Results 4,381-4,400 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adoption Legislation (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Work is continuing in the preparation of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill which will provide for a structured and regulated approach to providing access to adoption information and facililtate contact for those affected by adoption, including in circumstances where an adoption order was not effected. It is intended that the Bill will provide for the Adoption Authority to have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adoption Legislation (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take the point the Deputy is making. This issue has been ignored for decades, but I am determined to put an end to this. My view continues to be that an adopted person over the age of 18 years should have an unrestricted right to attain a copy of his or her birth certificate and that an adopted person under 18 years should have a qualified right, perhaps subject to the consent of his or...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adoption Legislation (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adoption Legislation (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is my intention that the legislation will be brought forward this year. I do not have any doubt about this, but I am alerting the Deputy to the constitutional difficulties inherent in producing the legislation. Obviously, I will bring forward the strongest possible legislation, but there are clear constitutional constraints. Having access to medical records is critical, but whether this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Early Years Strategy (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Work on the development of the early years strategy is under way and the approach I am taking has received Government approval. I want an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the development of Ireland’s early years sector and a coherent approach to seeking to do the very best for children and young people. A broad range of issues is being examined by the early years group. I want...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Early Years Strategy (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not correct to state there has been no support for childminders. Clearly, a decision was taken to exempt childminders who are looking after fewer than three children. I take it from the Deputy's question that he and his party support the regulation of childminders and babysitters. Very different views have been expressed on this by parents. Many parents want to make their own...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Early Years Strategy (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is a key question to be considered. As the Deputy stated, it is a question of the type of regulation. Nobody in the country is exempt from reporting under the Children First guidelines. Childminders, given the work they do, have a serious obligation to report concerns in regard to child protection. If a parent has concerns about the childminder, the Children First guidelines clearly...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adoption Legislation (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The general scheme and heads of the proposed Adoption (Amendment) Bill were published in September 2012 in conjunction with the referendum proposal to inform the public of proposed changes to adoption law envisaged if the constitutional amendment was approved. The Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children was established in 2007 to examine the proposals to introduce a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adoption Legislation (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I published this legislation last year. I considered it important that the public be aware, in advance of the referendum, of the changes we would be introducing in respect of adoption. The Deputy asked about the period of time. Under the draft Bill, children will have to be at least 18 months in the care of those who apply to adopt them. Parents will have to have failed in their duty...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adoption Legislation (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy knows my commitment to the issues raised in the referendum and the importance of this adoption legislation. As soon as all the proceedings and processes relevant to the referendum are completed, I will bring the legislation to the House as quickly as possible. Clearly, my Department has a number of significant reforms under way and there is a heavy workload relating to...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Special care involves the detention of a child for his or her own welfare and protection in a special care unit with on-site educational and therapeutic supports. Special care units provide secure residential services to children and young people who are in need of specialised targeted intervention. Children are detained in special care if their behaviour is deemed to pose a risk to...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am satisfied with the HIQA standards inspection that takes place now. There are three designated special care units in the State which are operated by the HSE subject to a single national governance arrangement. As of this year, we have adopted a national governance approach to special care which was needed. There is a unit in Ballydowd in Dublin which has a capacity of ten beds and is...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will revert to the Deputy on the staffing issues he raised. I do not have the information with me. HIQA has raised the issue of staff support in its inspection reports. The HSE has done a lot of work to ensure that staff have the support and supervision they need. Gordon Jeyes has led the national approach to special care and taken a particular interest in the matter to ensure that we...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I was pleased to be able to maintain the budget in the face of huge difficulties nationally. The budget for the new child and family support agency was slightly increased in fact. It was very important to have that stability. There are approximately ten children receiving services abroad. This care tends to be very expensive as the Deputy knows. I have given him the details in reply to...

Other Questions: Child and Family Support Agency (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The new child and family support agency will be established by way of primary legislation and will assume full statutory responsibility for a range of services including child welfare and protection services which are currently provided by the HSE, the National Educational Welfare Board and the Family Support Agency. When the agency is established it will constitute one of the largest public...

Other Questions: Child and Family Support Agency (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Since 1980 we have had 17 major reports on child protection failings in Ireland. There is a huge job to be done to change that situation. It is a shameful legacy. The reform of child protection and of children's services is a key priority for me and the Government. The establishment of the new child and family support agency is a key step in this ambitious and comprehensive reform...

Other Questions: Child and Family Support Agency (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The point I made was that the chief executive officer designate of the agency had been recruited prior to my taking up office in January 2011 on the salary commented on by Deputies. His recruitment followed an international search process and he brought with him enormous experience. It is important we realise the challenges he will face in the child and family support agency. I take some...

Other Questions: Youth Services (13 Feb 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. As part of this, my Department and I have actively supported the nationwide development of youth cafe facilities, given the considerable benefits they offer for young people to meet...

Other Questions: Youth Services (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: On Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin's question about the €2.5 million provided in the budget for early intervention programmes, a lot of the preliminary work has been done in the rolling out of these projects and a project team will meet next Friday to take it further. There has been some engagement with philanthropic organisations because we have been looking for...

Other Questions: Youth Services (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: They will be available in the rest of my reply.