Results 2,061-2,080 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: This is one of issues we are considering in our assessment of the implementation of the guidelines on guardians ad litem, not just in the special care area but throughout the sector. Substantial legislation may be required, or little or none. This work has been carried out only since May last year. However, some regulation is definitely required, as is a change in the way guardians are...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: It is possible. We will see how long it takes for the Bill to be passed. If the Senator's amendments were to be accepted, there would be automatic legal representation in all care applications, not just special care applications.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: The issue does require further teasing out and I will certainly return to it, pursuant to my commitments on the Ryan implementation plan.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: In the Bill the objective of the amendment to section 27 of the Child Care Act is to provide the High Court with the power to procure reports on any question affecting the welfare of the child in special care hearings. The amendment also provides that a guardian ad litem may apply to the court seeking directions to procure a report on any question affecting the welfare of the child. That...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: As the Senators indicated, this matter has, as a result, in part, of a campaign run by Focus Ireland and other organisations, given rise to a great deal of debate and analysis. Section 45 of the Child Care Act states the HSE may assist a person for as long as it is satisfied that there is a need for such assistance. The discussion in which we are engaged focuses on whether an obligation to...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Ryan report implementation plan states: The provision of aftercare by the HSE should form an integral part of care delivery for children who have been in the care of the State. It should not be seen as a discretionary service or as a once-off event that occurs on a young person's 18th birthday. The implementation plan also makes a number of recommendations in respect of aftercare and...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Barry Andrews: There is only one further amendment.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (1 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementing the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) which is a multi-annual programme to improve the availability and quality of childcare options, primarily through capital grant-aiding the construction and refurbishment of childcare facilities and the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) which provides current support grants for...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (1 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (1 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementing the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) which is a multi-annual programme to improve the availability and quality of childcare options, primarily through capital grant-aiding the construction and refurbishment of childcare facilities and the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) which provides current support grants for...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (1 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: Contrary to media reports, the development of the new national children detention facilities is well underway. The Office of Public Works has completed both concept designs and sketch designs to deliver 167 places and these have been approved by the Steering Committee established to oversee progress on the project. The Steering Committee is due to meet again today to consider the planning...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (20 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (20 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have discussed the proposal to put in place a hotline for missing children that is operational in some EU Member States with members of charitable organisations and non governmental organisations with a view to providing some level of service. I will keep the Deputy informed of developments in this regard.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 248 together. Section 45 of the Child Care Act, 1991 provides for the provision of aftercare services. The Ryan report implementation plan states that "The provision of aftercare by the HSE should form an integral part of care delivery for children who have been in the care of the State. It should not be seen as a discretionary service or as a...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (20 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which was introduced in January of this year. Children will qualify for a free pre-school year place when they are aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months at 1 September each year. The application of this age range is being interpreted as generously as possible...