Results 2,801-2,820 of 15,836 for speaker:Robert Troy

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Costs (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: The Minister has acknowledged that there is an issue with the affordability of child care. She has also acknowledged that she is in the process of reviewing the community child care scheme, among other schemes administered by her Department. What changes does she envisage making to ensure that the community child care subvention scheme is fit for purpose and will support people on low...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Costs (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: We are all as one in agreeing that high-quality child care is paramount. However, the Minister did not answer my question. She provided a history of what happened, but everyone is aware of that. The early child care supplement of €1,000 was abolished by the previous Government, but it was also replaced by the first universal free preschool year. The latter was a welcome...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Costs (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: I am slightly worried by the Minister's comments. She refers to greater efficiencies in the schemes, but she does not envisage major changes in how the Government treats child care. She mentioned targeted direct payments. Her Government has twice reduced targeted direct payments of child benefit. It decided to tax maternity benefit one week after the Minister launched a report...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Costs (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: When will the review be published?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Costs (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: They do not know the standards. They have yet to be published.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: 4. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the comparatively low numbers of children accessing the second free preschool year - the figures come to 261 and 232 children for September 2012 to June 2013 and September 2013 to June 2014 respectively - if she will amend the criteria for children with special educational needs to entitle them to two full years of free...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: In the previous question the Minister alluded to the fact that she was keen to see the free preschool year rolled out to a second year. Given the relatively low number of children with special educational needs who availed of the preschool year split over two years - I understand the figures were 261 in 2012 and 232 in 2013 - will the Minister consider the possibility of introducing a full...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: I do not expect the Minister to have the information I am seeking today. However, will the Minister come back to me and identify exactly the number of children with special educational needs who are availing of the free preschool year? The Minister said these numbers only reflected the people who take out exemptions. What is happening at the moment is rather ad hoc in nature. The HSE is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: I appreciate that and I thank the Minister. The Minister has hit the nail on the head: early intervention is critical, especially for a child with special educational needs. Longer interventions are critical as well. This is why I am saying that at a time of tight resources we should be looking at introducing a second preschool year for these children. We should get in early and provide...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: I agree with the Minister, but it is on an ad hoc basis.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Qualifications (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: 13. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the main provisions of the learner fund to upskill early years practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14201/14]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Ombudsman for Children Remit (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: 17. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to extend the powers and remit of the Ombudsman for Children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14200/14]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Regulation (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: 26. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if community employment scheme workers are to be considered supernumerary to core child care staff under the new CFA standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14204/14]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: UN Convention on Children's Rights (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: 27. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if it is her intention to ensure that the principle and provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is fully reflected in all Ireland’s laws, policies and practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14202/14]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Legislation (27 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: 33. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of her previous statement that the Adoption Act 2010 is too restrictive, the action she will take in that regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14203/14]

Seanad Reform Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Mar 2014)

Robert Troy: Has the Minister of State received a blow to the head lately?

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (1 Apr 2014)

Robert Troy: 235. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consultations he has held with the various State bodies and interested parties regarding the serious issue of flooding along the banks of the River Shannon; the progress made to date; if he will provide an indicative timeframe as to when the necessary works will be carried out to ensure this problem is addressed without delay; and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (1 Apr 2014)

Robert Troy: 316. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the fact that Granard Town Council is contributing 55% of the amount towards the purchase of Granard Motte, if he will ensure that Longford County Council will be recognised in the title (details supplied). [14970/14]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (1 Apr 2014)

Robert Troy: 485. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will instruct the Adoption Authority of Ireland to send the adoption application pack belonging to persons (details supplied) in Dublin 3 to the Indian adoption authority, CARA, immediately so that their application for an inter-country adoption can be registered by the Indian authorities now and the process can at least commence...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Regulation (1 Apr 2014)

Robert Troy: 486. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of new early childhood services that have been opened and registered under the new registration arrangements as outlined in Part 12 of the Child and Family Act 2014 by the Child and Family Agency, CFA, since 1 January 2014. [15351/14]