Results 2,381-2,400 of 12,230 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1079 and 1080 together. The overall capacity for Designated Accommodation Centres (DACs) remains under review. My Department continually runs data modelling of arrival numbers, which allows us to plan for the DAC capacity required to service fluctuating arrival numbers and to maintain capacity in the centres based on the turnover within them as...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The institutions covered by this Payment Scheme are those identified by the Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children. The institution at Temple Hill, Blackrock, commonly known as St. Patrick’s Hospital, was not investigated by the Commission of Investigation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 Apr 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: Visa Applications (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy may be aware, in response to the crisis in Afghanistan Ireland, through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP), has welcomed over 600 people from Afghanistan. My Department has co-operated with a wide range of organisations to identify individuals and families most at risk. The case the Deputy is referring to was referred to the IRPP by an NGO partner on 21 March...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The First 5 Strategy aims to support parents to be at home with their children for the whole of their first year. Research suggests that children benefit particularly from parental care in this period and the Strategy sets out this evidence in detail. Under Phase 1 an individual entitlement to seven weeks of paid Parent’s Leave and Benefit was delivered to potentially allow children to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: If a person decides to accept a payment award under the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme they will be asked to sign a legal waiver. To help them to decide if they want to take the payment and sign the waiver, they will be entitled to support towards the cost of legal fees incurred, up to a maximum of €500 (excluding VAT) per application. This will be reimbursed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1093, 1100 and 1101 together. The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March. In terms of staffing for Scheme delivery, a blended operating model was developed. This provides for the Chief Deciding Officer to be supported by a core Executive Office based in my Department and also by experienced third party support, appointed following a...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: 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: Mother and Baby Homes (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March. A dedicated webpage is now live at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, which contains information on how people can apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants will need. Information on supports to applicants to help them through the application process is available at this webpage, in the information booklet for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to strongly remind the Deputy that there is no need to obtain legal support or advice to submit an application to the Scheme. The application process is designed to be very straightforward and there is no requirement on the applicant to provide proof of harm or institutional records. The Payment Scheme Office will undertake records searches based on the information provided on the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March. In terms of staffing for Scheme delivery, a blended operating model was developed. This provides for the Chief Deciding Officer to be supported by a core Executive Office operating independently but based in my Department and also by experienced third party support, appointed after a procurement process. This blended...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Advertising (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department currently uses all local commercial radio stations to convey public awareness messaging where it can measure investment and listenership figures to ensure information is reaching appropriate audiences, whilst achieving value. Community stations play an important role across Ireland and the Department always considers these outlets within the media mix where appropriate to each...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The status of the property referred in PQ 541 remains the same. My Department is involved in negotiations with a range of accommodation providers across Ireland and has received an offer of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from the provider to which the Deputy refers. This offer is being evaluated to determine if it meets my Department's requirements. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Hospital Facilities (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to clarify that it is not presently known if there is asbestos present at the property mentioned. During the debate with her on March 21st last, I referred to the Site Inspection Report carried out by Dublin City Council in October 2022 which stated that a further costed feasibility study building would require a number of surveys, including a survey to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 Apr 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 (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The war in Ukraine, combined with the high number of international protection applicants has resulted in the largest humanitarian effort in the State's history. Ireland has responded to the war in Ukraine with a coordinated whole of Government response to provide protection and support to those who have had to flee from the violence in Ukraine. Over 105,000 people have arrived in the State...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The institutions covered by this Payment Scheme are those identified by the Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children. Hospitals were not investigated by the Commission of Investigation because they were not institutions that provided ante and post-natal facilities to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Rights of Way (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The former St. Brigid’s Nursing Home, Crooksling is currently under the ownership of the HSE. Further to a HSE review, the site was identified as surplus to HSE requirements. In line with the HSE Property Protocol and DPER Circular 11/2015, the HSE then offered the site to all State stakeholders through the Intra-State Property Register. My Department expressed an interest in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Care Services (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: It was a priority of mine to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in this year’s Budget in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers. As outlined in Budget 2024, from January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance have increased by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (9 Apr 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The responsibility for the provision of alternative care services lies with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Since its establishment in 2014, Tusla has led a comprehensive reform of child protection, alternative care, and family support services. Central to their vision is the development of services that ensure children are safe and achieving their full potential. Budget 2024 brought...