Results 1,521-1,540 of 11,729 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes: Engagement with the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth (16 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As I stated in my reply to the Deputy's parliamentary question, I wrote to the commission. It was a technical inquiry about whether the information could be retrieved. As I noted in response to one of the Senators, the commission replied today, stating that it did not believe that the material can be retrieved. I have no basis to say that answer was provided to me in bad faith and I assume...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes: Engagement with the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth (16 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I share the passion of committee members for bringing about a resolution of these issues. I want to work with them and was very happy to come in today to engage with them on these issues. I have engaged a lot in the Dáil and I will take a third Seanad debate later this week as well as private sessions with this committee. I have no problem with any of that. I am glad to do it because...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The new international protection accommodation centre in Port Road, Letterkenny is now almost ready to open. The opening is subject to an inspection to be carried out by the International Protection Procurement Service (IPSS) of my Department, to ensure all requirements as per the tendering process have been met. My officials in IPAS have engaged with all relevant state agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Payment Scheme (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The new accommodation centre in Letterkenny for International Protection applicants was procured through a tendering competition that was conducted through the Government’s Procurement Portal www.etenders.gov.ie. The specifications for this tender included the provision of food and household items through a points system by way of an on-site foodhall whereby residents can obtain the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: All early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) service providers are obliged to comply with the relevant Regulations. Services are required to operate within regulatory minimum adult-child ratios as set out in the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Consultations (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The matter referred to by the Deputy is first and foremast an internal matter for the organisation involved. Notwithstanding this, my officials and I engage regularly with the organisation on a range of matters related to governance issues. I met with representatives of the senior management team and the Board on Thursday last (4th February) to discuss governance matters in the organisation....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Programmes (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DGSBV). As the Deputy's question references an operational matter for Tusla, I have requested that Tusla responds to you directly on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Confidential Committee module, and the manner in which it was incorporated into the Commission’s terms of reference, recognised the fundamental importance of the Commission being able to ground its investigations in the lived experiences of those who spent time in these institutions. Given the sensitivity of these deeply personal issues, it was accepted that a bespoke approach was...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (17 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. 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. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Data (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I understand that Here2Help closed its operations on 30 June 2020 and proposes to transfer its adoption related files to the Adoption Authority of Ireland. The Authority and Here2Help are currently in the process of finalising the suite of files to be transferred. Once this transfer of files happens, the Authority can provide an information and tracing service for persons whose records were...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Immigration Support Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 to 528, inclusive, together. There are currently three properties being utilised by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department in Co. Louth. These are Carroll Village in Dundalk, Setanta Bed & Breakfast in Ardee and the Carnbeg Hotel in Dundalk. Carroll Village, is a dedicated international protection...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Government decided on 6 January that, in order to reduce movement in the population, the ECCE programme would be postponed. It has now been agreed that the programme will remain suspended during extended restrictions up to 5 March. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: There has been a limited number of engagements between au pair organisations and my Department during the period from 2020 to date. Engagement took place specifically in relation to Covid-19 guidance. Officials in my Department provided information, advice and best practice guidance on Covid-19 to those offering childcare in a child’s/family’s own home. In addition, officials in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Au Pair participants are deemed as essential workers and can continue to operate, like all other childcare providers. Childcare is essential for a parents ability to balance work with family responsibilities, especially those in the workforce on whom we rely to deliver essential services. In addition, a household of an essential worker, without an existing childcare arrangement, can form a...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can confirm that my officials in the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) have not received such complaints from the residents in the accommodation centre referred to by the Deputy or through other verifiable sources. IPAS has a complaints procedure which is set out in the House Rules & Procedures Booklet for International Protection applicants. Complaints are...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is funded by my Department to operate a confidential support helpline for all residents being accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). IPAS understands that not everybody feels comfortable contacting the Department directly so the helpline can be used to discuss issues or problems they are having with their accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes has made clear recommendations in relation to redress on the basis of its extensive statutory investigations. Notably, the Commission recognises that redress can be financial or in the form of enhanced services. In the context of comparable previous redress arrangements, the Commission identifies a number of specific groups for whom...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I was appalled at the leaking of the report. It was wholly unacceptable and disrespectful to survivors. I secured Government agreement to a full investigation of this incident. The Secretary General of the Department of An Taoiseach is currently investigating the matter. As part of this process, he will examine the broader issue of unauthorised dissemination of documentation and other...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.