Results 9,981-10,000 of 11,754 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to be in a position to bring forward the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021. As Deputies know, the Bill passed all Stages in the Seanad and has been renamed the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021. The Short Title has been changed to accommodate the Government amendments to the Bill that are for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Refugee Resettlement Programme (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1055 to 1059, inclusive, and 1102 together. I am aware of the open letter signed by healthcare professionals in Ireland concerning asylum seekers and refugees on Lesvos. The Government pledge of last October to resettle up to 50 people from Lesvos was in addition to the commitment that Ireland had already made with the UNHCR to resettle 2,900 refugees...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Human Rights (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department intends on holding stakeholder consultation sessions ahead of the drafting of Ireland’s National UPR report and the State’s subsequent appearance for review under the third cycle in November 2021. The report is due to be submitted by the 9 August 2021 and drafting of the report is being coordinated by my Department. My Department has commenced contacting...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ministerial Correspondence (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can advise the Deputy that my officials are currently examining the correspondence in question and a response will issue to the person concerned in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Equality Issues (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Anti-Racism Committee was appointed in June 2020, with a mandate to review current evidence and practice and make recommendations to Government on how best to strengthen its approach to tackling racism. The Anti-Racism Committee’s purpose is to develop an understanding of the nature and prevalence of racism in Ireland, and to work towards achieving a social consensus on actions...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The ongoing management of the organisation referred to by the Deputy is a matter for their Board, including the challenges being presented due to the recent Covid-19 restrictions. My Department provides substantial funding to this organisation, which plays an important role in providing young people with opportunities for developmental experiences and informal learning.  All of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The well-being, health and safety of children, their families and those working in the sector is a priority for my Department. A dedicated web-page was developed to provide guidance during the Covid-19 pandemic for parents and service providers on the reopening, operating and use of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services including all childminders. Guidance is...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I understand that there has been some increase in brokerage fees for the majority of childcare providers, but that there has not been a general or significant increase in premiums for childcare providers.   Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Aged Childcare (SAC) services are required to have insurance as part of their registration with Tulsa, the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I understand that there has been some increase in brokerage fees for the majority of childcare providers, but that there has not been a general increase in premiums for childcare providers. It is important to note that neither the Government, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing or provision of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter which...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Constitutional Amendments (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Government has committed in the Programme for Government 'Our Shared Future' to consider whether there should be a referendum on Article 41.2 of the Constitution, informed by the work of the Citizens’ Assembly on gender equality. The work of the Citizens’ Assembly on gender equality was interrupted in 2020 and delayed by the impact of Covid-19. The Assembly has adapted its...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Support Services (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Under Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005 each Public Body is required to have at least one officer authorised to act in the capacity of "access officer". That officer is responsible, where appropriate, in providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities in accessing the services provided by that body. In accordance...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Years Sector (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: In January, early learning and childcare services were restricted to children of essential workers and vulnerable children only, and the ECCE Programme was suspended. As part of a careful and cautious reopening of priority sectors of society and the economy, these services have now begun to open for other groups of children throughout March on a phased basis. The ECCE Programme resumed for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care and school aged childcare services which are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding.  The purpose or target of the funding is determined on an annual basis having regard to the needs of children, families and service providers...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Carer's Leave (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Section 6 of the Carer's Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of carer's leave to enable them to provide full-time care and attention to a person who is in need of such care. Carer's Leave is unpaid but an employee may also qualify for Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance, the payment of which is a matter for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Birth Certificates (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: There are 151 individuals to date in respect of whom illegal birth registrations have been confirmed, from the files of Saint Patrick's Guild.  I am aware of the complexity of the issues that are arising for them as a consequence of their birth registration, and it is a priority for me to address it, in conjunction with my ministerial colleagues. I have established an...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Family Resource Centres (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am aware of the concerns of the organisation to which the Deputy refers, and have been contacted in this regard by the organisation itself and by public representatives on its behalf. Tusla has advised of its support of the project. The Department of the Taoiseach leads the Government response to COVID-19, and has issued guidelines for construction work during the current...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Support Services (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment on this matter. This is more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Process (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department follows the guidance for preparing legislation as set in the Cabinet Handbook. Following approval of a legislative proposal by Government, the Department prepares the General Scheme and Heads of Bill for submission to Government for approval. The draft text of the Bill is then prepared by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel with input from Department...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: A key policy objective of my Department is to improve affordability, accessibility and quality of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC). A 141% increase in investment over the last number of years has led to a doubling in the number of children receiving free or subsidised early learning and care and school-age childcare. It has also supported the sector to increase the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ministerial Correspondence (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parents' Leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. In December 2020, the Government approved the drafting of a Parents' Leave Bill to provide an additional three weeks of paid Parents' Leave to each parent, and to extend the period in which the leave can...