Results 1,241-1,260 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Social Workers Register (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. 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: Childcare Services (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The support my department provides for the development of new play and recreation facilities for children and young people is through the annual Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation. Established in 2013, this grant scheme operates through and with Local Authorities. The scheme also funds the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and the incorporation of natural play...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to extending regulation and supports to all paid, non-relative childminders who work in their own homes. The National Action Plan sets out a phased approach to regulation with a preparatory phase followed by an extended transition period, to allow childminders lead-in time for any requirements. This supportive, phased process aims to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department wish to acknowledge receipt of your question. There has been on going communication and correspondence between this Department and HIQA with regard to the proposals put forward. This has resulted in significant review and analysis of the proposed standards by officials in the Department alongside other stakeholders. Officials from my Department continue to engage with HIQA...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. My Department has in place a range of supports and funding schemes to support the delivery of early learning and childcare places and services are independently operated, either by community not-for-profit or by private for-profit providers. The level of capacity in the sector has...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ensuring access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. I have recently established a new Supply Management Unit in the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare division of my Department. This unit is currently undertaking a forward planning project to identify the quantum and volume of different types of early learning and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Maternity Leave (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: 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. My officials are finalising these proposals and I intend to bring them to Cabinet for approval in the coming weeks. The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. 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: International Protection (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: In recent weeks we have seen decreases in arrivals from Ukraine to Ireland who are requesting accommodation from the state and we are now seeing greater numbers of Ukrainians who choose to move on from state accommodation. As a result, my Department is currently consolidating its accommodation portfolio to ensure value for money and greater oversight. My Department is prioritising ending...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: In recent weeks we have seen decreases in arrivals from Ukraine to Ireland who are requesting accommodation from the state and we are now seeing greater numbers of Ukrainians who choose to move on from state accommodation. As a result, my Department is currently consolidating its accommodation portfolio to ensure value for money and greater oversight. My Department is prioritising ending...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My officials are collating the information sought by the Deputy and will respond in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My officials are collating the information sought by the Deputy and will respond in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: It is not possible to provide or estimate the sum of money sought by the Deputy in relation to suspected overpayment in the first six months of 2024 for accommodation providers for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) due to ongoing investigations. In relation to accommodation providers for International Protection (IPs) applicants, IPAS have not identified any cases of overpayments...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Communications (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth’s main switchboard number is +353 1 647 3000. Callers to this number are directed to the appropriate officer within the Department as well as to our Customer Service Contact, Complaints Appeals, Access Officer, Freedom of Information Office, Early Years, National Childcare Scheme, Minister’s Office, Press...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is right that, for two years, the hotel in question has served as accommodation for Ukrainian families. They have been supported and integrated into the community. Our need for Ukrainian accommodation is less now and our need for accommodation for international protection applicants is higher. In light of that, we made a decision, in agreement with the provider there, that this...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: We have provided information about the change of use in this particular case. I am happy to speak to the Deputy further about this. Families from Ukraine are leaving and families from other countries and difficult parts of the world are arriving. I hope we can extend the same degree of welcome.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy. What we are looking to do is to support people who have been given status in this country to access the services and housing supports that everybody else in this country is entitled to do. That is why we have provided very significant resources over the last number of years, working with housing NGOs to put in place officers who are directly engaging with people who have...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: School Meals Programme (4 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Following a successful meals pilot in 2023, my Department is currently in the process of developing costing scenarios for a targeted meals programme as part of Equal Start, our new funding model to support children and their families who experience disadvantage to access and experience meaningful participation in early learning and care and school-age childcare. An estimated full-year cost...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Reviews (4 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 414, 415, 416, 417 and 418 together. Section 70 of the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 requires that a review of the operation of the Act is commenced not later than two years after the coming into operation of the section. Section 70 was commenced on 3 October 2022 and, as such, the review is scheduled to commence by the end of Q3 2024. My...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (4 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: With regards to overall funding for early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services, my Department allocated more than €1 billion to the sector in 2024 – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. Over the past eight budgets the unprecedented investment in the sector speaks to the commitment of Government in prioritising the...