Results 1,681-1,700 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (2 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The trial, conviction and punishment of offenders is a matter reserved under the Constitution for the judicial arm of the State. We can have a debate on sentencing on another day but very broad discretion has been given to the Judiciary in this legislation to impose a very severe sentence in an appropriate case. Short of that, circumstances must be taken into account.

Written Answers — School Absenteeism: School Absenteeism (7 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This government is determined to do all that is possible to ensure that every child gets all the opportunities and support they need to enable them to participate fully in education. I take a very serious view of children being absent from school during term time. The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 ensures the right of every child in the state to receive an education and places a legal...

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (8 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware the Department of Health and Children in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and other relevant Departments is committed to protecting children in Ireland today. This Government has taken a number of initiatives in regard to Child Protection, this includes the Children Act 2001, the improvement and expansion of Garda Vetting and most...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (13 Jun 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 (HSE) 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. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Office of the Ombudsman for Children was established under the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002. The functions under the Act include the promotion of the rights and welfare of children and the investigation and examination of complaints, in relation to children, against public bodies, schools and voluntary hospitals. The current Ombudsman is Ms. Emily Logan. The contact details for her...

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (14 Jun 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.

Seanad: Health Services. (14 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I hope I can assist Senator Kitt in this matter of great concern to him. I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Tim O'Malley, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children. I will outline to the House the position regarding the additional funding provided for services for children and adults with disabilities in 2006. Under the multiannual investment programme...

Seanad: University Properties. (14 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senator Burke for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I will respond to him on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. The Senator is well aware that the Lyons Estate belongs to University College Dublin. The day-to-day management of UCD, which is an autonomous body, is a matter for its governing authority. The college authorities are free to dispose of lands and...

Seanad: University Properties. (14 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Any decision to dispose of part or all of Lyons Estate will be made when the review findings have been approved by the governing authority. In line with best practice, the review will be conducted by the university, which will be guided by international experts in the relevant areas. The brief for the review body will require it to consider the need for the university to retain access to...

Seanad: University Properties. (14 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The review is taking place within the college of life sciences, but it is guided by international expertise.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (14 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senator O'Meara for affording me an opportunity to outline to the House the Department of Education and Science's position on the proposed building project at the vocational school in Nenagh, County Tipperary. The modernisation of facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an easy task, given the legacy of decades of under-investment in this area and the need...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (14 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The reply only discloses that the request has been received by the Department. However, I assume that as it is being dealt with at an official level, this will be done within a reasonable time.

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (15 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Educational (Welfare) Act 2000 provides a comprehensive framework which promotes regular school attendance and tackles the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The Act established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as the single agency with responsibility for school attendance in the State. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a...

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (15 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) was established under The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework which promotes regular school attendance and tackles the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that every child...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The former National Children's Office (now subsumed into the Office of the Minister for Children) undertook responsibility for the co-ordination and transmission of Ireland's Second Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. The report deals specifically with this issue. With regard to the full incorporation of the UN Convention into Irish law the State party report...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Jun 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 (20 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand from enquiries made of the Deputy that the parent in question is in receipt of an allowance from the Finglas/Cabra Partnership. My Department has no responsibility in relation to the payment of such allowances.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (20 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The review of the Child Care (Pre-School Services ) Regulations 1996 and (Amendment) Regulations 1997 has been completed. I expect to be in a position to sign 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 introduction of the revised Regulations.

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (20 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand the Deputy is referring to the recent document circulated by the ISPCC as part of its 'How Can We Be Sure They're Safe?' campaign. I have only recently received this document and the issues raised in it are being considered by my Office and by the Departments of Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform. My Office has also asked the Health Service Executive to...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (20 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My office is currently developing a recreation policy for young people aged 12-18 in conjunction with a number of Government Departments and agencies directly involved in the provision of recreation facilities and programmes for young people. The policy will be available this year. It is intended that the issue of youth cafes will be dealt with in the policy. The management and delivery of...