Results 221-240 of 8,814 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (14 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My office has contacted the HSE on this matter to ask that a reply be provided as soon as possible. The HSE has stated that it is actively pursuing a response on this matter on the Deputy's behalf and that a reply will issue as soon as the information is available.

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (14 Sep 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. On taking office I instructed the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) to work with the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to preparing a draft wording which will more closely...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (14 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government is attaching a high priority to the preparation of legislation to underpin Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. My Department is in the process of developing detailed legislative proposals in this regard which I will bring to Government for approval.

Written Answers — Professional Fees: Professional Fees (14 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was formally established on 2nd June 2011 and to date it has incurred no expenditure on professional fees.

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (20 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The report 'Supporting Child Contact:the Need for Child Contact Centres in Ireland' prepared by One Family Organisation addressed the need for a service of this type to be established in the context of a wider discussion on social, health and justice related services in Ireland. My Department agreed to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of one of the reports key recommendations...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (20 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The drafting of legislation with regard to Information and Tracing is a priority of mine and proposals such as those raised by the Adoption Alliance are being considered in the drafting process. The Heads of the Bill are currently being drafted, in consultation with the Adoption Authority. The aim is to provide for a structured and regulated way of providing access to information and...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (20 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the matter raised by the Deputy. The Office of the Ombudsman for Children has been in contact with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I am expecting further contact before the end of year from the Ombudsman's office in relation to their remit. While responsibility for the amendment of legislation in relation to the Ombudsman for Children rests with the Department...

Written Answers — Family Resource Centres: Family Resource Centres (20 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are 107 family resource centres throughout the country funded by the Family Support Agency. The aim of the Family Resource Centres Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. The programme emphasises involving local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (20 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Youth Homelessness has been identified as a priority for 2011. My Department met with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and service providers at the end of May, to assess and review the current demand for services, the progress made to date under the Youth Homelessness Strategy 2001 and the need to address any outstanding service deficits. Work will commence...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (20 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I appoint members to the Boards of the following Bodies: Body Family Support Agency National Educational Welfare Board Adoption Authority of Ireland The terms of office for Board members are determined by relevant legislation and are usually for a period of three or five years. Appointments are made when vacancies arise.

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (20 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has concluded talks with the HSE on the issue of adoption files from Bessboro and the HSE has agreed to take responsibility for these files. Accordingly, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the cost of translating reports for the year 2010. As my Department was formally established on 2 June 2011 no such expenditure was incurred in 2010.

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (21 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Office is advised by the HSE that the information on the number of children placed in relative care by social workers will issue to the Deputy today.

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (22 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Almost every preschool service in the State is participating in the programme ensuring that it is available to children in all areas, and 63,000 children, or 94% of the eligible age cohort, availed of...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department is set out below: Name Whole time equivalent Annual Salary Marion Mannion 1.0 €80,051 Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill 0.5 €40,025 William Lavelle 0.5 €40,025 All of the above appointments were made in line with the guidelines on Ministerial Appointments issued by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public...

Written Answers — Literacy Levels: Literacy Levels (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Literacy and Numeracy Strategy was launched by my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, in July of this year. The Strategy's publication is a milestone in the development of the early years sector in Ireland, as it recognises the central role played by experiences in early childhood in the development of literacy and numeracy skills. Early intervention is crucial and the...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. These include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund and certain other provisions including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, European Youth in Action Programme (administered by Léargas –...

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Commission of Investigation has completed its work. Separately the HSE is finalising a national audit of child protection policies, procedures and practices in each Catholic diocese. I am advised that the report of this audit is at an advanced stage and that the HSE hopes to submit the report to me by the end of October. The need for follow up action will be informed by the findings of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has committed, as a priority, to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First. The objective will be to ensure the greater protection of children by raising societal awareness of child abuse and the need to better safeguard children. It is my intention that the legislation will reflect a broad based approach to compliance with obligations extending beyond...

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I recently established the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency under the chairmanship of Ms Maureen Lynott. The inaugural meeting took place on September 15th last, and the second meeting was held just last week. The Task Force will advise my Department in regard to the necessary transition programme to establish a Child and Family Support Agency, and will base its work on best...