Results 5,021-5,040 of 6,056 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (26 Jan 2022)

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: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (27 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the position on capital commitments at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe and Sacred Heart Hospital in Roscommon. Portiuncula Hospital is an acute general and maternity hospital that delivers a patient-centred, quality-driven and quality-focused service and provides a wide range of diagnostic...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (27 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: As the Senator knows, the Government is committed to ensuring that Portiuncula Hospital can continue to deliver patient-centred, quality-driven and quality-focused service and provide a wide range of diagnostic and support services to meet the needs of its catchment area. The construction of the 50-bed ward is good news for the people of east Galway, Roscommon, the midlands and the mid-west....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Emergency Departments (27 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Kyne for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity again to outline to the House the position regarding the new emergency department at University Hospital Galway. I will also convey his concerns to the Minister. University Hospital Galway provides regional services for a wide range of specialties. It serves a catchment area in the region of 1 million people along...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Emergency Departments (27 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I will convey Senator Kyne's concerns to the Minister, the Department and the HSE. As he knows, the project is of a huge, significant scale and it is progressing through the stages outlined in the public spending code. The preliminary business case, as I said, is under review with the HSE and pending board approval. I hope that we will get board approval as quickly as possible. This...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: Thank you, Chairman, for your invitation to appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health to discuss the implementation of the national drugs strategy 2021-25. As you said, I am joined by two officials: the principal officer in the drugs policy and social inclusion unit of the Department of Health, Mr. Jim Walsh, and the HSE national clinical lead for addiction, Dr. Eamon Keenan. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: Through the NOC, we have created working groups to drive the implementation of priorities. Those groups will strengthen the inter-agency partnership. They are independent. We selected six independent chairs who are there to ensure accountability for all the stakeholders, including the Department. They will bring impartiality, insight and experience in addressing the challenges we all...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: The Chairman has raised this previously, in fairness to him. If an agency or person is on a task force or is part of the national oversight committee, the least you would expect is that they would show up to hear the views of the communities and represent their various agencies or Departments. The Chairman is absolutely right about that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: The Deputy raised some interesting points. I am committed. We have already increased the budget in my previous two budget terms as Minister of State. The Department funds 280 community drug projects throughout the country. We have to tackle the social determinants of drug use. It is unfortunate and wrong that departmental officials do not attend various committees. Again, as I said to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: The chairperson of the national oversight committee works together with all the various stakeholders. That is why we have the committee. I will of course work with it but, in essence, we need to work together. We need to tackle the determinants of disadvantage and the prevalence of drug use. I liaise closely with the Department of the Taoiseach. There are some issues regarding funding...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I am following the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. There is discussion regarding a citizens' assembly on drug use, in effect. At present, we are following the Reducing Harm, Supporting Recover booklet in the Department until there is a change of direction. I am not sure there will be because legalising drugs would inevitably normalise drug use. That is just my...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: The minute I was appointed I met with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, in the Custom House. It was a very interesting collaboration. I have visited the Housing First initiative in Waterford, which is really the way forward. If this Department's wraparound facilities for people who are homeless and also use drugs during the Covid-19 crisis can be...

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service: Motion [Private Members] (1 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions on this very important issue, and Deputy Ward in particular, who tabled the motion, which the Government will not oppose. We all have children and young people in our lives, whether as part of our family, among our friends or in our community. Along with our relatives, friends and community, we take special care of them and attend to their...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (1 Feb 2022)

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.

Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions: Statements (2 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I am sharing time with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I very much welcome this opportunity to update the House on the Government's easing of the Covid-19 restrictions. I am joined by the Ministers of State, Deputies Butler and Rabbitte. Ireland has reached a major crossroads in our management of the Covid-19 crisis and, as we reflect on our journey to this point, we should...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (3 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter today. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. The House will be fully aware of the historical abuse allegations which have been raised about a foster care home in the south east and in particular as they relate to a young woman known as Grace. It is absolutely incumbent on the State to ensure the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (3 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator, who has raised some interesting, thoughtful and welcome suggestions. I agree with her that every person who uses disability services in this country is entitled to receive care of the highest standard and to live in dignity and safety. It is their right and it is our obligation to ensure their safety and care are paramount. Like the Senator, I welcome the actions taken...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (3 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputies Durkan and Cronin for providing me with the opportunity to, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley, update the House on the position with respect to the acquisition of the three-school campus site in Celbridge, County Kildare, on behalf of the Minister for Education. The construction of new school buildings for St. Raphael's Special School, Celbridge Community School and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (3 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I again thank Deputies for raising this matter. On behalf of the Minister, they should rest assured that this project is being given priority attention and we are attempting to bring the matter to a close as soon as possible. I understand significant technical matters crucial to the delivery of the site were identified by the site acquisition team. Each matter requires thorough and complex...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Commemorative Events (3 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for raising this very topical and interesting issue. As the Deputy will know, the centenary of the publication ofUlysses is arguably one of the most important literary centenaries in the history of the State, and while this year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of a great book about Dublin by, as mentioned by Deputy O'Callaghan, a great Dublin writer, it is also...