Results 2,521-2,540 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Child Care Services Funding (21 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: This is not the first such facility to find itself experiencing difficulties. In both previous cases, through the county child care committee, we have been able to support the facility, although not necessarily with additional funds but by helping it to restructure its arrangements through its management. In regard to the specific question raised, I am not aware of such a situation but I...

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

James Reilly: The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, has advised there were 1,403.46 whole-time equivalent social workers employed at the end of November 2014 and it is recruiting an additional 193 social workers to meet existing vacancies. It has also advised 155 social workers have already been recruited during 2014 while 102 social workers left employment due to retirement and for other reasons such as...

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

James Reilly: The Deputy made some statements that do not stand up to scrutiny. The first mistake the Deputy made was to compare the turnover in social workers and child care workers with nurses, two entirely different professions. Both of them would tell the Deputy that very clearly too. No one doubts that social work and child care work are extremely stressful, not just in Ireland but in developed...

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

James Reilly: Again, I have to point out to the Deputy that he is reiterating an inaccuracy. Turnover in social workers here is far better than in many other jurisdictions. I pointed to turnover rates of 25% in Victoria, 20% in the USA and 15% in England. I can quote many more.

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

James Reilly: I thank the Deputy for reminding me. We are all acutely aware of that. I am sure the Member beside the Deputy, Deputy Martin, is equally aware we are in Ireland. The bottom line is much work has been done in this area. Social workers continue to be recruited. Turnover here is lower than in many other jurisdictions. Other initiatives are being put in place. A caseload management...

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...

Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: In response to the Deputy's first question, much of the work will be done in parallel during the first phase. An interim report will be provided after 18 months. However, the Minister of the day can seek an interim report prior to that and it is also open to the commission to provide an earlier interim report. It is important to point out that the commission has the discretion to seek a...

Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: On that specific issue, it is important to point out that the commission would have to come back to me as Minister and I would then have to take up the matter with Cabinet. Beyond that, we are into the realms of conjecture. I believe we can afford the commission this flexibility. We do not know whether it will do that or deem that necessary. It is important to bear in mind the Dáil...

Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: As the Deputy has just come into the Chamber, I will reiterate what I have said already, even though Deputies Troy and Ó Caoláin may now have heard it twice. To put it in context, as the Deputy is aware, I announced the proposed terms of reference for the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and certain related matters last week. In developing the terms of...

Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: Although I do not have the full list, the Protestant Magdalen Home which was a mother and baby home is included and named. It is open to the commission to give consideration to the role of the institutions referred to by the Deputy as part of the pathways and particularly the practices and procedures for the placement of children outside mother and baby homes. This will be a significant...

Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: I have just found the list of institutions to be examined and No. 6 is Denny House, Eglinton Road, Dublin 4, originally the Church of Ireland Magdalen Home, 8 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.

Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The issue of the trafficking of children is open to being considered by the commission which will decide how it is to be examined and how the media will be used to contact people. It will be open to the commission to recommend redress or otherwise. For me to do so now would be to prejudge the outcome of the commission's inquiries, which would be utterly wrong and would undermine it. I take...

Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The proposed terms of reference for the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and certain related matters were announced on Friday, 9 January 2015. Since the announcement, there has been a general acknowledgement of the comprehensive scope of the proposed investigative framework which reflects the range of matters the Government was asked to consider by the House and is a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Children in Care (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: I welcome that we have independent inspections and reports because they are essential elements of quality improvement alongside our internal processes. HIQA has statutory responsibility for inspecting Tusla residential centres for children. It focused its inspections in residential care in 2014 on how staff manage children, usually older teenagers, some of whom can present with challenging...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Children in Care (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: I do not suggest for a moment that the situation in this centre is unique. I know that all avenues are being explored and that the plans have to address all eventualities, but I equally understand that one of the problems arising may pertain to the suitability of the child concerned to be placed in such a residential home. A higher and more secure detention centre might be more appropriate...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Children in Care (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: In order to protect the identity of the young people involved, I cannot comment on the particular care home in question. I will say, however, that I take the safety of all children and young people in care very seriously, as do all of the staff in the Child and Family Agency. The latest figures I have received from the agency show that in October 2014, there were 6,454 children in care....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Regulation (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: I utterly reject the Deputy's contention that the programmes are not being implemented. While new qualification requirements are being introduced as part of the ongoing progression of the early years quality agenda, my Department has made €3 million available over two years under the learner fund to assist child care staff to obtain the higher qualification levels. I am aware of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Regulation (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Department and I are acutely aware of the difficulties being experienced in the retention of staff. The ECCE programme is for but three hours a day and it only covers 38 weeks annually, which presents challenges. That is what the interdepartmental group is about. There will be engagement with the sector to address that issue so that we can ensure we have high-quality staff with the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Poverty (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: I assure the Deputy that children and child poverty are a priority for the Government. This was the first Government to create a full Cabinet level post for a Minister for Children. Our commitment to improving outcomes for children is clear and I make it clear that our children are our future. I am privileged to have been the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for several months and I...