Results 10,501-10,520 of 11,816 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Under current COVID19 restrictions, financial supports continue to be available to the sector, notably the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). EWSS is an economy-wide enterprise support for eligible businesses in respect of eligible employees. It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll; and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Under current COVID19 restrictions, financial supports continue to be available to the sector, notably the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). EWSS is an economy-wide enterprise support for eligible businesses in respect of eligible employees. It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll; and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Years Sector (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Between 11 and 31 January, access to early learning and childcare services is restricted to the children of essential workers and vulnerable children. In addition, the resumption of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme has been delayed. During this period, my Department is continuing to provide funding under its schemes (ECCE, NCS, CCSP and TEC) as long as...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I was acutely aware that publication of the Final Report from the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and related institutions would be a difficult time for former residents and their families. With this in mind my Department has staffed a dedicated information line to assist callers in relation their queries on the Report. The contact details for this information line...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Detention Centres (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The capital budget allocation for Oberstown Children Detention Campus is as follows: - 2018 2019 2020 2021 Capital (€000) 4,200 2,000 3,800 3,000

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: A copy of the final report of the Commission of Investigation, which includes extracts of the information provided to the Confidential Committee, will be made available to all former residents who wish to receive one. I have requested my officials to contact the person concerned to make the necessary arrangements. On the 13 January, my Department issued an email to our contact list of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Reports (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine the introduction of a new ground of discrimination, based on socio-economic disadvantaged status to the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts. In addition, a broader review of the Equality Acts is also planned. Research is being undertaken at present and, following receipt of this, I hope to undertake a wider public...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Between 11 and 31 January, access to early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services is restricted to the children of essential workers and vulnerable children. In addition, the resumption of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme has been delayed. My officials are engaged in detailed planning as regards the arrangements for ELC and SAC...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Proposed Legislation (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid parent’s leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Under proposals approved by Government in December 2020, each parent will be given an additional three weeks of paid parent's leave, and the period in which it can be taken will be extended to the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter with me. The Commission of Investigation into mother and baby homes was independent in the conduct of its investigation and the production of its reports. I had no role or influence in relation to the inquiries conducted in accordance with the legislative framework of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. I have sought advices on the matters...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children First Guidelines (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Public health experts have confirmed that Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services may continue to operate during the current Level 5 restrictions. While no environment is without risk in relation to Covid-19, and this has been the case throughout the pandemic, services can significantly reduce their risk level by closely following the expert guidance provided by...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I take the Deputy's reference to "long Covid-19" to mean the medical condition whereby a person experiences long-term symptoms of Covid-19. My Department has continued to deliver on its full range of responsibilities throughout 2020 and into 2021, while working remotely for the most part. To date, any impacts of Covid or “Long Covid” have been met within the budgetary resources...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Maternity Leave (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy is aware, the Maternity Protection Acts provide for up to 26 weeks paid Maternity Leave, and a further 16 weeks unpaid leave. Where a child is born prematurely, additional weeks may be available. In addition, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: A printed copy of the Final Report of the Commission is available to any survivor who wishes to have one. The Report was made available in digital format in the first instance so as to immediately make it available to the widest possible audience. This is particularly important having regard to the sheer size of the report and the challenges which arise in disseminating hard copies, due...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 575 and 576 together. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to ending the Direct Provision system and replacing it with a new International Protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach. The Government has also committed to the development of a White Paper which will set out how this new system will be structured and the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Radio Broadcasting (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Whilst the particular responsibility for the monitoring of gender balance on radio under the Broadcasting Act 2009 rests with my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, I wish to inform the Deputy that I am aware of the report in question. My Department has overall responsibility for the National Strategy for Women and Girls, and work is...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Staff (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies to meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities. Under the Act, the National Disability Authority (NDA) has the statutory role to report, on an annual basis, on compliance with the 3% target. The Department reports to the monitoring committee in DPER on its compliance as at the 31st December of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Childcare Services (26 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I acknowledge that even in level 5, childcare professionals are continuing to provide childcare services and school-age childcare for the children of essential workers. They are also providing services to vulnerable children and that is an important support in the economy which did not happen during the major lockdown of March 2020. I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Childcare Services (26 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: There has been rigorous engagement between my Department and the sector over recent weeks and particularly since the higher level 5 restrictions were introduced. We have had eight meetings of the childcare advisory group at which representatives have met officials of my Department. I have attended seven of those eight meetings myself because I know this is a difficult time for providers....