Results 4,161-4,180 of 6,055 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (17 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I again thank the Senator for his great interest in this project. As he knows, the Covid-19 pandemic has placed increased demands on emergency departments, particularly in respect of infection prevention and control. The Government is committed to developing the emergency department at Cavan General Hospital and the project under way intends to provide a second resuscitation room,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Vaccination Programme (18 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy Stanley for giving me the opportunity to update the House, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, on the schools-based immunisation programme in the midlands. We know from international literature that the highest uptake is obtained if immunisations are delivered in schools. It is vital, therefore, that children have an opportunity to avail of their immunisations...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Vaccination Programme (18 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: Deputies Cowen and Flanagan have raised this issue as well. Vaccination is recognised as one of the most cost-effective and successful public health interventions that exists. The World Health Organization, WHO, estimates that 2 to 3 million deaths a year are prevented by vaccination, and a further 1.5 million could be avoided if global coverage of vaccinations improved. I thank Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (18 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: Budget 2021 allocated €10m in new developments for drugs policy and inclusion health. Of this, €4m was allocated to provide for the implementation of the national drugs strategy to enhance drug and alcohol services as follows: - €1m to develop targeted drug and alcohol initiatives through the network of drug and alcohol task forces, and to increase in core funding for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (18 Nov 2020)

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.

Seanad: Living with Covid-19 Restrictions: Statements (Resumed) (18 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank all Senators for their contributions to this important debate on the Government's response to Covid-19, including the plan for living with Covid-19, Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021. Our overall goal is to reopen our society and economy as safely as possible. This is a challenge facing Governments the world over. Senators will have seen the responses to the pandemic that have been...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (19 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented interruptions to normal healthcare activity, with most services affected, including STI clinics. STI Clinics are conducting virtual clinics where possible, with attendance in person limited to appointment only. Service restrictions are predominantly due to social distancing requirements; waiting rooms can now only hold a fraction of patients...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIV-AIDS Programmes (19 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented interruptions to normal healthcare activity, with most services affected, including STI clinics and related testing services. Some facilities have been affected by the necessary redeployment of personnel to COVID-19 testing and contact tracing duties. Community HIV testing services have also been affected as many of the testing venues are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (24 Nov 2020)

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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (24 Nov 2020)

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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (24 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: Budget 2021 allocated €10m in new developments for drugs policy and inclusion health. Of this, €4m is being provided to enhance drug and alcohol services as follows: - €1m to develop targeted drug and alcohol initiatives through the network of drug and alcohol task forces, and to increase in core funding for existing services - €2m to increase residential treatment...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Support Services (24 Nov 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (24 Nov 2020)

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.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: May I take this opportunity to congratulate you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, and Cavan on a wonderful victory last Sunday?I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the House on Second Stage of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020. This is a short and technical Bill comprising six sections, all focused on the specific issue of health insurance. This legislation is needed in order to...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senators for their support for the Bill and for their contributions to the debate. Health insurance is held by a very large proportion of people in Ireland relative to other countries. As Senator Hoey pointed out, 45% of the population is quite large by European standards. Community rating is a fundamental cornerstone of the Irish health insurance system. This means people who are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Brexit Issues (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. The directive on patient's rights in cross-border healthcare, commonly called the cross-border directive, provides rules for the reimbursement to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in his or her home member state. The directive seeks to ensure a clear and transparent framework...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Brexit Issues (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I fully understand the reasons why the Deputies have raised this issue. The decision of our neighbour to leave the EU will have unfortunate, negative implications for Ireland that are outside our control. This includes the loss of access to healthcare services currently provided for through the cross-border directive, CBD, representing a substantive and real loss of access to healthcare...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together. The Covid-19 pandemic has created a time of uncertainty and anxiety for everyone and particularly for those who are affected by drug and alcohol addiction. The restructuring of services, social distancing measures and self-isolation can be particularly difficult for those who are trying to remain drug or alcohol free and for those who...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Prison Mental Health Services (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank my colleague for raising this issue. The Minister for Justice yesterday welcomed the publication of the report of the committee for the prevention of torture and fully acknowledges the importance of external oversight and evaluation in helping develop and improve our penal systems. While the report offers encouragement in a number of areas and recognises progress made, it clearly...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Prison Mental Health Services (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: The Government is committed to delivering safe, secure and humane custody for those sent to prison in this State. This includes the provision of appropriate mental health services to persons in custody. We accept the CPT's findings that there is much to be done in this regard but welcome its recognition that progress has been made in a number of areas. We are considering how best to deliver...