Results 961-980 of 6,045 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Energy Policy (24 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: Deputy Ó Murchú talked about the CRU needing the power to take action and I will convey those views to the Minister. He went on to state we need a solution for Carlinn Hall and I thank both him and Deputy O’Rourke for raising that issue. Deputy O'Rourke raised the issue of the Tallaght data centre and the provision of town gas. Unfortunately, gas prices will continue to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sustainable Development Goals (24 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy again for raising this issue. Ireland’s second SDG programme is currently being finalised. It is intended that the draft plan will be made available - I know the Deputy might not like to hear this word - shortly. However, we will try to get a timeline as quickly as possible to form the basis of discussion at the next SDG national stakeholder forum. This will...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (24 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy Richmond, who came up with some interesting views regarding serving the public and anticipating difficulties. He also mentioned the NTA and that we need to deliver short-term solutions to short-term problems. We sometimes need outside-the-box thinking and I appreciate that. I want to advise the Deputy that the introduction of the Transport for Ireland, TFI, 90-minute fare...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sustainable Development Goals (24 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and welcome the opportunity to discuss Ireland's progress towards its sustainable development goals. A renewed focus is currently being given to progress Ireland's commitments to agenda 2030 for sustainable development. Substantial progress has been achieved in recent months in respect of reviewing Ireland's implementation of agenda 2030. The...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (24 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy Richmond for giving me the opportunity to discuss this issue on behalf of the Minister. From the outset, I note that the Department of Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding with regard to public transport. However, it is not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The National Transport Authority has statutory responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (23 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (23 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (22 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 661 and 760 together. As the Deputy will be aware, tackling drug dealing and organised criminal activity is a key priority for the Government and for An Garda Síochána. Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (22 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: The Report of the Working Group on Access to Contraception, published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception, which include accessibility, information, workforce capacity and, for a significant number of women who may be just above the eligibility threshold for a full GMS (medical) card, cost. In consideration of the recommendations of the Joint...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Levels (22 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: The Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025 was published in May 2021 by Minister Stephen Donnelly and myself, following an extensive stakeholder consultation process. The Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan builds on the success of the Healthy Ireland Framework, which was published in 2013. The Action Plan contains 56 strategic actions across six themes which will be implemented...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Levels (22 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: The Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) was set up under the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, published in 2016. The OPIOG is currently chaired by the Principal Officer of the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health and also includes representatives from the following organisations: - Department of Health - Department of Children, Equality, Disability,...

Hospital Parking Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to today's discussion, in particular the Bill's sponsors, Deputies Berry and Tóibín. The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and I acknowledge the spirit and intent of the Bill in seeking to ease the financial burden on those attending hospital. It is important to acknowledge that hospitals are already aware of the financial implications of...

Hospital Parking Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputies Tóibín and Berry for giving me the opportunity to set out the Government's view on the issue of car park charges at our hospitals. The Bill seeks to provide for an entitlement to parking free of charge for outpatients attending public hospitals. The question of car park charges for those attending hospitals and the financial burden this can place on patients is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Dealing (17 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: The National Drug and Alcohol Survey (NDAS) collects information on alcohol and tobacco consumption and drug use among the general population. It also surveys people’s attitudes and perceptions relating to tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use and records the impact of drug use on communities. The 2019–2020 NDAS collected information from 5,762 people aged 15 years and older...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (16 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I wish to thank the Senator for raising this important matter today. The Phoenix Centre in Longford is utilised for both adult and paediatric services, including a day respite service for adults aged 18 to 65 years; a children’s disability network team providing therapeutic family-centred clinical assessments and interventions for children with complex needs; and providing support to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (16 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising the issue of the building not being fit for purpose. I will bring his concerns back to the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, Deputy Rabbitte. This Government will remain focused on providing the best services we can for children and adults with disabilities, whether it be therapeutic interventions, day services fit for the 21st century,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Artists' Remuneration (16 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Byrne for raising this important matter. The basic income for arts pilot schemes will be delivered by my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin. The arts and culture task force, established in September 2020, was tasked by the Minister with producing a report to include a set of recommendations on how best the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Artists' Remuneration (16 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Byrne for his interesting response. As I have stated already, the Minister and her Department are examining the responses to the public consultation in tandem with suggestions received as part of the stakeholder forum. She will finalise the eligibility criteria and application form in the coming weeks. The basic income for the arts pilot scheme will run over a three-year...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Artists' Remuneration (16 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: No problem.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (16 Feb 2022)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy Murnane O’Connor again for raising the issue of the provision of the ambulance base located in Carlow town. A significant programme of work is under way to transform the National Ambulance Service from an emergency medical service into a mobile medical service. As I said, this is a model which aims to treat patients at the lowest appropriate level of acuity, resulting...