Results 8,101-8,120 of 11,802 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Assisted Human Reproduction (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Special Rapporteur published the report “Review of Children’s Rights and Best Interests in the Context of Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) and Surrogacy in Irish Law” in December 2020. The report comprises issues relating to parentage and the right to identity in donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR) and surrogacy carried out in this jurisdiction and abroad....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I welcome the ‘Scoping Study on the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in Ireland’ conducted by UCD. The findings outlined in the report are alarming. Since the report was published, my Department has been working closely with Tusla senior management on the matters raised in the report. My Department will prioritise a review of the findings of this scoping report...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-government humanitarian response to assist over 85,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, including 63,000 that have sought accommodation from this Department. Overseeing provision of accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Measures (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was signed into law by the President on 4th April. Its aim is to support employees to achieve a better balance between their home lives and work lives. An Order commencing much of the Act will be made on 3rd July 2023. This includes the provisions introducing 5 days leave for medical care purposes for employees and the extension...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Department is responding to the largest increase in the number of people seeking refuge in the State's history. Approximately 7,500 such individuals were provided with accommodation and supports towards the end of 2021. Today that figure is closer to 90,000, including all international protection applicants and those fleeing Ukraine, in both State provided...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-government humanitarian response to assist over 85,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, including 63,000 that have sought accommodation from this Department. Overseeing provision of accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Consultations (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is preparing a response and will contact the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The new policy framework is expected to be published in the middle of this year. Last year, my department published a Blueprint of the Policy Framework for Children and Young People (0-24) 2023-2028, setting out our plans for this framework, which adopts a children’s rights approach, informed by the UN Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC), envisioning an Ireland in which the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can advise the Deputy that since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate, temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing the conflict. My Department is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can inform the Deputy that my Department is not aware of the event described in respect of the details supplied. Perhaps the Deputy might write to me with more specific information and I will look into this matter further.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I greatly appreciate the positive contribution of the ABC Programme to improved outcomes for children and families, and its wider influence on the planning, evaluation and delivery of services. I am aware of requests from the ABC Managers Forum for a meeting to discuss funding matters. As an independent state agency, Tusla is responsible for the management and oversight of exchequer funding...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla has a statutory obligation to notify An Garda Síochana of all incidences of suspected child sexual exploitation, including those relating to children in the care of the State. An Garda Síochana lead the investigation into these notifications. Consequently, Tusla liaises closely with Gardaí, and also has an assigned Principal Social worker based with Garda National...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: This working group was set up as a joint action by the Department and Tusla following publication of Dr. Shannon’s review of St. John Ambulance Ireland in March 2023. This working group is not specifically about child sexual exploitation as it relates to issues within organisations and institutions regarding governance and safeguarding and any potential grooming of children by members...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The findings of the recent UCD study are alarming. In the first instance, my Department has requested a detailed report from Tusla in relation to the findings of the research, including the number of notifications to An Garda Siochana regarding suspected Child Sexual Exploitation of children in residential care and in particular of young girls in residential care. HIQA is authorised, under...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Over the last two Budgets, I have made a number of enhancements to the NCS to reduce the cost of childcare for parents availing of the NCS, these include:The removal of the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from NCS awards, meaning that parents are able to use their full awarded subsidised NCS hours regardless of whether their children are in pre-school or school.The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Expenditure (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The table below shows the items of memorabilia purchased in relation to Pride 2023. Quantity Item Total Cost 100 Pride T-Shirts €899.13 500 Pride Lapel Pins €1,362.84 500 Pride Lanyards €713.40 ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Maternity Leave (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 396, 398 and 401 together. The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks which will be extended to two years following the birth of the child through...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Question: To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Answer: Since my appointment as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the remit of the Department has been broadened with the inclusion of a number of very...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The report to which the Deputy refers was not provided to me in advance of its publication on 27 June. However, I acknowledge the Deputy’s provision of excerpts from “Voices from the frontlines: Service providers identify key challenges and opportunities for Ireland’s ELC and SAC sector” produced for the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP) as part of...