Results 4,841-4,860 of 6,056 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Written Answers — Department of Health: Legislative Process (8 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: This Government is committed to the introduction of measures to address period poverty. Government supported the Free Provision of Period Products Bill 2021 (Bill 4),proposed by Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee and sponsored by Senators Catherine Ardagh and Mary Fitzpatrick, which seeks to make period products freely available to all those who need them. A debate on the matter was held in Seanad...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Budget 2022 (8 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: This Government is committed to the introduction of measures to address period poverty, evidenced by the commitment made in the Programme for Government and by the actions taken more recently to progress the issue. The Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paperwas published in February, 2021 and can be accessed at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (8 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” contains a commitment to “Work with key stakeholders to introduce a Public Health Obesity Act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children”. The policy instrument for obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP),...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Budget 2022 (8 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: As the matters raised by the Deputy refer to operational issues, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (8 Dec 2021)

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: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. General practice is at the heart of primary care, and a robust general practice and GP out-of-hours service is essential to the delivery of primary care health services. As the Senator will be aware, GPs are required under the General Medical Services, GMS, to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum or deputy,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising that question on enhanced Westdoc services in Moycullen, Roscahill and Oughterard. The Senator knows the importance of general practice as part of primary care is evident at this time. GPs are playing a critical role in combating the Covid-19 pandemic, performing additional services while continuing to provide non-Covid care. The commitment of GPs in that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Insurance Coverage (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for his question and for the work he undertakes in supporting this sector, ensuring Ireland remains an attractive place for international students to study. It is important that every effort is made to encourage these students to make this decision and support them once they come here. I also understand that it is important for any jurisdiction to have in place certain...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Insurance Coverage (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I again thank the Senator again for his contribution and for raising this important issue. As outlined in my opening reply, this issue concerns international students coming to study in Ireland who are required to adhere to particular immigration visa requirements, one of which relates to having private health insurance. I repeat that it is not within my policymaking role within the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: On behalf of the Minister for Justice, I would like to thank the Deputies for raising this matter today. The Deputies will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the training and deployment of Garda personnel. The Minister for Justice has no direct role in such decisions. However, the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputies for raising this important initiative. The Deputies are aware of the recent publication of a report from the Mental Health Commission on access to mental health services for people in the criminal justice system. It references the crisis intervention team pilot project in Limerick. The Minister for Justice is grateful to the inspector of mental health services and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy Nash for raising this issue to discuss the need for a permanent Covid-19 testing centre in Drogheda. Testing and contact tracing continues to be a key component of the Government’s response to the pandemic and is fundamental to identifying the source and containing the spread of the virus. Demand for testing at this time is very high with approximately 216,000 tests...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy and I agree with him that testing and tracing continues to be fundamental to our response to the pandemic. It is critical that we continue to monitor demand for testing to ensure that we can identify and contain the spread of the virus. The HSE are continuously monitoring the demand for testing and attendance rate at both regional and local level in order to ensure that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Support Services (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I am grateful for this opportunity to discuss, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, the ongoing efforts to expand employment services in the State. I acknowledge that existing service providers are concerned about the future contracting of public employment services and I look forward to discussing this issue with the Deputy. The Department of Social Protection is procuring a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Support Services (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: It is the first time I have heard of cuddly meetings and I thank Deputy McAuliffe for introducing the term to Parliament.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Support Services (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for his contribution. I would like to reiterate some key points. The procurement process for the regional employment service is the outcome of a lengthy process of engagement and consultation with all existing service providers. The tender will allow the Department of Social Protection to procure employment services on a legally sound basis and in line with best...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (9 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” contains a commitment to “Work with key stakeholders to introduce a Public Health Obesity Act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children”. The policy instrument for obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP),...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Proposed Legislation (14 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 574 together. The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” contains a commitment to “Work with key stakeholders to introduce a Public Health Obesity Act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children”. The policy instrument for obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (14 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Department of Health has engaged with the task force on the appointment of an independent chairperson to drive the work of the task force and to broaden the membership of the task force to include all local stakeholders, in line with the official task force handbook. The Department supports the autonomy of the task force to appoint its chairperson and believes the collective...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (14 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Programme for Government commits to addressing the health needs of people who are homeless. This includes the development of health and social interventions, based on an inclusion health approach, to target people who are homeless and in addiction. The Department of Health and HSE are responsible for the delivery of a range of health services and supports to people who are homeless. The...