Results 4,021-4,040 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (25 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The purpose of child protection policy is to protect children from abuse and neglect. Key to the delivery of this policy is ensuring that society in general is aware of the possibility of abuse and neglect of children and of the reporting procedures available where concerns are identified. Child abuse takes place in a variety of settings. International research shows that most child...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Bullying of Children (25 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 218 together. I am aware that children and teenagers are susceptible to bullying which can emanate from a variety of sources and the management of this bullying will need to vary dependant on its severity and the supports available to the children, both the victim and the bully, at home and in the community. An unacceptably high proportion of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (25 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: In the area of youth, my Department has a specific role in providing youth facilities and in supporting and promoting non-formal education and developmental opportunities for young people in out-of-school settings through which they can enhance their personal and social skills and competencies. Particular regard is had to the needs of young people between the ages of 10 and 21, and to those...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Expenditure (25 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The full cost to my Department for staff attending conferences, including registration fees and travel, amounts to €4,690.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Promotions (25 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Since the establishment of my Department in June 2011 there have been no internal promotions. However, three members of staff have been awarded acting-up or higher duty allowances on a temporary basis. Each of the allowances were award this year and sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. The details requested by the Deputy in respect of these acting-up allowances are...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Redeployment (25 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together. The establishment of my Department in June 2011 effectively involved the permanent redeployment of staff from a number of Departments: the Departments of Health; Education and Skills; Justice and Equality and Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. In addition one member of staff was redeployed from a Non-Commercial Semi-State Body....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Remuneration (25 Oct 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Gaeltacht allowance is not payable any member of staff employed by my Department or by any of the agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Estimates for Public Services 2012: Motion (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move:That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2012:–Vote 35 — Army Pensions (Supplementary Estimate).

Estimates for Public Services 2012: Referral to Select Committee (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move:That, subject to leave being given to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on 31st December 2012, the Supplementary Estimate be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(c) and 159(3) and paragraph (8) of the Orders of Reference of Select Committees, which shall report back to the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Expenditure (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information sought by the Deputy will be provided this week.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has not rehired any staff since March 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Missing Children (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 947 to 949, inclusive, together. The Universal Service Directive requires Member States to "make every effort to ensure that citizens have access to a service operating a hotline to report cases of missing children. The hotline shall be available on the number 116 000." The same Directive also requires Member States to "ensure that citizens are adequately...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE has advised that this report is currently subject to detailed internal considerations with relevant staff to ensure learning is maximised and further action is taken as appropriate. The report will be published in early 2013. The HSE also advised that there was an immediate management review and a series of changes including appointment of a new Unit Manager; reduction in capacity...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 951 to 957, inclusive, together. My Department has begun work on Ireland’s first early years strategy. I have received Government approval for the approach I am taking in developing to this strategy as an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the future development of Ireland’s early years sector aimed at providing a coherent approach to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 958 and 966 together. Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. In these circumstances, future adoptions from Ethiopia would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Ethiopia. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 thereafter, Russia has not ratified the Hague...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the HSE that there were 2,248 admissions to care in 2011. Of these admissions 354 related to children who were aged under 2 years. Of all admissions to care in 2011, 62% were based on a voluntary agreement between the parent/guardian and the HSE. Data on the principal reason for admission of all children to care is collated under a number of categories - abuse, child...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (6 Nov 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. 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 — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children's Rights Referendum (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The purpose of the proposed Constitutional Amendment is to recognise children in their own right within the Constitution and to acknowledge that each child enjoys rights and deserves certain protections from the State by virtue of the fact that, as a child, they are vulnerable. The Referendum will not address all wider issues that impact on children. This Referendum is the fundamental...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Proposed Legislation (6 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am firmly committed to the transformation of Ireland’s child protection and welfare services, and to the establishment of a new Child and Family Support Agency. The new Agency and the wider transformation of children's services represents on the of the largest, and most ambitious, areas of public sector of reform embarked upon by this Government. The necessary legislation is being...