Results 2,101-2,120 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Patient Support Schemes. (28 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Minister has considered the issue raised by the Deputies with regard to the State Claims Agency. However, she is not in a position to instruct the agency to become involved in a non-adversarial way. The State Claims Agency's statutory remit is to manage cases under the present legal system, which is adversarial in nature.

Litter Pollution. (28 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat the litter problem. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering must come from the local authorities. The role of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is to provide the legislative framework within which they can perform this task. It is a matter for...

Written Answers — Detention Centres: Detention Centres (28 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: Significant progress has already been made in the development of the new national children detention facilities. Concept designs and sketch designs completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) have been approved by the Steering Committee established to oversee progress on the project. At its meeting on 1st April 2010, the Steering Committee considered the planning requirements for the...

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I welcome the opportunity provided by this debate to reflect on the important issue of child welfare and protection services and to discuss ongoing developments in this complex and sensitive area.

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: The provision of appropriate robust and responsive child welfare and protection services remains a key priority for both myself, as Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs, and the Government. The provision of these services is every bit as crucial as the delivery of critical care services and should be afforded that same priority in Health Service Executive,...

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: Waterford.

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I thank all the contributors to the discussion which was very informative and showed speakers to be well-informed. This discussion underlines what the Oireachtas does best. Having a much calmer discussion about this, without the white heat from an unfolding drama, is a much more constructive approach. The Government remains committed to a referendum which will give expression to children's...

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: No. The Government responded to the Ryan report with an implementation plan. We have already put in place leadership positions with specific responsibility for children and families. An additional 200 social workers will be recruited which in the current economic context is an extraordinary commitment. Not only is €15 million provided for the implementation plan to effect these changes,...

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I accept that. It is better than nothing. That is the reason we put certain reports into the public domain as best we can. It should not be assumed that because that is not done in a timely fashion it supports a view that we are tolerant of cover-up because we are not.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January this year. Children will qualify for the scheme where they are aged more than 3 years and 2 months and less than 4 years and 7 months at 1 September each year. The upper age limit does not apply where children are developmentally delayed and...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (29 Apr 2010)

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

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (29 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 (29 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 (29 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 — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (5 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: It remains my intention to assist 20 named applicants to complete intercountry adoptions in respect of children from Vietnam on an exceptional basis and insofar as it is practicable in law. In communicating the decision to suspend the bilateral negotiations the Irish Government asked the Vietnamese Government whether it will be possible to proceed with these adoptions. The Vietnamese response...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: It remains my intention to assist 20 named applicants to complete intercountry adoptions in respect of children from Vietnam on an exceptional basis and insofar as it is practicable in law. In communicating the decision to suspend the bilateral negotiations the Irish Government asked the Vietnamese Government whether it will be possible to proceed with these adoptions. The Vietnamese response...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: It remains my intention to assist 20 named applicants to complete intercountry adoptions in respect of children from Vietnam on an exceptional basis and insofar as it is practicable in law. In communicating the decision to suspend the bilateral negotiations the Irish Government asked the Vietnamese Government whether it will be possible to proceed with these adoptions. The Vietnamese response...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: I will address the specific issues raised by Senator Cannon. He is right in saying a stay in special care should be a positive and therapeutic intervention on behalf of a child. In the Health Information and Quality Authority's report on special care produced at the end of last year the authority broadly agreed that such outcomes were being achieved. When one is having a debate of this...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: It is interesting that the Senator should ask that question. My office has an obligation to fulfil its responsibilities under the national children's strategy in so far as the voice of the child is concerned. That is why we organise Dáil na nÓg, the Children and Young People's Forum and the advisory group. This year, for the first time, we have tried to ensure we consult children in...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: Section 3 of the Children Act 2001 defines a "children detention order" as having the meaning assigned to it under section 142 which provides that an order may be imposed on a child for a period of detention in a children's detention school. Thus the amendment appears to seek a change in the definition of a "children detention order", but to do so one would be confusing in terms of legal...