Results 1,861-1,880 of 6,055 for speaker:Frank Feighan

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...

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

Frank Feighan: I pay tribute to my staff and all the drug and alcohol task forces. There was a collaboration between all the services for people who are homeless, use drugs and so on. It showed the work that was done and I thank the Senator for acknowledging that. I pay tribute to the people in the Department for the work they have done. The Government will review current level 5 measures and consider...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Brexit Issues (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I fully understand the reasons why the Deputies have raised this issue. The decision of our neighbour to leave the EU will have unfortunate, negative implications for Ireland that are outside our control. This includes the loss of access to healthcare services currently provided for through the cross-border directive, CBD, representing a substantive and real loss of access to healthcare...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Brexit Issues (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. The directive on patient's rights in cross-border healthcare, commonly called the cross-border directive, provides rules for the reimbursement to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in his or her home member state. The directive seeks to ensure a clear and transparent framework...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Prison Mental Health Services (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank my colleague for raising this issue. The Minister for Justice yesterday welcomed the publication of the report of the committee for the prevention of torture and fully acknowledges the importance of external oversight and evaluation in helping develop and improve our penal systems. While the report offers encouragement in a number of areas and recognises progress made, it clearly...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Prison Mental Health Services (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: The Government is committed to delivering safe, secure and humane custody for those sent to prison in this State. This includes the provision of appropriate mental health services to persons in custody. We accept the CPT's findings that there is much to be done in this regard but welcome its recognition that progress has been made in a number of areas. We are considering how best to deliver...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Reform (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Doherty for raising the issue. The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 sets out Government policy for promoting inclusion, targeting discrimination, and improving the quality of life and well-being for the LGBTI+ community in Ireland. It is supported by the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018-2020. The strategy commits to ensuring that people can fully and equally...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Reform (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I am committed to supporting the HSE in ensuring that people wishing to transition their gender have timely access to treatment that accords with the best practice. I note the Senator's welcome for the report. I want to see the HSE develop a well-governed and patient-centred healthcare service for adults and children in the transgender community in line with the programme for Government....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Mullen for raising this matter. I would love to see the churches open again. Indeed, I, my wife and my family are looking forward to returning to mass, and I am proud to say that as a politician. The Government's strategy, in line with the public health advice, is disease suppression. Covid-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with each other,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Mullen for being so diplomatic in his response to my reply. The Government recognises the immense sacrifices that are being made by the country in this difficult time. As I mentioned, there has been significant engagement and solidarity from the Catholic Church and other faith communities at all stages through the pandemic to ensure the protection of individuals and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (25 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together. The Covid-19 pandemic has created a time of uncertainty and anxiety for everyone and particularly for those who are affected by drug and alcohol addiction. The restructuring of services, social distancing measures and self-isolation can be particularly difficult for those who are trying to remain drug or alcohol free and for those who...