Results 581-600 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Drug Seizures. (12 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: The Minister has particularly asked me to mention the establishment of the Maritime Analysis and Operational Centre (Narcotics) in Lisbon. Established in 2007, the centre is focused on targeting the sea and air cocaine routes from Central and South America into the European Union. It collects and analyses operational information, enhances intelligence through better information exchange,...

Human Rights Issues. (12 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter on the Adjournment. Like Deputy Coveney, the Government is deeply shocked by the severe sentences which were imposed on Burmese political activists by a closed military court yesterday afternoon. On hearing news of the sentences, the Minister for Foreign Affairs immediately issued a statement on the matter. The statement encapsulates the...

Protestant Schools. (12 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: I am pleased to be given the opportunity to clarify for the House the position in regard to the withdrawal of certain grants from Protestant fee-paying schools. The 2009 budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. Decisions were made in order to control expenditure and ensure sustainability in the long term. In this respect, education, while...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (12 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: I am aware of the recently published report by Dublin Inner City Partnership regarding the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) which was introduced by my Office in January 2008. I understand that officials in my Office were in contact with and provided information to the Partnership at the time of its drafting. While there are no plans to review the scheme at this point, in order...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: Is the Deputy proposing that I answer now?

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: It is in substitution for the subvention scheme.

Detention Centres. (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: In March 2008, the Government approved the development of new national children detention facilities on the Oberstown campus near Lusk, County Dublin. The Government decision was informed by the report of the expert group on children detention schools, which is available on www.iyjs.ie. The development will increase the accommodation capacity in the detention school service from 77 to 167...

Detention Centres. (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: As I have stated in reply to another parliamentary question on this matter today, a request for tenders for a full design team to develop new children's facilities at Lusk was published on the eTenders website in June 2002. Eleven bids were received but the evaluation team informed the IYJS that there were difficulties with the tendering process. It was decided at that point to terminate...

Detention Centres. (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: The first phase of construction is due to be completed by 2012. The tendering process for the appointment of a construction company is due to be completed by mid-2009, and I envisage that construction will commence soon thereafter. The first phase, providing 80 places, will be completed in 2012 and the second phase in 2014. The two phases are designed to ensure there will be a smooth...

Detention Centres. (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: It is not a public private partnership. A capital allocation of €12 million has been set aside for 2009 to continue this project. Young offenders will be accommodated in St. Patrick's Institution until such time as this facility is available. If there is a gap between the completion of this facility and the closure of St. Patrick's Institution, we will, as indicated previously, try to...

Detention Centres. (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: As I said, a capital allocation of €12 million has been made for 2009, and it is envisaged to commence construction next year. However, it is a complex site in terms of demolition, retention and the transfer and continuation of operations. It is not like a greenfield site where one is building brick upon brick.

Detention Centres. (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: Subject to clarification, it is contained in the Department's budget. If there is a delay in the opening of Thornton Hall, as may be the case, the danger of having to house young people there will be obviated. It is envisaged that St. Patrick's Institution will close at the same time as this project is completed.

Written Answers — Young Offenders: Young Offenders (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: In March 2008, the Government agreed to the development of a new national detention facility to cater for all children up to 18 years who have been ordered to be detained by the Courts. The facility will be developed on a single site at the existing Oberstown campus in Lusk, Co Dublin and planning is currently under way for its development on a phased basis. The Government also decided at...

Written Answers — Young Offenders: Young Offenders (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: In June 2008 the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform undertook a tendering process to appoint an architect led design team for the development of a new national children detention school. An Evaluation Board was established to assess the 11 bids received in response to the tender request, and a Process Auditor was appointed to oversee...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) which is implemented by the Office of the Minister for Children and which will invest €575 million over five years in the development of child care services. The NCIP came into effect in January 2006 and has a target of creating 50,000 new child care places, supported by...

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (13 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: My office was sent a report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC) relating to the Catholic diocese of Cloyne. As soon as the report was received my office requested the NBSCCC to forward the report to the HSE. As it later became clear that the NBSCCC had not forwarded the report to the HSE, and did not intend doing so, the report was sent by my office...

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (18 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: Officials from my Office and the Adoption Board travelled to Vietnam last week to commence discussions on the negotiation of a new bilateral agreement with Vietnam in light of the expiration of the current agreement in May 2009. Officials also met with other embassies on the ground regarding the operation of similar bilateral agreements with those other jurisdictions. A report on the visit is...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (18 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: Under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 — 2006 (EOCP) and its successor Programme, the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), community-based childcare services can apply for capital and support grant aid. One of the conditions of funding under both Programmes is that successful applicants operate high standards of governance. Included in these standards is...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (18 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: The launch of the National Recreation Policy in September 2007 highlighted Government's commitment to the development of youth cafés. As the Deputy will be aware there are already a number of youth cafés in operation around the country. Funding for these existing initiatives is often provided through the local City/County Council and the Health Service Executive. In addition the...

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (18 Nov 2008)

Barry Andrews: Decisions in relation to the foster care rates for 2009 have yet to be taken. My Office is currently liaising with the Department of Finance regarding the rates of the Foster Care Allowance to apply.