Results 1,861-1,880 of 6,045 for speaker:Frank Feighan

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...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: May I take this opportunity to congratulate you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, and Cavan on a wonderful victory last Sunday?I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the House on Second Stage of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020. This is a short and technical Bill comprising six sections, all focused on the specific issue of health insurance. This legislation is needed in order to...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senators for their support for the Bill and for their contributions to the debate. Health insurance is held by a very large proportion of people in Ireland relative to other countries. As Senator Hoey pointed out, 45% of the population is quite large by European standards. Community rating is a fundamental cornerstone of the Irish health insurance system. This means people who are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (24 Nov 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: Drug Treatment Programmes (24 Nov 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: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (24 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: Budget 2021 allocated €10m in new developments for drugs policy and inclusion health. Of this, €4m is being provided to enhance drug and alcohol services as follows: - €1m to develop targeted drug and alcohol initiatives through the network of drug and alcohol task forces, and to increase in core funding for existing services - €2m to increase residential treatment...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Support Services (24 Nov 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: Drug Treatment Programmes (24 Nov 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: Health Services Provision (19 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented interruptions to normal healthcare activity, with most services affected, including STI clinics. STI Clinics are conducting virtual clinics where possible, with attendance in person limited to appointment only. Service restrictions are predominantly due to social distancing requirements; waiting rooms can now only hold a fraction of patients...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIV-AIDS Programmes (19 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented interruptions to normal healthcare activity, with most services affected, including STI clinics and related testing services. Some facilities have been affected by the necessary redeployment of personnel to COVID-19 testing and contact tracing duties. Community HIV testing services have also been affected as many of the testing venues are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Vaccination Programme (18 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: Deputies Cowen and Flanagan have raised this issue as well. Vaccination is recognised as one of the most cost-effective and successful public health interventions that exists. The World Health Organization, WHO, estimates that 2 to 3 million deaths a year are prevented by vaccination, and a further 1.5 million could be avoided if global coverage of vaccinations improved. I thank Deputy...