Results 8,321-8,340 of 11,997 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and runs from September to June each year, aligned with the primary school calendar. To deliver this programme, pre-school providers receive...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 defines a childminder as a self-employed person, working in their own home, caring for children, at least one of whom is not related to them. Childminders who are currently minding four or more preschool children or seven children of any age, are required to register with Tusla and can already access National Childcare Scheme subsidies for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Access and Inclusion Model encompasses 7 levels of support, which include universal supports (levels 1-3) and targeted supports (levels 4-7) , based on the needs of the child and the early learning and care (ELC) setting. Universal supports are designed to create a more inclusive culture in ELC settings, through training courses and qualifications for staff. Where universal supports are...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Reports (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: In 2023, State investment in early learning and childcare will exceed €1 billion for the first time, achieving an investment target set out in the First 5 Strategy, five years ahead of schedule. In 2023, this has seen investment of:€308 million for the ECCE programme including AIM €342 million for the NCS and€266 million for Core FundingAll children meeting the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: While the Child and Family Agency, Tusla operates under the aegis of my Department. It is a statutory body independent in its decision-making functions, and as Minister, I cannot intervene in individual cases. I am deeply conscious of both the disappointment and frustration caused to applicants receiving a notification indicating that there will be a delay in the compilation and release...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Some €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars: 1. Building Blocks - Improvement Grant; 2. Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and 3. Building Blocks - Innovation Grant. ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a scheme of financial support to help parents with the cost of childcare. A component of the scheme is a sponsorship referral which makes special provision for vulnerable children. Where a child is approved for NCS sponsorship, my Department will fund their childcare place in accordance to current sponsorship rates with no charge to the parents. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax. I am conscious of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Emergency Accommodation (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: With regard to the service provider to which the Deputy refers, I am advised by my officials that they have engaged with the provider regarding issues with the outstanding invoices and, once valid invoices are received, these four invoices will be reviewed and paid promptly. With regard to interest due on late payment of invoices, I am advised that a number of interest payments were made...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Staff (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Under the Statutory Instrument, Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), the Government is legally required to provide accommodation to international protection applicants who seek it. In addition, all EU Member States agreed the Temporary Protection Directive, offering expedited stay, accommodation and work status for those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Ireland is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Bodies (21 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department engaged with each of the public bodies under its aegis and I can confirm a nil return in respect of the National Disability Authority, the Adoption Authority of Ireland, Oberstown Children Detention Campus and the recently established Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam. I can advise that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Schemes (21 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: From February 2023, 350 expectant parents from the Rotunda Hospital Dublin and 150 parents from Waterford University Hospital were offered an opportunity to participate in the First 5 Little Baby Bundle pilot project. 329 expectant parents from the Rotunda hospital and 149 parents from Waterford applied to participate. Included in this number is 8 sets of twins who have each received a...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Constitutional Amendments (21 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: On 8 March 2023, the Taoiseach and I announced that a referendum will be held to amend the Constitution as recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality. An Inter-Departmental Group (IDG), involving all Government Departments and chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (21 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The number of international protection applicants (IPAs) and Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) arriving in Ireland is expected to remain at elevated levels for the foreseeable future. Access to suitable accommodation is severely constrained. The Department is continuing to avail of offers of accommodation made to it, that meet the standards in our offer proposal...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Safety (27 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department's officials continue to liaise with St John's Ambulance ireland (SJAI) with regard to the publication of the Independent review report by Dr. Shannon which SJAI commissioned. The Department's officials have been informed by Tusla Children's Regulations Service, Child Safe Guarding Statement Compliance Unit (CSSCU), that the organisation Safeguarding statement has been...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Family Resource Centres (27 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy will be aware, the Child and Family Agency, Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre programme, funding 121 Family Resource Centres (FRCs). Where possible I make it a point to engage with Family Resource Centres, they play a pivotal role for so many communities across the country providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs. Their...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (26 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Under European Council Directive 2001/55/EC Ireland agreed to assist with the relocation of those fleeing the war in Ukraine. In response to the crisis, the Government has sought to provide a range of accommodation solutions. As part of this considerable national effort, and following government decisions in March and June 2022, it was agreed to commence installation of Rapid Build homes...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (26 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 497 together. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a scheme of financial support to help parents with the cost of childcare. A component of the scheme is a sponsorship referral which makes special provision for vulnerable children. Where a child is approved for NCS sponsorship, my Department will fund their childcare place in accordance to current...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (26 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 470 and 493 together. Contractual arrangements for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are deemed confidential and commercially sensitive. It would not serve the public interest to divulge documents or contracts held to contractors for services, as it could prejudice the Department's negotiating position to deliver...