Results 4,161-4,180 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

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: School Completion Programme (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The School Completion Programme (SCP) is one of three service strands, which also includes the Home School Community Liaison and the Education Welfare Service, being integrated under the remit of the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB). The SCP aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (12 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. Child care 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: Social Worker Numbers (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE compiles a monthly census of employment in the public health and social care sector. Figures supplied by the HSE indicate that the number of whole-time- equivalent (WTE) social workers employed in the Children and Families Service area of the HSE was 1,300 at the end of July 2012. The number of social workers recorded under the census as employed in the Children and Families Service...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is intended to commence the remaining sections of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 i.e. the sections dealing with special care and related matters, as soon as possible. In advance of making the commencement orders Special Care Regulations and Registration Regulations under the Health Act 2007 are required and work is at an advanced stage in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department receives reports on a quarterly basis from the National Special Care Admissions and Discharge Committee. The HSE has advised me that between January and 30th September of this year, 49 applications to place a young person in special care were made. Of this number, 27 young persons were admitted to special care, 20 applications did not meet the criteria and were withdrawn, and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Detention Centres (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE has advised me that the current capacity of Coovagh House is three young people. The Unit had been closed for refurbishment, but is now reopened with a new management. It is envisaged that the Unit will increase its capacity to four in 2013, following the assignment of additional social care staff.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Budget 2013 (12 Dec 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: Health Service Staff (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE has made considerable progress since the publication of the Ryan Report Implementation Plan in 2009 in the recruitment of additional social workers. Over 260 social workers have been recruited arising from implementation of the Report's Recommendations. The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Benefit Payments (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The issue of Child Benefit payments is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. My Department currently provides targeted support to parents to assist them with the cost of childcare. This support is provided through the provision of three childcare support programmes - the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS)...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Remuneration (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows: Grade Acting up Position Sanction Sought from DPER Sanction Received from DPER Higher Executive Officer Assistant Principal Officer 28th May 2012 30th May, 2012

Seanad: Youth Work: Motion (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Senator van Turnhout for putting the motion before the House and I am delighted that the Seanad has chosen to have this discussion on youth work at this time. It is a timely debate on the value of youth work and the future of youth work funding. It is interesting to hear Senators' stories about involvement in youth work and the value coming from it. I endorse the comments about the...

Seanad: Youth Work: Motion (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Mount Congreve Estate (12 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: In 1979 an agreement was reached between the State and Mr. Ambrose Congreve whereby, in exchange for tax concessions, Mr. Congreve placed his house and world-renowned gardens into a trust with ownership of both reverting to the Minister for Finance on the expiration of the trust periods. The trust is irrevocable and the trust properties are divided into two, the gardens and the mansion house...

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Ross should not be ridiculous.