Results 1,121-1,140 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department of Integration continues to work with relevant state agencies to support people who have applied for international protection and for whom no accommodation was available. International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) has arranged for outreach to applicants known to be rough sleeping. This has allowed us to offer accommodation as it becomes available. Outreach is...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I announced on 2 July, details of Year 3 of Core Funding worth €331 million, which will run from September 2024 to August 2025. This is an increase of €44 million (15%) on the current programme year. This funding will accompany new developments to the scheme rules to support services as well as children and their families. The increases I announced will support expanded...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mental Health Services (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: This is an operational query for Tusla to address, as such I have referred to Tusla for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mental Health Services (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Foster care is the preferred model of care for children in care, who cannot live with their families of origin. In recognition of the importance of foster care in contributing to improved outcomes for children in care, it was a priority of mine to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in Budget 2024 in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I recognise and acknowledge the service that foster parents provide in caring for some of the most vulnerable children on behalf of the State. Additional funding for Tusla will be the subject of discussion in the Estimates process for 2025 which has recently commenced. I will work with Tusla and with Government colleagues in order to secure additional funding for Tusla. Details of any...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Social Welfare Code (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA), which is provided for by the Department of Social Protection, is a means-tested once-off payment aimed at helping families with the extra costs of clothing and footwear when children start school. I can inform the Deputy that I have raised the issue of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility in respect of foster...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am aware that travel costs have been highlighted by foster carers as an increasingly significant financial outlay in respect of the care provided to some foster children. The shortage of foster carers can result in children and young people being placed some distance away from their families, community and schools. Further, I am conscious that a cohort of foster carers have highlighted that...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I recognise the importance of the therapeutic supports provided by Tusla teams to vulnerable children. I will work with Tusla and with my Government colleagues, through the Estimates process for 2025, which has recently commenced, to secure additional funding for Tusla. Details of funding increases will be announced as part of Budget 2025 in October.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Foster carers play a vital and valued role in the care of the most vulnerable children in our society. Foster care is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their family of origin, and foster carers provide a safe, secure and stable home environment for these vulnerable children and young people. I am aware that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is an area of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not comment on the particulars of individual transfers. The Department is currently providing accommodation to over 31,000 people, of whom 5,323 had been granted permission to remain in Ireland as of the end of 10 July 2024 and, as such, are no longer in the International Protection process. At the same time, there is currently an...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Equal Start is a major new model of Government-funded supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare. Equal Start was launched in May and the first phase of implementation will commence from this September. Equal Start will include a suite of universal supports, child-targeted supports and setting-targeted supports...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Equality Issues (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The ongoing review of the Equality Acts is examining the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. In July 2021, my Department undertook a public consultation process as part of this review. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation was published last year and can be accessed here:...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: EU Directives (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Pay Transparency Directive (officially known as Directive (EU) 2023/970 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms) came into force in June 2023. Member States have three years from that date to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy may be aware, Budget 2024 outlined that from January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance increased to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for those over 12. The foster care allowance will be further increased in November 2024, up to €400 per week for children aged under 12 and €425 per week for those over 12. I am also...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this relates to data collated by Tusla, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is required under the Child and Family Agency Act (2013) to support and promote the welfare and protection of children; to support and encourage the effective functioning of families; and to provide services relating to the psychological welfare of children and their families (excluding the provision of specialist mental health services for children). As...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is currently engaging with the provider to which the Deputy refers in relation to their contract renewal. While the offer of additional accommodation is appreciated, it should be noted that my Department is not presently contracting additional accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from new or existing providers. Since the outbreak of the conflict in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Maternity Leave (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1791 and 1802 together. At the end of last year I announced plans to introduce legislation to allow women undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses postpone their maternity leave. A General Scheme and Heads of Bill related to this has now been prepared, and I plan to bring this to Cabinet for approval shortly. I commend the work done by the...