Results 18,561-18,580 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Other Questions: Child and Family Agency Staff (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: It is true. I am sorry the truth hurts the Deputy. Monthly performance reports on unallocated cases and other service pressures are also reported to the agency’s board and the Department. In addition, the agency works with other statutory and non-statutory agencies providing family supports to ensure the agency’s social work teams can focus on the children and families in...

Other Questions: Child Care Services Provision (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Child and Family Agency publishes monthly statistics on its website which include statistics for children in care. They show the majority of children in care have an allocated social worker. Latest figures for October 2014 show that 93% of children in care had an allocated worker, 5,982 of 6,454. I am pleased to report there are several areas where all children in care have an...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Services (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: As of November 2014, the Child and Family Agency has advised that a total of 19,988 children were in receipt of a dedicated social work service. A further 8,451 cases did not have an allocated social worker. Of these 8,451 cases, 2,844 were deemed to be high priority. Of the 8,451 children who do not have an allocated social worker, 5,347 have been waiting longer than three months for a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 provides an effective, prompt and transparent mechanism to investigate complex and sensitive matters while also respecting fair procedures and natural justice. The 2004 Act gives the Commission robust powers to conduct investigations within its terms of reference in the manner it considers appropriate while adhering to the rules and procedures...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Strategy Publication (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The objective of Ireland's first Early Years Strategy is to create an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the future development of Ireland’s early years sector and a coherent approach to seeking to improve the lives of children from birth to 6 years. The Early Years Strategy will address a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life such as child health and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Social Workers Recruitment (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: Staffing vacancies arise for a variety of reasons, including retirements, career breaks, paid and unpaid leave (including maternity and other family related leave) and resignations. The Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) has advised that there were 1,403.46 whole time equivalent social workers employed at the end of November 2014 and that they are currently recruiting an additional 193 social...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Poverty (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020 (BOBF),which was published and launched by Government in 2014, provides the overarching framework for the development and implementation of policy and services for children and young people. As provided for in the Framework, the Department of Social Protection is the lead department on...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Illegal Adoptions (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Adoption Act 1952 provided a legal basis for adoption in Ireland and for the establishment of the Adoption Board. This brought order to what had been the system of ad-hoc arrangements in lieu of formal adoption procedures up to this point. Prior to the commencement of the 1952 Adoption Act it would be inaccurate to describe these informal adoptions as illegal. However, it is recognised...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: In developing the Terms of Reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters, due regard has been given to the clear emphasis on “Mother and Baby Homes” in the motion approved by Dáil Eireann on the 11th June 2014. The investigation will thoroughly examine a broad range of matters in relation to the experience of mothers...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Law Reporting Project (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Child Care Law Reporting Project (CCLRP) is an independent project established with the support of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the One Foundation and Atlantic Philanthropies. The aims and objectives of the project are to: - Provide information to the public on child care proceedings in the courts; - Conduct research on these proceedings in order to promote debate and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Justice Strategy (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: There is ongoing cooperation between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to all aspects of the youth justice system. The Irish Youth Justice Service is based in my Department and has responsibility for leading and driving reform in the area of youth justice. The focus of the Youth Justice Action Plan 2014-2018, which was launched by the Minister for Justice...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The National Youth Strategy will focus on the youth-related policy commitments outlined in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People. It will be a universal strategy for all young people aged 10 to 24. It will have a particular focus on those who are most disadvantaged or at risk and who have the poorest outcomes and therefore in most need...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: I announced the proposed Terms of Reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters on Friday, 9th January. While due regard has been given to the emphasis on “Mother and Baby Homes” in the motion approved by Dáil Eireann on the 11th June 2014, the terms of reference also reflect a much wider agenda of directly related...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: There have been some recent media reports around HSE data which shows a social work turnover rate of 15% from 2010 to 2013. I understand that this relates to social work across all services including Primary Care, Disabilities, Mental Health, Older Persons and Children and Families. While the Agency is experiencing some staff retention issues, the turnover of social workers in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Poverty (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: Responsibility for addressing disadvantage is a matter for all Departments and Ministers and indeed for wider society. The provision of intervention and supports to target the particular needs of children will be dependent on the type of disadvantage, be it social, financial, educational, health etc. Responsibility for the identification and provision of those interventions will fall to my...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse Prevention (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: Combatting online child grooming is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality. As part of a wide-ranging package of measures aimed at the reform of Ireland’s criminal law on sexual offences, including online grooming, child abuse, child exploitation and child pornography, Minister Fitzgerald recently published the General Scheme to the Criminal Law (Sexual...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: There has been some recent media reports of a social worker turnover rate of 15%. I understand that this relates to HSE figures for the period 2010 to 2013 and relates to social work across all services including Primary Care, Disabilities, Mental Health, Older Persons and Children and Families. While the Child and Family Agency is experiencing some staff retention issues, the turnover of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Juvenile Offenders (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: On a sample date of 30 October 2012, there were a total of 31 children detained in the adult prison system. The comparable figure for the same date in 2013 was 14 children and the same number also applied on 30 October 2014. The reduction of approximately 50% in the number of children detained in the adult prison system between 2012 and 2013 reflects the transfer of responsibility for 16...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Funding (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service continues to be in receipt of significant funding from a number of State bodies, including Tusla (the Child and Family Agency) and my Department. The centre also receives income by way of fees from parents. Tusla has worked closely with the centre last year in developing a sustainability plan. I am advised by Tusla that the centre is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mental Health Services Provision (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Child and Family Agency was established on 1 January, 2014. It involved bringing together nearly 4,000 staff from three separate organisations, the Health Service Executive, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. The establishment of the new Agency with a budget of over €600m represents one of the most ambitious and far reaching public sector...