Results 4,441-4,460 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Poverty (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Tackling child poverty is a priority for Government and a goal of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007- 2016, coordinated by the Department of Social Protection. Children are more likely to be poor if they are living in lone parent households with low labour market participation and dependant on income support. The departments of Social Protection, Jobs, Enterprise and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Aftercare Services (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that I am currently examining options, in association with the Attorney General, to strengthen legislation regarding the provision of aftercare. This matter is currently being progressed in my Department. The Deputy will also be aware that the HSE has provided information on aftercare to my Department to guide the development of policy to underpin the strengthening...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has a specific role in supporting the provision of youth services and facilities and promoting non-formal education and developmental opportunities for young people in out-of-school settings through which they can enhance their personal and social skills and competencies. Particular regard is had to the needs of young people between the ages of ten and 21 and to those who are...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care Policy (13 Feb 2013)

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: Crèche Facilities (13 Feb 2013)

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.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second and Subsequent Stages (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 17 of the Child Care Act 1991 provides that the District Court may grant an interim care order in respect of a child on foot of an application by the HSE. The order may be made with or without parental consent in accordance with the section. The application may arise in circumstances where a child is being cared for under an emergency care order, often following a decision by the...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second and Subsequent Stages (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank all Senators for their contributions to the debate. I welcome the response the Bill has received from them and I thank them for their support. The legislation is in the interests of the children. A number of general points were made by Members regarding the protection of children. We have an appalling legacy but we are taking actions that will make a difference to children. The...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second and Subsequent Stages (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Senator. Last year the legal costs of the Child and Family Support Agency were ¤31 million, a very large amount of money. We need to examine these costs. It is a huge part of the budget. In that regard I welcome the move by the Minister for Justice and Equality to establish family courts. I believe the system is far too adversarial and is not in the interests of children....

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second and Subsequent Stages (13 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE paid out ¤31 million last year in legal costs. I thank all Senators for their contributions and support for the legislation. I appreciate their support for the reform agenda which is being carried out in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is disgraceful.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Health Services (14 Feb 2013)

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: Child Care Services (14 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the information sought in this Parliamentary Question is not readily available, I am arranging for the data to be collated and provided directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Health Service Executive Staff (14 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Information received from the HSE indicates that in County Meath the approved complement of whole-time equivalent social workers in the Children and Families care group in 2011, 2012 and 2013 was as follows: March 2011 March 2012 January 2013 41.4 41.4 42.4 I have asked the HSE for the relevant information relating to the years 2009 and 2010, and I will arrange for this to be...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (14 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has sought the information requested by the Deputy from the HSE and I will provide the Deputy with the information as soon as it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Expenditure (14 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: A total of €5,558 was spent in 2012 by my Department on outsourced security services, which included confidential shredding facilities and internal security systems. The companies involved were Cyclone Shredding and Noonan Services Group.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Expenditure (14 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: A total of €99,953 was spent in 2012 by my Department on outsourced cleaning services, which included provision of cleaning service, essential hygiene materials and window cleaning service. The companies involved were Momentum Support and Embassy Cleaning Services.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Services (19 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE Regional Adoption Services has taken responsibility for the adoption files of the Sacred Heart Adoption Society in respect of homes in Bessborough, Co. Cork; St Peters, Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath and Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. I have been advised by the HSE that the files have been transferred to the HSE in their entirety. Queries are being dealt with in the HSE...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Education (19 Feb 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is designed to allow each eligible child to avail of a free pre-school year in the year before commencing primary school. In general, the programme is provided for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week, over 38 weeks. Childcare service providers participating in the ECCE programme are obliged to abide by the terms and conditions of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Legislative Programme (19 Feb 2013)

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 so that the Agency can be established as soon as possible. The Agency, upon establishment, will assume full statutory responsibility for a range of child and family services...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Ministerial Appointments (19 Feb 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. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided...