Results 3,221-3,240 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (17 Oct 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: Child Protection (17 Oct 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: Child Protection (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Issues relating to individual cases, including reunification, must be addressed through Tusla. As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question is to be forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth (DCEDIY) is currently working with the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) to implement the commitment for HIQA to monitor International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres against National Standards adopted in 2019 and in effect since the beginning of 2021. The National Standards address a range...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment on individual cases. To facilitate international applicants resident at the Temple Spa Accommodation Centre, there is a shuttle service contracted seven days a week for trips to and from Moate and Athlone. The service provides a twice-daily pickup and drop off from the centre, Monday to Thursday and Saturday, and once on...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to extending regulation and supports to paid, non-relative childminders who work in their own homes. The National Action Plan sets out a phased approach with a preparatory phase followed by an extended transition phase, to allow childminders a lead-in time for any requirements. This supportive, phased transition process aims to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It was my priority 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 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Each year, Pobal compiles data from early learning and childcare and school age childcare providers which informs the Early Years Sector Profile Survey. Based on data captured in respect of the (unpublished) 2022/23 Sector Profile Survey (gathered in Spring 2023), the number of available places in Dublin Central was 1,913. However, Pobal advise that this data is not captured on a...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Schemes (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: 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:Building Blocks - Improvement GrantBuilding Blocks - Capacity GrantBuilding Blocks - Innovation GrantUnder the Building Blocks -...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: With all new properties contracted by my Department to provide accommodation for international protection applicants (IPAs), the provider is required to provide detailed information in relation to suitability for use. The Department carefully appraises each property before contracts are issued and properties are also subject to pre-occupancy inspections. Contracts for accommodation are...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It was my priority 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 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive immediately afterwards, nearly 100,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine and have sought refuge here in Ireland. Approximately 73,000 of those are being provided with accommodation from the State. In response to the crisis, the Government has sought to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Data Protection (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department processes any personal data breaches that occur in accordance with its obligations under the GDPR including reporting requirements to the Data Protection Commission and communication with affected individuals in relation to a breach of their data, as appropriate. The Department has an internal personal data breach reporting protocol. All breaches must be formally notified to the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The issue to which the Deputy refers, is an operational matter for Tusla. As such I have referred this question to Tusla to reply directly to the Deputy.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child Abuse (12 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I have always been available to survivors of abuse in this organisation. I have engaged with Mick Finnegan on several occasions and remain open to doing so. I just wanted to put that on the record because the Deputy is right that it is important for the State to engage in this process. The report was published and Dr. Shannon set out a range of recommendations. It is now six months...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child Abuse (12 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for his query, and I am glad we are joined by survivors in the Gallery tonight. The board of St. John Ambulance Ireland commissioned an independent review and appointed Judge Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, with the assistance of Ms Hilary Coveney and Dr. Cian Ó Conchubhair, to carry out the review into the handling of complaints of historical sexual abuse of members under...

Sustainability of Stability of Services Provided by Section 39 and Section 56 Organisations on behalf of the HSE and Tusla: Statements (12 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: First of all, I recognise the presence of many staff members of section 56 and 39 organisations in the Public Gallery. I also recognise that they have been joined by many service users, who will be impacted by industrial action, and their family members. I know that the threat of industrial action is not one that is made lightly by any of these incredibly dedicated staff members. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (12 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It is not appropriate for me to provide a copy of a contract as part of the response to the Deputy's question. However, if the Deputy or if the person concerned would like to write to me directly, I will ask my officials to look into this matter.