Results 6,341-6,360 of 11,754 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (29 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The availability of high-quality early learning and childcare is a key Government priority. Since 2015, significant increases in State investment in early learning and childcare has given rise to a substantial growth in the numbers of children participating in these services. Every year, more than 100,000 children participate in the universal pre-school programme (ECCE) and the National...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Correspondence (29 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am advised by my officials that the accommodation provider referred to in details supplied has severed ties with the third-party agent previously involved in accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the property. I am also informed that further to the previous residents vacating the property, new BOTP residents have arrived at the premises as of this week.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (29 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am advised by my officials that the details supplied by the Deputy have been reviewed internally and a report has issued to the provider on the status of each payment, together with a commitment to ensure any pending payments are issued as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Asylum Seekers (29 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am advised by my officials that the property referred to was originally offered to my Department by the owner. I understand that at that point in time, some works were required to make the accommodation fit for habitation. My officials advise me that the owner has since leased the building to a third party. My officials are currently engaging with this third party. I trust this information...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (29 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: 650 providers are currently in contractual arrangements with my Department to provide short-term accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Over €50m has been paid to date in November 2022 to these providers in respect of Ukraine accommodation and related costs. We have a considerable number of payments to process to year end given the scale of accommodation provision....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (29 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995, stipulate that the allowance payable to foster carers and relatives shall not be less than an amount specified by the Minister. Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department does not engage in procuring or contracting private houses and apartments which may impact on the residential sector. However, the properties may be offered as part of the Unoccupied Homes Call recently launched by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The campaign aims to support the Government’s humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine. The new...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Meetings (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Minister Paschal Donohoe T.D. and I met with members of the local community in East Wall on Friday 25 November. The pressure to accommodate over 65,000 people since the start of this year has led to significant shortages, particularly for those seeking international protection. It has been necessary for my Department to avail of all offers of accommodation made, including the use of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Deputy, before the opening of any facility my Department engages with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible following the agreement of terms. While effort is made to notify public representatives and State agencies in advance of occupying a building, the emergency nature of the response required means that advance communications are not as comprehensive or as early...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive immediately afterwards, over 59,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine and have sought refuge here in Ireland. As of 24 November, over 46,300 of those are being provided with accommodation from the State. In addition to this, the number of International...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The properties referred to by the Deputy were forwarded by the Department of Housing at the outset of the crisis. I am advised by my officials that following review of the full list provided, it was identified that my Department had already procured many of the properties and others were not actioned as they were not deemed suitable. All avenues in respect of the properties provided have been...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Deputy, since the publication of the White Paper in February 2022, my department has placed a significant focus on delivering the new model of accommodation and supports. A particular focus was placed on establishing the accommodation model including the acquisition of properties. From January of this year, the Housing Agency, on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Two Gateway Accommodation Centre at East Wall was opened on 18 November. The capacity of the building at East Wall is 380 persons, made of up families and single adults on distinct access controlled floors. There are currently 80 single international protection applicants living in the building. The next arrivals will be families. Residents will be accommodated mainly in twin bedrooms and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Deputy, there are 80 single males currently being accommodated at the former ESB building in East Wall. International Protection applicants have a statutory right to anonymity and, accordingly, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not provide personal information about the occupants of IPAS accommodation such as their nationality. Please see requested information in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department continues to assess and review all accommodation offers received on an ongoing basis as to their suitability to the needs of BOTPs. My Department is in addition reviewing all commercial accommodation offers on hand. Consideration of offers is prioritised based on the capacity available, but all offers are considered. When considering offers of individual homes as...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Over 650 providers are currently in arrangements with my Department to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Over €50m has issued from my Department to date in November in respect of Ukraine accommodation and related costs. We are working rapidly to process all invoices received, with additional resources assigned. Almost 40% more invoices have been processed...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Schemes (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My department has two schemes for which eligibility is determined by Department of Social Protection status, which can include means testing. These are: - the National Childcare Scheme and - the Community Childcare Savers Plus Scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Meetings (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am advised that officials from my Department have not attended joint policing committees and city and county development boards.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am advised by my officials that the accommodation provider referred to in details supplied has severed ties with the third-party agent previously involved in accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the property. I am also informed that further to the previous residents vacating the property, new BOTP residents have arrived at the premises as of this week.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is focused on providing immediate, temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. This has involved entering into arrangements with over 650 providers including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, with additional capacity operated by voluntary bodies and local authority emergency facilities. The offer of accommodation has been noted...