Results 401-420 of 1,083,598 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Marc Ó Cathasaigh OR speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin OR speaker:Dara Calleary OR speaker:Leo Varadkar OR speaker:Sorca Clarke OR speaker:Michael Lowry OR speaker:Matt Shanahan OR speaker:Colm Burke OR speaker:Roderic O'Gorman OR speaker:James Lawless OR speaker:Danny Healy-Rae OR speaker:Neasa Hourigan OR speaker:Pat Buckley OR speaker:Marian Harkin OR speaker:Pippa Hackett OR speaker:Gerald Nash OR speaker:Denis Naughten OR speaker:Thomas Gould OR speaker:Mary Butler OR speaker:Alan Dillon OR speaker:Patrick O'Donovan OR speaker:Emer Higgins OR speaker:David Cullinane OR speaker:Francis Noel Duffy OR speaker:Thomas Byrne) in 'Committee meetings'

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Neasa Hourigan: And they will still receive care.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: I appreciate the witnesses' being here. My first questions are for Ana Liffey. Previously those working in the addiction sector have raised concerns about bureaucracy, red tape and engagement on research through the HRB. They say it is an added layer of work that sometimes acts as a barrier to supporting their clients. Has Mr. Duffin found that?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: However, Ana Liffey needs resources to do that type of work. My point is that we do not want workers who do work specifically for clients being diverted to doing administration or research, which are also very important. In order to make decisions, we need accurate data.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: However, Ana Liffey should not be pulling resources from services to do that.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: My colleague and friend Deputy Maurice Quinlivan from Limerick told me about the Ana Liffey's brilliant LEAR project. I ask Mr. Duffin to outline-----

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: That is good to hear. Regarding the drug courts, how long do interactions with a person last in the drug treatment court on average? Is the programme still a pilot? Are there plans to expand it to other cities?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: My question was on the average length of time in the system. Ms Foley said it is about 24 months.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: My next question is for all the guests. Are there supports to prevent staff turnover and burnout in their services? Have they experience of these problems? What could we do to keep staff? When we lose staff, we lose expertise, including that of people on the front line doing very critical work. Have the guests a comment to make on that?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: I do not mean my last question to be political but it has to be. The budget was announced last week and we are here today to consider the recommendations of the citizens’ assembly. Do the witnesses feel the budget will provide the funding needed to deliver what was recommended by the assembly?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: It is probably unfair to ask the question. There was not a single word about addiction in the budget. There are citizens’ assembly recommendations and we are now trying to introduce a policy, having listened to those present and many other groups, but I do not believe there is the will in certain parts of the Government and the Department, to be realistic. We have been talking about...

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: I have to go back to the Chamber. In case the witnesses are not here when I come back, I thank them for their attendance. I apologise that I have had to be in and out of meetings and the Chamber.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Neasa Hourigan: I never offered Ms Brennan my congratulations on her new role. I am very impressed she came to the committee straight after being appointed. I have a few questions on how our witnesses navigate assisting more vulnerable users, such as women and people from the Travelling community. Ms Foley may wish to respond on this. There has been a large increase in international persons in my area....

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Neasa Hourigan: To be clear, the court has translation services set up that it can access?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Neasa Hourigan: It the standard Courts Service translation services.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Neasa Hourigan: We had some brilliant contributors last week who talked about the specific challenges women face when they find themselves in addiction, often around accessing services while having to deal with things like childcare. There is often a complicating factor in that they might themselves be the victim of domestic or sexual abuse or trauma from childhood, although that is not gender-specific. Is...

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Neasa Hourigan: Who does it link in with on those issues?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Neasa Hourigan: What Mr. Duffin like to come in on that?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Neasa Hourigan: Yes. Not to put too fine a point on it but not only has the number of people on the streets increased, but they are often people who do not have English as their first language. I know from my area that, whether we like it or not, homeless services and other services are under increasing pressure.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: I am sorry Chair, I would like to apologise. As I said earlier, I had to pop out as I was speaking in the Chamber. I would like to make a comment.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Thomas Gould: I just want to put on the record that I would like to make a statement. The Chair has said that comments will be taken in private session. I accept that as the Deputy is the Chair of the meeting. However, as the party spokesman on addiction, recovery and well-being and as a member of the committee, I wanted to comment.