Results 1,521-1,540 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: The introduction of mandatory reporting has not been proceeded with to date, on the basis that it has not been adequately demonstrated that the system would result in greater protection for children.We also need to ensure that available resources are used efficiently. I understand that recent research points to difficulties in other jurisdictions where mandatory reporting was introduced. The...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: The Adoption Bill, 2009, which is designed to give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption, has passed through the Seanad and I am actively seeking time for its progression in the current Dáil session. I firmly believe that legislation and, specifically, the regime of the Hague Convention, provides an assurance...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: As the Deputy will be aware, the new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which provides a free Pre-School year to eligible children and which will be introduced in January 2010, was announced in the Supplementary Budget in April this year. Since the announcement of the scheme I have had a number of meetings with the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations, which represent the...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: Ireland has no bilateral intercountry adoption agreement in place with Russia. However, work on the preparation of a draft agreement with the Russian authorities is being undertaken. I am aware that there are people who have received Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt outside the State and may intend to adopt from Russia. The decision regarding the country of choice for...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: Following the publication and acceptance by Government of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was tasked with producing an Implementation Plan. The Plan was endorsed by Government and was published on 28 July 2009. The Plan sets out 99 actions to address each of the 20 recommendations contained in the Ryan Report. It includes measures...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: The Adoption Bill, 2009, which will give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption, has passed through Seanad Éireann, and I am actively seeking time for its progression in the current Dáil session. I firmly believe that legislation and, specifically, the regime of the Hague Convention, provides an assurance for...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: In late August, I was made aware of two significant Reports regarding child welfare, protection and adoption in Vietnam. The issues referred to in these two reports are of concern to the Government especially since they confirm anecdotal reports that have been aired in the past. Firstly, the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, with technical assistance from UNICEF in...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006 — 2010, under which the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) is being implemented. Capital funding of €250,000 under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) 2000 — 2006 was approved for the group in question in November 2005. This funding was transferred to...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new scheme to provide a free Pre-School year of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) which was announced in April by the Minister of Finance. The scheme is being introduced on the 1st January 2010. Some 4,700 pre-school services are notified to the Health Service Executive (HSE) and nearly 100 services are...

Hospital Staff. (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: I am replying to this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I thank Deputy Scanlon for raising this issue on behalf of his constituents. It provides me with an opportunity to outline the background to the current situation and to update the House on the action taken by the Health Service Executive. As Deputy Scanlon is aware,...

Hospital Services. (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: I am responding on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Mary Harney, Minister for Health and Children. The HSE has informed the Minister that the case of the child in question, which is complex, has been the subject of discussion between Cork University Hospital and the relevant specialists at the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street. Owing to the serious nature of this case it is being...

Hospital Services. (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: In this regard, the House will be pleased to note the confirmation earlier today at the Oireachtas health committee by the HSE chief executive, Professor Drumm, that Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin is to begin engaging fully with the development of the new paediatric hospital and will have representation on the hospital's development board. I thank the Deputy for raising this...

Social Welfare Benefits (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: Widow's and widower's contributory pension is a social insurance based payment which provides pension entitlement on the death of a spouse. To qualify for a widow's or widower's contributory pension a person must be widowed; not be cohabiting; and satisfy prescribed social insurance contribution conditions. The pension is payable for the lifetime of the pensioner, provided she or he does...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: In late August, I was made aware of two significant reports regarding child welfare, protection and adoption in Vietnam. The issues referred to in these two reports are of concern to the Government especially since they confirm anecdotal reports that have been aired in the past. Firstly, the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, with technical assistance from UNICEF in...

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 to 257, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which provides a free Pre-School year to eligible children. In addition, my Office is also responsible for implementing the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) which supports community...

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which is being introduced in January 2010 The age range in which children will qualify for the scheme in January 2010 is between 3 years 7 months and 4 years 10 months on the 1st January. Exceptions to the upper age limit will be considered...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: The Adoption Bill, 2009, which is designed to give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption, has passed through the Seanad and I am actively seeking time for its progression in the current Dáil session. I firmly believe that legislation and, specifically, the regime of the Hague Convention, provides an assurance...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: In late August, I was made aware of two significant reports regarding child welfare, protection and adoption in Vietnam. The issues referred to in these two reports are of concern to the Government especially since they confirm anecdotal reports that have been aired in the past. Firstly, the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, with technical assistance from UNICEF in...

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: Section 38 sets out the arrangements for the transfer of the staff of the Commission for Taxi Regulation to the authority. The provisions of the section will support the continuation of the existing terms and conditions of employment held by the transferred staff. These include superannuation benefits which, under subsection (6) will not be less favourable than those to which they were...