Results 1,161-1,180 of 6,046 for speaker:Frank Feighan

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...

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

Frank Feighan: I have noted the findings of the report on 'The Landscape of Substance Misuse and its impact on the communities of Tallaght's Drugs and Alcohol Task Force'. In Budget 2022, I secured an additional €6m for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy and to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, as set out in the Programme for...

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

Frank Feighan: The Department has developed guidance for drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes. The guidance recognises the important role of drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes in helping individuals to build recovery capital and to avoid relapse into harmful patterns of substance use. In line with the reopening of society, the cap on attendance at drug and alcohol...

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

Frank Feighan: The Programme for Government commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort. Accordingly, funding for free contraception, starting with women aged 17-25, has been allocated in 2022. The initiative is gradually being introduced by age cohort, starting with younger women who are least likely to be financially independent and where cost has been shown...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Foetal Pain Relief) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Members of the Dáil who contributed to the debate on this Private Members' Bill. The Minister and I recognise there are deeply held views on all sides of this Oireachtas on the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 and we must respect them all. What Deputy Harkin said about the choice of language used on all sides is also very important. The 2018 Act...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Drugs Task Forces (15 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Ruane for raising this issue. The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is in the Dáil from 10 a.m. until noon for a Private Members' Bill. I welcome the opportunity to update the Seanad on the Department's engagement with the North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force to address the governance issues that are preventing it from operating effectively. Drug and alcohol...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Drugs Task Forces (15 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator. I am committed to addressing the drug and alcohol issues affecting the north inner city in conjunction with the local community and relevant service providers. Considerable additional resources have been provided to enhance drug and alcohol services in the area, both from the NEIC initiative and the Department's budget. The drugs and alcohol task force has a key role...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (15 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue and for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the position regarding the Rotunda Hospital. The National Development Plan 2021-2030, launched on 4 October 2021, provides a total five-year allocation, to 2025, of €5.657 billion to the Department of Health. This includes funding towards projects provided for in the capital plan,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (15 Dec 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for her concerns, which I will bring to the Department to try to make this decision as quickly as possible. I understand there continues to be ongoing and active engagement with the Rotunda Hospital refining key aspects of the project. As the Senator knows, again, all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages in line with the public...