Results 7,601-7,620 of 11,754 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: A team is on-site 18 hours a day at Dublin Airport. Between 85% and 90% of all Ukrainians who have come to Ireland have entered through Dublin Airport. At this stage, we do not have on-site teams at Rosslare, which is the next largest entry point, or at Shannon and the other points of entry that account for small numbers. It is a question of where to best target resources. In the coming...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla is acutely aware of its responsibility in this matter, particularly because this is a crisis having such a detrimental impact on children. Bernard Gloster was on "Morning Ireland" this morning. I did not catch his interview, but he has been in regular contact with me and my Department on these issues. As the Deputy said, we and Tusla have moved quickly to address the situation of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Registration of Births (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. Following the publication of the independent review into illegal birth registrations in March 2021, I asked Professor Conor O'Mahony, the special rapporteur on child protection, to consider the significant complexities and challenges which arise in respect of the issue of illegal birth registrations and to provide a report proposing an...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy. A transformative package of measures for the early learning and care, ELC, and SAC sectors was announced in budget 2022, including €221 million in core funding. Core funding will operate from September in order to support improved quality, affordability and sustainability. The significant majority of ELC and SAC services will see substantial increases in income...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Owing to the manner in which the higher capitation payment was made in respect of graduates when it was based on the number of children participating in the ECCE programme rather than the number of hours of graduate-led provision, approximately 1% of sessional services got a disproportionate uplift under the older system. When they put their numbers into the ready reckoner, they came out as...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: We are bringing forward €221 million per year in funding. This is a significant State investment, as everyone recognises. The bulk of that money is linked to the delivery of the ERO. We all know how poorly childcare professionals are paid. I see, Government sees and it is seen across the House the ERO as the means to deliver that. That money has to be contingent on the ERO. If we...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I am aware of various organisations making calls for safeguarding and child protection measures to be put in place for children fleeing Ukraine. Tusla has a significant role in the State's response to support individuals, particularly women and children, displaced from Ukraine as a result of the war and coming into Ireland. Tusla is...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Schemes (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: In March 2021, following publication of the Independent Review into Illegal Birth Registration,  I asked Professor Conor O’Mahony, the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, to consider the significant complexities and challenges which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth registrations, and to provide a report proposing an appropriate course of action. On 14th...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Schemes (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department successfully secured €70m in the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation, which will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare over the period 2023-2025. This adds to the substantial level of capital investment by the State in recent years through my Department’s Annual Capital Programme which has, since 2015, funded the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Maternity Leave (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I recognise the enormous impact that pregnancy loss has on expectant parents, and I wish to extend my sympathies to all parents who have suffered such a loss. As the Deputy may be aware, work to examine the needs of bereaved parents coping with pregnancy loss is being advanced at present. My Department is currently in the process of commissioning a qualitative research study to examine...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 24, 32, 33 and 62 together. As the Deputies will aware I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service on the 26th of February 2021. In the twelve months since its publication my department has placed a significant focus on delivering the new model of accommodation and supports for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: EU Directives (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The date for transposition of Directive 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council on work-life balance for parents and carers is 2nd August 2022. The Directive, at Article 20 provides a two-year extension, up to 2nd August 2024 for Member States to implement the final two weeks of paid parental leave provided for under Article 5. Ireland fully expects to meet these transposition...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Funding (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: In Budget 2021 and 2022, I secured an additional €5 million for youth services which brings the total funding from my Department to youth organisations to €71.8m. I am satisfied with the increases in funding that I have secured for youth services, clubs and organisations but remain committed to further supporting this important sector. My Department provides extensive...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The City and County Childcare Committees (CCC) were assigned by the National Childcare Strategy (2000) as the key local component in the development of a co-ordinated approach to supporting the delivery of high-quality early learning and childcare. There are 30 CCC located nationwide, which are funded by my Department. CCC play an active and important role in providing support and guidance...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services. If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, the concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to Tusla, and information on how to do so is available on the Tusla website. If a child is at immediate risk or in danger, An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 36 together. I assume Deputy Bacik is referring to the recently published report by the Special Rapporteur rather than the Ombudsman. In March 2021 I asked Professor Conor O’Mahony, the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, to consider the significant complexities and challenges which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has developed a comprehensive action plan to respond to the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) needs of Ukrainian children and their families. Key actions include: - Facilitating access to my Department’s funding schemes – the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) - Identifying ELC places available locally and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has developed a comprehensive action plan to respond to the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) needs of Ukrainian children and their families. Key actions include: - Facilitating access to my Department’s funding schemes – the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) - Identifying ELC places available...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Measures (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 requires organisations to report on their gender pay gap and reporting by employers with over 250 employees will begin this year. Regulations implementing the Act are currently being developed and it is anticipated these will be finalised and published in the coming weeks. Employers will choose a ‘snapshot’ date of their employees in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My officials at the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) informed me that a death has taken place in an IPAS accommodation centre. I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased. The IPAS Critical Incident Policy ensures that any death that occurs within accommodation centres provided by the Department is referred to An Garda...