Results 5,061-5,080 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Other Questions: Child Care Services Provision (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 10, 14 and 19 together. I thank the Deputies for the range of questions on early years services. I have already outlined to the House the eight action areas through which we are addressing the Deputies' concerns. It is important to introduce qualification requirements for all staff working in preschool services. For this reason, I have indicated my...

Other Questions: Child Care Services Provision (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: As regards Deputy Troy's question, of course the child care committees have a role. They are working with providers and clearly have a role to play in ensuring that regulation 5 is effectively being met. They do work with inspectors; there is no question about that. I do not expect that the implementation of Síolta and Aistear will lead to an increase in fees for parents. Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Care Services (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the HSE to form a view in relation to each person leaving care as to whether there is a "need for assistance" and if it forms such a view, to provide services in accordance with the legislation and subject to resources. All young people who have had a care history with the HSE, be it foster care, residential care or high...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE compiles monthly performance reports which include statistics in relation to children in care. These reports are published on the HSE website. The latest published report shows that there were 6,421 children in the care of the HSE in April 2013, of which 5,932 children had an allocated social worker. This is compared to 5,700 in March 2011. It is important to note the dynamic...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Regulation (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together. Preschool services are subject to the Child Care (Preschool Services) (No.2) Regulations 2006, as provided for under Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991. The inspection of preschools and the enforcement of the Regulations are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE). At present childminders taking care of more than...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Records Provision (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Approximately 25,000 files have been transferred to the HSE Regional Adoption Service in Cork, from the Sacred Heart Adoption Society, which had responsibility for Bessboro, Co Cork, Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, Co Tipperary and Castlepollard, Co Westmeath. I am advised by the HSE that there has been very significant demand to access these files and consequently the HSE Regional Adoption Service...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: After-School Support Services (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: As part of Budget 2013 I, together with my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, was pleased to announce a new After-school Childcare initiative which will be targeted at low-income parents availing of employment opportunities. Lack of access to affordable, quality childcare is a significant barrier to many low income and disadvantaged families seeking to avail of work...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Aftercare Services (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 22, 34 and 49 together. I am advised by the HSE that data for discharges from care is not available prior to 2012. In 2012, I am advised that 1,559 children aged 0-18 years were discharged from care. A total of 327 children aged 0-17 years were discharged from care up to the end of March 2013. The figure includes children of all ages who were discharged...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Support Agency Establishment (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following a Government decision on the Heads of Child and Family Agency Bill in November last, work on the drafting of the Bill has been progressing in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and is at an advanced stage of preparation. The establishment of the Child and Family Agency is central to the Government's reform programme in respect of child and family services. From...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: EU Presidency Issues (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department led the work of the Council of Ministers for Youth during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU from January to June 2013. The ambitious programme of work focussed on the social inclusion of young people which is the Trio Presidency theme (January 2013 – June 2014). My priorities related to the contribution of quality youth work to young people’s development,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse Reports (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was first contacted by the Primetime investigation programme on creches on 20 February 2013 seeking information on the National Childcare Investment Programme which was implemented during 2006 to 2011. I understand a number of follow on queries regarding funding were received by my Department between then and 28 May. I was also aware around that time that RTE was planning to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childhood Obesity (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government shares with many other agencies and professional groups, concerns about the growth and nutrition of children and teenagers. The factors associated with overweight and obesity in Irish children is complex and research suggests that a multidimensional approach is needed which crosses government departments and agencies and involves children and families and community...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Poverty (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department is implementing the new Area-Based Response to Child Poverty programme which was announced as part of Budget 2013. The programme is being co-funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies and is expected to have a total funding allocation of €29.7 million. The programme is being introduced on foot of the Programme for Government commitment to adopt an area-based approach to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Child Care Education Issues (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 32 together. My Department is currently developing a new Children and Young People's Policy Framework which will set out high level goals for both my own and other Departments for the next five years. The Policy Framework is expected to be published later this year and will build on Our Children - Their Lives, Ireland's first Children's Strategy which...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Preschool Services (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The free Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. In line with the Programme for Government, my Department has made a significant commitment to maintaining this universal programme and some 68,000 children are availing of it at...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Unemployment Measures (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 249 together. The Government is tackling unemployment generally through the twin strategies of the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work and other measures to support employment growth. My Department works closely with the Departments of Education and Skills, Social Protection, Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and others as part of a cross...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Reports (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 38 together. Preschool services are governed by the Child Care (Preschool Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 as provided for under the Child Care Act 1991. Preschool inspections, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE), are necessary to ensure compliance with the Regulations and the delivery of quality childcare services. ...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Missing Persons Hotline (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The 116000 Missing Children Hotline is an EU-wide initiative designed to provide a single point of contact across the European Union for missing children and their families. The number is currently operational in 23 EU countries and has been allocated and will soon be in operation in a further three countries. In Ireland, the service is operated by the ISPCC and is overseen by a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (4 Jul 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 €53.498 million 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...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (4 Jul 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 €53.498 million 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...