Results 2,601-2,620 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The supports available for prospective Irish parents who are looking to adopt children are those supplied by the HSE and agencies accredited under the Adoption Act 2010 and would include among other things pre-adoption counselling, advocacy, guidance and assistance in the assessment process. Following receipt of a declaration of eligibility and suitability to adopt, prospective adopters can...

Written Answers — Adoption Statistics: Adoption Statistics (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Authority of Ireland do not maintain statistics on a county by county basis for domestic or inter country adoption. Furthermore the State has no definitive information on adopted children resident in Co Meath whose adoptions were completed outside the State.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Information regarding 12 vacancies on boards which fall under the aegis of my Department was published on my Department's website on 22 September 2011. To date, 39 expressions of interest have been received, all of which are under consideration at present. I hope to be in a position to fill a number of these vacancies in the near future. Body/Agency No of Board Vacancies Expression of...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The 33 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) were established in 2001 to advance the provision of childcare facilities in their local areas. They comprise local representatives from the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, social partners, childcare providers and parents. The role of the CCCs was expanded under the National Childcare Investment Programme to enable greater...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has issued detailed guidelines on the staffing of Ministerial Offices which include salary limits for persons appointed to the position of Special Adviser, Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and Civilian Driver. All Ministerial appointments in my Department are in line with these guidelines. The numbers employed and associated salary scales...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 550 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 — Youth Services: Youth Services (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department contributes towards the running costs of Gaisce -The Presidents Award. The funding allocated for 2007 - 2011 is set out in the following table: Funding Allocations : Gaisce – The Presidents Award 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 €933,000 €956,000 €882,900 €819,446 €737,501 In determining allocations to initiatives and schemes in previous years...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Authority of Ireland has informed me that it is currently in the process of examining the typical sequence of operational procedures and processes which are encountered by prospective Irish adopters when effecting an intercountry adoption in the US State of Florida, under the terms of the governing local State legislation within the sovereign State of Florida. Since Ireland...

Written Answers — Capital Projects: Capital Projects (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Since my Department was established on the 3 of June 2011, no State Capital Project

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive for the information in question which I will forward to the Deputy.

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The following is a table of State agencies under the aegis of my Department, including 2011 budget, functions and staff numbers as requested. Name Annual Running Cost Primary Function Staff Number**at end of September Family Support Agency, 4th Floor St. Stephen's House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 2011 Budget€ 31.7 million Family Mediation Service ( up to 1.11.2011)Programmes :- Family...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 to 228, inclusive, 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 for homes in Bessborough, Co. Cork, St Peter's, Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath and Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. I have been advised by...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was formally established on 2nd June 2011 and to date I have nominated the following persons: Mr. Dick Hickey Family Support Agency Ms. Catherine Hazlett Family Support Agency Ms. Caroline Murphy Family Support Agency Mr. Brendan Broderick National Education Welfare Board Mr. Eamonn Flynn National Education Welfare Board

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of 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 People's Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. St. John Bosco Youth Centre is currently in receipt of funding under...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) is ongoing. It would be inappropriate to comment on the impact of any decision which may be taken by Government at this point.

Written Answers — Inter-County Adoptions: Inter-County Adoptions (16 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...

Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: In January 2010, the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, published Guidance for the HSE for the Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care. In accordance with the HIQA guidance, last year, the Health Service Executive, HSE, established a national review panel to undertake these reviews. Dr. Helen Buckley, senior lecturer and research fellow at the school of...

Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the wide range of comments made in the course of the debate and the acknowledgement by many Deputies of the importance not only of the issue before us but also the broader issue of child protection and the need to develop services and provide the resources required in this area. I also note their concern that children should be placed centre stage and resources must be allocated to...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (17 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: In line with the Programme for Government I am committed to delivering on the Ryan Report Implementation Plan which 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...

Written Answers — Inter-County Adoptions: Inter-County Adoptions (17 Nov 2011)

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