Results 541-560 of 1,937 for speaker:Denise Mitchell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2018)

Denise Mitchell: If I can come to the ASAI, Ms Twomey has talked about naming and shaming. Does she think it really is a deterrent? I do not think it is, if someone breaches something and his or her name goes up online. Surely there should be some fine or sanction. Would that not be more appropriate? It is a case of seeking forgiveness rather than permission.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (7 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: 1164. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of whole-time equivalent social work posts per Tusla region; the number of whole-time equivalent vacancies by region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36444/18]

BusConnects: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: I am sure all present agree that the bus network needs serious investment. The best way to reduce congestion in our city is for more people to use public transport. That will mean less emissions and help us to reach our 2020 targets. More people will use public transport if it is high frequency, competitively priced and quicker than using one's car. I agree that the bus network in Dublin...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Costs (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: 2. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to reduce the cost of childcare in the coming years; her views on the Economic and Social Research Institute’s recent report which has found that high childcare costs are a major obstacle to many women re-entering the workforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38070/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Costs (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: My question is to ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to reduce the cost of childcare in the coming years, her views on the Economic and Social Research Institutes's recent report which has found that high childcare costs are a major obstacle to many women re-entering the workforce, and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Costs (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: In recent weeks we have seen a number of surveys taking place of the cost of childcare. Childcare costs have risen by 5.5%. I recognise that the Minister has said this is a problem owing to the lack of funding by the State over many years. The cost of childcare is crippling working families who are paying the equivalent of a second mortgage, which puts huge pressure on family life....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Costs (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: I was surprised by some of the Minister's Government colleagues in talking about the so-called granny grant, rather than investment in the childcare system. I was glad that many of us in the Chamber were of the same opinion as the Minister. We wll support her in any way we can in that regard. As women, all of us present know that a barrier to returning to work is childcare costs. Does the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child Poverty (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: 4. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made in tackling childhood poverty; her views on whether this progress is on track to reach the 2020 targets outlined in the national policy framework for children and young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38071/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child Poverty (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: I ask the Minister to indicate what progress is being made in tackling childhood poverty, whether it is on track to reach the 2020 targets outlined in the national policy framework for children and young people, and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child Poverty (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: The Better Outcomes, Brighter Future policy document sets a target of lifting 70,000 children out of poverty. The key to reducing childhood poverty is delivering effective services and supports. Despite the economic situation, Barnardos recently reported that many families and children continue to seek its support. Barnardos estimates that 138,000 children in the State live in poverty. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child Poverty (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: I welcome what the Minister is saying but we cannot ignore the elephant in the room, namely, that there are 138,000 children in this State living in poverty and 4,000 homeless children. We all know that the better the start a child has in life, the better his or her prospects. In the upcoming budget, we seriously need to focus on children. We need to see a budget that is proofed for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Adoption Registration (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: 8. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she plans to broaden her Department's scoping exercise into the illegal adoptions scandal; the progress of the scoping exercise to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37916/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Adoption Registration (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: My question is to ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, if she will outline the number of records being examined as part of her Department's scoping exercise into the illegal adoption scandal, the progress of the scoping exercise and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Adoption Registration (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: Before the summer break, the revelations that tens of thousands of people in Ireland had potentially been illegally adopted, and the fact that they were unaware that they were adopted, caused widespread public commentary. Illegal adoptions have been raised by many survivors' groups for years. The Minister outlined that a scoping exercise was being undertaken by her Department. Since that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Adoption Registration (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: I understand why people are frustrated. People have been shouting about this for years. The Irish Examinerhas been highlighting this scandal for years. Has the Minister considered a redress scheme as part of her plan to deal with this scandal? I raise this issue because it is clear that it has caused distress to many people who have suddenly found out that they have been illegally...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: 11. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to update or extend legal safeguards and redress mechanisms available to homeless children here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37918/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: My question is to ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has any plans to update or extend legal safeguards and redress mechanisms available to homeless children in Ireland, and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: I listened with interest to some of those speaking at the launch of the Mercy Law Report on children and homelessness. It makes some very good points on how we can help to tackle at least some of the difficulties faced by children who are homeless. What is worrying is that it noted that the insertion of Article 42A into our Constitution has done very little to increase protection for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: There are almost 4,000 children homeless throughout this State. I am sure that figure upsets everybody here in this House. While I recognise that the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is responsible for housing, the Minister is responsible for children and youth affairs, and these children are looking to her to be their voice. We all saw the photographs of children...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Correspondence (20 Sep 2018)

Denise Mitchell: 12. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has received a response from Pope Francis or his officials to her letter to him regarding abuses carried out in mother and baby homes. [37919/18]