Results 3,561-3,580 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald
- Written Answers — Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The core obligations of the adult practitioner are set out at Part 11, Section 5 of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 It is a requirement of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme which is implemented by my Department, that pre-school year leaders in services participating in the programme, and who are receiving the standard capitation, hold a...
- Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: Since its introduction in 1999, significant resources have been put in place to support the implementation of Children First and in the case of the HSE and An Garda SÃochána, Children First has formed an integral part of their existing operations and practices. The HSE has provided training, information and advice on the implementation of Children First throughout the sector. In addition to...
- Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children has operated on the basis of voluntary compliance since it was first published by the Department of Health and Children in 1999. Under Children First, organisations are required to appoint a Designated Liaison Person. This person acts as a liaison with outside agencies and a resource to...
- Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: In March 2012 the AAI commenced a review of the adoption law(s) of Kenya, which has ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The general review process followed by the AAI in such instances is detailed on the Authority's website. In the case of Kenya the AAI requested the preparation of a legal opinion and awaits receipt of...
- Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 433 together. 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...
- Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The maximum grant available was â¬50,000 (including VAT). The aim of the funding is to provide support to childcare settings to address remedial, maintenance and renovation work, or to purchase equipment. Following a robust appraisal 290 applications were approved for funding. The successful applications were those that represented the most complete, coherent, precise and compelling cases...
- Written Answers — Child Protection Guidelines: Child Protection Guidelines (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that Children Firsthas operated on the basis of voluntary compliance since it was first published by the then Department of Health and Children in 1999. Significant resources have been put in place to support the implementation of Children First and in the case of the HSE and An Garda SÃochána, Children First has formed an integral part of their existing operations...
- Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: I am currently seeking an update on this issue from the Adoption Authority of Ireland and I will provide this information to the Deputy when it is received.
- Written Answers — Children's Rights Referendum: Children's Rights Referendum (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Programme for Government 2011 - 2016 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). Following taking office as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, both myself and officials of my Department have...
- Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 440 together. Adoptions from Russia, 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). Under the provisions of the legislation, such adoptions may take place up to the end of October 2013. As regards adoptions...
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Revised Estimates for Public Services 2012 indicates, for the first time, a dedicated sub-head budget provision of â¬550.7 million for children and family services. The equivalent budget figure for 2011 is estimated at â¬529.7 million. Reliable data for 2009 and 2010 is not available on a comparable basis in the absence of a standardised national reporting system which accurately...
- Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (10 Jul 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 — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: The gross estimate provision for my Department in 2012 is â¬426.980 million. This represents an increase of â¬7.8 million, or 2%, on last year's outturn. In addition, the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2012 indicates, for the first time, a dedicated sub-head budget provision of â¬550.7 million for HSE children and family services. The equivalent budget figure for 2011 is estimated...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Jul 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 — Child Protection: Child Protection (10 Jul 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 — Youth Services: Youth Services (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, improving children's and young people's outcomes is my primary objective. Early childhood care and education programmes, in particular those that are aimed at low income families, are priorities to enhance children's opportunities for social and educational development. In 2012, some â¬230...
- Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (10 Jul 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 — Bullying of Children: Bullying of Children (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: Recently, along with my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills I co-hosted the National Anti-Bullying Forum where I highlighted research findings by the Anti-Bullying Centre Trinity College which indicated that one in four girls and one in six boys in Ireland have been involved in cyber-bullying either as a victim, bully or both. My Department will continue to work with both the...
- Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (10 Jul 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 — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (10 Jul 2012)
Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has sought the information requested by the Deputy from the HSE. I will provide the information to the Deputy when it becomes available.