Results 1,481-1,500 of 6,045 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this topic on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, on the floor of the House today. I begin by again assuring the House and the Deputies present that I completely understand the difficulties posed by the restrictions in our maternity services for expectant mums, partners and families over the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Departmental Functions (13 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I welcome this opportunity to update the House on the engagement with the north inner city drugs and alcohol task force on the arrangements for the selection and appointment of an independent chairperson. As Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, I recognise and value the important role that drug and alcohol task...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Departmental Functions (13 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: There are a few points from the debate and media statements that I want to clarify. No accusations were made against any individual associated with the task force. I have not raised any issues about the honesty and integrity of the individuals involved, nor suggested in any way that they are unfit or untrustworthy. The Deputy suggested that we talk to the full task force and I will take...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (13 Jul 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...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (13 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: I feel strongly that the families of drug users need to have appropriate, accessible and timely services available to them. I know the Family Addiction Support Network in Dundalk and across the country is aiding people who are often unaware that there is any help available at all. I intend to continue to work with all the relevant stakeholders across the statutory and community and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (13 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: I was honoured to be invited by Gwen McKenna, on behalf of the Family Addiction Support Network, to launch the report, Crossing the Threshold - A facilitator's guide to running developmental and support groups. I understand the Department of Health agreed base funding of €152,000 for the FASN in 2020, delivered in four instalments of €38,000. Funding of €3,000 was also...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (13 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: Government policy in relation to drug and alcohol addiction services is set out in the National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery-a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. A key objective of the strategy is to support high quality monitoring, evaluation, and research to ensure evidence-informed policies and practice. The National Drug and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Gambling Sector (13 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: The regulation of gambling is the responsibility of the Department of Justice. It is setting up a gambling regulator tol oversee gambling, including advertisements and the social impact of gambling. The impacts of gambling are both visible and invisible. Gambling activities may have adverse health, social and financial repercussions which impact individuals, families and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Citizens' Assembly (13 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to convene a citizen’s assembly to consider matters relating to drug use. The timing of this, and other assemblies, over the lifetime of the Government has yet to be determined. One element critical to the success of assemblies has been the opportunity to meet in person. The restrictions experienced with Covid-19 have presented...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (13 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme is a new initiative, led by Sláintecare and Healthy Ireland in the Department of Health, in partnership with cross-sectoral, national and local stakeholders.  The aim of the SHCP is to identify specific areas in which high risk factors to the health and wellbeing of the population are particularly prevalent due to deprivation, with...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (12 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to outline to the House on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, the position in regard to the new emergency department at UHG. This project is part of a larger development incorporating maternity and paediatric services and is included in the HSE capital programme for 2021. Approval has been granted to complete a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (12 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Senator has raised this matter on numerous occasions. It is no harm to keep the pressure on and I thank him for doing that. As he will be aware, the project, which is part of a larger development incorporating the maternity and paediatric services, is included in the HSE capital plan for 2021. I will convey the Senator's frustration and concern to the Minister. Unfortunately, there is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Vaccination Programme (12 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for raising this question and providing me with the opportunity to update the House on this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. Covid-19 has created unprecedented challenges for Irish citizens at home and overseas who seek to travel. Public health requirements have been put in place for travellers arriving to Ireland from overseas in order to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Vaccination Programme (12 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: I restate the importance of decisions we have taken on international travel. Measures introduced in response to the risks posed by Covid-19 are in place to protect the progress we are making in suppressing transmission rates at home while the national vaccination programme progresses. Important developments are under way as we transition to a new travel policy. Ireland has begun to issue...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Schemes (12 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: I am pleased to discuss this important issue and I thank the Senator for raising it. Approved housing bodies, AHBs, are independent, not-for-profit organisations and they are also known as housing associations of voluntary co-operative housing. It is important to be clear that AHBs are independent organisations and must operate in accordance with their own memorandum and articles of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Schemes (12 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: I note the concerns of the Senator. I cannot speak on behalf of any individual AHB but I must reiterate that the sale of property by an AHB to a tenant is a matter for the particular AHB. Should an AHB choose to sell these properties, it must ensure it complies with its own constitution and governing rules having regard to its primary objectives. The AHB must also comply with the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Naval Service (12 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs who cannot be present due to other commitments. On his behalf, I welcome the opportunity to respond to the Senator on the topic he has raised.The Naval Service is the principal sea-going agency of the State and is charged with maritime defence, fishery protection, contraband interdiction duties, search and rescue, and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Naval Service (12 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: The Government acknowledges the challenges in the Naval Service in terms of recruitment and retention and the impact this has on planned fishery protection patrol days at present. The Minister's focus is on returning the Naval Service to its full capacity. The acquisition of modern new vessels, combined with an ongoing maintenance regime for all vessels within the fleet and the continuous...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (7 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: In November 2020, the Department of Health provided once-off funding of €480,000 for the restoration of drug and alcohol services, including the adaptation of services, premises, online meetings, and personal protective equipment. This funding was allocated to the network of 24 Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for distribution to community and voluntary drug and alcohol services in their...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (7 Jul 2021)

Frank Feighan: As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to...