Results 1,921-1,940 of 6,045 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: I appreciate where Senators are coming from regarding the amendments.I really do not think I can accept amendments because we would have to recall the Dáil and I do not think we can do that at present.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senators for their views and their amendment but I must oppose it. As a Member of the Oireachtas, I understand the motivation behind this amendment. However, we are living in exceptionally challenging and unprecedented times. As I said in my earlier speech, the Government is battling Covid on a number of fronts, including enforcement. The ability of the Government to make...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (22 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together. Budget 2021 allocated €10m in new developments for drug and alcohol services and inclusion health. This includes €1m for targeted drug and alcohol initiatives through the network of drug and alcohol task forces. This new funding is separate to that previously allocated in 2019. It is my intention that the new resources...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (22 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: The Department of Health has published guidance for the continued operation of drug and alcohol support groups and programmes in a Covid-19 environment. In line with the National Framework for living with Covid-19, the guidance has been developed to ensure these groups can operate safely, including at levels 3 and 4 of the framework. The Department is consulting with the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Screening Programmes (21 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: I reiterate that the Minister supports the future direction within the national screening programme as set out in the expert reference group's reports. The Deputy outlined a few views, which I will relay to the Minister and the Department. The publication of these reports represents another important milestone in implementing the Scally report and the ongoing work to improve public...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (21 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank Deputy Murnane O'Connor for raising the issue of the ambulance base location in Carlow. The ambulance base in Carlow is an integral part of the National Ambulance Service. The capital spend is prioritised by the National Ambulance Service and I have been dealing with this situation over the years. Normally the National Ambulance Service has a say over county boundaries and it has a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Screening Programmes (21 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy Tóibín for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity on behalf of the Minister to update the House on this very important matter. Patricia Carrick's story is indeed harrowing and I will raise many of the issues involved in it with the Minister. A cancer diagnosed in the period of time after a negative screening test and before the next screening test...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (21 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the provision of the ambulance base located at the Carlow health services complex at St. Dympna's Hospital in Carlow town. The National Ambulance Service is the statutory pre-hospital emergency and intermediate care provider. It seeks to serve the needs of patients and the public as part of an integrated health system through the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (21 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: The agency referred to by the Deputy is funded by the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act, 2004.   In line with Workforce Relations Commission (WRC) agreement, a  process is underway in relation to the pay restoration of approximately 250 Section 39 funded agencies. Meetings took place in July and September led by the WRC on pay restoration. I understand that,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Homeless Persons Supports (21 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the provision of a national framework of policy and legislation to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level.  In addition, it has responsibility for the provision of funding to local authorities in respect of homeless accommodation services.  The funding model for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Treatment Services (21 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: The national drugs, strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, provides an integrated public health approach to drugs and alcohol use. The Department is developing a new education and prevention funding scheme which will be launched towards the end 2020. This scheme will include the use of evidence-based approaches to mobilising community action on alcohol. Task...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Treatment Services (21 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: The national drugs, strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, provides an integrated public health approach to drugs and alcohol use. The Department is developing a new education and prevention funding scheme which will be launched towards the end 2020. This scheme will include the use of evidence-based approaches to mobilising community action on alcohol. I want...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (20 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented interruptions to normal healthcare activity, with most services affected, including STI clinics. However, significant efforts continue to be made in terms of continuing with service provision. STI Clinics are conducting virtual clinics where possible, with attendance in person limited to appointment only. Service restrictions are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (20 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: Drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse in local communities.   The Task Forces make recommendations to the Department each year and the Department accordingly allocates funding for community...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Strategy (20 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda.  The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Traveller Community (20 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: An additional €23 million in the mental health allocation in Budget 2021 will be allocated to commence implementation of Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, including enhancement of mental health community teams, child and adolescent mental health services, crisis resolution services, development of clinical care programmes and investment in peer support...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (20 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 698 and 751 together. The national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, is the Government roadmap for a health-led response to drug and alcohol use. The Programme for Government Our Shared Future, sets out the Government's priorities under the strategy. Since the strategy was published in 2017, the funding provided by the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Treatment Services (20 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: The national drugs, strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, provides an integrated public health approach to drugs and alcohol use. The Department is developing a new education and prevention funding scheme which will be launched towards the end 2020. This scheme will include the use of evidence-based approaches to mobilising community action on alcohol. I want to strengthen the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (20 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: 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 are in recovery. The Government plan for living with...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (20 Oct 2020)

Frank Feighan: The HSE has advised that an episode of medical detoxification treatment lasts approximately 6 weeks, but other residential treatment episodes may take longer in some cases. The estimated cost per treatment episode is €7,500. I announced the provision of €1.125 million in funding as part of Budget 2021 to increase the number of residential treatments for those stabilising,...