Results 1,221-1,240 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: I have a couple more questions. I am a little bit concerned about the section 4(9) proposed under head 5 which states, "The provision of mental health services is subject to the availability of resources." I hope the witnesses will forgive me if they have covered this. I just feel the inclusion of this statement in legislation only serves to undermine its thrust and the culture change that...

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: With regard to section 9, which is proposed in head 10 and relates to authorised officers, the head refers to "Persons who may apply for involuntary admission". That is obviously very welcome. In consultation with the HSE, family members wanted to retain the option to apply for involuntary admission for relatives. I stress that an appropriately funded authorised officer service represents...

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: There is no doubt that authorised officers are vital in this regard. Their services should provide support to the person who is experiencing mental health difficulties and also to the family and friends, and supporters and carers with permission. I had a bit of anxiety around the wording of "at a later date to the rest of the Act". We can keep an eye on that for sure.

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: Is there any response to Deputy Buckley's comments? No. I have one more question to ask. Perhaps Mr. Kelly could answer it. Why keep provisions for admitting under 18s to adult facilities? Does he think that we should be prohibiting this practice?

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: That is everything I wanted to say. I thank the witnesses most sincerely for their presentations. We look forward to working with them in the future.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Today, I would like to discuss the recent announcement on the easement of restrictions with particular reference to the music and entertainment industry and the confusion, uncertainty and anomalies delivered on Tuesday afternoon. On 31 August last, 22 October was hailed as the date for the full reopening of this sector. Since then, preparations have been under way, rehearsals have been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Disability Services with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (21 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I thank Mr. O'Reilly and Ms Kenny for their powerful presentations. I am standing in for Senator Higgins today. I am heartbroken and shocked to hear what the witnesses had to go through to get basic and simple human rights. I want to talk a little about the current system and ask a couple of questions on it. I am hearing this morning that both Mr. O'Reilly and Ms Kenny have to constantly...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I draw attention to the horrific abuse of adults with intellectual disabilities that occurred at the Ard Gréine Court facility, Donegal. On Friday last, The Irish Timesran another piece on the issue after it finally received a copy of the unpublished report into the matter, the Brandon report. We now know that approximately 108 incidents of devastating abuse were experienced by at...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I am delighted to be here to speak in support of this Bill. I commend Senator Moynihan and her colleagues for their work on this important and pressing issue. The words "housing" and "crisis" are intimately intertwined in Ireland and often they appear inseparable, but they are not. We can do better on housing across the board and the Bill, as introduced by the Labour Party, will go some...

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Apologies have been received from Senators Dolan and Hoey. This morning we will meet representatives from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, ISPCC, and Barnardos to get an update on the impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of children. I welcome our witnesses this morning, who will be providing us with an update on the challenges faced by organisations working...

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I thank Ms Connolly. I call Mr. Church from the ISPCC.

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I thank Mr Church, who has presented some shocking statistics there to our committee.

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I have tonnes of questions. There is so much going on as I am listening to the witnesses speak. First, I thank them for the phenomenal work they are doing. I can safely say I speak on behalf of the members in that regard. Unfortunately we are low on members today due to the fact that Wednesday is a hectic day here in Leinster House. It is a small committee anyway. I want to ask about...

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Does that service see children under 18?

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: No, that is fine. I am aware that Ms Keane has to leave soon but I have a couple more questions before she does. There has been concern during the Covid-19 pandemic that there was an increase in parental misuse of alcohol, prescription drugs and illegal drugs. Gambling has also come to the fore as an issue. Can Ms Keane say a little about the impact of that behaviour, particularly around...

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Mr. Church referred to telephone calls in the middle of the night. Does he believe there is a connection there with the pressure on families during the Covid period?

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Is most of the contact done by way of text?

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: I thank Mr. Church. Two more members have joined the meeting. I invite Deputy Lahart to make his contribution.

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Would Mr. Church like to respond to that question?

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Frances Black: Would Ms Keane or Ms Connolly like to comment?