Results 19,441-19,460 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Consultancy Contracts Data (16 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: In order to deliver key commitments in relation to children and young people and to put in place a unified framework of policy, legislation and provision across Government in respect of children and young people, it is at times necessary to commission reports and utilise expertise from a range of expert individuals and bodies. My Department ensures that all reports commissioned are of direct...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (16 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together. The issues raised by the Deputy are a matter for the Child and Family Agency and I have asked the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (16 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: As I have previously outlined, the document the Deputy is referring to was an appendix to a draft report provided by the HSE to the McAleese Inquiry into State involvement with Magdalen Laundries. The author of this appendix acknowledged that its conclusions remained a matter of conjecture until such time as a more forensic examination of the home’s records could be undertaken by the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Funding (16 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 528 to 535, inclusive, together. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, assumed statutory responsibility with effect from 1 January 2014 for domestic, sexual and gender based violence services. These services were previously funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Sexual violence services are being developed by Tusla, as a national specialist...

Children (Amendment) Bill 2015: Order for Second Stage (17 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Children (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (17 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to have this opportunity to introduce the Children (Amendment) Bill 2015 to the House and I look forward to engaging in a constructive debate as it proceeds through the various Stages. The provisions in this Bill, which is proposed to amend the existing Children Act 2001, relate to the relatively small number of children...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Funding (17 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Funding (17 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (17 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has been implementing a national quality assurance strategy and the findings to date are that, generally, there are good systems in place for managing and monitoring cases. Improvements were needed in the refinement and consistent application of some processes and definitions, particularly with respect to the appropriate diversion of cases to a local area...

Children (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: Section 11 provides for an amendment to section 157 relating to definitions for the purposes of Part 10 of the Children Act. Section 12 provides for the substitution of a new section 163 to enable the Minister to make an order relating to the permanent or temporary closure of a children detention school or part thereof. Section 13 inserts a new section 163A to enable the Minister to make an...

Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Provision (18 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: I thank Deputy Ellis for rising this issue and I understand that he is referring to Rape Crisis Network Ireland, RCNI. I welcome the opportunity to clarify the position with regard to the funding of this organisation. With effect from its establishment on 1 January 2014, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has taken on statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of...

Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Provision (18 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: I reassure the House that all 16 rape crisis centres across the country have suffered no reduction in funding. Rape and violence against women is repugnant to all right-minded people. This Government is committed to supporting victims of such heinous crimes and to supporting the rape crisis centres. Tusla is committed to ensuring that we have accurate and complete data so that we can plan...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Preschool Services (18 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: There are a number of measures currently in place in my Department to ensure that the free pre-school year is more accessible to children with special needs. These include an exemption from the upper age limit where a child would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. In addition, children with special needs can apply to have the pre-school year split over two years on a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Registration Fees Refund Application (18 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: The Adoption registration fees for which the Deputy supplied details were paid as part of an agreement between an accredited adoption agency and its clients. My Department was not party to this agreement and therefore has no legal responsibility for repayment of these fees. However, I have been made aware of this issue. My Department has met with agency in question and the Adoption...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (18 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: As outlined in my reply to the Deputy last week, a Commission of Investigation is completely independent in the conduct of its investigations. Therefore the precise timing and approach to its work is a matter for the Commission to decide and progress. I would note however, that the Commissions website www.mbhcoi.ie states that in addition to former residents and employees, they would also...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Legislation (18 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: As I have stated on a number of occasions complex legal and constitutional issues arise in the drafting of the Adoption Information and Tracing Bill. A particular challenge has arisen in the attempt to reconcile an adopted person’s request for information about his or her identity with the right to privacy of his or her birth parent. My Department has had on going consultation with...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care Education (23 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 390 together. The majority of children with special needs are able to access the free pre-school year, provided under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, in mainstream childcare services, without the provision of any additional supports. In the region of 65,000, including children with special needs, avail of the free...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Funding (23 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: A total of €7 million is being made available under the Early Years Capital Programme in 2015. Of this funding, €5 million is being made available for grants specifically for community/not-for-profit early years services. This funding will provide for the allocation of capital grant aid in the region of €500,000 for significant upgrades of services such as major...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency (23 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not appropriate for me to comment on an individual case or on the day to day management of a case which is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have forwarded the information provided by the Deputy to Tusla for immediate attention and direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Funding (23 Jun 2015)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together. The School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to improve the school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. It is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified under the Department of Education and Skills DEIS Action...