Results 1,281-1,300 of 6,045 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Statistics (Decade of Centenaries) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: If there are other such issues, it is in the interest of us all that they be resolved. I think we are all mature now and cop that this should be done. I would applaud anybody for bringing them to the Minister for Defence, maybe, to get them resolved. I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire for his contribution. As for the Army records and the archives, Deputy Martin Kenny and I share a very...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Medical Certificates (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: I accept the impact it has on people's lives and I hope the appeals will be dealt with more urgently than they have been. As I said, some 1,270 assessments were undertaken up to the end of June this year. I assure the House that if an applicant's case clearly meets the strict criteria that govern the primary medical certificate, a community medical doctor may be in a position to grant it,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Medical Certificates (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter today. I am glad to take the opportunity to set out the position regarding the assessment process for primary medical certificates. A primary medical certificate is a requirement for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. This scheme is underpinned by statute and comes under the remit of the...

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Statements (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions on the very important topic of breast cancer awareness. October is breast cancer awareness month but our commitment and alertness to any indicators of breast cancer should extend year-round. As Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy, I encourage all to be aware of what they can do to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. We are now midway through the term of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. We are looking at a health-led approach because, unfortunately, drugs are in every town and village in the country. The Garda and all stakeholders are working as hard as possible. There is already a lot of collaboration with local...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gambling Sector (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and welcome the opportunity to update the House on the support and services provided to persons who experience gambling addiction. I am aware problem gambling affects a significant number of individuals and the Senator is correct in that research conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Department of Justice estimates approximately 1% of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gambling Sector (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: I again thank the Senator for raising the issues of gambling addiction and problem gambling. There is, without doubt, an issue with problem gambling in Ireland. Many actions can be taken by gambling companies to minimise problem gambling, including restrictions on advertising, the ending of free bet promotions and limits on how much people can bet through online accounts. However, there...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Casey for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The programme for Government contains a commitment to achieving 5 GW capacity in offshore wind off Ireland's eastern and southern coasts by 2030. It also commits to production of a longer-term plan setting out how the State will harness the potential of at...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: We want to meet our 2030 climate and energy targets. SSE Renewables has a lease in place for the Arklow wind project, which is, fortunately, under the Foreshore Act. Senator Casey asked when a decision will be made. I do not have the information, but I will bring the question back to the Minister to see if we can expedite the matter as quickly as possible. It is good that an Oireachtas...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Support Services (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank my colleague, Senator Murphy, for reading that letter into the record. I will bring the issues of concern to the attention of the Minister. Earlier this year, the Government published its employment services strategy, Pathways to Work 2021-2025, which contains commitments to expand the capacity of our public employment service. The strategy also provides for an increase in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Support Services (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Murphy for both of his contributions. In the drive to enhance and deliver State-wide employment services for the long-term unemployed, and other cohorts, we cannot forget about the welfare of the people who provide those services, as the Senator rightly said.In the consultation phase of this process, I understand Department officials visited every single job club in the State...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (21 Oct 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 scheme will provide for: - The cost of prescription contraception; - The cost of fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (21 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (21 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: In Budget 2022, an additional €6m was provided for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. This funding will be used to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use and to support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 identified in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy (to be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (20 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: Positive aging is an issue I am very interested in and for that reason, I requested the Food Safety Authority of Ireland ("FSAI") Scientific Committee to prepare a report on the Scientific Recommendations for Food- Based Dietary Guidelines for older people aged 65 and over. Hydration is also included in these recommendations which were published earlier this year. Healthy Ireland in my...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Budget 2022 (20 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: In Budget 2022, an additional €6m was provided for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. This funding will be used to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use and to support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 identified in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy (to be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (20 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Budget 2022 (20 Oct 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 scheme will provide for: - The cost of prescription contraception - The cost of fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (19 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, I welcome the opportunity to address the House. I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for scoliosis treatment and I remain conscious of the burden this places on them and their families.The priority of the Minister for Health and the Government is to improve...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (19 Oct 2021)

Frank Feighan: Again, I thank to Senator for raising this issue. I am acutely aware of the distress and inconvenience caused to patients and their families when urgent care is delayed. Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures is a priority. I will relay the Senator’s concerns and annoyance to the Minister and the Department. It is recognised that waiting times for all...