Results 341-360 of 8,814 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald in 'Written Answers'

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

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department does not lease any property in County Westmeath.

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (2 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are 107 family resource centres throughout the country funded by the Family Support Agency. The aim of the Family Resource Centre Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. The programme emphasises involving local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (2 Nov 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. When the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children was established by resolution of both Houses of the...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter with the most up-to-date information.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: My office has contacted the HSE on this matter to ask that a reply be provided as soon as possible.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: My office has contacted the HSE on this matter to ask that a reply be provided as soon as possible.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been advised by the HSE that an answer to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No 473 of 27 September 2011 issued to the Deputy on 25th October, 2011.

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (2 Nov 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 my officials staff of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have had a number of...

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (3 Nov 2011)

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 — Eating Disorders: Eating Disorders (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: In August 2011, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland issued a consultation document entitled Children's Commercial Communications Code and launched a related public consultation process regarding same on how food and drink should be commercially promoted to children in broadcast media. My Department ensures the establishment of effective strategies for participation by children in decision...

Written Answers — Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Literacy and Numeracy Strategy was published by my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills in July following extensive consultation. The Strategy sets out the Government's plans to improve literacy and numeracy and has a range of recommendations across Government, including by my Department. Quality early childhood settings are important in giving young children the skills that...

Written Answers — Youth Homelessness: Youth Homelessness (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is appropriate that, some ten years after the National Strategy for Youth Homelessness was developed in 2001, we review progress and set new targets. A review of progress in 2008 by the HSE in conjunction with other agencies found that significant progress had been made, especially in the areas of interagency co-operation, early prevention and an 'out of hours' service. My Department met...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 45 of the Childcare Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the HSE to form a view in relation to each person leaving care as to whether there is a "need for assistance" and, if it forms such a view, to provide services in accordance with the legislation and subject to resources. All young people who have had a care history with the HSE, be it foster care, residential care or high...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Department of Children and Youth Affairs currently provides funding directly to a wide range of voluntary organisations engaged in the provision of services to children and young people. The most significant share of the funding is targeted at implementing three major child care programmes that include the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Early Childhood Care and...

Written Answers — Youth Homelessness: Youth Homelessness (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 37 together. It is appropriate that, some ten years after the National Strategy for Youth Homelessness was developed in 2001, we review progress and set new targets. A review of progress in 2008 by the HSE in conjunction with other agencies found that significant progress had been made, especially in the areas of interagency co-operation, early...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 41 together. Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum are deemed to be in need of care and protection under the Child Care Act, 1991 and are entitled to the same treatment and rights as indigenous young people. The immediate and ongoing needs of separated children seeking asylum (SCSA) as well as their application for refugee status are the responsibility...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendment on Children: Constitutional Amendment on Children (3 Nov 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 officials of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have had a number of meetings with...

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following the commencement of the Adoption Act, 2010, which took place on 1 November 2010, adoption in Ireland is now regulated by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) which is an independent quasi-judicial statutory body appointed by Government. The functions of the Authority are set out in Section 96 of the Adoption Act, 2010. These include functions of an operational, judicial and...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The following table shows the number of Youth Officers employed in VECs and details of where vacancies exist. Under the current restrictions on recruitment in the public service, agencies do not have the discretion to fill vacant posts by recruitment or promotion. In line with the Croke Park Agreement, this often necessitates the prioritisation of work amongst existing staff and examination...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 153 together. The HSE compiles monthly performance reports which provide an overall analysis of key performance data from finance, HR, hospital and primary and community services. These reports include statistics in relation to children received into the care of the State when they are deemed to be in need of care and protection in accordance with the...