Results 3,321-3,340 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald
- Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE commissioned an independent consultant to undertake a review of the demand and existing capacity of alternative care placement services, including 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 capacity for alternative care...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: My Department is currently engaged in a Workforce Planning exercise to compare our current workforce with future workforce requirement relative to the delivery of commitments under the Programme for Government and other strategic objectives of the Department. This exercise is examining how best to have the right people with the right knowledge, skills and competencies deployed appropriately....
- Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 to 431, inclusive, together. The Hague Convention is a co-operative agreement drawn up to allow countries to mutually support one another in protecting the best interests of children in the intercountry adoption process. It sets out minimum standards regarding intercountry adoption and covers issues such as subsidiarity, consent and financial...
- Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Family Support Agency, under my Department, operates the Family Resource Centre Programme. The aim of the Family Resource Centre Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. There are 107 family resource centres throughout the country funded under the programme. The programme emphasises involving local communities in tackling the problems they...
- Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: My Department currently administers the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, which provided funding to community not-for-profit childcare facilities to enable them charge reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income families; and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme which provides free childcare places in both community and commercial childcare facilities...
- Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: An audit of neglect cases in Roscommon, Waterford and Dublin South-East has been completed by the HSE. In each area it was determined that a sample 30 cases would be reviewed. The HSE intends to prepare a composite report of the audit in order to maximise the learning from this exercise. The matter of publication will be considered by the HSE when the composite report is completed. I am...
- Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: My Department currently administers three support programmes - the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme provides funding to community childcare not-for-profit services to enable them to charge reduced...
- Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: I have an extensive legislative programme to address issues which are within my remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Regulatory impact analysis will be conducted at the appropriate time in relation to each Bill. The Children First Bill, which has been referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for consideration, will be submitted to Government in due course for...
- Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: Adoptions from Ethiopia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). These transitional arrangements may lead to adoptions from Ethiopia taking place up to the end of October 2012. The Adoption Act 2010 also contains provision for a one year...
- Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: I would like to inform the Deputy that the position in respect of public bodies under the auspices of my Department is that there are four agencies funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Family Support Agency, the National Educational Welfare Board and the Ombudsman for Children. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken...
- Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Authority of Ireland registered 219 intercountry adoptions in the Register of Intercountry Adoptions in the year 2011.
- Written Answers — Adoption Statistics: Adoption Statistics (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: Since 1 November 2010, the Adoption Authority of Ireland has registered one intercountry adoption in respect of applicants who received new Declarations of Eligibility & Suitability under Section 40 of the Adoption Act, 2010. The Adoption Authority informs me that waiting times between the sending of an application pack and the actual completion of an adoption in sending countries may vary...
- Written Answers — Adoption Statistics: Adoption Statistics (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Authority of Ireland was established on 1 November 2010. The Authority has registered 280 adoptions in relation to declarations of eligibility and suitability which were issued prior to the establishment date of the Authority.
- Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The following table shows the adoptions effected by Irish residents issued with Declarations of Eligibility & Suitability by country and year 2001-2010. It should be noted that these adoptions were registered in the Register of Foreign Adoptions in compliance with the Adoption Act 1991. It should also be noted that there was no legal obligation under the Adoption Act 1991 on adopters to...
- Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 443, 444 and 448 together. My Department supports the provision of a wide range of services and supports for children, young people and families. The overall budget for my Department for these services for 2012 is â¬406.407m in current funding and â¬8.350 in capital funding giving a total of â¬414.757m. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs improving...
- Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE has statutory responsibility for the provision of child welfare and protection services. My Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure that the priorities set out in the 2012 National Service Plan are implemented where they relate to children and family services. The Government has made additional budgeting provision of â¬19m for child welfare and protection services...
- Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: Funding provided by my Department provides support to youth services which also offer a range of counselling supports to young people. Included in this is funding provided to a Teen Counselling service in Clondalkin which has been allocated funding of â¬53,329 for 2012. This funding is administered by County Dublin VEC on behalf of my Department. Teen Counselling aims to provide a...
- Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (15 May 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 — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 May 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Child Care Act, 1991 the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. If a child is in need of care and protection and is unlikely to receive it at home, the HSE has a duty to ensure they receive appropriate care. In such circumstances children can be taken into care on a voluntary basis...
- Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (15 May 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.