Results 701-720 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: HSE (21 Sep 2021)

Frances Black: I thank all our members. I have one or two questions before we conclude. It is very upsetting to hear what is happening to the families and residents of the Owenacurra centre. I listened to some of the residents speaking on the radio yesterday. I was extremely moved by how they spoke about the fear and anxiety, and how they feel about being moved out of their home. This is a place that...

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: HSE (21 Sep 2021)

Frances Black: Where will future service users with severe and enduring mental illness be referred for respite or long-term placements if the centre closes?

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: HSE (21 Sep 2021)

Frances Black: I will finish on this. What the residents and families need now more than anything is certainty. Another drawn out period of uncertainty will only worsen anxiety among those who are most affected by these decisions. For any of us, uncertainty about our accommodation is deeply unsettling. It would be really unfair and unethical to subject a group of people with significant mental health...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Sep 2021)

Frances Black: I attended the launch of a pre-budget submission hosted by the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland, MEAI, outside Leinster House. It was a powerful launch. MEAI was formed in June 2020 as a result of the pandemic which decimated the entire industry. Since then it has worked tirelessly, on a voluntary basis, to represent the industry to Government and help find solutions to...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Second Stage (29 Sep 2021)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, to the House. I also welcome the Bill. However, I wish to highlight the importance of language in the Bill. For example, when we use words such as "smuggled", "trafficked" or "asylum seeker", we can lose track of the people and the stories beneath these terms. While I welcome many of the provisions within the Bill, some of the issues I...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021: Motion (6 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. It is the first time we have been in the Chamber with him, so it is good to see him here. Thankfully, there appears to be a light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. I commend the Minister on the work he has done in taking on that role as Minister during a very difficult period in the...

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Apologies have been received from Senator Annie Hoey. We hope Senator Dolan will join us at some point. Before we commence, I have one piece of housekeeping to deal with. Are the draft minutes of the joint committee meetings of 14 and 21 September 2021 agreed? Agreed. This morning we will meet with representatives of Samaritans Ireland, who will provide us with an update on access and...

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I thank the Samaritans very much for giving us a wonderful presentation today. I thank it for all the phenomenal work it does. If it is okay with Deputy Ward, I ask that Deputy Hourigan come in first, because she has to leave early. Is that okay with everybody else? Agreed. I call Deputy Neasa Hourigan from the Green Party.

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I call Deputy Mark Ward.

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Ms Stack would like to respond to that question as well.

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: We await Deputy Gino Kenny and Deputy John Lahart has arrived. The Samaritans do phenomenal work but I imagine that it is difficult to manage so many volunteers. How does the Samaritans train volunteers? What are the challenges for the organisation?

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I want to discuss the asks with Mr. Mulligan and I totally hear what he said. I am involved with an organisation that works with families who have been impacted by addiction. The underlying trauma, anxiety, stress and worry that happens is completely soul destroying but there are unbelievable and amazing organisations to help. Do the Samaritans have specific asks?

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses. Would Ms Stack like to comment?

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I thank Ms Stack. I call Deputy John Lahart.

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Our next speaker is Senator Aisling Dolan who had to run from another meeting, so I thank her for joining us.

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Would anyone else like to come in?

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I have a couple of questions for Mr. Fitzgerald with regard to the volunteers. Is it three hours a week that they are asked to do, and then six hours over one night? Is that how it works?

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: How can people access the impact report? Is it online?

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: That is good to know. I thank the witnesses. There is no doubt that a tsunami of mental health issues is coming down the line. It is organisations such as the Samaritans that are picking up the pieces. I agree with Mr. Mulligan that it would be brilliant to see mental health being made a priority. I have no doubt that Covid-19 has created underlying post-traumatic stress for many...

Joint Committee On Health: Mental Health Services: Samaritans Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses again for the wonderful work they are doing.