Results 3,901-3,920 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (17 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government currently supports the provision of early childhood care and education through three support programmes - the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme. There are currently no proposals to reform these schemes or childcare provision generally....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (17 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. These include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. The City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB) has been for many...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Proposed Legislation (17 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: As originally drafted, section 17(2) of the Child Care Act, 1991, provided that an interim care order may be granted for a period of eight days (or longer with the consent of both the parents/guardian and the HSE), with extensions of further 8 day periods (or longer with consent) where a justice of the District Court is satisfied on the application. This provision was amended in the Children...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Consultancy Contracts (17 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Legal Matters (17 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was established on the 2nd June, 2011, and the information below is from that date. Year Name of Solicitor/Barrister Subject Matter of Advice Advertised or Tender Amount 2011 RDJ Solrs Various advices relating to investigations undertaken by the Office of the Ombudsman for Children Tender €48,659 2012 RDJ Solrs Various advices relating to investigations undertaken...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Consultancy Contracts (17 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (18 Oct 2012)

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. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Health Services Provision (18 Oct 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 — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (18 Oct 2012)

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. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Health Services Provision (18 Oct 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.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am delighted to have the opportunity to give an update on the current work of the Department and the issues it has been dealing with since I last appeared before the committee in July. I also repeat the thanks for the work the committee has done and for the response of members of the committee and of Members of the Houses to the discussion on the referendum. We had a wide range of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: A common theme is the need to ensure an informed debate on the referendum. There are dozens of public meetings taking place in each of the constituencies which political parties attend, and in some cases constituencies have come together to hold these meetings. The campaign for children has had the campaign bus going around the country. Many politicians have met those involved, have gone...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information and tracing Bill is at an advanced stage and we are close to heads going to Government. This is important legislation. There are some constitutional issues with regard to access to information, but I will go as far as I can in the legislation to ensure people who wish to trace are supported in doing that. I will also introduce strong legislation to ensure all records are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is right. It is if a report is made. I am happy to examine this area further. We are looking at the report published recently. This area is covered by inspectors from the Department of Justice and Equality, so the Minister has asked for a report based on the findings presented in the recent document to which the Senator referred. It is an area about which I am concerned. These...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will ensure that is in the Children First Bill. That recommendation came from the committee and I am pleased to accept it. In relation to the referendum, Senator van Turnhout said that people were still raising concerns regarding vaccinations. The referendum has nothing whatsoever do with vaccinations. There is a 94% vaccination compliance rate here. Senator Crown would be more of an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Dowds asked if the goal of the children's referendum was to protect vulnerable children. It is clear that is what the goal is. I remind the public that this is already in the Constitution. It is long established in the Constitution that the State has a role in protecting children. We have taken that provision, made it clearer and looked at the impact on the child as a prime reason...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The composite audit will include the three audits in order to maximise the lessons to be learned. The audit will contain data on Roscommon and also data on Waterford and Dublin. The Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, will audit the national child protection standards as and from November. This inspection is another important method of ensuring that the standards are reached to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, it will be published.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I stated in my reply to the Deputy's question, an external consultant conducted a review of practice and audit of the management of cases of neglect in Roscommon. I wish to put this information on the record of the House. This review highlighted the following: the strengths and challenges and the positive outcomes; well-established multi-disciplinary arrangements and organisational...