Results 401-420 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Written Answers — Weight of Schoolbags: Weight of Schoolbags (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: This Department has had no communication with the Department of Education and Skills regarding this matter.

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The HSE has a statutory obligation under the Child Care Act, 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and attention. The HSE has been provided with additional resources of over €14M in the current year to strengthen child welfare and protection services in line with the recommendations of the Ryan Commission. This includes funding for the recruitment of...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January of this year. Children will qualify for a free pre-school year place when they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September each year. This means that children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007...

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together. I do not have specific details available regarding the number of support groups established in the past 10 years dealing with victims of child sexual abuse. Prior to the establishment of the HSE in 2005, the Department allocated certain funding to support groups. This information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 214 together. On 12 April last, I announced details of the Youth Café Funding Scheme. This is the first dedicated youth café funding scheme in Ireland. A total funding package of up to €1.5 million is available for small scale fit-out, refurbishment works or building enhancement projects to existing Youth Cafes and for the start up of new youth...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Department holds certain records regarding children who died in the care of the State since 1 January 2000. These records relate in some situations to specific cases and include direct representations made to me by interested parties. In addition, the issue of child deaths is the subject of regular dialogue with my officials.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January of this year. Children will qualify for a free pre-school year place when they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September each year. This means that children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together. The Independent Review Group on Child Deaths was established on 8 March 2010 and commenced work on April 28th 2010. The Group is composed of Ms Norah Gibbons and Mr. Geoffrey Shannon. A third independent person of international standing will be appointed when an initial examination of documentation has been completed by the two...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: Like all workers, childcare workers employed in Early Start units in primary schools have the full protection of existing employment legislation. Where a childcare worker is made redundant because of declining enrolments, that person has statutory rights under the legislation and these rights and entitlements will, of course, be fully complied with. The Deputy should note that...

Health Services (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Government's commitment in the area of disability is consistent. Significant additional resources have been provided for services and supports in this area under the multi-annual investment programme 2006 – 2009, as part of the national disability strategy. Overall, approximately €1.6 billion is spent annually by the health services on disability programmes, including residential,...

Health Services (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I did not get to the end of the answer. More specifics are available. Disability service providers, including those in the Limerick area, have been asked to submit their plans for the maintenance of service levels within available resources. As part of this process, the Brothers of Charity services have prepared a detailed document for discussion with HSE personnel at local level. In...

Health Services (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The position is that discussions are ongoing. No one disputes the value of respite services to families under extreme pressure and who have children or older adults with intellectual disabilities. No one disputes the value of the service the Brothers of Charity provides in this area. Solutions must be found. I agree with the Deputy and there is no dispute in this regard. This is the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I am currently giving consideration to the legal position with regard to the provision of aftercare services, having regard to the existing legislative provisions as set out in the Childcare Act 1991. I have received legal advice which confirms that the obligation contained in Section 45(4) of the Child Care Act 1991 is in substance mandatory. The legal advice is that the Act creates a...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (16 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the recently announced OMCYA Dormant Accounts Youth Café Funding Scheme which is being administered by POBAL on behalf of my Office. My Office does not accept applications for this scheme. All applications for this scheme must be made to City & County Development Boards who will then submit a short-list of suitable applications to POBAL. Full...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (16 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 112 together. I have responsibility for implementation of the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010(NCIP) under which capital grant funding is provided to community and commercial childcare providers for the development of childcare facilities. Following the review of Government expenditure which was completed in April of last year, the...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: In the process of re-negotiating the bilateral agreement on inter-country adoption with Vietnam serious issues came to light in relation to the Vietnamese adoption process. The issues were contained in the report on inter-country adoption commissioned by UNICEF and the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice and carried out by International Social Services (ISS). An earlier report published last...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 245 to 247, inclusive, together. The Adoption Bill, 2009, is designed to give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. The new legislation, which incorporates the provisions of the Hague Convention, is designed to provide a framework to ensure that appropriate procedures...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern, however, I would invite the Deputy to raise it with me again in due course.