Results 2,541-2,560 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (27 Oct 2010)

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

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (27 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together. I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme. The objective of the ECCE scheme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to children in the year before they commence primary school. Services participating in the pre-school year are expected to provide...

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (27 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: Officials in my Department have been in contact with the Department of Social Protection who have indicated that the payment of child benefit has been amended to reflect the current position. I understand that contact has been made with the relevant officials in the HSE regarding the issuing of a medical card. Furthermore, this issue has been referred to the HSE for their attention and direct...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (27 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: During 2004 and 2005, the Department of Health and Children (DOHC) provided funding for a support network and accommodation service (Avoca House) administered by SOCA UK (Survivors of Child Abuse UK), a voluntary organisation and registered charity in Ireland. This service offered a safe and comfortable environment for survivors of institutional abuse visiting Ireland to attend to matters...

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: I thank the Whips and the spokespersons of the Opposition for allowing this debate to happen as quickly as it has and for their understanding in this matter. I congratulate Ms Norah Gibbons on the first-class report she has produced. She has mapped out a way forward in the very difficult area of reporting on child care tragedies. Thus, we can ensure they are reported in a timely fashion...

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: An audit of other possible cases of chronic neglect in Roscommon has already commenced on foot of a recommendation in this report. It is being carried out by Ms Lynne Peyton, who is an independent child care consultant. Similar audits are to be commenced in two other local health areas, if they have not started already, before being undertaken in the rest of the country. As the Roscommon...

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: I am letting the Deputy off lightly. It is important that we agree on the reforms that have been undertaken or are about to be undertaken. We need to be careful when we suggest the political system should cause heads to roll. The former UK Minister, Ed Balls, made an absolute mess of the Baby P case in Haringey when he called for Sharon Shoesmith to resign. It set in train a chain of...

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: It is happening. They have given an undertaking to me, as the person responsible to this House for telling Deputies what the HSE is doing.

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: I met them this morning. We went through this with the HSE yesterday as well. I am giving the House an undertaking that this will happen.

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: I cannot anticipate the outcome of the-----

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: As for Deputy Reilly's bluster-----

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: He wandered in here, he did not listen to what I had to say and he did not take the care to read my speech.

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: He came in here to ask questions that everybody else had already dealt with.

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: He should have the courtesy to come in here on time.

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: That is exactly the type of hysterical outburst to which I refer.

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: I thank the Deputy for illustrating my point.

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: If he had any interest in getting the truth of this case, or allowing those who might be listening to this debate to get some illumination on this issue, he would not come in here and act in such a manner.

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: Yes, I will answer the remaining questions in the final five minutes.

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: Deputy Reilly wandered in and asked for an apology. If he had been here for my speech, he would have heard my apology, or read it if he had taken the time to read the speech. I will respond to his question about whether the HSE is fit for purpose. The HSE is what we have. The child protection system provided within the HSE, which involves primary care teams, is the best way of delivering...

Child Care Inquiry Report: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Barry Andrews: Brendan Drumm was wrong and I do not mind saying that. He knows my view on that and I totally disagree with him. In fairness, I think he accepts he was inaccurate when he said that. My position is very clear. The HSE is fit for purpose in regard to child protection services.