Results 9,381-9,400 of 11,817 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disabilities Assessments (7 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will be aware that due to the ongoing industrial action by FORSA administrative and management grade staff in the HSE (which commenced on 6 October, 2023), delays remain in receiving answers to parliamentary questions and ministerial...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (7 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has received further correspondence from this childcare facility stating that they have issued further correspondence to all concerned parents, informing them that any plans in relation to the introduction of food costings are currently on hold and to refrain from making any payments at this point in time. Pobal and the local CCC are engaging with...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: State Pensions (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am aware that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is an area of genuine concern for foster carers. The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Social Protection has some measures available to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment in the calculation of a State Pension payment. Credit for Home Caring Periods may be awarded to a maximum of 20 years and foster...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, funded by my Department, provides universal, free pre-school to children within the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months. The upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months for ECCE was set in consultation with the Department of Education and ensures that children transition into primary school with their peers....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department's officials have informed me that this is being reviewed as part of the Child Care Act Amendment Bill (2023). The Pre Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) process has been completed and the report with some 90 recommendations is being considered by my Department as we progress drafting with the Office of Parliamentary Council. Department's officials have been attending the recent...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Apologies to the Deputy for the delay with the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 5 December 2023. A reply has been prepared and will issue to the Deputy very shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Apologies to the Deputy for the delay with the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 469 of 14 December 2023. A reply has been prepared and will issue to the Deputy very shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Providers that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns as per their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement. Following constructive engagement with members and nominees of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF), including Childhood Services Ireland (CSI), Childminding Ireland, Early...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Officials in my Department are currently experiencing temporary issues in accessing the ESRI SWITCH Model, which is required to model complex changes to the National Childcare Scheme. Officials will revert to the Deputy directly as soon as possible once access is restored and an accurate estimate to the above scenario can be provided.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disabilities Assessments (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: In terms of our accommodation procurement practices to date, my Department is acutely conscious of the need to ensure quality in all accommodation contracted, while also providing shelter and safety urgently to those who need it. Offers received on the online portal for accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) are assessed for suitability. The criteria to be met by...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: In line with a commitment in First 5, my Department appointed Stranmillis University College, Belfast to undertake an independent review of the ECCE programme. The review was designed to assess whether the ECCE Programme is meeting its core objectives and to identify any opportunities for enhancements that can be made to the Programme, based on international evidence and experience to date. ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Officials in my Department are currently experiencing temporary issues in accessing the ESRI SWITCH Model, which is required to model complex changes to the National Childcare Scheme. Officials will revert to the Deputy directly as soon as possible once access is restored and an accurate estimate to the above scenario can be derived.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Bodies (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Referendum Campaigns (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Two Referendum Bills have passed all Stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas which will: -amend Article 41 of the Constitution to provide for a wider concept of Family; and -delete Article 41.2 of the Constitution to remove text on the role of women in the home, and to insert a new Article 42B to recognise family care. The Referendum is planned to take place on 8 March 2024. As the Bills have...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Investment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.1 billion in 2023 for early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. The overwhelming majority of this funding is allocated through Together for Better, the new funding model. Together for Better brings together four strands,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: State Properties (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The information is not available in the manner requested by the Deputy with respect to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) or in relation to International Protection applicants. However, data at local authority for BOTPs and at county level for IP applicants is presented in the two tables below. I can advise that my Department releases statistics in relation to BOTPs by local...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (13 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie