Results 5,541-5,560 of 11,744 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is right that it is good for us to be clear on these things. I accept that there is a challenge for the tourism industry here. I absolutely understand it. We are looking to diversify where we are accommodating displaced persons from Ukraine. That is why we are bringing modular accommodation, vacant homes and the refurbishment of homes into play. That will operate to support...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I share the Deputy's frustration. She is on the Committee of Public Accounts. One of the key reasons that this has gone slowly is that after this transfer, for the first time, the HSE will be reporting to two masters. It will be accountable to the Department of Health for €20 billion of its budget and to our Department for €2.4 billion. I want to be able to ensure that, in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is correct that staffing is a key issue but I also think engagement with parents and how the relationship between the HSE and parents is managed is an issue. In far too many areas, whether in Wexford or Dublin 15, there is an intensely confrontational environment. Parents have become frustrated because they have been let down. We need to change that. The Minister of State,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: A commitment was made in the programme for Government to replace the current system of accommodation for international protection applicants with a new model based on a not-for-profit approach. As the Deputy knows, I published a White Paper on Ending Direct Provision in February last year. This White Paper outlines the new model of accommodation, particularly the supports that will be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am committed to tackling disadvantage through high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible. The early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme, which enjoys uptake rates in excess of 95%, has removed barriers to accessing preschool education. Data from the Growing Up in Ireland survey show that more than 60% of low income families would not have been...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am not sure about that €54.5 million. I ask that the Deputy clarify what that is because it is not from my Department. I would probably know if there was €54 million coming out.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The sum is not linked to tackling disadvantage. It is separate from that. We have a work programme. I recognised the issue of wraparound hours very early on and, in fairness, the Deputy raised it with me. We acted on it in our first budget. The two most recent budgets have focused on core funding and the delivery of NCS investment, which, I think we all agree, is welcome. We need to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The hot meals programme is a pilot, but I do not think we will be able to universally apply the programme in its first year. Hot meals are provided where children are in services for the full day. However, this programme will look at children in sessional services such as three-hour services to make sure that they get a hot meal such as breakfast or lunch. I referenced AIM because it has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: In announcing the formation of Government, the Taoiseach announced his intention to have the co-ordination of disability-related issues handled by a Minister for the first time. The location of disability equality policy, which had previously been in the Department of Justice, and specialist community-based disability services in a single Department will facilitate strategic policy...

Seanad: Review of Allegations of Sexual Abuse at St. John Ambulance: Motion (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank Senators for bringing attention to this important issue both today, in the context of the motion the Leader has brought forward with support across the House, and since I first took up this role. I refer, in particular, to the engagement from Senator Ruane. I am very glad that Mick Finnegan can join us today. We would not be here but for his bravery. I want to put that on the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) mobilises a significant and holistic response to fulfill its duty to provide accommodation to those seeking refuge in Ireland. Under the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), the Department has a legal role to provide accommodation to international protection applicants (IPAs) who seek it while...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Significant investment is being made by my Department to support families with the cost of high-quality early learning and childcare. Next year investment will increase by 43 per cent and exceed €1 billion for the first time – achieving the First 5 investment target set in 2018, five years ahead of schedule. Funding in 2023: - provides for two years of pre-school under the ECCE...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Domestic Violence (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since its formation, this Government has made it clear that tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a key priority. Government approved the drafting of Committee Stage amendments to the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 to provide for a form of domestic violence leave and these were introduced to the Bill at Committee Stage in the Dáil on 8...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Family Resource Centres (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Thank you Deputy for your question, this is an area of interest for me, I have met with many representatives of Family Resource Centres across the country. The work they do is vital to so many families, vulnerable people and in many instances new arrivals to the country. Budget 2023 was a challenging budget with many competing priorities. You may be aware Tusla, the Child and Family...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: There has been an unprecedented increase in State investment in early learning and childcare since 2015, albeit from a low base. Over the period 2015-2018, investment increased by 84 per cent – rising from €265 million per annum to €485 million per annum. This increased investment provided for a doubling of State-funded pre-school under the ECCE Programme – from...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Residential Institutions (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: On 29 March last, the Government approved high-level proposals for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance to be located on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street in Dublin 1. The Centre will stand as a site of conscience, and will be a national memorial to honour equally all those who were resident in Mother and Baby Homes, Industrial Schools,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 85 together. I am aware of the report mentioned by the Deputy. As the Deputy will be aware, the health and wellbeing of all people who avail of accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is of the highest priority to my officials and myself. To that end, I have directly engaged with the Irish Refugee Council...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Employment Rights (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: On 20 September, the Government gave its approval for the publication of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022. The primary purpose of the Bill is to provide for transposition of elements of the EU Work Life Balance Directive and to extend the current entitlement to breastfeeding/lactation breaks under the Maternity Protection Acts from six months to two years. The Bill...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 93 together. Since publishing A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Servicein February 2021 my Department has placed a significant focus on delivering these reforms. Progress made includes: - The recruitment of a team dedicated to driving the implementation of the new programme; - The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Strategies (17 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Programme for Government includes specific commitments that the Government will develop and implement a new Migrant Integration Strategy and a new National Strategy for Women and Girls, in addition to reviewing the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy and ensuring that the successor strategy has a stronger outcomes focused approach. While initially due to conclude in 2020,...