Results 2,301-2,320 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Providers that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns as per their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement. Following constructive engagement with members and nominees of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF), including Childhood Services Ireland (CSI), Childminding Ireland, Early Childhood...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) carefully appraises each property that is offered for use as accommodation for international protection (IP) applicants before contracts are issued, and properties are also subject to pre-occupancy inspections to ensure they are adhering to the requisite standards. IPPS advises all potential providers of accommodation of the need to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My officials and I have reviewed a policy proposal from Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) in respect of the establishment of a single agency for early learning and care (ELC) and school age childcare (SAC). As noted by ECI in their proposal, there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a National Early Learning and Childcare Agency, to assist in the expansion of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and I am focused on opening it within this quarter. The underpinning legislation for the Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 – was signed into law last July. This Act allows for the establishment of an Executive Office in my...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Core Funding is in operation since 15 September 2022 and has achieved very significant success in terms of the high levels of participation. With 95% participation in year 1 and to date, 94% or over 4,300 providers have signed up for Core Funding Year 2, with applications still open. There are officially more services contracted for Core Funding year 2 than there were at the peak of Core...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 549 together. The Residential Institutions Redress Scheme was a scheme operated by the Department of Education and I cannot comment on that scheme or its scope. My department is responsible for delivery of the comprehensive package of support measures agreed by the Government as part of the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: There are a number of issues raised in the correspondence to which the Deputy refers, a response to these issues are now set out. Quality Action Plan In line with a recommendation in Partnership for the Public Good, providers that have an active Core Funding Contract must submit a Quality Action Plans. All services are provided with a quality self-assessment template for this purpose. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: State Pensions (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am aware that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is an area of genuine concern for foster carers. The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Social Protection has some measures available to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment in the calculation of a State Pension payment. Credit for Home Caring Periods may be awarded to a maximum of 20 years and foster...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, funded by my Department, provides universal, free pre-school to children within the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months. The upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months for ECCE was set in consultation with the Department of Education and ensures that children transition into primary school with their peers....

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

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department's officials have informed me that this is being reviewed as part of the Child Care Act Amendment Bill (2023). The Pre Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) process has been completed and the report with some 90 recommendations is being considered by my Department as we progress drafting with the Office of Parliamentary Council. Department's officials have been attending the recent...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: Apologies to the Deputy for the delay with the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 5 December 2023. A reply has been prepared and will issue to the Deputy very shortly.

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

Roderic O'Gorman: Apologies to the Deputy for the delay with the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 469 of 14 December 2023. A reply has been prepared and will issue to the Deputy very shortly.

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

Roderic O'Gorman: Providers that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns as per their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement. Following constructive engagement with members and nominees of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF), including Childhood Services Ireland (CSI), Childminding Ireland, Early...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: Officials in my Department are currently experiencing temporary issues in accessing the ESRI SWITCH Model, which is required to model complex changes to the National Childcare Scheme. Officials will revert to the Deputy directly as soon as possible once access is restored and an accurate estimate to the above scenario can be provided.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disabilities Assessments (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie

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

Roderic O'Gorman: In terms of our accommodation procurement practices to date, my Department is acutely conscious of the need to ensure quality in all accommodation contracted, while also providing shelter and safety urgently to those who need it. Offers received on the online portal for accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) are assessed for suitability. The criteria to be met by...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Education Welfare Service (7 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Youth Services (7 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: From 2020 to Budget 2024, my Department's current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes increased from €61.789 million to €77.95 million, a 26% increase overall. I am committed to supporting this important sector, which an enormous benefit for the wellbeing of the many young people involved, and from a broader social and economic viewpoint. As part of a range of...