Results 1,841-1,860 of 6,045 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (3 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The NMBI is the regulatory body for the nursing and midwifery professions. Its role in setting standards and providing guidance for approximately 79,000 registered nurses and midwives focuses on public safety. The board is an independent body answerable to the Oireachtas with responsibility for ensuring that it has the financial capacity...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (3 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 to 351, inclusive, together. As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (3 Dec 2020)

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: Counselling Services (3 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Gambling Sector (2 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: The national survey on drug and alcohol use is a general population survey of households in Ireland conducted by the Health Research Board (HRB) to estimate the number of people in Ireland who use drugs and alcohol. The survey conforms to best practice and standards established by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). The first survey was conducted in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Sexually Transmitted Infections (1 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for his remarks. The national AIDS strategy referred to by the Senator was published in 2000. Its most recent successor is the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020, published in 2015. That strategy aims to improve the sexual health and well-being of the population and to reduce negative sexual health outcomes, including unplanned pregnancies and the transmission of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Sexually Transmitted Infections (1 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: Some 23 public STI services nationally provide free STI and HIV testing. HIV testing is also available as part of the national antenatal screening programme, with almost 100% uptake. The HSE sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme funds and collaborates with community partners to expand HIV testing among higher risk population groups such as gay men and migrants in order to identify...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Nursing Education (1 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Doherty for raising this important issue. I recognise the importance of student nurses and midwives completing their essential clinical placements in a safe environment and the potential hardship that might arise for students on placement due to Covid-19, as the Senator outlined, such as maintaining part-time employment, increased travel and additional accommodation costs....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Nursing Education (1 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Doherty for raising this important issue. I reiterate our gratitude and pay tribute to student nurses, midwives and their healthcare colleagues who continue to deliver care right across the system during this unprecedented time. The past nine months have demonstrated, more visibly than at any other time in our recent history, the dedication, skill and commitment of our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Provision (1 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Warfield for raising this issue. I am aware of the petition which has been launched. Sexual health is a priority for the Department of Health. This was evidenced by the publication of the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020, the first major strategy to tackle this vital area. We have made good progress with implementation of the strategy since 2015. The Department of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Provision (1 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: I would like to highlight, in more detail, some of the recent actions of my Department and the HSE with regard to tackling HIV infection. The most significant development in 2019 was the introduction of a national programme of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis which involves the pre-emptive use of anti-retroviral medication to prevent HIV infection within a holistic prevention service which...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (1 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 739, 740 and 744 together. The National Strategy for Women and Girls (NSWG) Strategy Committee, now led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, established a sub-committee on period poverty in 2019, chaired by the Department of Health. In line with the recommendations of Oireachtas motions passed in early 2019, its remit...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (1 Dec 2020)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 749 and 750 together. Breastfeeding is important for the health of both mother and infant, and this has been highlighted in national health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework and the National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026. These both emphasise the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (1 Dec 2020)

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.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I understand negotiations are ongoing. One company was mentioned. There is confusion about the figures. Some have said €650 and others have said it could be down to as little as €160. It is still a lot of money. I understand the departmental officials can meet people such as the Senator to discuss whether there is a way around it.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senators for their contributions on the Bill, which is discussed every year. During the Second Stage debate on Tuesday, I outlined that the objective and basis of Government policy in the area of private health insurance is to ensure that people have access to affordable private health insurance regardless of their age, gender or health status. This means people who are old or...

Seanad: Reopening Ireland (Department of Health): Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to update the House on the Government's response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and to the approach to reopening Ireland. As Senators will be aware, this country has been developing and reframing our response to Covid-19 for almost a year. Our country moved swiftly to establish the mechanisms to respond to the disease and this was undertaken...

Seanad: Reopening Ireland (Department of Health): Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: How much time do I have?

Seanad: Reopening Ireland (Department of Health): Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Warfield. I also thank all the Senators for their contributions to this debate on Covid-19. It is clear that we have a common goal of reopening Ireland safely. While we would like to open Ireland completely at this time, unfortunately, that is not possible. The virus is still circulating in our community and while at large, it poses a very real threat to all of us,...

Seanad: Reopening Ireland (Department of Health): Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: My child got it about a month ago and it seems to be going well but I was not sure about the 20% take-up. We can follow that up. The Acting Chair is on the mental health committee and I praise Senator Black for heading up that committee. It is hugely important and she has done great work on many of those important issues and I wish her well in that committee. The Acting Chair also praised...