Results 2,441-2,460 of 11,893 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Library Services (21 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community Development.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (21 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has been at the forefront of the cross-governmental response to the displacement of Ukrainian people caused by the 2022 invasion. As of February, we are proving accommodation to over 56,000 people in short term accommodation and over 17,000 people in pledged accommodation and the offer a home scheme. The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by my...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (21 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Contractual arrangements for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are deemed confidential and commercially sensitive. It would not serve the public interest to divulge the value of contracts held to contractors for services, as it could prejudice the Department's negotiating position to deliver value for money with respect to other accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (21 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for his question and his continued engagement on this matter. As indicated yesterday to the Deputy in the Dáil chamber, officials in my Department are in discussions with the property owner to investigate different configurations which may allow for the retention of some space within the property to continue to provide a service to the general public. It is not clear...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for his engagement on this issue over the past week. We are examining the potential of undertaking dual-use of the D Hotel. There are challenges to that, particularly where a hotel is hosting families. That was the proposal with regard to the D Hotel but we are examining that. I can confirm I will meet the Drogheda Business Improvement District and the Drogheda and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: What I said to Mick Finnegan on behalf of survivors on Thursday when I met with him, and what I have said to the Oireachtas joint committee subsequently, is that I am frustrated by the lack of progress on protection and a child safety lead in the organisation. To expedite that and to ensure we can have protection for the young people who continue to work in St. John Ambulance, the Government...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for his engagement, the Drogheda Deputies for theirs and all the Louth Deputies on this. There was communication with them and with the local authority. Absolutely, however, we need to make sure we have the supports in place for a significant number of vulnerable people in family groups who will be using the D Hotel as their accommodation. Our Department will work, for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, which will open to applications within this quarter, provides for financial payments and health supports for eligible persons. The legislation that underpins the Scheme provides that a person who spent at least 180 days as a mother or child in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution, as listed in Schedule 1 of the Act, is eligible for the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Referendum Campaigns (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Two Referendums are planned to take place on 8 March 2024. In line with the McKennaand McCrystalprinciples 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, if...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (20 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: Asylum Seekers (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: In relation to proposed locations for International Applicants (IP) or Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP), without an eircode for specific locations my Department is unable to provide any information. For example the title of locations may be referred to by different names within the local community where it is situated. With reference to large scale sites, there may be multiple...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (20 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: Asylum Seekers (20 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: Childcare Services (20 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: Childcare Services (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The figures supplied by the scheme administrator Pobal in the table below show the total number of unique children that are enrolled in an ECCE service, also availing of an NCS subsidy for the programme year 2022/23 and for 2023/24 to date. Programme Year 2022-23 39,555 Programme Year 2023-24 44,636

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Sponsorship arrangement available under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) makes special provision for vulnerable children. The NCS Sponsorship arrangement allows designated bodies to refer children to the Scheme where childcare is needed on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. Where a referral is made by a Sponsor body, the family will automatically...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 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: Childcare Services (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department received reports on withdrawn services on the 15thFebruary from the scheme administrator, and as of this date my Department is not aware of any services withdrawing from Core Funding in the Dublin South West constituency to increase their fees. Investment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.1 billion in 2023 for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Feb 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Investment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding for the first time reaching more than €1 billion in 2023 for early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. Core Funding is in operation since 15 September 2022 and has achieved very significant success in terms of the high levels of...