Results 2,941-2,960 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Over the last number of years we have seen the publication of some very significant reports arising from inquiries, investigations and research conducted into child abuse. I read these reports with great concern and sadness, and the collective learning from this work has helped to inform, motivate and shape the Government's ongoing response to the issue of child abuse in all its forms. It is...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Appointment of a guardian ad litem (GAL) is provided under section 26 of the Child Care Act 1991. Under this provision, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to a child who is the subject of care proceedings, if it is satisfied that it is necessary in the interests of the child and in the interests of justice to do so. They are always appointed where a child is subject to Special Care...

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The complex issue of school attendance is systematically addressed through the provisions of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. This act established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) in 2002 – mandating it with supervising and implementing the provisions of the Act to effectively ensure that 'each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum...

Written Answers — School Completion Programme: School Completion Programme (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The School Completion Programme (SCP) is an initiative that aims to have a positive impact on the levels of pupil retention in primary and second level schools and on the number of pupils who successfully complete the Senior Cycle, or equivalent. The majority of schools supported by the School Completion Programme receive this assistance as part of the School Support Programme, under the DEIS...

Written Answers — Health Service Audits: Health Service Audits (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: In 2011, the Health Service Executive (HSE) commissioned independent consultants to undertake a review of the capacity for alternative care services. The review examined services for Special Care, High Support, Foster Care, Residential Care, Emergency Care, Out of Hours, Aftercare and Separated Children Seeking Asylum. The purpose of the review was to audit the current need and current...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 606 together. The Programme for Government 2011 states that the Referendum on Children's Rights is a priority, and that the wording of the proposed referendum will be along the lines of that proposed by the All Party Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children (JCCAC). From the outset of deliberations in relation to the constitutional...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 617, 619 and 620 together. Funding of some €56.626m is available from my Department in 2012 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country through a number of schemes. These schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 246 of the Children's Act 2001 provides very clear legal deterrents to the use of excessive physical discipline within the home setting or otherwise. 246.-(1) It shall be an offence for any person who has custody, charge or care of a child wilfully to assault, ill-treat,neglect, abandon or expose the child, or cause or procure the child to be assaulted, ill treated, neglected,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 105 together. Under the Child Care Act, 1991, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the care and protection of separated children seeking asylum until they reach 18 years of age. The immediate and ongoing needs of separated children seeking asylum (SCSA) as well as their application for refugee status are the responsibility of the...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Implementation plan, published in 2009 in response to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Ryan Implementation Plan), included a commitment to the establishment by the HSE in consultation with the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) of a national therapeutic and multi-disciplinary care team for children in detention and special care. The specialist multi-disciplinary team could also...

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I established the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency in September 2011 under the chairmanship of Ms Maureen Lynott. The Task Force will advise my Department in regard to the necessary transition programme to establish a Child and Family Support Agency, and will base its work on best practice in child welfare, family support and public administration; consistent with the...

Written Answers — Health Service Reports: Health Service Reports (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I provided the Deputy with detailed responses on this issue on the 3rd November, 2011 and the 15th December, 2011. The HSE was asked for an update on the position and has provided the following information in addition to that already provided:- The Report recommendation that a review of the effectiveness of the Home Management Services in respect of working with families where chronic neglect...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The question raised by the Deputy must be considered in the context of both current and historic adoptions. In relation to current adoption practice, with effect from 1 November 2010, intercountry adoptions can be effected with other countries which have ratified the Hague Convention or with countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. The Hague Convention is a co-operative...

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform published the Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2012-2014 on 5th December last. The sections relating to my Department in this document clearly highlight that the transfer of services to the new Child and Family Support Agency fully informed the strategic approach taken by my Department. This report states that: "The Department used the CRE...

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been informed by the HSE that the National Policy on Aftercare has been finalised and was formally issued to the Regional Managers for Children and Family Services, all Principal Social Workers and Child Care Managers. Copies are available from the HSE on request and I understand that the HSE intend to make this available on their website shortly.

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (14 Feb 2012)

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 — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: With effect from 1 November 2010, intercountry adoptions can be effected with other countries which have ratified the Hague Convention or with countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. The Hague Convention is a minimum set of standards in intercountry adoption in areas such as subsidiarity, consent and financial considerations. The Hague Convention is a formal state-to-state...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have arranged for the Department's organisation chart to be forwarded directly to the Deputy at her office. The Department's chart is now also available on my Department's website.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (14 Feb 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: In relation to the NEWB, there have been two appointments to the Board since my appointment as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Mr. Brendan Broderick was appointed based on a nomination of the trade unions and staff associations representing teachers under S9(2)(1)(b)(iv) of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. Mr. Broderick was a direct replacement of a retiring nominee during his...