Results 1,421-1,440 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (21 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The National Child Care Investment Programme 2006-2010 is being implemented by the newly established office of the Minister of State with responsibility for children, under the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan. The new programme aims to provide a proactive response to the development of quality child care supports and services which are grounded...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (21 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (21 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The review of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 and Child Care (Pre-School Services) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 has been completed. I expect to be in a position to introduce the revised regulations in the near future. I understand that work is in progress in the Health Service Executive to address training issues for pre-school inspection staff in anticipation of the...

Written Answers — Abuse Allegations: Abuse Allegations (21 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware of the letter dated 26 June 1999 referred to by the Deputy. My Department has no record of a reply issuing to this letter and I regret that I am not in a position to say why this is the case. I can confirm however that the letter forms part of a substantial correspondence from the person concerned outlining a range of concerns and allegations regarding Finglas child and adolescent...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (21 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I advised the Deputy in the reply referred to by her, I am satisfied that my Department endeavours at all times to ensure that responses issued to representations are accurate and comprehensive. Again, if the Deputy has in mind a particular issue and provides me with further details, I will have the matter investigated.

Seanad: Third Level Education: Statements (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senators for their very interesting contributions on the Fottrell report, which I will draw to the attention of the Minister. In response to a specific question by Senator McHugh, implementation of the Fottrell report up to 2013 is estimated to cost €200 million. Clearly the State is making a very substantial investment in this area and it is important for us to get a good return. I...

Seanad: Third Level Education: Statements (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is a hook on which we are caught and off which we will not be able to get ourselves.

Seanad: Third Level Education: Statements (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This problem is recognised by the presidents of all colleges.

Seanad: Third Level Education: Statements (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is widely known and perhaps in this House these matters can be adverted to. However, I must confirm in the next breath that the Government has no proposals to change this position. Senator Maurice Hayes also raised the issue. It is of course widely accepted in third level education circles that this is the reality. It is very serious for the future of our higher education institutions. In...

Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I wish to share time with Deputy Carey.

Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am pleased to address this House and welcome the provisions of this Bill, a number of which impact directly on the new National Childcare Strategy 2006-2010, announced by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, in budget 2006. I welcome the Government's decision to introduce the new child care strategy in advance of the expiration of the previous one and the subsequent announcement by the...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (23 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to reply directly to the Deputy

Seanad: Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second and Subsequent Stages. (23 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am pleased to bring the Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2006 to the House on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, who is currently on official business in China. I am aware from talking to the Minister that she would have been keen to have steered the Bill in this House. As Senators are aware, the Bill passed all of its Stages in Dáil Éireann...

Seanad: Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second and Subsequent Stages. (23 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senators for the broad welcome they gave to this measure and for the quality of the debate. For a while I believed that this truly was a vocational Chamber until Senator Tuffy spoke, because every Member who spoke before her was also a member of the teaching profession. As someone who is not a teacher, I have always been lost in admiration for the very high standard our teachers have...

Seanad: Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second and Subsequent Stages. (23 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank the Seanad for its welcome for the legislation. With regard to Senator Ulick Burke's question, under the legislation the Minister has the power to fund the council in the next two years. It is her intention to consider that.

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Representatives of the Adoption Board travelled to Belarus in October 2005. They met with officials of the National Adoption Centre and the Ministry of Justice. During the visit the Belarussian officials presented the Adoption Board with a draft protocol on inter-country adoption between Ireland and Belarus. Following examination of the protocol by the Adoption Board and the Attorney General...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — School Placement: School Placement (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This issue is a matter for the National Educational Welfare Board, NEWB, which is established under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 and is the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the board are...

Written Answers — School Absenteeism: School Absenteeism (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school...

Further and Higher Education: Statements. (1 Mar 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On behalf of the Minister, I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate. The introduction of the strategic innovation fund will address third level reform and ensure that Ireland continues to develop as a knowledge economy in a rapidly changing global environment. The fund will enable the higher education system to achieve a new level of performance that will create a platform for...