Results 321-340 of 8,814 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (20 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I noted in my reply to the Deputy's question No. 121 for answer on Wednesday, 19 October 2011, this is a service matter for the HSE. The question was referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. That reply will also address this question.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (20 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was formally established on 2 June 2011 and since then it has not established or abolished any State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos. It should be noted that following enactment of the Child Care Amendment Act 2011, which was guided through its final stages in the Oireachtas in July by myself, the Children's Act Advisory Board was...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 to 517, inclusive, and 527 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 located in Bessborough, Blackrock, Co. Cork. In announcing this, the HSE stated that as and from the 1st of August 2011, the HSE...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Adoption Act, 2010, only accredited agencies can provide adoption services. My Department does not have a dedicated funding stream in relation to accredited agencies providing adoption services. The allocation of HSE funding is a matter for the Executive.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 520 together. The table below sets out the list of non-commercial agencies that come under the aegis of my Department. They are all funded by the Exchequer. Agency Family Support Agency Adoption Authority of Ireland Office of the Ombudsman for Children National Education & Welfare Board

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was formally established on 2nd June 2011 and to date it has incurred no expenditure obtaining legal advice. With regard to agencies under the remit of my Department, payment for legal services is an operational matter for the agencies themselves and such information is not held by my Department.

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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. Since taking office, both myself and staff of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have had a number of meetings with...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy might wish to note that the Department of Health is providing a shared financial service to my Department and any costs associated with the running and operation of the payroll system are being met directly by that Department.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth sector. In particular, the Youth Affairs Unit provides targeted supports to disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people including those from disadvantaged communities. This support includes financial assistance for national and major regional youth work organisations under the Youth Service Grant Scheme (YSGS) and targeted youth work responses for young people through the Special...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Oct 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are no commercial semi-State companies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (2 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 located in Bessborough, Blackrock, Co. Cork. As this is an operational issue for which the HSE has responsibility, queries in relation to accessing these files should be directed to the HSE Regional Adoption...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (2 Nov 2011)

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 — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (2 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Implementation Plan published on foot of the Ryan Report committed to the recruitment of an additional 270 social workers. The first 200 of these posts were filled last year. The HSE National Service Plan includes financial provision of €3.8m for the recruitment of a further 60 social workers this year. I have been assured by the HSE that it plans to have the 60 additional staff in...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (2 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 453 together. As these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (2 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Office is advised by the HSE that the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 21 September 2011 was issued to the Deputy on October 24th 2011.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (2 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The 2011 budget allocation for the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is €60.154m on current expenditure and €800,000 on capital expenditure. This funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities through grants-in-aid. Foróige is currently in receipt of €6.037m from Youth Affairs Unit...

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (2 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Almost every pre-school service in the State is participating in the programme ensuring that it is available to children in all areas, and 63,000 children, or 94% of the eligible age cohort, are...

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (2 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: In August, 2001, the current Foster Care Allowance Scheme came into effect. The weekly rates applicable with effect from 1st August, 2001 were €254 for children under 12 years of age and €279 for children aged 12 years and over. The current rates payable are €325 for children under 12 years of age and €352 for children aged 12 years and over. The scheme is administered by the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy might wish to note that the resource allocations made available to my Department under Vote 43 are contained in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011 as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on 21 July 2011. This gross funding allocation in 2011 amounts to €230 million and this includes a current provision of €224 million and a capital...