Results 2,581-2,600 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (8 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for matters relating to the formulation of adoption legislation, including Regulations, and public policy issues on adoption. The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) is an independent statutory body charged with implementing the Adoption Act, 2010. The Authority has responsibility for the direct operational implementation of...

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (8 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (8 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together. There are no former Government office holders currently in positions for which I am responsible including State Agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (9 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: This matter has been referred to the HSE for attention in line with Children First Guidance.

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (9 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Act, 2010, commenced on 1st November 2010. This coincided with Ireland's formal ratification of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption . The purpose of the Adoption Act, 2010, is to improve standards in both domestic and intercountry adoption. The regulatory framework governing adoption has been strengthened in an...

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (9 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has received an application for funding from the 2011 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. The Deputy might note that this is one of a large number currently being assessed by my Department and I will keep him informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (9 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Ryan Report Implementation Plan committed to the recruitment of an additional 270 social workers. 200 of these new posts were in place by the end of 2010. The HSE National Service Plan includes financial provision for the recruitment of a further 60 social workers this year. I have been assured by the HSE that it plans to have these additional staff in place by the end of the year. My...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (9 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together. The Government is committed to fundamental reform and transformation of the delivery of our children and family 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...

Written Answers — Child Abduction: Child Abduction (10 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under EU telecoms rules agreed in 2009, the 116000 number is reserved in all EU member states for a missing children hotline. In a recent debate on this issue in Seanad Éireann, on 12 October last, I gave a commitment to work with relevant Departments and agencies to establish this Hotline in Ireland in 2012. I also announced my intention to establish a cross-sectoral Project Team to include...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (10 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 with the objective of providing a free pre-school year to all eligible children. Children qualify for the free pre-school year where they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months on 1 September in the relevant year. This means that children born between 2...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (10 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 and commercial childcare providers for the development and refurbishment of childcare facilities. Due to the economic downturn, and following a review of...

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church is a Church Organisation which has no connection with or reporting function to my Department. Recent media reports indicate that the Board is due to furnish to the Bishop of Raphoe later this month with the results of an audit into clerical child sexual abuse in the diocese, and that it is the Bishop's intention to publish...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 531, 539, 540 and 543 to 545, inclusive, together. The Adoption Act, 2010, commenced on 1st November 2010. This coincided with Ireland's formal ratification of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The purpose of the Adoption Act, 2010, is to improve standards in both domestic and intercountry...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the HSE to form a view in relation to each person leaving care as to whether there is a "need for assistance" and, if it forms such a view, to provide services in accordance with the legislation and subject to resources. All young people who have had a care history with the HSE, be it foster care, residential care or high...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Child Care Act, 1991, the Health Service Executive has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection. The policy of the HSE is to place children in care settings, preferably in foster care, as close as possible to their home and community. The vast majority of children in care are in foster care and residential care. Some children have...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendment on Children: Constitutional Amendment on Children (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: A draft wording on the proposed Amendment to the Constitution in respect of Children is currently being prepared by the Office of the Attorney General. I will need to seek approval from Government for the proposed wording in due course, with a view to holding the referendum next year. I am very conscious of the complex nature of the proposed referendum and the need, in any referendum...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme was introduced in September last year and is implemented by my Department, on behalf of FÁS and the Vocational Educational Committees (VECs). Under the CETS programme funding is provided by my Department to participating childcare services in return for the provision of free childcare places to qualifying students and trainees....

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The National Education and Welfare Board is progressing a number of projects under the Croke Park agreement in the following areas: Service Integration, Employee Control Framework, Employee Relations, Resource Availability, Performance Management, Training and Development, Integration of Services, Shared Services and Procurement, and Business Process. The Family Support Agency is also...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the request for the number of children who leave the care system each year, since 2005, is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive for the information in question which I will forward to the Deputy.