Results 1,341-1,360 of 11,729 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Reappointment of the Ombudsman for Children: Motion (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I move: That Dáil Éireann recommends Dr. Niall Muldoon for re-appointment by the President to be the Ombudsman for Children. I am asking Dáil Éireann to pass a motion that Dr. Niall Muldoon be reappointed by the President as Ombudsman for Children. Seanad Éireann approved such a resolution last week. On 15 December 2020, the Government supported my intention to...

Reappointment of the Ombudsman for Children: Motion (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputies on all sides of the House for their contributions to the debate on the motion. It is my pleasure to recommend to the House that Dr. Niall Muldoon be reappointed by the President to be the Ombudsman for Children. Dr. Muldoon comes to this post with a wealth of experience. He has served very effectively as Ombudsman for Children over the past six years. He has...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Irish Sign Language (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: This is not a matter within the remit of my Department.  However, I will bring the matter to the attention of my colleague the Minister for Education.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: In responding to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, the Government has approved the development of a Strategic Action Plan encompassing a suite of 22 measures.  Most importantly, we will take a survivor-centred approach to the development and implementation of these measures. The Action Plan has a number of distinct themes including:...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Parental Leave (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 459, 460 and 468 together. The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parents' Leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Under proposals approved by Government in December 2020, each parent will be given an additional three weeks of paid Parents' Leave, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Residential Institutions (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Residential Institutions (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services, other than the ECCE programme, are currently open for the children of essential workers and vulnerable children only. Latest data gathered from the City/County Childcare Committees show that more than 1,800 services are open nationally, many of which at operating at low occupancy levels. ELC and SAC services are...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Government decided on 6 January that, in order to reduce movement in the population, the ECCE programme would not resume until 1 February. Other Early Learning and Childcare and School-Age Childcare services (ELC/SAC services) can remain open on a restricted basis, to offer services to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children only.  It has now been agreed that...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together. Total amounts paid to companies/firms to accommodate persons seeking international protection in privately owned International Protection Accommodation Centres in 2017, 2018, 2019 and to the end of October 2020. Year 2017 2018 2019 Up to end of October 2020 Amounts Paid ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The following table sets out the number of people being accommodated by my Department in International Protection Accommodation Centres, temporary emergency accommodation in the form of hotels and guesthouses and the National Reception Centre in Balseskin from 2017 to 2020. The gender breakdown is also provided. However, this was not available for 2017. Gender Breakdown of Residents ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Responsibility for the recording of the number of people who test positive for COVID-19 lies with the Department of Health. My Department cannot confirm positive test results of any person as we do not hold such personal medical information. Decisions on who should be tested and the release of data relating to same are matters for the HSE in a public health context. My...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As of 31 December 2020 there were 1,010 residents accommodated by my Department who had secured an International Protection status or a permission to remain in the State. Residents who have been granted an International Protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: During the years 2019 and 2020 there were seven new accommodation centres for International Protection applicants opened in total, with a combined capacity of 784 beds. In addition to these seven centres, one further centre in Co. Kerry was contracted on a short-term contract from March 2020 but was closed in September 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: On Tuesday 26 January, Government made the decision to extend the suspension of the ECCE programme and to continue to restrict access to other Early Learning and Childcare services to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children. The decision to postpone resumption of the ECCE programme and the restrict access to ELC/SAC services only to children of essential workers and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (3 Feb 2021)

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. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Youth Services (3 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy will be aware that in 2020, the service in question received significant funding of over €444,000 from my Department for its youth services in Kerry. The service also received funding from other sources, such as Tusla in relation to family support services. I understand from previous questions and representations to me that the Deputy is referring to a matter relating...