Results 1-20 of 7,453 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF) is the main consultation mechanism between the ELC Division of my Department and the stakeholders in the ELC sector. The high level objectives of the ELCSF are to support evidence based decision making and policy making, informed by the sector; to give stakeholders the opportunity to develop, and deliver on, a shared vision with...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: In setting regulatory requirements, the primary consideration must be children’s health, safety and well-being. The adult-to-child ratios for Early Learning and Care (ELC) services are set out in Schedule 6 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 with School age childcare (SAC) services' adult-to-child ratios are set out in Regulation 9 of the Child Care...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Measures (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 425 and 475 together. The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave. All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children. In October I announced...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Regulations (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to the introduction of regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting, to respect the unique way in which childminders work. It also commits to providing supports to childminders to help them meet regulatory requirements. The draft childminding regulations were developed through an inclusive...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Due to a number of well-documented factors, the Department of Integration has not been in a position to offer IPAS accommodation to every International Protection Applicant since 04 December 2023. As at 28 March 2024, 1,529 adult males were awaiting an offer of accommodation. IPAS releases statistics in relation to IP Applicants not offered accommodation. These figures are updated on...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Staff (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can advise the Deputy that no employees of my Department are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations. My officials have asked the bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to you on this matter in relation to staff of their own organisations.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Whilst I cannot comment on individual cases, I will try to be helpful in general terms. The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme provides financial payments and health supports to eligible people who spent time in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution It is recognised that there are people who suffered stigma, trauma and abuse in other institutions, and outside of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: European Union (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department requires additional time to gather the information requested and will respond directly to the Deputy in the coming days once the information has been collated.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Official Apology (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for his question. At the outset, I wish to again acknowledge the profound personal impacts felt by your constituent and by his family as a result of incorrect and wrong allegations made in this case. It is important and appropriate that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, as the State body with statutory responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Budgets (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The table below provides details of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead E4 of the Revised Estimate for 2023 and 2024. A Supplementary Estimate was also provided in 2023 which we have incorporated into the final allocation 2023 column. Revised Estimates 2023 Final Allocation 2023 Revised Estimates 2024 ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Budgets (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The table below provides details of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead E5 of the Revised Estimate for 2023 and 2024. A Supplementary Estimate was also provided for in 2023 which we have been incorporated into the final allocation 2023 column. Revised Estimates 2023 Final Allocation 2023 Revised Estimates 2024 ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Budgets (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: In February 2021 A White Paper to End Direct Provision and establish a new International Protection Service was published. The paper set out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and contains three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports. There is a legal obligation on the state to meet the requirements under the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Budgets (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has no pre-committed capital expenditure under the National Development Plan (NDP) that will be dedicated to temporary protection accommodation in each of the years 2024 to 2026. In Budget 2024, €61m is allocated in capital funds out of a total allocation of €1.49bn for subhead E05 that covers my Department’s expenditure in the Government’s Ukraine...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. My Department launched an online...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together. As part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the Government has developed a Rapid Build Housing Programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine who request it. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation for up to 2,800 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 442, 443, 444 and 447 together. In February 2021 A White Paper to End Direct Provision and establish a new International Protection Service was published. The paper set out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and contains three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports. There is a legal...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 446 together. In February 2021 A White Paper to End Direct Provision and establish a new International Protection Service was published. The paper set out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and contains three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports. There is a legal obligation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am informed that officials in my Department have been in contact with the accommodation provider in question with regard to required adjustments to invoices to take due account of occupancy, agreed rates and contractual terms. The provider should be encouraged to contact my Department to conclude this matter. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is made to pay without delay all of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am advised by my officials that they have engaged directly with the provider to which the Deputy refers. A payment for the March invoice has been processed and will issue in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Carer's Leave (8 May 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The current entitlements to carer's leave provide that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to between 13 and up to 104 weeks of carer's leave to enable them to provide full-time care and attention to a person who is in need of such care. An employee on carer’s leave may qualify for a social welfare benefit (Carer’s Benefit, or Carer’s...