Results 3,421-3,440 of 11,729 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: In respect of the current rate of the foster care allowance, I am conscious that this payment was last increased in 2009 and I am aware of the disappointment among foster carers that no increase to the foster care allowance was secured in Budget 2023. I can assure the Deputy that it is a priority of mine to seek to secure an increase to the foster care allowance in the upcoming budget. In...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Proposed Legislation (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 829 and 830 together. On 8 March 2023, the Taoiseach and I announced that a referendum will be held to amend the Constitution as recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality. An Inter-Departmental Group (IDG), involving all Government Departments and chaired by the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Budget 2024 (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax. I am conscious of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy’s question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and the Adoption Authority of Ireland, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Correspondence (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can confirm that my Department has received written correspondence dated 14th July, 2023 from St. Ultan's together with a Business Case as referred to by the Deputy. Officials in my Department have examined the business case and have also discussed this with St. Ultan's Senior Management.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: FINANCIAL VIABILITY Ensuring the financial stability of early learning and childcare services is a priority of Government. This is demonstrated by the significant State supports provided to the sector. Core Funding - worth €259 million in Year 1 and €287 million in Year 2 - contributes to services’ sustainability and significantly increases income for the overwhelming...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (20 Sep 2023)

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 delivering the Scheme as soon as possible. To that end, a significant milestone was achieved on 11 July with the enactment of the underpinning legislation - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023. This Act allows for the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the importance of the work done by this organisation. I can confirm that my Department has received correspondence from the organisation in relation to the financial difficulties that it is facing. The Chief Social Worker from my Department has been engaging with Tusla's CEO and Regional Office General Manager to highlight the concerns raised and to follow up...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Public Services Provision (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: This is a matter for my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Strategies (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy will be aware, the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy contains a number of actions, many of which are interrelated. Progress has been made on many actions within the Strategy, while progress on others was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several actions highlighted by the Deputy relate to increased visibility and inclusion, and to the equal treatment of LGBTI+ persons. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Emergency Accommodation (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: A response will issue to the Deputy in respect of the correspondence cited in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Core Funding – a new funding scheme paid directly to providers – in its first year resulted in €259 million in public funding received by the sector. This year, it will increase by 11% to reach €287 million. Core Funding provides supply-side funding towards the cost of service provision but requires enhanced public management and oversight, for example greater...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help families with their early learning and childcare costs. There are two types of subsidies available for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age:- A universal subsidy which is not means tested and provides €1.40 per hour, for a maximum of 45 hours per week;- an income assessed subsidy which is means tested...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help families with their early learning and childcare costs. There are two types of subsidies available for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age:- A universal subsidy which is not means tested and provides €1.40 per hour, for a maximum of 45 hours per week;- An income assessed subsidy which is means tested...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The rate for income-related National Childcare Scheme subsidies depends on the applicant’s reckonable income and varies from a minimum rate of €1.40 to a maximum of €5.10 per hour of childcare used. The table below shows the maximum and minimum income-related subsidy rates per hour, which vary according to the child’s age and the child’s education status. ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Core Funding funds capacity (child places permitted) as per the Tusla Register, once that capacity is staffed appropriately, the Department's Core Funding data does not capture if the places are subsequently filled or not. Core Funding is based on operating hours per week, operating weeks per year, number of places offered by services, and the age group of children for whom the places are...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I acknowledge the administrative burden for providers has increased with the introduction of new schemes, including Core Funding. In addition to providing €27.2 million for administration under Core Funding this year, a number of steps have been taken this year to reduce the administrative workload under this Scheme. A Universal Fee Table has been introduced, which will enable...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and runs from September to June each year, aligned with the primary school calendar. To deliver this programme, pre-school providers receive...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 defines a childminder as a self-employed person, working in their own home, caring for children, at least one of whom is not related to them. Childminders who are currently minding four or more preschool children or seven children of any age, are required to register with Tusla and can already access National Childcare Scheme subsidies for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Access and Inclusion Model encompasses 7 levels of support, which include universal supports (levels 1-3) and targeted supports (levels 4-7) , based on the needs of the child and the early learning and care (ELC) setting. Universal supports are designed to create a more inclusive culture in ELC settings, through training courses and qualifications for staff. Where universal supports are...