Results 241-260 of 10,227 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department 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. To date, over 106,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and approximately 84,000 of those have been...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and the Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Programmes were replaced by the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). The NCS replaced these schemes with a single coherent and integrated scheme designed to be flexible, recognising that early learning and childcare needs are different for each family and to provide a greater level of access to subsidies...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Tourist Accommodation (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department 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. To date, over 106,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and approximately 84,000 of those have been...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Programme (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The General Scheme and Heads of Bill to amend the Child Care Act 1991 were approved by Government and published in April 2023. They immediately underwent pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS) which resulted in a report with over 90 recommendations published in June of last year, each of which has been subject to consideration by my Department. Since January 2024 the Bill is on the priority...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department 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. To date, approximately 106,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 lays out the obligations of both public bodies and private individuals in terms of retaining and maintaining relevant records as defined under the Act. Relevant records are defined as relating to a relevant person, and contain birth information, early life information, care information or medical information relating to him or her, or a photograph or...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Investment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.1 billion in 2024 – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. The introduction of Core Funding in September 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €210.8m of brand new funding for the sector in its first year of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Missing Children in care is an issue which covers both mainstream services for children in the care of Tusla and also SSCIP /separated children. However, the issue of children in care going missing long term is an issue that relates predominantly to SCSIP. This is a European-wide phenomenon in respect of separated children and unaccompanied minors. I share the wider public concern about...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was established under the Health Act 2007. HIQA was established to drive high-quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. The functions of HIQA are set out in the 2007 Act, as amended. HIQA is independent in the performance of its functions, including in relation to the development of standards...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Abuse (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As you may be aware, an Independent review was commissioned by St John Ambulance Ireland (SJAI) in March 2021 following on from historic allegations of abuse by a former volunteer of that organisation. The board of SJAI appointed Dr. Geoffrey Shannon to conduct that review. The Independent review report was published by the board of SJAI on March 16th 2023. Officials in my Department had...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Children in the care of the State are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and my Department are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of Alternative Care. The Child Care Act, 1991, as amended, provides the statutory foundation for the promotion of welfare and protection of all children. Building on that,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla maintains a Child Sexual Exploitation Procedure in partnership with An Garda Síochána. The joint working protocol between Tusla and AGS forms a critical part of the response to child abuse, neglect, and child sexual exploitation. A Principal Social Worker from Tusla has been seconded to the Garda National Protective Service Bureau (GNPSB) for a number of years. Tusla has...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Recommendation 5.3.6 in the Protecting Against Predators scoping study recommends further research into the prevalence of sexual exploitation of children and young people in Ireland. The study recommends a number of different approaches to research that could be carried out in future. I note that this recommendation is aimed at investigating the prevalence of sexual exploitation among...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: European Union (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: This Department led on the development of the following Acts and Statutory Instruments which transposed EU regulations and/or directives Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 transposed Directive (EU) 2019/1158 Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 transposed Directive (EU) 2019/1158 S.I. No. 342 of 2023 gave effect to Maternity Protection (Protection of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March. A dedicated webpage is now live at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, which contains information on how people can apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants will need. Information on supports to applicants to help them through the application process is available at this webpage, in the information booklet...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 583 together. The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is open for applications. A dedicated webpage www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, contains information on how people can apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants need. The Scheme provides for financial payments and health supports for eligible persons. The legislation that...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Properties (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Please note that the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not hold lease agreements but instead has contracts or licence to use agreements. The current classification of properties that are in operation across the IPAS system are as follows: - 49 Permanent IPAS Accommodation Centres - 231 Emergency Accommodation Centres - The National...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Consultations (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Programme for Government commits to increase the range of after-school services in schools or community hubs to offer a range of education and family-focused measures. Currently, approximately, 15% of all ELC and SAC services are located in schools. The scope for wider use to be made of school buildings is a matter for the Department of Education and the various patrons that govern...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Consultations (30 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The scope for wider use to be made of school buildings is a matter for the Department of Education and the various patrons that govern schools across the country. The Department of Education policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including ELC and SAC. To assist schools in considering applications for...