Results 441-460 of 6,055 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (14 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: The legislation providing for the establishment, licensing and operation of supervised injecting facilities is set out in the Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Act 2017 (No 7 of 2017). The Act refers to the operation of a facility in respect of certain premises. The Government decision approving the provision of supervised injecting facilities envisages the initial...

Written Answers — Department of Health: International Protection (13 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to Ukrainians seeking refuge in Ireland as beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP). The Department of Health is collaborating with the HSE to ensure that refugees have access to the same range of health care services as Irish and EU citizens. BOTPs are entitled to apply for a medical card that provides access to free...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (13 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority for the Department of Health. National health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy, emphasises the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland. The HSE...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy Andrews for raising this important issue. The Government is fully committed to the development and enhancement of children's disability services through the implementation of the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People or PDS programme. I fully acknowledge this change programme has been challenging for many stakeholders, in particular, for children...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy again for his contribution and concern in this very important matter. I assure the House that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, will continue to engage with the HSE to fill the vacant posts and to drive them towards the levels required. Most of the disciplines working in the CDNTs are similar to those working in other areas of the health and social care sector, both...

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

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy again for raising this issue. The HSE is continuing to explore a range of options to enhance the recruitment and retention of essential staff across all aspects of the health service. The Deputy suggested there is a role for the Department of the Minister, Deputy Harris. I absolutely agree with him. We can highlight these vacancies but also the opportunities for young...

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...