Results 2,461-2,480 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (13 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Since coming to office, I have made 6 appointments to State boards falling within the aegis of my Department. None of these appointments related to the appointment of a Chairperson. The details of these appointments are set out in tabular format: Agency Name Date of appointment Remuneration payable Family Support Agency Mr. Dick Hickey 2 June 2011 €5,985 per annum Family Support Agency...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (18 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested a report on this matter from the HSE and I will be in further contact with Deputy Dowds on receipt of this report.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Oct 2011)

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

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (18 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department is currently compiling a report for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the substantial reforms associated with the establishment of and transition to the new Department of Children and Youth Affairs and taking account of the relevant actions across existing Departmental and State Agency plans which now fall under the remit of the Minister for Children and...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As all of the retired public servants from agencies under the aegis of my Department are in receipt of retirement pensions under €35,000 per annum, there would be no benefit to the Exchequer by capping these pensions at the rate suggested by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (18 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree that youth cafés offer a good model for positive engagement with young people. This is perhaps not surprising as it is a model which was initiated and led by young people themselves. The success of the model is evidence of the huge benefits which can flow from the encouragement of active participation by young people in decision making which my Department sees as one its continuing...

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (18 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I established the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency in September, in response to the Programme for Government commitment to "fundamentally reform the delivery of child protection services by removing child welfare and protection from the HSE and creating a dedicated Child Welfare and Protection Agency, reforming the model of service delivery and improving accountability to the...

Departmental Funding (19 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Costello for raising this matter which, I appreciate, is of great interest to him and many other Members. Like them, I have been greatly impressed by the range of services provided by Foróige in communities across the State. Soon after my appointment as Minister I had the honour of addressing the Foróige annual leaders conference in Kilkenny and saw at first hand the number...

Departmental Funding (19 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My understanding from contact with Foróige in recent times has been that the projected budget requirements for 2012 were €1.42 million and €1.63 million. The question of matching funding in the order described by the Deputy is new to me.

Departmental Funding (19 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is not what I have been requested to provide. To date I have been requested to provide the amounts I quoted. It was certainly not clear that the agencies would reconsider and my understanding was that they were withdrawing funding. I am prepared to hear if Atlantic Philanthropies and the One Foundation are still interested and willing to provide that kind of funding. We are still...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (19 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has been advised by the HSE that they hope to have a final response issued to the Deputy this week in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (19 Oct 2011)

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

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (19 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: A core principle of the Hague Convention, which represents the international standard for adoption, is that inter-country adoption should be child-centred. The child's interests must be paramount throughout the adoption process. The Adoption Act 2010, and specifically the regime of the Hague Convention, is designed to provide an assurance for individual children, their families, and the...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: Following talks with the HSE, the Sacred Heart Order and officials from my Department, the HSE agreed to take responsibility for the adoption files of the Sacred Heart Adoption Society located in Bessborough, Blackrock, Co. Cork. In announcing this, it was the HSE who stated that as and from the 1st of August 2011, the HSE Adoption Service has agreed to take over the management of the...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: As I noted in my reply to the Deputy's question No. 121 for answer on Wednesday, 19 October 2011, this is a service matter for the HSE. The question was referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. That reply will also address this question.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (20 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was formally established on 2 June 2011 and since then it has not established or abolished any State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos. It should be noted that following enactment of the Child Care Amendment Act 2011, which was guided through its final stages in the Oireachtas in July by myself, the Children's Act Advisory Board was...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 to 517, inclusive, and 527 together. Following talks with the HSE, the Sacred Heart Order and officials from my Department, the HSE agreed to take responsibility for the adoption files of the Sacred Heart Adoption Society located in Bessborough, Blackrock, Co. Cork. In announcing this, the HSE stated that as and from the 1st of August 2011, the HSE...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Adoption Act, 2010, only accredited agencies can provide adoption services. My Department does not have a dedicated funding stream in relation to accredited agencies providing adoption services. The allocation of HSE funding is a matter for the Executive.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 520 together. The table below sets out the list of non-commercial agencies that come under the aegis of my Department. They are all funded by the Exchequer. Agency Family Support Agency Adoption Authority of Ireland Office of the Ombudsman for Children National Education & Welfare Board

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was formally established on 2nd June 2011 and to date it has incurred no expenditure obtaining legal advice. With regard to agencies under the remit of my Department, payment for legal services is an operational matter for the agencies themselves and such information is not held by my Department.