Results 1,161-1,180 of 6,055 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 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...

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

Frank Feighan: I cannot speak on behalf of the Minister but if the Senator would send an email to me requesting that meeting I will raise it with the Minister. The Revenue Commissioners are also satisfied that the correct interpretation of the legislation has been communicated to the Irish Dental Association consistently since they first raised this issue in 2018. When a person or group is not satisfied...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, and I are ardent supporters of generational renewal and the need to support and encourage young farmers as a way of ensuring we have the best and brightest in the sector. As outlined by the Tánaiste in the Dáil last week, people are entitled to their opinions and to write whatever letters they see fit but I and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: Again, I thank the Senators for raising this important issue. It is important not to understate the deep hurt and upset caused in what is a cornerstone of rural communities by the letter written by Mr. Cuffe. It left farmers feeling unfairly targeted. I acknowledge that Mr. Cuffe has since stated that he should not have singled out young farmers, which is welcome. What we are asking...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: As the Deputy is aware, the Keltoi facility was identified for use as an isolation facility for marginalised and vulnerable people during COVID-19 in Community Healthcare Organisation 9. There are significant numbers of homeless and addiction service users in this area, particularly in Dublin North City and County. The area also has a high migrant health population living in overcrowded...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Local Drugs Task Forces (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: Supporting the participation of individuals, families and communities is on of the goals of the national drugs strategy. Community and voluntary groups, including the group mentioned by the Deputy, are represented on the national oversight committee (NOC), which I chair. The NOC meets on a quarterly basis. It provides a forum for groups to give leadership, direction, prioritisation and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Local Drugs Task Forces (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Department of Health currently provides in the region of €28 million to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces to deliver community-based drug and alcohol services in local communities. Task Forces support over 280 community projects throughout the country to tackle problem drug and alcohol use. The Department does not collect information from task forces on a county basis.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to investigate the issues raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Family Support Services (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: The National Drug Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, recognises the role of families affected by drug use in contributing to the planning, design and delivery of effective addiction services. In Budget 2021, I secured €280,000 in additional funding to support family services. This funding will be used to develop and broaden the range of peer-led, mutual aid and family...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Local Drugs Task Forces (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together. The National Oversight Committee gives leadership and direction to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy. The Committee consists of a cross-sector membership from the statutory, community and voluntary sector, as well as clinical and academic expertise. The Department of Health completed and published the mid-term...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (16 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: In Budget 2022, an additional €6m was provided for new health measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. As part of this €6m, €0.5m was allocated to address high risk drug use, such as crack cocaine and other drugs. The funding will expand harm reduction responses both in local communities and as a response to...