Results 61-80 of 1,552 for at speaker:Frank Feighan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: ...Department of the Minister, Deputy Harris. I absolutely agree with him. We can highlight these vacancies but also the opportunities for young people. In addition, the HSE is working collaboratively with the CDNT lead agencies at CHO level to market CDNTs as an employer of choice in a competitive employment market. Each lead agency is responsible for recruitment of staff under CDNTs...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Citizens' Assembly (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: ...the Deputy for his informed and measured remarks. The Government is committed to a health-led approach for those in possession of drugs for personal use through the health diversion programme that will divert them away from the criminal justice system and connect them with health services. The terms of reference for the citizens’ assembly will be a matter for the Oireachtas to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Citizens' Assembly (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Government is committed to establishing a citizens' assembly on drug use at the earliest opportunity in 2023 along with a citizens' assembly on the future of education. The terms of reference and the timelines for the citizens' assembly on drug use will be presented to the Oireachtas for approval. I am very positive about the potential...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: ...-based drug and alcohol services annually. In 2019, additional funding of €1m was provided for drug and alcohol task forces, including €240,000 on a recurring basis for core budgets. It is a strategic priority under the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 to enhance access to and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community. This priority seeks to provide health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Food Promotion (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: The WHO European Regional Obesity Report, published earlier this year, warns of the serious health risks associated with rising levels of obesity. In the European Region, overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions, with prevalence levels higher among males (63%) than among females (54%). In Ireland, overweight and obesity pose an increasing challenge, with one in five children...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: ...All plan commits to reducing and preventing homelessness and provides detail on how the Government will approach this challenge. The Department of Health is committed to maintaining and consolidating the enhanced healthcare services provide for people who are homeless during Covid-19. In 2022, the Department of Health provided €10m in Covid funding to the HSE to maintain...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (7 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: Over the last three years and in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the HSE has examined potential mechanisms to increase access to opioid substitution treatment in order to promote the safety of individuals who were opioid dependent and at potential risk of contracting SARS CoV 2 and suffering morbidity and mortality. A research paper on the HSE Addiction Services response during the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (6 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: The WHO European Regional Obesity Report, published earlier this year, warns of the serious health risks associated with rising levels of obesity. In the European Region, overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions, with prevalence levels higher among males (63%) than among females (54%). In Ireland, overweight and obesity pose an increasing challenge, with one in five children...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (6 Dec 2022)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 506 and 507 together. The Department of Health has a variety of sources to monitor drug trends including the National Drug and Alcohol Survey, which is conducted every four years to survey the general population aged 15 years and over, about the prevalence of drug use in Ireland. The survey examines the use of a variety of drugs including alcohol and...

Drugs Policy: Motion [Private Members] (30 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: I very much welcome the opportunity to debate the Labour Party motion in respect of drugs policy and to highlight the progress we have made in the implementation of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. As Deputies are aware, it is a health-led approach to drug and alcohol use in Ireland from 2017 to 2025. As Minister of State, I am responsible for co-ordinating...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fuel Poverty (30 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Government is supportive of district heating because it contributes to the diversification of the fuel supply for heat and decarbonising the heat sector. Across Europe, the term "district heating" is generally applied to networks that serve neighbourhoods, towns or cities and cover a mixture of customers including public buildings, industrial...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: General Practitioner Services (30 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. As he is aware, GPs are private practitioners, although most hold contracts with the HSE to provide services under various health schemes. There are currently more than 2,500 GPs with General Medical Services, GMS, contracts for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit cardholders. As they are private...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Amalgamation (24 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: I will bring the Deputy's views and concerns back to the Minister. Engagement on the three schools the Deputy referred to in Raheny is ongoing and no decision in respect of the transfer of patronage from the Catholic patron to a multidenominational one has been made at this stage. As part of the structured engagement process, information meetings with the facilitator have been set up with...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Amalgamation (24 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: As the Deputy knows, I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. It gives me the opportunity to set out for the House the position with regard to the schools reconfiguration engagement process that is ongoing in a number of pilot areas nationwide, including a number of primary schools in the Raheny area. In March this...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Facilities (24 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: The cross-party Sláintecare report of 2017 articulated a new vision for healthcare, including the provision of elective-only hospitals, providing protected capacity for elective care. This policy has also been informed by a number of subsequent policy documents and Government decisions including the 2017 Sláintecare report, the Sláintecare implementation strategy 2018, the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Facilities (24 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: As I said in my opening remarks, I am conscious of Deputy O'Sullivan's desire for the new elective facilities in Cork and in particular that they are delivered as soon as possible. Producing this new delivery capability into the public healthcare system will benefit the good people of Cork and indeed the whole population. I am as keen as the Deputy that they get to work as quickly as...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Rights (24 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. It was raised in the Dáil this morning too. I extend my sympathies to the workers in the Butcher's Block, who are now suddenly facing job losses. The way in which this was handled was cold and lacked compassion. It is no way to treat hardworking, loyal workers. We have to protect and support workers. The Government and I...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Rights (24 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: The Deputy has outlined many different issues, including the tip jars, holiday pay and back pay. I will bring those concerns to the Minister. The Debenhams Bill, or legislation like it, does not come under the remit of my Department, but I will bring the Deputy's suggestion to the Minister. The Government appreciates the impact this dispute has on the affected workers, and the...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: General Practitioner Services (24 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. The Government recognises that there are significant challenges facing general practice and that those challenges can limit access to GP services in certain areas and negatively affect the timely provision of care. We all know that is the case. Some issues are specific to certain areas. There is no doubt there has been a general...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (24 Nov 2022)

Frank Feighan: The WHO European Regional Obesity Report, published earlier this year, warns of the serious health risks associated with rising levels of obesity. In the European Region, overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions, with prevalence levels higher among males (63%) than among females (54%). In Ireland, overweight and obesity pose an increasing challenge, with one in five children...