Results 4,881-4,900 of 6,056 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Department has developed guidance for drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes. The guidance recognises the important role of drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes in helping individuals to build recovery capital and to avoid relapse into harmful patterns of substance use. In line with the reopening of society, the cap on attendance at drug and alcohol...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Programme for Government commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort. Accordingly, funding for free contraception, starting with women aged 17-25, has been allocated in 2022. The initiative is gradually being introduced by age cohort, starting with younger women who are least likely to be financially independent and where cost has been shown...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising the issue and giving me the opportunity to update the House on the matter. Neurology nurse specialists play an important role in triaging, assessing and providing ongoing support to neurological patients, as the Senator outlined, which in turn builds capacity within neurological services and allows for more timely access to efficient, equitable and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The national clinical programme for neurology recognises the importance of having an adequate number of neurology nurse specialists in position to provide efficient, high-quality care and ongoing support to neurological patients. The 2020 survey of neurological services highlighted that the total number of neurology nurse specialists needs to be increased to reach the levels recommended in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Reviews (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. A review clause was included in the Act to facilitate monitoring of the impact, operation and effectiveness of the legislation in practice, as well as of the delivery of services in this area. The Minister for Health commenced the review of the Act on 8...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Reviews (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: Okay.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Reviews (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: Phase 2, led by the independent chair, will assess to what extent the objectives of the Act have been achieved and analysing in that regard the findings of the three strands of information concerning the operation of the Act. The extent to which the Act's objectives have not been achieved will be assessed and recommendations made to address any barriers identified. The chair of the review...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Reviews (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I will bring the Senator's views and concerns back to the Minister. He has commenced a review of the Act in line with the statutory and Government commitments. The review of the operation and effectiveness of the Act gives us an opportunity to hear the views of all those involved and, most particularly, those of service users and service providers. I am confident that the information which...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a VAT exemption applies to dental services provided to a patient by clinic, a principal dentist or an associate dentist, and this has not changed. The supply of facilities to a dentist to enable him or her to carry out a dental practice, is subject to VAT, and this has always been the case. Some dental practitioners operate a fee-sharing...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I cannot speak on behalf of the Minister but if the Senator would send an email to me requesting that meeting I will raise it with the Minister. The Revenue Commissioners are also satisfied that the correct interpretation of the legislation has been communicated to the Irish Dental Association consistently since they first raised this issue in 2018. When a person or group is not satisfied...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, and I are ardent supporters of generational renewal and the need to support and encourage young farmers as a way of ensuring we have the best and brightest in the sector. As outlined by the Tánaiste in the Dáil last week, people are entitled to their opinions and to write whatever letters they see fit but I and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: Again, I thank the Senators for raising this important issue. It is important not to understate the deep hurt and upset caused in what is a cornerstone of rural communities by the letter written by Mr. Cuffe. It left farmers feeling unfairly targeted. I acknowledge that Mr. Cuffe has since stated that he should not have singled out young farmers, which is welcome. What we are asking...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (20 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Kyne for raising this important issue. Approximately €616 million of Exchequer capital funds has been provided for national roads through Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Tll, to local authorities in 2022. The 2022 funding allocations are made having regard to the National Development Plan 2021-2030, which balances investment in transport against other priorities of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (20 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator. As I mentioned previously, the N59 Clifden to Maam Cross improvement project remains on the list of projects included in the NDP. While funding has not been provided to progress planning and design of the scheme within the current year, subsequent phases will be progressed later in the plan. However, I agree with the Senator that these things should be kept alive. I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Funding (20 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Sherlock for raising this issue. The Commencement matter, which asks if the Minister will confirm that the North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force will not be allocated funding in 2022, approaches this matter from an unusual perspective. The drug and alcohol task forces play an important role under the national drugs strategy in co-ordinating services to assist...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Funding (20 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I will get the Senator further clarity on the operational funding. Regarding the email that was sent out, I can only go on the information I have and I will try to clarify that as well. I am committed to addressing the drug and alcohol issues affecting the north inner city. It is really for the local community and the statutory agencies and voluntary service providers. This has been...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (20 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising these issues. It gives me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education, to outline to the House the Department’s position on the Ennistymon community school and Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, building projects, as well as the Department's approach to climate action in new-build schools. The Department is at the forefront of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (20 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I will try to determine what exactly the Department means by a natural ventilation system. Work is ongoing on a decarbonisation option for new schools, with a focus on the standard of required design criteria and specification to achieve a net-zero-energy school building and on establishing the trajectory for the integration of suitable solutions on a phased basis in a risk-controlled manner...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (20 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to clarify the current position relating to Gaelscoil Áine's school accommodation on behalf of the Minister. Gaelscoil Áine opened in 2019 and was established in vacant accommodation in the OPW building known as Coláiste Chaoimhin, St. Mobhi Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. The Department facilitated...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (20 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I would again like to thank the Senator for giving me an opportunity to outline to the House the position in regard to Gaelscoil Áine. As I said, the Department has identified a site and I know the Senator agrees with the point on confidentiality. Nonetheless, I would have thought the school principal and the school would be consulted. In regard to a meeting of the Department with the...