Results 2,541-2,560 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

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

James Reilly: It is estimated by Pobal, from information provided by respondents to its 2013 annual survey, that there are approximately 24,000 staff employed in the child care sector. Child care services in this country are provided by private commercial and community child care services and the level of remuneration provided to child care workers and the conditions of employment are matters for the...

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

James Reilly: My job, as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, is to secure better outcomes and brighter futures for children, and that includes getting them out of poverty and also includes supporting their parents. As I was saying in my initial reply, my Department also provides targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at-risk young people. This is provided through the special projects...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The proposed arrangements, in particular Article 6 of the terms of reference, ensure the commission will have sufficient opportunity to identify any additional matters it considers may warrant investigation. The commission is specifically tasked with reporting to me any recommendations necessary in that regard. It will be critically important in coming to terms with our history and I have...

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

James Reilly: Child poverty is a serious issue which is being considered by the Government. Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020, which was published and launched by the Government in 2014, provides the overarching framework for the development and implementation of policy and services for children and young people. As provided for in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Deputy's question relates to the Magdalen laundries and Westbank, County Wicklow. On the basis of the information available, I am satisfied that the institutions included in Schedule 1 to the draft order meet the criteria, whereas the institutions referred to by the Deputy do not, as they did not provide the specific range of services. However, it is not accurate to describe them as...

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

James Reilly: What the Deputy says is utterly untrue. In the last budget there was an increase in children's allowance and extra money was made available to my Department to could support the Child and Family Agency. There was also a reduction in the marginal rate of tax, an increase in the threshold at which people moved into the higher rate of tax and reductions in the universal social charge. A...

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

James Reilly: It was an unprecedented financial mess in which Fianna Fáil had left not only parents and children but the entire country. Furthermore, our international reputation was in tatters. It is very easy for the Deputy to come into the Chamber and advert to the fact that we have been in power for four years and pick a specific area, in which, in fact, much has been done, but he is seeking for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: I thank the Members who engaged on this issue as their contributions were very helpful. In particular, I thank all those involved who consulted me during the course of the setting of the terms of reference, many of whom were affected directly by the mother and baby homes. I announced the proposed terms of reference for the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and certain...

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

James Reilly: Indeed, as the Deputy works himself up into a lather, we know that problem is there, and that one of the main reasons it is there is the state of the economy as we found it. There is no escaping that, although Deputy Troy might not want to be reminded of it. He personally, as opposed to the party he purports to represent here, may very well not have been in government then. The bottom...

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

James Reilly: I am tempted to say we did more than Fianna Fáil did in 14 years in power but then that would be unfair. There is clear evidence that investing in child care services which provide quality care and education for children in their early years pays significant dividends for both the children themselves and for society as a whole. Ensuring the best possible outcomes for children in...

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

James Reilly: The group will undertake an economic and cost-benefit analysis of policies and future options for increasing the supply, accessibility and affordability of quality childhood care and education services. It is clear accessibility, affordability and high-quality child care can play a critical role in achieving several Government priorities, including improving educational outcome for...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Services (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: As of November 2014, the Child and Family Agency has advised that a total of 19,988 children were in receipt of a dedicated social work service. A further 8,451 cases did not have an allocated social worker. Of these 8,451 cases, 2,844 were deemed to be high priority. Of the 8,451 children who do not have an allocated social worker, 5,347 have been waiting longer than three months for a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 provides an effective, prompt and transparent mechanism to investigate complex and sensitive matters while also respecting fair procedures and natural justice. The 2004 Act gives the Commission robust powers to conduct investigations within its terms of reference in the manner it considers appropriate while adhering to the rules and procedures...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Strategy Publication (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The objective of Ireland's first Early Years Strategy is to create an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the future development of Ireland’s early years sector and a coherent approach to seeking to improve the lives of children from birth to 6 years. The Early Years Strategy will address a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life such as child health and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Social Workers Recruitment (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: Staffing vacancies arise for a variety of reasons, including retirements, career breaks, paid and unpaid leave (including maternity and other family related leave) and resignations. The Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) has advised that there were 1,403.46 whole time equivalent social workers employed at the end of November 2014 and that they are currently recruiting an additional 193 social...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Poverty (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020 (BOBF),which was published and launched by Government in 2014, provides the overarching framework for the development and implementation of policy and services for children and young people. As provided for in the Framework, the Department of Social Protection is the lead department on...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Illegal Adoptions (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Adoption Act 1952 provided a legal basis for adoption in Ireland and for the establishment of the Adoption Board. This brought order to what had been the system of ad-hoc arrangements in lieu of formal adoption procedures up to this point. Prior to the commencement of the 1952 Adoption Act it would be inaccurate to describe these informal adoptions as illegal. However, it is recognised...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: In developing the Terms of Reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters, due regard has been given to the clear emphasis on “Mother and Baby Homes” in the motion approved by Dáil Eireann on the 11th June 2014. The investigation will thoroughly examine a broad range of matters in relation to the experience of mothers...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Law Reporting Project (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: The Child Care Law Reporting Project (CCLRP) is an independent project established with the support of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the One Foundation and Atlantic Philanthropies. The aims and objectives of the project are to: - Provide information to the public on child care proceedings in the courts; - Conduct research on these proceedings in order to promote debate and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Justice Strategy (20 Jan 2015)

James Reilly: There is ongoing cooperation between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to all aspects of the youth justice system. The Irish Youth Justice Service is based in my Department and has responsibility for leading and driving reform in the area of youth justice. The focus of the Youth Justice Action Plan 2014-2018, which was launched by the Minister for Justice...