Results 9,801-9,820 of 11,754 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 436 together. I am committed to ongoing engagement with former residents of Mother and Baby Institutions and their advocates. I have directly engaged with survivors and advocacy groups since my appointment and will continue to engage with those most centrally involved with these matters. In responding to the Final Report of the Commission of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Investigations (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has not restricted access to files or e-mails to any staff referred to in the category above.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care (ELC) and school aged childcare (SAC) services which are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding. The works eligible for capital funding are determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families and service providers, and to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care (ELC) and school aged childcare (SAC) services which are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding. The works eligible for capital funding are determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families and service providers, and to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am aware of the sad case to which the Deputy refers and I want to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the deceased who I understand had been very unwell for some time and was receiving treatment for complex medical needs. In keeping with relevant provisions in the International Protection Act 2015 safeguarding the identity of protection...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 438, 439 and 442 together. My Department welcomes the Report of the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) “Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision” and accepts its recommendations in full. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department has embarked upon a series of actions, planned for the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 446 together. My Department is engaged in consultations with the Department of Health and HIQA aimed at establishing an independent monitoring mechanism for standards in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres. It has not yet been determined whether legislative change will be required to put this in place. If...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department aims to inspect all accommodation centres (including the National Reception Centre at Balseskin) three times each year, with two of the inspections being carried out by officials of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and the third being undertaken by an independent inspection company (QTS Limited). Regrettably, it has not always been possible to meet this...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Officials of my Department are finalising the review of the Workplace Relations Commission's consideration of the pay rates of the managers of the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs). The CCCs are one of the key support mechanisms of my Department, and I want to acknowledge the important role they play in providing vital support and guidance to early learning and care and school...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I greatly appreciate the hugely important role played by not-for-profit Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services, and the value they bring to children’s lives. I am also acutely aware that there are circumstances when there is a need for special arrangements for children their services seek to support. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is fairer and more...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Equality Issues (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, a commitment I strongly support. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland. The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2022 commits to ensuring that the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Childcare Scheme (30 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I might just speak broadly about the national childcare scheme before addressing the Senator's specific points. The national childcare scheme is built on the basis families are supported in accessing early learning and childcare based on need. The manner in which the needs of families are addressed is progressive and ensures that those...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Childcare Scheme (30 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am very much aware of the concerns that have been raised by providers, particularly in areas of great disadvantage, on some elements of the implementation of the scheme and particularly on the after school-issue. I have met providers, including from the Senator's local area with Senator Fitzpatrick, which is why I have outlined the three elements I am dealing with including, in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (29 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am advised by officials in the Interational Protection Accommodation Services area (IPAS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy voluntarily left his assigned accommodation placement in an accommodation centre for International Protection applicants in August 2020 having found private accommodation.  I am further advised that the person is no longer an...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (29 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care (ELC) and school aged childcare (SAC) services which are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding.  The works eligible for capital funding is determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department are currently not in a position to transfer residents between accommodation centres on request. All non-essential transfers are suspended due to the ongoing Covid-19 emergency and based on Public Health advice. Once Public Health advises that such restrictions can be lifted, residents will be informed and can then...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is guided by the HSE and Public Health in all measures we are taking to safeguard residents availing of our International Protection accommodation services.  In this context the  International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has been working closely with the HSE National Social Inclusion team and key regional Public Health officials since the beginning of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Communal facilities in accommodation centres provided by my Department vary from centre to centre but include reception areas, dining areas, play rooms for children, communal family rooms, study areas, laundry facilities and cooking facilities. My Department communicates directly with centre managers and residents via regular newsletters, which can be found on our website - ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Measures (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 694, 700 and 713 together. Ireland’s first National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 was published on 28 November 2019 and complements the National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy published in June 2018. Since the launch of the Inclusion Strategy, a Committee has been in place to oversee its implementation. This group is made up of officials from key...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Anti-Racism Measures (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Following Government approval on 20 April 2021, the Anti-Racism Committee’s Interim Report was published on 21 April 2021. The Deputy can access the report on my Department's website, www.gov.ie/dcediy. The Interim Report is the first Report from the Committee. It sets out the overall approach that the Committee intends to take to its work in developing the Action Plan, which is in...