Results 4,181-4,200 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Support Agency (13 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: School Completion Programme (13 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: Child Care Services (13 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is recognised that intensive and targeted early childhood services have the potential to significantly enhance the life chances of many children. Investment in early childhood care and education benefits not only the individual child but also the wider economy. In recognition of this, considerable funding is already provided by my Department through the provision of three childcare support...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Strategies (13 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Given the experience of my Department in consulting with children and young people, it was represented on the oversight group for the President's Being Young and Irish initiative. The recommendations of the report, where they concern policies related to children and young people, will be taken into account in drafting both the Children and Young People's Policy Framework and the Youth...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (13 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme is implemented by my Department and provides funding to community-based childcare services to enable them to provide childcare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and lower income families. For the purpose of the CCS programme, disadvantage and low income are determined by reference to a range of means-tested allowances and payments...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (13 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together. My Department has begun work on Ireland’s first Early Years Strategy which will provide an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the future development of Ireland’s Early Years sector aimed at providing a coherent approach to seeking to improve the lives of children from birth to age six. One of the issues of policy which...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Education (13 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: Early Childhood Education (13 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The implementation of Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood, and Aistear, the Early Education framework, is being overseen by the Early Years Education Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills, which is co-located with my Department. The National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy was formally launched by my colleague,the Minister for Education and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (13 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together. My Department provides annual funding to each CCC to enable it to support and advise all childcare providers at local level. In 2012, the total amount allocated to the CCCs was €11.3m. I understand that there has been reduction in funding by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to City and County Childcare Committees in some...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (13 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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) programme, and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The CCS programme...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Expenditure (13 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...

Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (Resumed) (17 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am pleased to have the opportunity to make a statement on the report of the expert group on the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of A, B and C v. Ireland. I first wish to put on record my appreciation for the work of the expert group and in particular, that of Mr. Justice Seán Ryan, for the commitment, sensitivity and consideration the group has given to this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Children's Rights Referendum (18 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform Deputies that the High Court is currently hearing an application for leave to petition the court under the provisions of the Referendum Act 1994 to question the validity of the provisional referendum certificate issued by the referendum returning officer in respect of the children's referendum poll held on 10 November. That petition stands adjourned until January 2013. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Children's Rights Referendum (18 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I remind the Deputy that the Government is defending a petition in the High Court. Recognising the separation of Parliament and Judiciary, moreover, I have no wish to, and will not, prejudice the upcoming hearings. I am sure my parliamentary colleagues will respect and accept the position I am in. Ms Justice Denham stated in regard to the case: "In all the circumstances of this case, as...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Children's Rights Referendum (18 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: It certainly was not. In fact, the highest court in the land disagrees with what the Deputy said and accepts the bona fides of myself and my Department in this regard. However, I accept that the Government, as the court has found, in attempting to fulfil its duty to inform the people strayed beyond the boundary in the provision of information to the electorate. I readily accept and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Children's Rights Referendum (18 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to reiterate the need to be mindful of court proceedings with regard to the referendum result and the particular constraints which I face as a defendant in the High Court application at this stage. I should point out that the activities of the Referendum Commission in respect of the recent referendum were funded by way of an allocation of €1.9 million from the sum of €3...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Children's Rights Referendum (18 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: While I would like to engage in a long debate on the issues raised, I reiterate that I am constrained in terms of the hearing in January. The issues raised will be considered by the Government. In the conduct of future referendums I am committed to working within the parameters of the judgment delivered. I agree with the Deputy that we must carefully consider the conclusions of the court....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Children's Rights Referendum (18 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: My reply to that question has to be that there is a hearing in the High Court. To give further comment would not be the right thing to do. I recognise the importance of that case and of not making any comments that might prejudice its outcome.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child and Family Support Agency (18 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has approved the heads of the child and family support agency Bill and has also agreed to the priority drafting of this Bill. The necessary legislative and organisational preparations are being prioritised in order that the agency can be established early in 2013. From its establishment the child and family support agency will have service responsibility for a range of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child and Family Support Agency (18 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The composition of the board of the child and family support agency is under consideration. While the composition of the board will reflect the component organisations being amalgamated into the child and family support agency, it is important for such an agency that the criteria for board membership ensure board members have the requisite mix of experience and competence needed to steer...