Results 2,321-2,340 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Written Answers — Weight of Schoolbags: Weight of Schoolbags (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: This Department has had no communication with the Department of Education and Skills regarding this matter.

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The HSE has a statutory obligation under the Child Care Act, 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and attention. The HSE has been provided with additional resources of over €14M in the current year to strengthen child welfare and protection services in line with the recommendations of the Ryan Commission. This includes funding for the recruitment of...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Jun 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 of this year. Children will qualify for a free pre-school year place when they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September each year. This means that children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007...

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together. I do not have specific details available regarding the number of support groups established in the past 10 years dealing with victims of child sexual abuse. Prior to the establishment of the HSE in 2005, the Department allocated certain funding to support groups. This information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (22 Jun 2010)

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

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 214 together. On 12 April last, I announced details of the Youth Café Funding Scheme. This is the first dedicated youth café funding scheme in Ireland. A total funding package of up to €1.5 million is available for small scale fit-out, refurbishment works or building enhancement projects to existing Youth Cafes and for the start up of new youth...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Department holds certain records regarding children who died in the care of the State since 1 January 2000. These records relate in some situations to specific cases and include direct representations made to me by interested parties. In addition, the issue of child deaths is the subject of regular dialogue with my officials.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Jun 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 of this year. Children will qualify for a free pre-school year place when they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September each year. This means that children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (22 Jun 2010)

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

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together. The Independent Review Group on Child Deaths was established on 8 March 2010 and commenced work on April 28th 2010. The Group is composed of Ms Norah Gibbons and Mr. Geoffrey Shannon. A third independent person of international standing will be appointed when an initial examination of documentation has been completed by the two...

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: Like all workers, childcare workers employed in Early Start units in primary schools have the full protection of existing employment legislation. Where a childcare worker is made redundant because of declining enrolments, that person has statutory rights under the legislation and these rights and entitlements will, of course, be fully complied with. The Deputy should note that...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second and Remaining Stages (Resumed) (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I am glad to be able to respond to the comments made by Members last night and this afternoon. This is important legislation and I genuinely am glad the three Members who spoke welcomed it, albeit obviously and naturally with various caveats. The purpose of the Bill is clear and focused. Given the short available timeframe within which it was drafted, it was drafted with great care and...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second and Remaining Stages (Resumed) (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I made some remarks before the debate was adjourned and I intend to offer further clarification in this regard. I refer to section 40B. Deputy Shatter raised the issue of what "without delay" means. It must be read in the context of the section which places an obligation on the HSE to monitor and keep under review occurrences and developments concerning matters relating to its objects and...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: Section 40B states that the executive shall monitor and keep under review occurrences and developments concerning matters relating to its object and functions, as Deputy O'Sullivan said. It is a much broader remit than the specific attempt by the Bill to enable the independent review group to receive information via the Minister from the executive. It also provides that, without delay, it...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: A number of matters were raised with regard to the four amendments under discussion. Deputy O'Sullivan began by saying that none of this should be necessary, and there is a grain of truth in that. It should not be necessary to extract information from an agency of the State under any circumstances. However, in the case of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it was clearly required that we...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I agree it can be an expensive exercise but it will be a single document so it might be just over €20 and I will certainly try to assist him in that regard if there are any difficulties. These documents are available under freedom of information as long as they do not belong in a certain category of documents which are not available under freedom of information for whatever reason.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: They may be part of the deliberative process and that is why so many documents are not put in the public domain on a daily basis. While one might genuflect at the altar of transparency too easily, one can do that at the cost of having frank and proper deliberation of important issues of Government and the development of public policy in a way that can be restricted by freedom of information...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I do not intend to repeat what I said in my initial comments on these amendments, but will make a general comment about the HSE. An impression that cannot be contradicted by mere fact has been created that the HSE is some monster living in a cellar somewhere that stalks the land and -----

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The fact that members of my party seem to think the same thing just goes to show how difficult it is to contradict it. Surveys suggest that in excess of 90% of people who have received service from the HSE have been satisfied with that service. However, the figure representing those who feel the HSE is doing a good job is probably less than 10%. The notion has seeped into the public mind...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: Yes, we find it hard to sell our story. It does not suit the narrative that is sometimes fed by comments made in the House. Deputy Shatter is concerned about the volume of work involved for the review group. I share his concern since the new figures were issued. I have indicated to members of the group and in the media that I will provide the group with whatever additional resources it...