Results 4,101-4,120 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (27 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. 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: Children's Rights Referendum (28 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: A challenge to the provisional referendum certificate has been made under the provisions of the Referendum Act 1994 and is currently before the High Court for determination. In light of this, it would not be appropriate for me to anticipate the enactment of legislation pursuant to the children's referendum held on 10th November 2012. I take this opportunity to point out that the initiation...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Ministerial Adviser Pay (28 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are three Special Advisors employed in my Department. One Advisor is employed on a full-time basis and two are employed on a 50% working sharing basis.The total salary costs associated with their overall employment is €166,675 per annum. All employment contracts are fully in line with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on the staffing of Ministerial Offices.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Detention Centres (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE have 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 and full details of associated action will be made available in early Spring 2013. The HSE also advised that following the incident in Gleann Alainn there was an immediate management review...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Respite Care Services (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Family Support Agency provides support for families under the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. The aim is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. Key services provided by FRCs include: - Information, advice and support for groups and families at local level. - Childcare facilities for those attending courses provided by the FRC. - After-school clubs....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Education (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Approximately 66,000 children are availing of the ECCE programme in the current school year and €175.8 million has been provided in 2012 to cover the cost of the programme. The objective of...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the select sub-committee for inviting me to discuss expenditure in 2013 vis-à-vis the 2012 Revised Estimates for Vote 40 - Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I hope members have found the briefing information helpful. In the Revised Estimates for 2012 gross funding of almost €427 million was allocated to my Department. This includes over €418.6 million in...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I sent it to the secretariat.

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have committed to restoring Ireland's economic sovereignty through ensuring a successful and sustainable exit from the troika programme. This will require eliminating our excessive annual deficit. Together with other Departments, in late 2011 my Department undertook a comprehensive review of expenditure in order to achieve public expenditure savings over the three years 2012 to 2014....

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputies for their questions. I wish to make a general point on the overall financial situation first. Restoring the health of the public finances and improving the economy are critical, and particularly important is a return to economic growth. This is especially relevant for children in terms of securing their future opportunities. It is in that context that we must discuss...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Certainly, we are keen to do that. Deputy Troy also raised the drop in the budget in the early intervention schemes and I wish to explain the position to him. There was a drop this year because the contractual arrangements came to an end. The contract with the philanthropic organisations had come to a natural end and this is what has been reflected rather than a reduction in the service....

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I was planning to move on to that. Some Deputies expressed concern about the Family Support Agency. The agency has advised the family resource centres to work with two regional support agencies and to provide support and training to them. That is helpful and we expect they will better manage the types of agencies they are linking with. There has been a 5% reduction but it has not meant...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is absolutely the case. I have remarked to the committee on numerous occasions that we envisage the new agency as being one part family support and prevention. This relates to the Hardiker model to which Deputy Conway referred and the earliest intervention possible, parenting courses, supports to families and child care. The other side is child protection. The advantage of the new...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is welcome news. As Deputy Healy said, it is interesting to note the international evidence of the economic value of early intervention. This has been outlined with regard to early childhood care but not so much with regard to youth work. However, this document provides an outline of the economic value of youth work. I support the development of youth work. Savings of approximately...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes. Deputy Healy referred to the importance of early intervention strategies. I hope he is reassured by the funding we have provided for child care and early intervention. I would like if this could be extended and if further funding could be made available. I take his point about the importance of early child care. My Department does not deal with funding to combat domestic violence...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: On the ECCE programme, early childhood care and education programme, the topic of early childhood intervention was discussed at this week's meeting of the British-Irish Council in Cardiff. I recommend to the committee the background papers produced for the meeting. We had a very positive discussion. There is much to be learned from the policies in other jurisdictions. Scotland and Wales...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I believe we have dealt with all of the questions that were posed.

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (29 Nov 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, I certainly will.