Results 6,461-6,480 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care Supports (6 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, the Child and Family Agency has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. The majority of children in care are in foster care, one third of whom are placed with relatives. The Child and Family Agency receive a child into care where it appears that a child...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (6 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Efforts are ongoing in my Department in relation to a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. A delegation of Russian officials travelled to Ireland in October 2013 for further discussions on a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. The meeting was very positive and detailed discussions took...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (6 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Considerable capital funding was made available to community and commercial mainstream childcare providers for the development and refurbishment of childcare facilities under the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010, and previously under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP). Because of the economic situation, a review of capital expenditure was undertaken in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Funding (6 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: A number of childcare support programmes are implemented by my Department to support parents with the cost of childcare. These include the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme and the new After-school Childcare programme. These programmes represent an annual...

Children First Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Children First Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to the debate on this important Bill. The debate has provided an opportunity for me to set out the overall rationale to the proposed legislation and I hope this has been of assistance to Deputies in considering the approach which has been taken in the Bill following detailed policy consideration and consultation. Many Deputies have indicated a wish...

Children First Bill 2014: Referral to Select Committee (7 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Education Welfare Service Provision (7 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy may be aware the functions and operational responsibilities of the former National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) are now part of the new Child and Family Agency, which was established on 1 January 2014. Since this date the staff of the former NEWB, including its Educational Welfare Officers, have transferred to the new Agency. Within the Child and Family Agency, the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Traveller Community (7 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy may be aware the functions and operational responsibilities of the former National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) are now part of the new Child and Family Agency, which was established on 1 January 2014. Since this date the staff of the former NEWB, including its Educational Welfare Officers, have transferred to the new Agency. Under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, the Child...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Costs (7 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the relatively high cost of childcare in this country and of the difficulties that this presents, particularly where both parents are in employment outside of the home. To help address the issue, funding of €260 million is provided annually by my Department to support a number of targeted childcare support programmes that assist parents in accessing quality and affordable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (8 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The State's prosecutorial authorities have not brought to my attention any concerns indicating a need to amend incitement to hatred legislation as proposed by the Deputy. Nor is there any requirement in international law requiring domestic legislation to combat incitement to hatred against a person or persons on grounds of disability. EU Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (8 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 to 156, inclusive, together. The provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of An Garda Síochána's identified operational requirements and the availability of resources. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (8 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Liquor Licensing Laws (8 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government Legislation Programme provides for future publication of a Sale of Alcohol Bill which will update the law relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises and registered clubs, including the statutory provisions relating to times when alcohol may be sold. The Bill will repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011 and the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Semi-State Bodies (13 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to semi-State bodies who have a significant element of commercial or trade activities within their remit. The bodies and agencies attached to my Department provide public services in the broad Justice area, and, as such, do not engage in any significant commercial activity.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations Opening Hours (13 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts, the various Garda national units and of course Garda Headquarters. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (13 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that valid applications for a certificate of naturalisation have been received from the person referred to by the Deputy, on behalf of her minor children. The supporting documentation that must be submitted with an application is set out in the guidance accompanying the application form. If additional...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: White Collar Crime (13 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The term 'white collar' crime is not formally defined. It broadly describes a range of non-violent crimes that people in positions of responsibility and trust commit for their own personal gain. It can cover fraud, embezzlement, insider trading on the stock market, bribery, corruption and regulatory offences in specialist fields such as financial activity, occupational health and safety,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: White Collar Crime (13 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Insofar as my Department's remit is concerned, I am advised that the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI) is charged with investigating serious and complex fraud matters and has the resources and expertise to carry out this function. In light of this there are no plans to establish another agency with responsibilities in this field. There is, of course, the closest of cooperation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (13 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of An Garda Síochána's identified operational requirements and the availability of resources. As the Deputy will be aware, a further €9m was secured towards the end of last year for investment in the Garda fleet which resulted in the purchase of 305 Garda vehicles towards...