Results 1,041-1,060 of 6,045 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I will not say there is a change in direction but there is a change in the way we are doing it. Of course everything evolves. The vast majority will be accommodated. There will be different structures but I would like to think we will be able to accommodate all the people who have shown an interest. Sometimes people are afraid not of change but that a different process would be in place....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: On the Deputy's first question, the community and voluntary networks will be retained on the national oversight committee. Again, there are one or two groups that are anxious to get onto that. I believe that they will be accommodated in an ongoing process. The process has been hugely significant and most people have bought into it. Funding is guaranteed to the north inner city. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: Crack cocaine use is a huge issue. The drug has become more prevalent in Ireland, with 2.3% of the population reportedly using the drug. The national drug reporting system shows an increase of more than 400% in crack cocaine use between 2014 and 2020. There has been a huge problem with cocaine use in Ireland and the emergence of crack cocaine use in certain marginalised areas. I have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: Exactly. The action is targeting interventions in these disadvantaged areas, and a few areas come to mind. There are or five different areas that can put in proposals. That €850,000 will be delivered over three years, along with other funding. We have given €240,000 to various community health organisation areas around the country. There are other ways to access the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: As I have said, this is a recurring funding over three years. The calls for the €850,000 fund will be coming in the next few weeks. I might bring in our HSE director, Dr. Eamon Keenan, to elaborate more on this funding.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: Is that better?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: This funding is on top of most of the funding that goes to the CHOs. This €200,000 and €240,000 is an enhancement fund, as described, to support community drug and alcohol services. Perhaps I will bring in my colleague, Dr. Eamon Keenan, from the HSE who may have more to add on this issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: Am I correct that most of this funding is administered through the CHOs and the HSE, and they have expertise in the way that this funding is delivered?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: At the moment, the programme for Government commits to convening a citizens’ assembly on matters in respect of drug use, at the Deputy stated. We have not confirmed this yet. As she will be aware, the citizens' assemblies require large gatherings to be truly effective and there has been a delay due to the public health situation. Consideration is being given to the methodology for a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: There is no proposed date but we are expecting that it will take place during the lifetime of this Government. I have been consulting with the Taoiseach’s Department and with the leaders of the three parties.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: As soon as restrictions are lifted I believe we can discuss it again. This is a matter for the Taoiseach’s Department and we have written to his Department on a number of occasions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: We are liaising with the Taoiseach’s Department on this but Covid-19 has effectively stymied much of the preparation for a citizens’ assembly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: There are different aspects to how various groups and different people can come into various initiatives.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: No, they are part of the process. I might bring in my colleague, Mr. Walsh, to assist with the answer to this question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: Again, it is a new way of bringing various areas of expertise into the national oversight committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: Before this, people were just appointed but now there are different strands in respect of getting involved. I am meeting with the nurses and I hope it will be resolved.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: They have not been excluded yet. All I will say is that I very much value their expertise. I would hope that in the coming days we can meet. I would hope that they would be included in the national oversight committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I think there was a breakdown in communication and I would hope that would have been resolved.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: Once I meet with them, I have that facility, yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)

Frank Feighan: I would certainly think it is, yes.