terms of reference for the citizens’ assembly will be a matter for the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Citizens' Assembly (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Government is committed to establishing a citizens' assembly on drug use at the earliest opportunity in 2023 along with a citizens' assembly on the future of education. The terms of reference and the timelines for the citizens' assembly on drug use will be presented to the Oireachtas for approval. I am very positive about the potential...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: The Department of Health provides €28 million in recurring funding for 280 community-based drug and alcohol services annually. In 2019, additional funding of €1m was provided for drug and alcohol task forces, including €240,000 on a recurring basis for core budgets. It is a strategic priority under the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 to enhance access to and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: In December 2019, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission to Merchants Quay Ireland for a medically supervised injecting facility (MSIF). Leave to apply for a Judicial Review of the decision by An Bord Pleanála was granted by the High Court in February 2020. In November 2021, following a Judicial Review, the planning decision was overturned by the High Court and remitted...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: The national Traveller Health Action Plan fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. Travellers have the right to the highest attainable standard of health as is the norm in Irish society. The action plan is a comprehensive public health response to the health needs of Travellers, that provides tailored and affirmative...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Food Promotion (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: The WHO European Regional Obesity Report, published earlier this year, warns of the serious health risks associated with rising levels of obesity. In the European Region, overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions, with prevalence levels higher among males (63%) than among females (54%). In Ireland, overweight and obesity pose an increasing challenge, with one in five children...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: The National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025, sets out a health-led approach to drug use. It promotes a more compassionate and humane approach to people who use drugs, with drug use treated first and foremost as a public health issue. The Programme for Government endorses this health-led approach. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: I refer to your Representation no. HEA-MO-08185-2022 which you submitted on behalf of your constituent Sinead regarding folic acid fortification. I would like to inform you that this correspondence was responded to on Friday 2nd December.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a priority for this Government. The Housing for All plan commits to reducing and preventing homelessness and provides detail on how the Government will approach this challenge. The Department of Health is committed to maintaining and consolidating the enhanced healthcare services provide for people who are homeless during...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (7 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: Over the last three years and in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the HSE has examined potential mechanisms to increase access to opioid substitution treatment in order to promote the safety of individuals who were opioid dependent and at potential risk of contracting SARS CoV 2 and suffering morbidity and mortality. A research paper on the HSE Addiction Services response during the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (6 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: The WHO European Regional Obesity Report, published earlier this year, warns of the serious health risks associated with rising levels of obesity. In the European Region, overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions, with prevalence levels higher among males (63%) than among females (54%). In Ireland, overweight and obesity pose an increasing challenge, with one in five children...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (6 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 506 and 507 together. The Department of Health has a variety of sources to monitor drug trends including the National Drug and Alcohol Survey, which is conducted every four years to survey the general population aged 15 years and over, about the prevalence of drug use in Ireland. The survey examines the use of a variety of drugs including alcohol and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (6 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: As this relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. 

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (6 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: The Government is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.  A model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults was developed by the HSE Quality Improvement Division. The HSE model of care is underpinned by a local...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (1 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (30 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to address the House on Second Stage of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022. This is an annual technical Bill comprising eight sections, all focused on the specific area of health insurance. This legislation is required each year to revise the amounts of credits and levies, ensuring not only that the risk...

Drugs Policy: Motion [Private Members] (30 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: I very much welcome the opportunity to debate the Labour Party motion in respect of drugs policy and to highlight the progress we have made in the implementation of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. As Deputies are aware, it is a health-led approach to drug and alcohol use in Ireland from 2017 to 2025. As Minister of State, I am responsible for co-ordinating...