Results 541-560 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Work Supports (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: The allocations under Budget 2021 are being considered by Government in the context of the annual Estimates process for 2021. As this process is ongoing, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage. While I recognise and acknowledge that youth sector funding saw deep cuts during the preceding decade, in recent years, funding for the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Attendance (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy may be aware, Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) is responsible for addressing issues in relation to participation, retention and attendance in schools. Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) work with young people and their families who are experiencing difficulty with school attendance. The main priority of their work is around the welfare of children and young people...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that Tula respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Matrimonial and Parental Judgments: jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement (Brussels IIa) Regulation is the legal mechanism in relation to children in the care of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, who are placed with foster carers in the UK, who move with their foster carers to the UK or who are in a short or long term residential or other specialist placement. The Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes is due to submit its final report by 30th October 2020. The important work of this Commission will undoubtedly help us to acknowledge and better understand the truth of what happened in and around these institutions. Once available, the Commission’s final conclusions on all matters will be considered when determining the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: At present, there are 2,874 childcare providers participating in the National Childcare Scheme. In total, there are 4,373 providers participating in at least one programme funded by my Department. I am aware that some providers have faced challenges in adapting to the new Scheme, its new IT system, and that it is taking time for some providers to become familiar with the new requirements of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that Tula respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Childcare Scheme (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Childcare Scheme incorporates two kinds of subsidy towards the cost of quality of childcare. The universal subsidy is available to all parents of children aged between 24 weeks and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme if later). The universal subsidy is set at a rate of €0.50 per hour and is available for up to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: The allocations under Budget 2021 are being considered by Government in the context of the annual Estimates process for 2021. As this process is ongoing, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage. While I recognise and acknowledge that youth sector funding saw deep cuts during the preceding decade, in recent years, funding for the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Victim Support Services (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). In 2020, I am providing core funding of €25.3m to Tusla to support the DSGBV sector, including support services for those who have experienced sexual violence. Tusla provides annual funding to 16 rape crisis centres...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department provides a number of funding schemes which provide help to parents and guardians with childcare fees, including the NCS, CCSP and TEC. Under these schemes parents pay a reduced fee, and the Department compensates the providers for the loss in income. In addition my Department fully funds the universal free preschool programme ECCE. These schemes are administered by Pobal. Each...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department operates an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care and school-age childcare service providers are invited to apply for capital funding to enable them to carry out works to maintain and develop their premises. The purposes for which this funding can be used are determined on an annual basis by my Department. I will announce details of the 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Attendance (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 which emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. TESS operates a referral based system. Under Section 22 of the Education (Welfare), Act 2000 each school is obliged to have a statement of strategies to encourage regular attendance among all students. Where a school...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: I acknowledge that many early learning and care and school-age childcare services are reporting staffing and recruitment difficulties, with increased pressures as a result of Covid-19. There is no official data on the extent of staff shortages. However, officials in my Department have been actively monitoring the issue and have sought data and evidence-based proposals from sectorial...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: Childcare services providing the ECCE programme may charge a refundable booking deposit to hold an ECCE place for a child. The maximum deposit a provider may charge is equivalent to four weeks’ ECCE payment, which amounts to €258. The deposit must be returned to the parent or guardian once the child is registered and approved on the ECCE programme. Childcare services may not...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: Childcare providers who operate from their homes are required to register with Tusla and are thereby able to take part in the National Childcare Scheme if they care for four or more preschool children, or seven or more children of any age, from different families. The exemption from regulation - and therefore from the National Childcare Scheme - applies to those who care for smaller numbers...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department operates an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care and school-age childcare service providers are invited to apply for capital funding to enable them to carry out works to maintain and develop their premises. The purposes for which this funding can be used are determined on an annual basis by my Department I will announce details of the 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Childcare Scheme (13 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: Allowance has been made within the design of the National Childcare Scheme for potential changes to be made to the income thresholds. The Scheme has been designed to be flexible, with income thresholds, maximum hours and subsidy rates which can be adjusted in line with Government decisions and as more investment becomes available. As such, any adjustments deemed necessary by Government can be...

Financial Resolutions 2020 - Financial Resolution No. 7: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am sharing time with Deputy McAuliffe. I am very pleased to outline the key elements of budget 2021 for my Department, which has responsibility for children, disability, equality, integration and youth. It has received an additional €121 million, bringing the total investment for 2021 to €1.95 billion. In the budget unveiled yesterday, one can see the impact of the Green...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Data Protection (14 Oct 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) has been conducted by my Department pursuant to Article 6(4) of the General Data Protection Guidelines, in relation to the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020. A DPIA is considered best practice, and has been carried out by my Department in order to identify,...