Results 4,881-4,900 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Topical Issue Debate: Crèche Inspections (29 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is a range of issues and the work has been ongoing. Last night's programme threw a sharp focus on the issues but there are initiatives under way at present. I reassure Deputies and parents that these are working towards registering all child care facilities. It is unbelievable that in this country we have allowed people to open child care facilities by simply notifying the HSE. That...

Topical Issue Debate: Crèche Inspections (29 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: We are clearly working towards a more comprehensive and broadly based inspection regime. Unlike the previous Government, this Government will bring in mandatory reporting and has already had consultation. It was not done in 14 years despite promises by previous taoisigh. To answer the question on the child and family agency, in a few weeks we will have legislation in the House to establish...

Topical Issue Debate: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Issues (29 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree.

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Eighteen months ago my Department published a report detailing the deaths of children in care over the preceding decade. The publication of that report was a direct result of the work done by the Minister, Deputy Shatter, in Opposition when his courageous decision to publish the Tracy Faye report forced the previous Government into action and a transparency it had previously avoided. His...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: They did not go to the meetings.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Agency Funding (29 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Work is ongoing in my Department in relation to the issue of funding of accredited agencies in order to ensure sustainability of the agencies and continuity of service. I brought a Memorandum to Government yesterday in relation to regularising the funding arrangements for accredited bodies in intercountry adoption. I am aware of the seriousness of the current situation and aim to address it...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (29 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006, the inspection of pre-schools is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE), and I have referred the Deputy’s specific queries to the HSE for direct reply. I understand that, in 2011, 2,789 childcare providers were subject to inspections by the HSE Pre-School Inspectorate. This is an inspection rate of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: European Council Meetings (29 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (EYCS) took place on 16 and 17 May 2013. I chaired the meeting of the Youth Ministers at the Council on 16 May 2013. At the meeting, the EYCS adopted two important policy documents: Council Conclusions on maximising the potential of youth policy in addressing the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy, and Council Conclusions on the contribution of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Parliamentary Questions Numbers (29 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has not issued any parliamentary replies to the Deputy in 2013 containing an undertaking to provide extra information.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (29 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Enrolments (30 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) with the statutory responsibility to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The NEWB,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Proposed Legislation (30 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Work on the development of Ireland’s first Early Years Strategy for children aged from birth to 6 years, is already underway in my Department. The approach I am taking in developing the Strategy has received Government approval. My intention is to create an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the future development of Ireland’s early years sector and a coherent approach to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foreign Adoptions (30 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The responsibility for the registration of intercountry adoptions is a matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), an independent quasi judicial entity established under the Adoption Act 2010. It is a matter for the AAI to ensure that all adoptions are made in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption Act 2010. Accordingly, as Minister, it is not open to me to intervene in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (30 May 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: Child Care Reports (30 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006, the inspection of preschools is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE). As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, driving the early childhood care and education quality agenda is one of my key objectives. I believe we can achieve this objective by taking a number of steps in conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Budgets (30 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: In the context of the forthcoming Budget, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has asked my Department to identify savings which will feed into the expenditure decisions by Government for the Estimates 2014 and the setting of future Ministerial ceilings. The identification of savings options should ensure that a sufficient range of proposals are made by all Departments to help the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Work Projects Funding (30 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people...

Seanad: Early Child Care Education Standards: Statements (30 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said in the Dáil yesterday, I found the scenes broadcast on Tuesday night's programme on RTE distressing, shocking and absolutely unacceptable. What we saw was poor practice and a dereliction of duty and care, resulting in the mistreatment of young children. It was abusive, distressing and inappropriate and showed a poor understanding of children's developmental needs, as all of...

Seanad: Early Child Care Education Standards: Statements (30 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said in the Dáil yesterday, I found the scenes broadcast on Tuesday night's programme on RTE distressing, shocking and absolutely unacceptable. What we saw was poor practice and a dereliction of duty and care, resulting in the mistreatment of young children. It was abusive, distressing and inappropriate and showed a poor understanding of children's developmental needs, as all of...

Seanad: Early Child Care Education Standards: Statements (30 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Senators for their contributions. It is extremely important that we have had the opportunity to discuss this issue. The public debate under way is probably the first real national debate we have had on the early years sector. We have had this type of debate on child protection in a broader sense, but it is good to focus on the early years. I regret what has precipitated the debate...