Results 4,281-4,300 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Topical Issue Debate: Family Resource Centres (20 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. He can certainly reassure the local family resource centres, on whose behalf he raised the issue, that their future will not be compromised and will be supported under the new agency. The programme for Government commits to a series of reforms in the provision of children and family services. A key part of this reform agenda is a new child and...

Topical Issue Debate: Family Resource Centres (20 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with the Deputy on the value of the work being done. However, a core part of delivering our services is to reform certain aspects of them. While I said it was up to the local resource centres to decide how to deal with these budget cuts, they need to look at the areas I mentioned. However, the most important thing for us in Government is that the national finances should be in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Completion Programme (20 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The School Completion Programme (SCP) aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to improve children’s participation and attendance in school. In 2013, funding of €26.456m has been made available by my Department to support the programme, which involves 124 projects and initiatives throughout the country. The Comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (20 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that there has been a reduction in funding by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to the City and County Childcare Committees in some areas. The HSE has, however, confirmed that it will endeavour to support the CCCs wherever possible. I have asked my Department to engage further with the Committees and the HSE and to provide a report to me on this matter. My Department provides...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (20 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: Child and Family Support Agency (20 Dec 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 decided that upon establishment the Child and Family Support Agency...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Proposed Legislation (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am currently examining a number of proposals in relation to possible amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010. Any changes will be brought forward in conjunction with the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2012, which the Government plans to bring before the Oireachtas following the passing of the Children's Referendum. In addition, the drafting of the Heads of Bill in relation to the Adoption...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Health Services (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: A response issued from the Health Service Executive to the Deputy on January 9th at 14.16 p.m.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Regulatory Impact Assessments (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: No Regulatory Impact Assessments have been completed by my Department. Work on a number of Regulatory Impact Assessments has commenced.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Support Services (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 904 and 918 together. 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 so that the Agency can be established as a priority. From its establishment the Child and Family Support Agency will...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Services (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand the Deputy's question relates to the issue the Adoption Authority's assessment of a possible bilateral agreement with Ethiopia. Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. In these circumstances, future adoptions from Ethiopia would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Public Sector Reform (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO). In July 2011, the Government decided that the Family Mediation Service should transfer from...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Obesity Levels (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government shares with many other agencies and professional groups, concerns about the growth and nutrition of teenagers. Understanding factors associated with physical activity levels and overweight/obesity in Irish children is therefore critical to effective prevention efforts. The large scale study, ‘Growing Up in Ireland’ longitudinal study, which is funded by my...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Agencies (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The composition of the Board of the Child and Family Support Agency is currently under consideration. While the composition of the Board will reflect the component organisations which are being amalgamated into the Child and Family Support Agency, the criteria for Board membership will be focused on ensuring that that Board members have the requisite mix of experience and competencies needed...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Services (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 909 and 910 together. I am currently examining a number of proposals in relation to amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010 including proposals relating to the extension of the life of declarations for the adoption process. Any changes will be brought forward in conjunction with the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2012, which the Government plans to bring before the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Authority (AAI) informs me there has been no disruption in the receipt of intercountry adoption child referrals from Thailand. The quota of referrals for Ireland for 2012 was four children. Prospective adoptive parents proposing to adopt from Thailand should hold a valid Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability at all times, including the period after which they have received...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Lottery Funding (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 912 and 920 together. The organisation in question was not successful in its request to secure funds under the 2012 National Lottery Funding Scheme and was advised of this in writing by my Department in December 2012. In this regard the Deputy might wish to note that over 500 applications for grant support were received from individuals, groups and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: While the 1991 Childcare Act introduced regulation of the pre-school sector, the majority of childminders are exempt from the regulations. At the time there was a recognition of the difficulties of regulation given the scale of the provision, and a strong view that, because women did not have to be regulated to look after their own children, they should not be subject to regulation if they...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (16 Jan 2013)

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. Funding of €53.173m has been provided to my Department for the provision of youth services in 2013. Within this total funding, €1.75 has been provided in a new capital...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Guidelines (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, which I published in 2011, provides clarity and guidance for individuals and organisations in identifying and responding appropriately to child abuse and neglect. It also sets out what organisations that care for or work with children should do to ensure they are safe whilst in the care of the organisation. The...