Results 2,101-2,120 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that the Deputy is seeking to have capital grant funding made available to the service in question to enable it to enhance its existing premises. I have responsibility for the implementation of the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) which included a capital grant programme to develop childcare facilities. Under the NCIP capital funding was made available to community...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) 2000-2006 and the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010, have been implemented by the Childcare Directorate which is now part of my Department. St. Canice's Community Action Ltd./The Learning Tree Childcare Centre, which is located in the Fr McGrath Centre, has been supported under both EOCP and NCIP initiatives. Under...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (15 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Family Support Agency has a statutory role in relation to support services for families. The Agency operates the Family Resource Centre Programme and there are 107 Family Resource Centres nationwide, including the Family Resource Centre referred to by the Deputy. The purpose of the Family Resource Centre Programme is to harness local community support to promote family well-being. Family...

Written Answers — School Completion Programme: School Completion Programme (15 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will supply the information in relation to the level of funding granted to the project directly to the Deputy. Following an evaluation in 2009 of the project to which the Deputy refers, it was decided to integrate the project with the School Completion Programme, as both projects share the same objectives and aims. Agreed arrangements are now in place for the integration of the project with...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (15 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Staff engaged on official travel are required to avail of public transport where possible and to use taxis and private transport only where no suitable public transport is available. My Department will encourage the use of public transport by staff travelling to work by facilitating the Travel Pass Scheme (through which staff purchase annual public transport tickets, paid for by salary...

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (15 Jun 2011)

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

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (15 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 543 and 544 together. As previously advised to the Deputy in answer to his PQ dated the 7th of June 2011, under the Children Act, 2001 a "private foster care arrangement" means any arrangement or undertaking whereby a child is for more than 14 days in the full time care, for reward or otherwise, of a person other than his or her parent or guardian, a person...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (15 Jun 2011)

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

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are currently no costs for telephone, IT services, lease or rent for my constituency office borne by my Department. One civil servant at clerical officer level is currently assigned to my constituency office in my Department on an annual salary rate of €36,267 per annum. There are no costs to my Department for telephone or IT services in my home.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (15 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Young People's Facilities and Services Funding (YPFSF) of my Department was established in 1998 to assist in the development of preventative strategies/initiatives in a targeted manner through the development of youth facilities (including sport and recreational facilities) and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. To...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (16 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 as a universal programme to provide children with a free pre-school year, normally in the year before they commence primary school. There is no entitlement under the ECCE programme for a second year of free pre-school provision. Where a child has special needs, his or her parents...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government is committed to fundamental reform of the delivery of child protection services. A number of significant structural and legislative changes are key to effecting such reform. This includes the establishment of a new agency with dedicated responsibility for the delivery of child welfare and protection services, separate from the HSE. Preliminary work on the establishment of the...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (21 Jun 2011)

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

Written Answers — Children's Rights Referendum: Children's Rights Referendum (21 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Programme for Government 2011 states that the referendum on Children's Rights is a priority, and that the wording will be along the lines of that proposed by the All Party Oireachtas Committee. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has commenced discussions with the Attorney General, with a view to preparing a draft wording which will more closely reflect the work of the Committee,...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (21 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 341 together. Preschool services can apply to participate in the free Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced by my Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in January 2010. Under the scheme, in return for providing the free Preschool Year to eligible children, a preschool service will be...

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (21 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The free Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children. The standard capitation fee paid to childcare services participating in the ECCE programme is €2,450 per annum or €64.50 per week over 38 weeks, or €48.50 per week in the case of full day services open 50 weeks per...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (22 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The purpose of the 116000 phone number is to provide a contact number to families if children go missing. While the Office of the Minister for Children is involved in ongoing discussions with other Government Departments in relation to the development of a hotline for missing children, the establishment of the hotline for missing children is not a matter for the Department of Children and...

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (22 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: In line with the Programme for Government, I am committed to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First, the national guidance on the reporting and management of child welfare and protection concerns. The implementation plan prepared following the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse provides that legislation will be drafted such that all...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (22 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government established the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and the legislation enacting the new Department came into force on 2 June 2011. The administrative structures of the new Department are currently being finalised. The work related to North South Co-operation will be prioritised in the development of these structures. In the meantime, the Department of Children and...

Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jun 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Molaim leasú Uimh. 1: Go scriosfar na focail go léir i ndiaidh "Go" agus go gcuirfear an méid seo a leanas ina n-ionad: "ndéanann Dáil Éireann -Tacú leis go bhfuil gá le leasú ar an mBunreacht maidir le leanaí a mbeidh bonn leathan faoi agus, de réir an ghealltanais a tugadh i gclár Rialtais 2011, go mbeidh an fhoclaíocht ar aon dul leis an bhfoclaíocht a mhol an Coiste...