Results 8,361-8,380 of 11,754 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Domestic Violence (14 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Schemes (14 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will include financial payments and a form of enhanced medical card. Payments will be provided to eligible applicants based on residency in one of the institutions for a defined period of time. While the residency details in respect of application to the Scheme will have to be looked at individually, it is anticipated that relevant dates to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Weather Events (14 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Early learning and childcare services located in counties with red and orange weather warnings were advised by my Department to close on 7 and 8 December. On 6 December Met Eireann issued a red alert warning relating to severe wind for counties Clare, Kerry and Cork. A status orange warning issued for counties Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo, Wexford, Dublin, Louth, Wicklow, Meath. ...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for the question. As she says, this is an important scheme for the undocumented and those who have been in direct provision for more than two years. As the Deputy knows, the scheme does not apply any charge to those who are in direct provision. Therefore, about 2,800 individuals will be able to participate in the scheme without any charge. Regarding undocumented...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Expenditure (9 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As requested by the deputy, the expenditure incurred by my Department in the last 5 years and to date in 2021 on electricity costs is shown below in tabular form. Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 To date in 2021 Total spend for all years 2016 - 2021 Electricity €94,390.13 €86,492.25 ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: An Garda Síochána (9 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment on these matters which are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: School Facilities (9 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: School Facilities (9 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Buildings that are intended for the purpose of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare must meet all regulatory compliance requirements, including fire and planning requirements. Fire safety is, of course, of critical importance and services must take steps to address any immediate and significant risk to the health and safety of children due to fire. Compliance with these fire...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (9 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is currently working with the HSE to finalise an antigen testing programme for early learning and childcare services. My Department will announce more details on this before Christmas. The antigen testing programme for early learning and childcare services will be similar to the antigen testing programme that has recently been rolled out in primary schools. Antigen tests will...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (8 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can confirm to the Deputy that period products are provided free of charge in all of my Department’s accommodation centres. As part of the initiative to prevent period poverty and promote gender equality, since 15 March 2021, residents of centres that offer a points-based food hall system have not had points deducted for period products. Residents of centres without a food hall...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (8 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together. As the Deputy states, I secured an additional €5 million in current funding for youth services nationally as part of Budget 2022. My officials and I are currently finalising the detailed breakdown of how this funding will be used in 2022 and as such, I am not in a position as yet to share this, but I would hope to do so shortly....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can inform the Deputy that the total number of international protection applicants currently housed in international protection accommodation is 5,449 persons as of the end of November. This figure does not include the number of persons with status or those with deportation orders.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Asylum Seekers (8 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The table below lists the following in tabular form: - the number of emergency accommodation centres that were open at the beginning of both 2020 and 2021, - the number that were closed during 2020 and to date in 2021, - the final number open by the end of 2020 and to date in 2021. As the Deputy can see, on 05/01/20 there were 37 emergency accommodation locations in operation. By year end...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Earlier this year, I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service. Since then my Department has taken a series of steps to implement these reforms, with a view to completing them by the end of 2024. A staff team has been established in my Department to lead the transition to the new model. Ending Direct Provision and putting...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Youth Services (8 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Please note that 2022 UBU Your Place, Your Space funding data is not yet available due to the deliberative and allocation process which is ongoing. Please see the below table for all 2021 UBU Your Place, Your Space funding allocations to date. UBU Your Place, Your Space funding allocations for 2021 CAVAN AND MONAGHAN ETB - - - Funded...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (8 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: In accordance with its terms of reference, the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation investigated 14 Mother and Baby Homes and 4 County Homes – a full list of the Homes investigated by the Commission is available on my Department’s website. On the dissolution of the Commission, the records relating to the Institutions investigated by the Commission were...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic (7 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Throughout the course of the pandemic, very few outbreaks of Covid-19 have been detected in early learning and care (ELC) or school-age childcare (SAC) settings. In the current stage of the pandemic, we are experiencing a high incidence rate of Covid-19 in children aged 5-12 years. It is often difficult to detect Covid-19 outbreaks in ELC/SAC or school settings due to the relative lack of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (7 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Some 500 places were made available for humanitarian cases from Afghanistan through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. This is being kept under review. The Department of Justice is responsible for visas for travel to Ireland, including in cases where people wish to join a family member residing in Ireland. Visa applications for family members need to be made online. The Department...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Reviews (7 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The vast majority of looked after children in Ireland reside in foster care and as of August 2021, this equated to over 90% of all children in care, a figure that compares favourably with our European neighbours. The operation of the foster care system is the subject of ongoing review in my Department. Officials within the Department engage with Tusla and other stakeholders on a regular...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Social Welfare Schemes (7 Dec 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The foster care allowance was last increased on January 1st 2009, and there is no plan currently to increase this. 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. It is paid in...