Results 3,181-3,200 of 11,864 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (14 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 464, 465, 467, 468 and 469 together. There are currently over 25,000 persons in IPAS accommodation. Since the beginning of 2023 to date, over 9,700 people have arrived seeking International Protection, many of whom have been accommodated by IPAS. This is addition to 13,651 new arrivals in 2022. In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (14 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: My officials will require more time to collate information for a response to this query. My officials will contact the Deputy with the details as soon as it is possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Priorities (14 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, as part of the Whole of Government response the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked extensively to support approximately 100,000 people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland in fleeing, over 80% of whom have...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Abuse (14 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (14 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As at 5th November, there are 25,260 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole, compared with 16,000 people at this time last year. The Department continues to explore all offers of accommodation for international protection applicants (IPAs) in as far as it can. The Department is currently availing of repurposed office buildings,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (14 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile provides a detailed overview of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector in Ireland, including the numbers of children in receipt of state subsidies, information on ELC and SAC fees, staff wages, qualifications and turnover. The Sector Profile has played a key role in informing policy development and in assessing...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Residential Institutions (9 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I believe the Deputy is referring to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. Opening this Scheme as soon as possible is a priority for me and my Department. The underpinning legislation for the Scheme, signed into law in July this year, allows for the establishment of an Executive Office in my Department to administer the Scheme and the appointment of the Chief Deciding Officer to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (9 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together. All Partner Services that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns. Core Funding payments to providers must run on a programme year, September-August, in line with the school year, the operation of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC)...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (9 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: In 2023, the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund was oversubscribed, and as a result the assessment process was very competitive. For this reason, unfortunately, my Department was only in a position to provide funding to 25 out of a total of 101 applicants. In recognition of the highly competitive funding call, all applications received were assessed and scored in strict adherence with the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (9 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As stated in the response to PQ # 486; Under Article 12 of the UNCRC, the child's views must be considered and taken into account in all matters affecting him or her. In order to ensure that the voice of the child is present from the earliest possible stage, consultations are being planned which will include those most directly affected by this policy. Children and young people in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (9 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department does not release material pertaining to contracts with accommodation providers, as the details are commercially sensitive, however I am happy to clarify for the position for the Deputy. The International Protection Procurement Services (IPPS) has been engaged in assessing the offer of the property referred to for use as accommodation for International Protection applicants...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (9 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 302 together. Some €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars: 1. Building Blocks - Improvement Grant; 2. Building Blocks - Capacity...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Family Resource Centres (8 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Thank you for your question in relation to Family Resource Centres. an increase of 6.5% across the FRC programme would have an estimated cost of €1.2m. This form of increase would benefit the larger FRCs to a greater extent and result in only nominal increases for smaller FRCs. Given the budgetary challenges and numerous competing priorities any potential increase would have to be...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (8 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Funding (8 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: In 2023, the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund was oversubscribed and as a result the assessment process was very competitive. For this reason, unfortunately, my Department was only in a position to provide funding to 25 out of a total of 101 applicants. In recognition of the highly competitive funding call, all applications received were assessed and scored in strict adherence with the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As at 29 October, there are over 25,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole, compared with 16,000 people at this time last year. There are currently 651 international protection applicants (IPs) accommodated in Co. Kerry. The Department continues to explore all offers of accommodation for international protection applicants...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (7 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: In my initial response to Deputy Harkin, I spoke about the 700 OPW modular builds, which are small but are of a very high spec. I think they have an A3 rating. They consist of living space with two bedrooms - a double bedroom and a bedroom with two bunk beds - and a toilet facility. There is a small kitchenette in the living space as well. They are for the use of Ukrainians for up to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Emergency Accommodation (7 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Until the Cabinet agrees a particular policy, I will not be in a position to go into detail or to talk to the message because that would only cause confusion. This question is a good opportunity to remind the House that we continue to accommodate Ukrainians and international protection applicants. As the Deputy knows, we accommodate Ukrainians primarily in serviced accommodation, but also...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Emergency Accommodation (7 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: In terms of the rate of payment, it is €800, tax-free, and does not interfere with any other benefits, allowances or social welfare benefits an individual might receive. We have to be careful in terms of interference with the private rental market, with the housing assistance payment and with other areas. We feel that €800 is probably the right area right now. It has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Emergency Accommodation (7 Nov 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It is an acknowledgement of the real pressures that are on the system that the Government is undertaking a review of the offering towards Ukrainians and will bring forward a change. We recognise there are pressures in this regard. There are pressures because what we are experiencing is unprecedented. This war on the European Continent, something we never thought we would see in our...