Results 4,141-4,160 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Preschool Services (5 Dec 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: Child Protection (5 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have received the relevant correspondence and my officials have been in contact directly with the person in question. As the Deputy will appreciate the issues raised in this correspondence must be dealt with on a confidential basis.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care (6 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to foster care rates for 2013 have not yet been taken. My Office is currently liaising with the Department of Finance regarding the rates of the Foster Care Allowance to apply.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Support Agency (6 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 to 121, inclusive, together. The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the preparation of the legislation is proceeding as a priority and the intention is that the Agency will be established in early 2013. In order to inform the content of the legislation the Government has...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Social Partnership (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Martin should remember we had it from his party for 12 years.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Support Services (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 432, 434 and 440 to 444, inclusive, together. The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the preparation of the legislation is proceeding as a priority and the intention is that the Agency will be established in early 2013. In order to inform the content of the legislation the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Legislation (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Adoption Authority of Ireland that under Section 68 of the Adoption Act, 2010, there is a requirement for the Adoption Authority (AAI) to issue an Article 17 Placement Approval Notice prior to the foreign Guardianship Order being granted. If an Article 17 Notice has not been issued by the AAI, then Section 68 of the Act does not apply. Prospective adoptive parents...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Public Services (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was established on the 2nd of June, 2011. Since then, no new services have been tested for external service delivery.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE has advised that waiting times for intercountry adoption assessments for declarations of suitability and eligibility to adopt have reduced considerably across the country. According to the HSE the waiting time for assessments varies around the country and, in general, the maximum waiting time is 12 months. The Adoption Authority informs me that the waiting times between the sending...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Services (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Issues relating to the level of fees charged by an accredited body (ARC) are a matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) and are covered in some detail by the Adoption Act, 2010 (Accredited Bodies) Regulation 2010. The fee structure employed by ARC has been examined and approved by the AAI. I am aware that a number of prospective adoptive parents have recently been asked to pay...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Education and Training Scheme (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 with the objective of providing one free pre-school year for all eligible children prior to commencing primary school. Childcare services participating in the ECCE programme are paid a standard capitation fee of €62.50 per week for each eligible child enrolled for the free pre-school year. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Services (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The existing staff complement of the AAI is 25. Sanction has recently been provided for the recruitment of 4 additional staff and the Authority has begun the process of filling these posts. I am satisfied that these staffing numbers are adequate to enable the AAI to fulfil its statutory requirements under the Adoption Act 2010 and the Hague Convention.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Support Services (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 432, 434 and 440 to 444, inclusive, together. The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the preparation of the legislation is proceeding as a priority and the intention is that the Agency will be established in early 2013. In order to inform the content of the legislation the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Legislation (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Adoption Authority of Ireland that under Section 68 of the Adoption Act, 2010, there is a requirement for the Adoption Authority (AAI) to issue an Article 17 Placement Approval Notice prior to the foreign Guardianship Order being granted. If an Article 17 Notice has not been issued by the AAI, then Section 68 of the Act does not apply. Prospective adoptive parents...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Public Services (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was established on the 2nd of June, 2011. Since then, no new services have been tested for external service delivery.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE has advised that waiting times for intercountry adoption assessments for declarations of suitability and eligibility to adopt have reduced considerably across the country. According to the HSE the waiting time for assessments varies around the country and, in general, the maximum waiting time is 12 months. The Adoption Authority informs me that the waiting times between the sending...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Services (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Issues relating to the level of fees charged by an accredited body (ARC) are a matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) and are covered in some detail by the Adoption Act, 2010 (Accredited Bodies) Regulation 2010. The fee structure employed by ARC has been examined and approved by the AAI. I am aware that a number of prospective adoptive parents have recently been asked to pay...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Education and Training Scheme (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 with the objective of providing one free pre-school year for all eligible children prior to commencing primary school. Childcare services participating in the ECCE programme are paid a standard capitation fee of €62.50 per week for each eligible child enrolled for the free pre-school year. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Services (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The existing staff complement of the AAI is 25. Sanction has recently been provided for the recruitment of 4 additional staff and the Authority has begun the process of filling these posts. I am satisfied that these staffing numbers are adequate to enable the AAI to fulfil its statutory requirements under the Adoption Act 2010 and the Hague Convention.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Support Services (11 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 432, 434 and 440 to 444, inclusive, together. The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the preparation of the legislation is proceeding as a priority and the intention is that the Agency will be established in early 2013. In order to inform the content of the legislation the...