Results 1,901-1,920 of 6,078 for speaker:Frank Feighan

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...

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

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy Stanley for giving me the opportunity to update the House, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, on the schools-based immunisation programme in the midlands. We know from international literature that the highest uptake is obtained if immunisations are delivered in schools. It is vital, therefore, that children have an opportunity to avail of their immunisations...

Seanad: Living with Covid-19 Restrictions: Statements (Resumed) (18 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank all Senators for their contributions to this important debate on the Government's response to Covid-19, including the plan for living with Covid-19, Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021. Our overall goal is to reopen our society and economy as safely as possible. This is a challenge facing Governments the world over. Senators will have seen the responses to the pandemic that have been...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (18 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: Budget 2021 allocated €10m in new developments for drugs policy and inclusion health. Of this, €4m was allocated to provide for the implementation of the national drugs strategy 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (18 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.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (17 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator for his good wishes. I come from the constituency comprising Sligo, Leitrim, north Roscommon and south Donegal and I understand that some of my constituents in Donegal are playing a big match against the Senator's county next Sunday in the Ulster final. I thank the Senator for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to outline the position on plans for the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (17 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: I again thank the Senator for his great interest in this project. As he knows, the Covid-19 pandemic has placed increased demands on emergency departments, particularly in respect of infection prevention and control. The Government is committed to developing the emergency department at Cavan General Hospital and the project under way intends to provide a second resuscitation room,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (17 Nov 2020)

Frank Feighan: The Government is implementing a public health-led approach to drug use, known as the health diversion programme. This programme will connect people who use drugs with health services and a pathway to recovery, avoiding a criminal conviction, which can have far-reaching consequences for people, particularly younger people. There are two components to the health diversion...