Results 5,401-5,420 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 to 383, inclusive, together. At a meeting at the US State Department in September which was attended by myself and the Chairman of the Adoption Authority, the administrative arrangement in relation to intercountry adoption from the USA which had been agreed between Ireland and the USA was given effect. It was agreed that adoptions from the USA into Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: In September 2012 the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) and the Vietnamese Central Authority for Adoption signed an administrative arrangement for intercountry adoption. The administrative arrangement is the first international arrangement for intercountry adoption entered into by the AAI and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam since both countries ratified the Hague Convention. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have outlined on a number of occasions, my Department and I, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and other stakeholders, are progressing a Pre-School Quality Agenda involving a range of actions in eight key areas, aimed at improving quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime. The actions include: - Increasing the qualification requirements...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Custody and Access (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been advised by the HSE that both children are in the care of the HSE and have been appointed a Guardian Ad Litem. The assessment is ongoing and both the children and parents are involved. The HSE also advised that it will work closely with the family developing relationships, ensuring that all views are considered in order to achieve the best outcome for the children.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Financial Resolution No. 8: General (Resumed) (16 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on budget 2014. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I welcome the measures outlined in yesterday's budget which will support families while seeking to ensure the best outcomes for children, in particular by delivering important investments to underpin real reform for children and families. I welcome the broader economic strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Sexual Offences (16 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE Children and Family Services publishes a wide range of data and information in regard to services provided. Approximately 600 individual child care data metrics are collected. These metrics do not include the total numbers of children who made disclosures of sexual abuse. However, the number of reports to social work departments which may have a sexual abuse component is collected....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Expenditure (16 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), which operates under the auspices of my Department, has a statutory remit to ensure that 'each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education'. In particular, the NEWB has a key role to respond to instances where children are not attending school regularly, or where there is concern about a child's educational...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Legislative Programme (16 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was established on the 2nd June 2011 and since then I have published the Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012, the Child and Family Agency Bill 2013 and the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013. A Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Child and Family Agency Bill 2013 is published on www.dcya.gov.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Child Care Education Issues (17 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Early Years Strategy which is one of three, more detailed strategies under the high-level Children and Young People's Policy Framework is currently being developed by my Department. Following my announcement that I would lead the preparation of Ireland's first Early Years Strategy, I appointed an Expert Advisory Group, chaired by Dr. Eilis Hennessy of UCD to advise my Department and I...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care Supports (17 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to foster care rates for 2014 have not yet been taken. My Office is currently liaising with the Department of Finance regarding the rates of the Foster Care Allowance to apply.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Cafés Provision (22 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Funding in the region of €1 million is available in 2013 from my Department for fit-out, refurbishment works or building enhancement projects for the startup of new Youth Cafés. One of the core functions of a youth café is that it offers support to young people, ranging from practical support to advice through their participation in activities that are of interest to them...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Services (22 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE has advised me that this case is not closed and they are actively engaging with the family in question. The HSE is providing family providing supports via their Liberty Street Service in Cork.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Records Provision (22 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 469, 470 and 473 together. Work is continuing in relation to the preparation of the Heads of Bill of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill. My view is that persons affected by adoption should be provided with a statutory right to as much information as possible within permissible Constitutional boundaries. I am anxious to bring the Heads of bill...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Cafes Expenditure (22 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Funding in the region of €1 million is available in 2013 from my Department for fit-out, refurbishment works or building enhancement projects for the startup of new Youth Cafés. One of the core functions of a youth café is that it offers support to young people, ranging from practical support to advice through their participation in activities that are of interest to them...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Preschool Services (22 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: On foot of last week's budget, I will be allocating €4.5m in Exchequer funding to support the implementation of the Pre-School Quality Agenda which will seek to support and assure higher standards in pre-school services. Of this funding, €2.5m is being provided for the introduction of a new mentoring service for pre-school services and €1.5m is provided to support staff...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Expenditure (22 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Estimate provision for my Department in 2014 will amount to €449 million which represents an increase of almost €15 million over its 2013 allocation. This level of funding is especially significant when account is taken of the €9 million in savings, identified in Section C of the 2014 Expenditure Report, which are built-in as a result of commitments made in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children and Family Services (22 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been advised by the HSE that the premises and resources at Rath na nOg, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan are being re designated to provide services as a child well-being centre. The HSE has also advised that this child well-being centre will provide specialised time limited interventions to children within the catchment area in conjunction with social work services under the auspices of...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very pleased to bring the Bill before the sub-committee. I pay tribute to the staff in my Department and the officials who have worked so hard on this legislation. I pay tribute also to the Deputies with responsibility in this area, including Deputies Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Robert Troy, in particular, and the NGOs, the ISPCC, Barnardos, the CRA and many other bodies...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 1: In page 10, between lines 1 and 2, to insert the following:“ “child” means a person under the age of 18 years other than a person who is or has been married;”.The aim of this amendment to section 2 is to ensure clarity about the definition of a child. The proposed amendment is in accordance with the legal advice received. The first print...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The welfare of a child encompasses many aspects. I am satisfied the terms "development and welfare" encompass, in this regard, any functions transferring from the NEWB. Educational welfare in its broadest sense is a function of teachers, schools, the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. If I accepted this amendment there...