Results 4,021-4,040 of 11,744 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Thank you for your question, Deputy. As you are aware, my officials are extremely busy working with colleagues across Government to assist the humanitarian efforts regarding Ukraine. Due to this, my officials will require more time to provide requested information. The details will be supplied to the Deputy shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority. Since 2015, significant increases in State investment in early learning and childcare has given rise to a substantial growth in the numbers of children participating in these services. More than 100,000 children now participate on the universal pre-school programme on...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995, stipulates that the allowance payable to foster carers and relatives shall not be less than an amount specified by the Minister. The foster care allowance was last increased on January 1st 2009. Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The works eligible for capital funding are determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families and providers, and to Departmental priorities. During the 2021 budgetary process, an initial €8.3m was provided for capital funding. A further €2.2m was secured in capital carryover bringing total capital funding available to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Qualifications Recognition (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: First 5, the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families, recognises that the workforce is at the heart of high-quality early learning and care. The evidence suggests children achieve better outcomes when staff are well qualified. This is undisputed internationally. First 5 seeks to continue to build an appropriately skilled and sustainable professional...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Guardians Ad Litem (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The GAL project team, which was responsible for planning the establishment of the guardian ad litem service within the Department, was paused in 2020. This decision was taken because of delays in progressing the legislation following the dissolution of the Dáil in February 2020, and because of competing priorities in the Department arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Government...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Properties (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-Agency issue coordinated by the Department of Justice. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides supports for victims of domestic violence primarily through funded NGO service providers. Tusla supports Sonas, a provider of domestic violence services across Dublin, which currently...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Thank you for your question, Deputy. I can confirm that accommodation is being made available by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department to Ukrainian refugees in need of accommodation. As of 20 March, 4,481 Ukrainians had sought accommodation from IPAS. My officials are actively working to procure accommodation and supports for Ukrainian arrivals to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can confirm that accommodation is being made available by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department to Ukrainian refugees in need of accommodation. As of 20 March, 4,481 Ukrainians had sought accommodation from IPAS. IPAS is providing accommodation to Ukrainian refugee arriving in Ireland through all airports including Cork and is scaling up its...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ireland is responding to this emerging humanitarian crisis on a needs basis. As of the 25thFebruary, citizens of the Ukraine do not require a visa to enter Ireland or reside here. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a dedicated social work team for Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP). Over the past 20 years, the SCSIP Team has developed expertise through...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Asylum Seekers (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, receives separated children seeking international protection into care via two routes: those who have been relocated under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) and those who present independently at ports and other points of entry to Ireland. Currently, there are 95 children seeking international protection in Tusla's care, and additionally,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy will be aware that while the National Childcare Scheme is an initiative of the DCEDIY, a Scheme Administrator has been appointed to manage the operation of the Scheme on the Department’s behalf. Pobal acts in this capacity as Scheme Administrator, and it is their role to follow up on individual cases. However, officials from my Department followed up on the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Housing Provision (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy may wish to note that A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service relates to accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants and not for people that have refugee status. Under the new model of accommodation as set out in the White Paper the sourcing of Phase Two accommodation in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: ECCE is a universal programme which provides 2 years of free pre-school to children in the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months.  ECCE is not mandatory but has a very high take up rate with 95% of children in the eligible age range attending ECCE services.  ECCE is provided by private early learning and care service providers under funding...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Medical Cards (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 698 and 699 together. I am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. I intend to bring the legislative proposals in respect of the Payment Scheme to Government for formal approval very soon. As previously stated, I will seek priority drafting of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for their direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for their direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (22 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for their direct reply to the Deputy.