Results 3,121-3,140 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Provision (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is aware that as far as the capital funding for the current year is concerned we are targeting the scheme towards community not-for-profit child care services. I am sure the Deputy will agree the priority must be to ensure the continuation of the provision of a quality service, particularly in areas of disadvantage in the Deputy's constituency and beyond. I reiterate the fact...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: There is a commitment in the programme for Government to end the practice of detaining children in adult prison facilities, which under the Children Act 2001 means all young people up to the age of 18 years. I wish to assure the House that this will be at the top of my agenda, as it was for my predecessor. The transfer of responsibility for 16 year old boys has already taken place and this...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: On the HR issues to which the Deputy referred, a recruitment process carried out in late 2013 has resulted in the appointment of a campus manager for the Oberstown campus. The manager reports to the board of management and is responsible for driving the reforms that are taking place at Oberstown. I advise further that a care staff recruitment programme to meet the needs of the increased...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I undertake to have a look at the report to which the Deputy referred and, if appropriate, to take matters further. As Members will be aware and I am sure will agree, the ultimate goal is the creation of a single cohesive national detention facility on the Oberstown campus through the integration of the three children detention schools, CDS. As I stated earlier, I intend to visit the site...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for his question. He will be aware there is a commitment in the programme for Government to end the practice of detaining children, which under the Children Act means all young people up to the age of 18 years, in adult facilities. This will be met later this year when the extension of the Oberstown campus results in the transfer of responsibility for 17 year old boys...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising those very important points. I wish to assure him that the delivery of child detention services is very much focused on education and rehabilitation of those involved and those in detention. This is in order to minimise re-offending and to support the early re-integration into the community. A number of criteria have been taken into account in assessing the...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The answer is in the affirmative. From a medical, education and training, psychological and psychiatric point of view, all of these factors are recorded on admission a child detainee's admission to the facility and a care plan will be conducted and monitored in that context.

Other Questions: Child Abuse Prevention (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: As incoming Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am in the process of familiarising myself with the composition of the budget for my Department and the different services falling within its remit. The Revised Estimates for Public Services 2014 allocated gross funding to my Department of some €997 million, which includes more than €955 million in current funding and...

Other Questions: Child Abuse Prevention (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy raises an important issue. Notwithstanding the additional resources to which I referred, the prioritisation of current services and the provision of additional services, as proposed by all Deputies, we must acknowledge the demand pressures being experienced in children and youth services as a result of social factors and demographics. The Deputy raised two specific issues,...

Other Questions: Child Abuse Prevention (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: That will be the objective, subject to the availability of capital and current finances. It is my intention, as well as that of everyone involved, to ensure this new Department of Children and Youth Affairs and child services will be on a par with their counterparts across the EU and, indeed, beyond. The Deputy will be aware of the financial constraints involved, however.

Other Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which not for the first time is being discussed in the House. The Early Childhood Care and Education programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children before commencing primary school. Approximately 68,000 children are availing of the provision in the current academic year. In spite of the...

Other Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I do not disagree with anything the Deputy has said. In fact, I agree fully with his sentiment and comments. The Deputy will be aware that Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the national policy framework for children and young people over the years 2014-2020, recognises the value of early childhood care and education in supporting children's early cognitive social and emotional development....

Other Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I will have a look at the commitment sought by the Deputy, but I reiterate the commitment is to the introduction of the second free preschool year within a period of six years provided the required quality standards are achieved. We will be keeping that commitment under review in the context of resources. I will specifically check out the issue of 48 week contracts as raised by the Deputy...

Other Questions: Inter-Country Adoptions (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Efforts are ongoing within my Department in relation to a bilateral agreement on inter-country adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. A delegation of Russian officials travelled to Ireland in October 2013 for further discussions on a bilateral agreement on inter-country adoption between both countries. The meeting was very positive and detailed discussions took place between...

Other Questions: Inter-Country Adoptions (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with what the Deputy said, that there is an element of anxiety, upset and trauma on the part of many prospective adoptive parents in this jurisdiction as to a perceived delay. I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to minimise that delay and have matters resolved at the earliest opportunity. My Department prepared a revised draft wording on a number of specific points...

Other Questions: Inter-Country Adoptions (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to reassure Deputy O'Sullivan that officials in our embassy and in my Department are ready and willing to engage in any form of discussion to bring this matter to a resolution.

Topical Issue Debate: Child Care Services Funding (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the opportunity to respond to the issues raised by Deputies Seán Kenny, Ellis and Broughan. I had an opportunity of discussing the matter briefly with Deputy Seán Kenny on the day following my appointment last Friday. I would like to acknowledge the importance of the services delivered by Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Limited to some 260 children across...

Topical Issue Debate: Child Care Services Funding (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Again, I thank the Deputies for raising the issue. A number of options have been proposed, involving the HSE, the Child and Family Agency and my Department. All possible options are being explored. There have been a number of high level meetings and these will continue until resolution can be found. I am acutely aware that access to affordable, quality child care can be a significant...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Legislation (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has received detailed submissions from the Adoption Rights Alliance which outline suggested amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010 and proposals in relation to information and tracing for those affected by adoption. This has been considered as part of the drafting process of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill. My Department is continuing work on the Adoption...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Services Provision (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Adoption Authority of Ireland recently hosted an information seminar for stakeholders on developments in intercountry adoption. The meeting was addressed by two international experts in the area: Laura Martinez-Mora who is head of the intercountry adoption unit at the Hague Conference on Private International Law and Nigel Cantwell who is an international consultant on child protection...