Results 661-680 of 5,626 for speaker:Thomas Gould

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I understand that and I read the opening statement from the Department of Health but are the minutes of each of those meetings published?

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I do not doubt that. I am looking for the minutes of those meetings because they should be available to the public.

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I thank Ms McArdle. With regard to methadone as was discussed earlier, maybe the Department of Health or the HSE can answer. People who were given methadone died because they had heart conditions. There seems to be a disconnect between the doctor who prescribes methadone and the family doctor. I know of a tragic case where a young man of 21 years of age with a heart condition who had been...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Dr. Keenan made the point that is only for high prescriptions of methadone. This person was on the lowest level of methadone that can be prescribed and died after one prescription. That procedure is not fit for purpose. Will the HSE look at it again? At the time, the doctor cited GDPR. When doctors prescribing methadone can ring the patients' doctors to ask what medication they are on,...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Last week, the citizens' assembly appeared before us. One of the recommendations concerns funding for drug services, recovery services, community services and education. Unless the funding, resources and services are in place, we cannot deliver a new drugs strategy. The sector is chronically underfunded. The Government has failed to support services like drug and alcohol task forces for...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: My apologies for interrupting but I wish to correct something. We have figures about people trying to access detox, rehab beds and residential beds. There is a significant shortage there so for it is not correct to say there is none. These are figures I received from the Department or Minister. We need a massive roll-out of beds in that sector. People have to pay a fee to access...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I am sorry, but I am just conscious of time. How does that tie into Keltoi not being open and when----

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Has that decision not been made?

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Have resources been looked for or have they been denied?

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I am looking for honest answers here. Is the reason Keltoi is not open that the Government has not given the funding to open it?

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: When?

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Keltoi has been closed a couple of years now. It was closed under the guise of Covid. Then it was used as a Covid centre for marginalised and vulnerable people. To be honest, this is a sham. I want to ask a straight question now.

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I agree with Ms Queally 100%. I just want to know-----

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Vice Chair, I just want an answer. Has money been applied for and who has not given the money?

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: By the HSE.

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Ms Queally means the Department of Health.

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Vice Chair, this is shocking.

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I look forward to seeing that note because no excuses are acceptable for the delay in not reopening the Keltoi unit and not having it offering residential care too. I am not looking for a nine-to-five, Monday-to-Friday service because that is not going to run here. I will also be talking to Deputy Cullinane about this issue too. Deputy Ward and I have been commenting on the Keltoi unit for...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I request that this be done. There are different issues here, but we need more information on young people at risk in relation to drugs. It is all about the data because it will tell us what we can do. I had a case in Cork where a person was selling these new psychotic drugs. I contacted the local gardaí. They felt they did not have the training to prosecute under the criminal...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I am referring to these new synthetic drugs coming onto the market. They used to be sold in head shops. The witnesses might remember there was a gap in the legislation when head shops were selling these materials. The loophole was closed but the normal gardaí on the beat I spoke to in Cork did not have the training. This should certainly be part of the training for gardaí in...