Results 2,181-2,200 of 11,687 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (28 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to opening the National Childcare Scheme to families that use childminders at the earliest possible opportunity, though it will be necessary first to amend the Child Care Act 1991, to develop and introduce childminder-specific regulations, and to give childminders adequate time and support to meet regulatory requirements. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Asylum Seekers (28 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has updated its reunification protocol due to the mounting challenges in procuring additional accommodation places for new arrivals into Ireland. The updated reunification protocol seeks to maximise the availability of beds in the system while also acknowledging the exceptional need of certain individuals. People can request to move into a room of existing contacts if there is a...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Safety (28 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: A key recommendation of Justice Dr Geoffrey Shannon’s Independent review report on the handling of past complaints of abuse in St John Ambulance, which was published on March 16th 2023, was for the appointment of a National Safeguarding officer to the St. John Ambulance Ireland organisation. This matter continues to be under consideration by my department. The issues identified by...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (28 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together. International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) contracts do not contain a "cooling off" period, and therefore, no contract has been cancelled during such a period from 2020 to date. Department officials are working tirelessly to bring more bed spaces into use, and since January 2022 have brought over 200 properties into use to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (28 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together. Cork City Childcare Committee, funded by my Department, has been engaging with this service since the service took over this location and will be offering assistance on options for funding and wider supports. With regard to the broader question of early learning and childcare supply in Cork City and elsewhere, a range of steps are...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Youth Services (28 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department provides grant funding youth organisations to support a broad range of youth services which are delivered by both paid youth workers and volunteers. The youth workers and other staff involved in youth services are employed directly by the organisation in receipt of funding. My Department does not have a role in determining salaries, which vary according to the individual...

Recent Arson Attacks: Statements (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since I came into office, we have debated the issues of migration, immigration, international protection and the war in Ukraine extensively in this Chamber. We have done it through statements, oral questions and Leaders' Questions. Those debates have been robust and informative. This is entirely appropriate. We are in the midst of one of the greatest humanitarian exercises and responses...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Taoiseach outlined in the House last week, the Government’s commitment is to sign the optional protocol during its term of office. Last August, my Department commissioned external legal advice to see where exactly we were non-compliant with the protocol and on what areas we needed to work. That legal advice will be coming to my Department in the next number of weeks. It is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy. The redress scheme will open on 20 March. All Deputies and Senators will have received the briefing on it today and there will be further briefings with more details on 20 March. As for the ongoing engagement with the religious orders, I have been very clear that they have a moral obligation to make a contribution in the way the State is. Sheila Nunan is engaging...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: -----but that work is ongoing. I do not have a specific date for the Deputy today but the work is ongoing.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together. The Department is not in a position to comment on individual cases. The Deputy will be aware of the shortage of accommodation for single male applicants for international protection. IPAS is unable to offer transfers to alternative accommodation on request at this time, due to unprecedented pressure on the accommodation portfolio. ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 451 together. I am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and I will do so within this quarter. I am also very conscious that many potential applicants to the Scheme are elderly, and in that regard I made provision in the underpinning legislation for the Scheme that...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare. It is available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years who are attending any participating Tusla registered childcare service, including any Tusla registered childminder. The success of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in meeting families needs is evidenced...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it. To date, over 100,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and approximately 74,000 of those have been...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Inquiries (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Two Referendums are planned to take place on 8 March 2024. In line with the McKenna and McCrystal principles on the use of public funds in a referendum, all papers in the relation to the work of the Interdepartmental Group are precluded from publication until after the referendum votes have taken place. Two Referendum Bills have passed all Stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas which will,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Reports (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Two Referendums are planned to take place on 8 March 2024. In line with the McKenna and McCrystal principles on the use of public funds in a referendum, all papers in the relation to the work of the Interdepartmental Group are precluded from publication until after the referendum votes have taken place. Two Referendum Bills have passed all Stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas which will,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Reviews (27 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: It is planned that legislative proposals arising from the Review of the Equality Acts will be brought forward in the coming months. The Review is examining the operation of the Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under their redress mechanisms. It is also examining the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are...