Results 4,021-4,040 of 6,055 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Public Health, Well-being and National Drugs Strategy: Statements (10 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I welcome this opportunity to update the House on the important policy areas that fall under my remit as Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy. My opening statement will deal with how these policy areas support the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. My closing statement will set out my policy priorities for the remainder of 2020...

Public Health, Well-being and National Drugs Strategy: Statements (10 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: Do I have a certain amount of time?

Public Health, Well-being and National Drugs Strategy: Statements (10 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: How many minutes? Do I have ten or 15 minutes?

Public Health, Well-being and National Drugs Strategy: Statements (10 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions to this discussion on public health and the national drug strategy. I have noted many of the points that have been raised and will consider them and their implementation as part of my brief in the coming months. I will also try to reply to Deputies who have raised specific questions, if I can. I have many policies that I want to outline but I...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Support Services (10 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett for raising this important issue. A key principle underpinning Government policy is to support older people to live in their own home with dignity and independence for as long as possible. In recent years, there has been a shift in the focus of healthcare provision towards home care. Home support services are key in facilitating older people to remain at home...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Support Services (10 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, I would like to reaffirm that the decision to close St. Mary’s was a course of action solely undertaken by the former board of directors. I hear the Deputy loud and clear that the residents want to continue to live in their homes with dignity. The Deputy wants the services maintained. He...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (10 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to provide an update to the House regarding concerns over hygiene and infection control standards a Cork University Hospital's geriatric unit. First, I assure the Deputy that infection prevention and control is generally well-developed in acute hospitals. Indeed, prior to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (10 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I will bring the Deputy's observations back to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. The upset of the staff, patients and their families has been noted. The Deputy also called for various protocols to be introduced. He also spoke about an unannounced visit by HIQA that may happen on Monday. I will try to clarify those issues for him. It is now clear that in order to safely and sustainably...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Traveller Community (10 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy Durkan for his question and for his ongoing support for the public health measures that have been put in place in recent months. While the Government has today launched a new roadmap for the period ahead, as the Deputy points out, following the protocols on hand sanitisation, social distancing and reduction in interactions is still the most important thing to do.  ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I should first state that I have received information that the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, does not have Covid-19. I wish him well. It was an honour to be able to step in for him but it is good to know that the Minister does not have the virus. As the Deputy is aware, the virus only needs a small window of opportunity to re-emerge. For everyone's sake, especially the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: The Government shares the Deputy's concerns. The National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, meets on a regular basis. It reviews current restrictions based on the most up-to-date information and advises the Government accordingly. It is impossible to accurately predict the future trajectory of Covid-19 in Ireland. As the Deputy knows, there is no precedent for dealing with a pandemic...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Primary Care Centres (15 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the provision of a primary care centre in Finglas. The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective of delivering a high-quality, integrated and cost-effective healthcare system. As the Deputy is aware, Finglas has been identified as a location for the development of a primary care centre. As he pointed out, approval...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Primary Care Centres (15 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: As I stated, feasibility studies in respect of the site are progressing. The HSE will be tendering for the services of a design team to progress the proposed project to completion in the near future, subject to agreeable conclusion to the site purchase. The HSE advised that discussions with Dublin City Council regarding the proposed primary care centre were delayed due to the pandemic but...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Primary Care Centres (15 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: Finglas was identified as a high priority location for the development of a primary care centre. As I stated, a HSE direct-build primary care centre was approved in 2012 in the HSE monthly capital annual plan. Primary care centres offer clear benefits such as bringing healthcare professionals together to operate as multidisciplinary teams in purpose-designed, well-equipped and high-quality...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services Funding (15 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: The Minister, along with the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Rabbitte, is committed to improving services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives. This year, the HSE will provide more than 8,300 residential places to people with disabilities and will continue working with agencies to explore...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services Funding (15 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: An on-site meeting with HSE CHO 1's head of social care, general manager disability services and service manager disability services, a representative from HSE estates and a representative from the Respond housing agency took place on the morning of 12 February last. The purpose of the meeting was to consider any outstanding minor works to be completed and to carry out a walk-though of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services Funding (15 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I understand that the HSE CHO1 notes that the funding to make this facility operational has been included in the Estimates process for 2021. I understand the Deputy's concerns. We will bring them to the Minister. Hopefully, this issue can be resolved.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Treatment Services (15 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: 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, in line with public health advice. Details of services operating during the coronavirus outbreak can be found at . The public health advice relating to Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (16 Sep 2020)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. The situation regarding COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, an evolving situation. COVID-19 is still having a major impact both here in Ireland and elsewhere. The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future. The public...