Results 4,141-4,160 of 11,744 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am aware of the challenges that can face an Early Learning and Care (ELC) or School Age Childcare (SAC) service if they unexpectedly lose their premises and have an effective response in place to support such circumstances.  My Department oversees a case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) and Pobal work together to assess and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The After School Child Care (ASCC) Programme was administered and funded by my Department as part of the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) Programme. The TEC programme closed to new entrants on 14th February 2020 following the introduction of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). The  ASCC provided up to one year of afterschool care for primary school children for certain categories...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mental Health Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment on these matters which are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health. This matter relates to the policy remit of the Department of Health and it is not possible for this Department to answer a question about HSE service eligibility criteria.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Currently officials in my Department are engaging on an on-going basis with officials from the Department of Health on all disability policy matters, as part of the work underway to prepare for the Transfer of Specialist Community Based Disability Services from the Department of Health to my Department. My Department provides specialist support for children with additional needs in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Deputy, I can confirm that, as at 22 March, 51 people have been brought in through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) as humanitarian aid cases in 2022. Please see full details as requested below: Country Arrivals Afghanistan 48 Libya 3 Total 51

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Reports (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My department published a report on, “The prevalence and use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in discrimination and sexual harassment disputes” on the 7th March 2022. The report investigates the use and prevalence of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), with a specific focus on cases of alleged sexual harassment or discrimination in Ireland and a number of other...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: In line with the commitments in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2022, my Department continues work on mapping of LGBTI+ community services. In November 2021, 42 projects received funding to a total amount of €1.5 million under the 2021 LGBTI+ Communities Services Fund.  The fund comprises two schemes – one dealing with community services, and the other...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2020/21, gathered in June 2021, estimated that there were 181,565 children enrolled in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services nationally. Of these children, approximately 18% were classified as school-going children. These data refer only to ELC and SAC services in contract to deliver DCEDIY funding schemes. In...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together. Since taking office, I have been concerned with addressing the issues and concerns arising for people affected by illegal birth registration.  In January 2021, I established an Interdepartmental Group tasked with developing proposals to address the issues arising for people affected by the illegal birth...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Determining the precise number of illegal adoptions by adoptive parents living in other countries is a complex task, not least because this practice was often a secretive process carried out without due regard to the rights and dignity of those involved. However, today the safeguards in the adoption acts ensure that the best interests of the child are the paramount consideration in all...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 318, 321 and 327 together. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services. If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, the concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to Tusla, and information on how to do so is available on the Tusla...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has a number of officials from my Department at Dublin Airport each day. A reception desk has been set up and officials are meeting incoming Ukrainian refugees to aid them with accommodation needs - streamlining the transfers from the airport to the accommodation. Each Ukrainian national that arrives at Dublin Airport is provided...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (24 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 those Ukrainian refugees in need of accommodation. IPAS is scaling up its operations as the number of arrivals increase. My Department is currently sourcing accommodation from hotels and guesthouses. It has also engaged with the Association of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Equality Issues (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 328 together. All public bodies have responsibility under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by their policies and plans. The public sector duty assessment and implementation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla have provided us with their most recent figures for the number of children in care,from December 2021 monthly. - Total # children in care = 5,863 - Total # in foster care general = 3,768 - Total # in relative foster care = 1,498 - Total # in residential general care = 446 - Total # in residential special care = 16 - Total # in other care = 138 (i.e., at home...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Youth Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Officials from my Department meet with various youth organisations on an individual basis when the need arises, in regular formal meetings with individual organisations or as a group, and by maintaining informal contacts. Throughout Covid-19, the Department engaged with a representative group from the sector on pandemic specific issues including the regular updating of national...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Immigration Policy (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has responsibility for migrant integration policy, including the outgoing Migrant Integration Strategy, that sets out the Government’s commitment to the promotion of migrant integration as a key part of Ireland’s renewal and as an underpinning principle of Irish society. The Strategy provides a framework for a range of actions to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 331 together. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare and to support better outcomes for children. There are two types of supports available under the Scheme: - The Universal Subsidyis available to all families with children under 3 years. It is also available to families with children...

Institutional Burials Bill 2022: Referral to Select Committee (29 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Mar 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I cannot comment on the decision of the Cathaoirleach to rule amendments out of order. That is within the competence of this House. Since items are being placed on the record of the House, I am concerned about the notion that this Bill is being rushed through the House. I do not believe that is the case. It is transfer-of-functions legislation and there is a general view across both...