Results 1,141-1,160 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: The answer to that is we have come a long way towards €1 million.

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

Frank Feighan: We have got €850,000 per year to do it.

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

Frank Feighan: As I said, we can go back and forth regarding funding and we will work with the Deputy regarding funding. Regarding Keltoi, we all know it provided a very valuable facility, but unfortunately it was used as an isolation facility for the marginalised and vulnerable during Covid-19. It seems to still be in significant demand for isolation and it will be maintained as a Covid isolation...

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

Frank Feighan: Perhaps Mr. Walsh could come in on the north inner city and the five outstanding issues that were mentioned.

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

Frank Feighan: I will call down in the coming weeks, once this Covid wave has receded.

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

Frank Feighan: That is a very pertinent point by Deputy Gould. I ask Dr. Keenan to address it.

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

Frank Feighan: Thank you, Chairman, for your invitation to appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health to discuss the implementation of the national drugs strategy 2021-25. As you said, I am joined by two officials: the principal officer in the drugs policy and social inclusion unit of the Department of Health, Mr. Jim Walsh, and the HSE national clinical lead for addiction, Dr. Eamon Keenan. I...

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

Frank Feighan: Through the NOC, we have created working groups to drive the implementation of priorities. Those groups will strengthen the inter-agency partnership. They are independent. We selected six independent chairs who are there to ensure accountability for all the stakeholders, including the Department. They will bring impartiality, insight and experience in addressing the challenges we all...

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

Frank Feighan: The Chairman has raised this previously, in fairness to him. If an agency or person is on a task force or is part of the national oversight committee, the least you would expect is that they would show up to hear the views of the communities and represent their various agencies or Departments. The Chairman is absolutely right about that.

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

Frank Feighan: The Deputy raised some interesting points. I am committed. We have already increased the budget in my previous two budget terms as Minister of State. The Department funds 280 community drug projects throughout the country. We have to tackle the social determinants of drug use. It is unfortunate and wrong that departmental officials do not attend various committees. Again, as I said to...

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

Frank Feighan: The chairperson of the national oversight committee works together with all the various stakeholders. That is why we have the committee. I will of course work with it but, in essence, we need to work together. We need to tackle the determinants of disadvantage and the prevalence of drug use. I liaise closely with the Department of the Taoiseach. There are some issues regarding funding...

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

Frank Feighan: I am following the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. There is discussion regarding a citizens' assembly on drug use, in effect. At present, we are following the Reducing Harm, Supporting Recover booklet in the Department until there is a change of direction. I am not sure there will be because legalising drugs would inevitably normalise drug use. That is just my...

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

Frank Feighan: The minute I was appointed I met with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, in the Custom House. It was a very interesting collaboration. I have visited the Housing First initiative in Waterford, which is really the way forward. If this Department's wraparound facilities for people who are homeless and also use drugs during the Covid-19 crisis can be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising the issue and giving me the opportunity to update the House on the matter. Neurology nurse specialists play an important role in triaging, assessing and providing ongoing support to neurological patients, as the Senator outlined, which in turn builds capacity within neurological services and allows for more timely access to efficient, equitable and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The national clinical programme for neurology recognises the importance of having an adequate number of neurology nurse specialists in position to provide efficient, high-quality care and ongoing support to neurological patients. The 2020 survey of neurological services highlighted that the total number of neurology nurse specialists needs to be increased to reach the levels recommended in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Reviews (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. A review clause was included in the Act to facilitate monitoring of the impact, operation and effectiveness of the legislation in practice, as well as of the delivery of services in this area. The Minister for Health commenced the review of the Act on 8...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Reviews (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: Okay.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Reviews (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: Phase 2, led by the independent chair, will assess to what extent the objectives of the Act have been achieved and analysing in that regard the findings of the three strands of information concerning the operation of the Act. The extent to which the Act's objectives have not been achieved will be assessed and recommendations made to address any barriers identified. The chair of the review...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Reviews (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I will bring the Senator's views and concerns back to the Minister. He has commenced a review of the Act in line with the statutory and Government commitments. The review of the operation and effectiveness of the Act gives us an opportunity to hear the views of all those involved and, most particularly, those of service users and service providers. I am confident that the information which...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a VAT exemption applies to dental services provided to a patient by clinic, a principal dentist or an associate dentist, and this has not changed. The supply of facilities to a dentist to enable him or her to carry out a dental practice, is subject to VAT, and this has always been the case. Some dental practitioners operate a fee-sharing...