Results 1,441-1,460 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy (Resumed): Discussion. (25 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: I chair the Joint Sub-Committee on Mental Health. We have had witnesses in who have repeatedly highlighted the need for better training for teachers, doctors and other professionals. At one point, I met with a gorgeous young man who had been diagnosed with autism. This was a private meeting; he met with me personally. He spoke about how, when he became stressed or anxious, he would get...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy (Resumed): Discussion. (25 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: I thank Ms Doyle.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy (Resumed): Discussion. (25 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: My question will be quick. I have been listening to the witnesses and I ask them to talk me through how somebody with autism can be diagnosed. What is the procedure? I would love to know what it is.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy (Resumed): Discussion. (25 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: Does the practice get people who may not be autistic?

Seanad: Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (25 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is my first time seeing him here in the Chamber. I am very glad that time has been set aside for statements on this very damning and devastating report. I have to say it is one of the most harrowing documents that I have read in my time as a public representative. I want to congratulate its authors on their diligent work which must have been...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 21 be taken before No. 1." I want to highlight a wonderful event I attended last Friday in the European Parliament Liaison Office. It was the launch of a report making the case for Irish unity in the EU, which was commissioned by Members of the European Parliament and written by legal experts, Mr. Mark Bassett and Professor...

Seanad: Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Motion to Discharge Order for Second Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: I move: That the Order for Second Stage for the Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023 be discharged and that the Bill be withdrawn.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by GAA President, Mr. Larry McCarthy (26 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: Cuirim céad míle fáilte roimh an uachtarán. I am delighted to welcome him and his family to the Seanad on behalf of the Civil Engagement Group. It is so wonderful that we in the Seanad can engage with such an important cultural and athletic institution. It is important that this Oireachtas reflects the people it represents. I am glad we can play a role in reflecting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Challenges in Hospitals: Minister for Health (26 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: I welcome all the witnesses. I apologise for arriving a little late. I hope that some of my questions might already have been covered. I will highlight one issue. Some weeks ago, this committee heard harrowing stories about the abuse and violence faced by hospital staff, especially nurses. This issue seems to be exasperated by overcrowding. Will the Minister say what is being done to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Challenges in Hospitals: Minister for Health (26 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: That sounds really good. It is important to track whether it is especially bad in certain areas, where that is and what is happening. It is great the HSE will be tracking it and that security has been increased. Out-of-hours GP services are an important way for people to receive urgent care without having to go to emergency departments. They relieve the pressure on the hospital system....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Challenges in Hospitals: Minister for Health (26 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: I thank the Minister.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Engagement with Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I appreciate that. I commend both the officials and their team on all the work that the shared island unit is doing. It is phenomenal work that is vital to foster connections, community and respectful, productive dialogue all over this island. It is good to see the conversations and civil society dialogue that the unit is supporting. I am happy to see that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Engagement with Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: That sounds positive. The unit is doing great work and it is important that is continued on. Are there any plans to further enhance the funding available to the unit to expand its work, particularly in light of more intensive discussions about the future? That is important. What are Ms O'Donoghue's thoughts on that? Perhaps she does not know.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Engagement with Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: That is great. Does the Department evaluate and assess the impact of the work it is doing on the island? If so, how is that evaluation done? That is my final question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Engagement with Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2023)

Frances Black: I thank Ms O'Donoghue and her team again for all of the work they are doing.

Joint Committee On Health: Life Cycle Approach to Mental Health: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

Frances Black: Minutes of committee's meeting on 18 April have been circulated to members for consideration. Are they agreed? Agreed. The purpose of this meeting is to consider the life cycle approach to mental health, particularly in the context of younger people. To enable the sub-committee to consider this matter, I welcome Dr. Joseph Duffy, CEO; Mr. Declan Whelan-Curtin, youth mental health...

Joint Committee On Health: Life Cycle Approach to Mental Health: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

Frances Black: I will follow up now on the Sláintecare recommendations. Dr. Duffy said in his submission that we are far from the goal set in the Sláintecare recommendations of 10% of health spending being ring fenced for mental health. In that context, I ask our guests to outline what they think the priorities for young people's mental health should be in the next budget.

Joint Committee On Health: Life Cycle Approach to Mental Health: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

Frances Black: That is fascinating, that they are more inclined to open up online.

Joint Committee On Health: Life Cycle Approach to Mental Health: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

Frances Black: University students are under unbelievable pressure these days. Many need to work quite a lot alongside their academic commitments and many are in precarious housing situations. We can imagine people having to live at home or sharing a house with many others and so on. Is this impacting university communities in general around mental health? What role is played by housing?

Joint Committee On Health: Life Cycle Approach to Mental Health: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

Frances Black: Yes, that is huge.