Results 6,081-6,100 of 11,754 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman
- Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (9 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: In establishing the independent statutory Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes in February 2015, the then Government sought to ensure an independent and thorough investigation of what happened to vulnerable women and children in these institutions during the period 1922 to 1998. Notably, the Commission was specifically tasked with investigating concerns related to systematic...
- Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (9 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: Following the publication of the Commission of Investigation’s Final Report, I corresponded with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), the lead entity in many trials. I also had a meeting with representatives of the company. In this engagement I conveyed my view that all relevant parties have a moral and ethical obligation to take appropriate action in response to the Report. The timeline of these...
- Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Workplace Discrimination (10 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: In response to the issues raised on the Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021, my Department undertook research into the prevalence of the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases of the nature covered by the Private Member's Bill. A report of this research was published in March of this year: 'The prevalence and use of Non-Disclosure...
- Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Housing Provision (10 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: Regarding the matter raised, I can advise the Deputy that multiple sources of offers of accommodation are considered. In line with this approach, full assessments are undertaken of the suitability of sites and structures offered. Discussions are ongoing about the potential use of the site to which the Deputy refers and the matter is still under consideration.
- Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Residency Permits (10 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: In regards to the current average timeline to process an application for one person seeking permission to remain, not including persons fleeing war, this information is collated by the Department of Justice who have sole responsibility for the application process. As you know, my Department has responsibility for accommodation matters. For this reason I suggest that you address this part...
- Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: Amendment No. 1 seeks to include a section in the Bill providing for a report on the operation of the scheme. I am not in a position to accept that part of amendment No. 1 because section 42 already provides for a review of the operation of the scheme. The intention of section 42 is for two reviews to be conducted on the scheme. One is an interim review to be commenced two years after the...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: I am committed to tackling disadvantage through high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible. The early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme, which enjoys uptake rates in excess of 95%, has removed barriers to accessing preschool education. Data from the Growing Up in Ireland survey show that more than 60% of low income families would not have been...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: I am not sure about that €54.5 million. I ask that the Deputy clarify what that is because it is not from my Department. I would probably know if there was €54 million coming out.
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: The sum is not linked to tackling disadvantage. It is separate from that. We have a work programme. I recognised the issue of wraparound hours very early on and, in fairness, the Deputy raised it with me. We acted on it in our first budget. The two most recent budgets have focused on core funding and the delivery of NCS investment, which, I think we all agree, is welcome. We need to...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: The hot meals programme is a pilot, but I do not think we will be able to universally apply the programme in its first year. Hot meals are provided where children are in services for the full day. However, this programme will look at children in sessional services such as three-hour services to make sure that they get a hot meal such as breakfast or lunch. I referenced AIM because it has...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: In announcing the formation of Government, the Taoiseach announced his intention to have the co-ordination of disability-related issues handled by a Minister for the first time. The location of disability equality policy, which had previously been in the Department of Justice, and specialist community-based disability services in a single Department will facilitate strategic policy...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: I share the Deputy's frustration. She is on the Committee of Public Accounts. One of the key reasons that this has gone slowly is that after this transfer, for the first time, the HSE will be reporting to two masters. It will be accountable to the Department of Health for €20 billion of its budget and to our Department for €2.4 billion. I want to be able to ensure that, in...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is correct that staffing is a key issue but I also think engagement with parents and how the relationship between the HSE and parents is managed is an issue. In far too many areas, whether in Wexford or Dublin 15, there is an intensely confrontational environment. Parents have become frustrated because they have been let down. We need to change that. The Minister of State,...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: A commitment was made in the programme for Government to replace the current system of accommodation for international protection applicants with a new model based on a not-for-profit approach. As the Deputy knows, I published a White Paper on Ending Direct Provision in February last year. This White Paper outlines the new model of accommodation, particularly the supports that will be...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy indicated that many of the properties would fail standards. Let us see how these inspections proceed because, as I said, HIQA will be supporting the properties it engages with in terms of setting out what the standards. There is going to be a supportive process to ensure that properties we are providing meet the standards HIQA is monitoring. The Deputy is correct that...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: That is why it is important that the Department has the capacity to proactively undertake inspections in respect of international protection accommodation and accommodation for people from Ukraine and to be able to react where a complaint is raised in order that we can go out and respond to it. That is why, as well as bringing in HIQA, I am also looking to further extend our inspection...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: I am cognisant of the potential impact on the tourism industry arising from the number of contracts my Department has entered into to meet our responsibility to provide accommodation to beneficiaries of the temporary protection directive and international protection. Regular meetings take place between my officials and the relevant Department and Fáilte Ireland to share learnings and...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy referred to 76% of hotel beds being used, but only 22% or 23% of hotel beds are being used for Ukrainians at the moment.
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (17 Nov 2022)
Roderic O'Gorman: Those are the figures we get from Tourism Ireland. It is 22% or 23%, not 76%.