Results 3,641-3,660 of 11,744 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: On the amendment put forward by Senator Flynn-----

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I completely understand where Senator Flynn and the Civil Engagement Group are coming from in putting forward this amendment, which we had the opportunity to discuss on Committee Stage. However, I am not able to accept it. It would only apply to people who submitted an affidavit. The ability to receive an apology would apply only to a certain category of those making an application under...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I will speak to the amendments put forward by Senator Flynn and also to some Government amendments. This grouping relates to the legal waiver for the scheme. As outlined in previous debate and in a written response provided to the Senators on the matter, the scheme will include a legal waiver. I have received consistent advice that this is acceptable for this scheme, similar to other ex...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The amendments we are bringing forward do not in any way limit or seek to reduce the number of people who can avail of this scheme. What they do is clarify the applicability of the waiver. I think they work to clarify and make it more specific in terms of what the waiver actually covers. It is done in a way that is to the benefit of those making applications under the scheme.

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It is absolutely the intention behind the scheme to provide a response and to process and provide the determination on an application for a payment as quickly as possible. That is set out clearly in section 26(1) where it states that it must be done "as soon as practicable", and in particular for people who have perhaps an illness or are of advanced years. We know that would be a...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As outlined on Committee Stage, the purpose of this Bill is to provide for the establishment of the payments scheme, the making of payments and the provision of health benefits under the scheme. What is being proposed in this amendment is extremely challenging. Some of the requirements coming in from this amendment might not be legally possible, in particular the creation of statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Workplace Discrimination (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 prohibit discrimination and harassment on specified grounds, including that of disability, in the field of employment and in the access to and supply of goods and services, respectively. The Acts place obligations on employers and service providers to take reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Assisted Human Reproduction (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Special Rapporteur published the report “Review of Children’s Rights and Best Interests in the Context of Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) and Surrogacy in Irish Law” in December 2020. The report comprises issues relating to parentage and the right to identity in donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR) and surrogacy carried out in this jurisdiction and abroad....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I welcome the ‘Scoping Study on the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in Ireland’ conducted by UCD. The findings outlined in the report are alarming. Since the report was published, my Department has been working closely with Tusla senior management on the matters raised in the report. My Department will prioritise a review of the findings of this scoping report...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-government humanitarian response to assist over 85,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, including 63,000 that have sought accommodation from this Department. Overseeing provision of accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Measures (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was signed into law by the President on 4th April. Its aim is to support employees to achieve a better balance between their home lives and work lives. An Order commencing much of the Act will be made on 3rd July 2023. This includes the provisions introducing 5 days leave for medical care purposes for employees and the extension...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Department is responding to the largest increase in the number of people seeking refuge in the State's history. Approximately 7,500 such individuals were provided with accommodation and supports towards the end of 2021. Today that figure is closer to 90,000, including all international protection applicants and those fleeing Ukraine, in both State provided...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-government humanitarian response to assist over 85,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, including 63,000 that have sought accommodation from this Department. Overseeing provision of accommodation...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: That is entirely untrue, just to put that on the record. What is important to say is that I have engaged very extensively with all the organisations in the early years sector. I meet them regularly in the forum. I have, on many occasions this year and last year, met the particular group protesting outside the Dáil today. I see the Deputy has been briefed with the report. I have not...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Significantly fewer childcare services have closed at this time this year than in any of the previous years Deputy Tóibín has cited. That is because of the huge investment the State has put in. It was €259 million in the first year of core funding. Now, as we move to the second year of core funding, there is an additional €28 million. This 11% increase in core...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Emergency Accommodation (27 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is prioritising making more timely payments of valid invoices, including providing more resources to address any issues, and outsourcing of elements of the process to speed up processing and to respond to supplier calls. With regard to the service provider referred to, I am advised by my officials that outstanding invoices are currently being processed with payment expected to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (27 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am advised by my officials that the Ukraine Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team (UCTAT) has received an offer of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the property identified by the Deputy. The property is undergoing a refurbishment programme. It is anticipated that works will be completed by end June/early July 2023 and that the property will be made...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (27 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (27 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.