Results 3,381-3,400 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Child Protection: Discussion (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: We must look at all routes to increase recruitment. Turning to the Senator's final point on the child poverty unit, we have been involved with its formation. A former principal officer from our Department, Ms Anna Visser, is now the head of this Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office. We engaged with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Taoiseach himself in respect of setting the...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Child Protection: Discussion (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The recruitment and retention of social workers and other grades is a major issue in Tusla. It is also a major issue in disability services. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and I are focused on it. Before the recess, she and I met the Minister, Deputy Harris, to discuss the question of how to get more trained roles for the appropriate places. There are a number of ways of doing...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Child Protection: Discussion (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As I referenced earlier, there is a piece of academic research about to be commissioned to assist in that. I hope once that is completed, which will take some period of time, that it is important we get the benefit of reviews that have taken place elsewhere on similar issues to fully understand and to fully design responses.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Nursing Homes (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It is regrettable that a system error within the allocation system on the Early Years Platform, The Hive, has resulted in some Core Funding Partner Services being overpaid. Nine services in Mayo were among those overpaid. I can assure you that the issue has now been identified and fixed, and amendments made to the system such that it will not recur. While I am sympathetic to the Partner...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It is regrettable that a system error within the allocation system on the Early Years Platform, The Hive, has resulted in some Core Funding Partner Services being overpaid. I can assure you that the issue has now been identified and fixed, and amendments made to the system such that it will not recur. While I am sympathetic to the Partner Services affected by this issue, I am sure you...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Care Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Thank you for sharing the correspondence you received in respect of the foster care system and the issues your correspondent has highlighted. In respect of the current rate of the foster care allowance, I am conscious that this payment was last increased in 2009 and I am aware of the disappointment among foster carers that no increase to the foster care allowance was secured in Budget...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The State does not employ staff in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services, and as a result, neither I nor my Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. However, there is now, through the independent Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Together for Better, the new funding model, is about getting the most out of the three Early Learning and Childcare programmes, ECCE including AIM, NCS and Core Funding, working together and ensuring stability and sustainability in the sector. Together for Better is already delivering substantial benefits for children, parents, staff and providers and I am very proud of the significant...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is designed to provide payments and other benefits to people who spent time in one or more of the Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions, that were identified by the Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Immigration Support Services (20 Sep 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, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked extensively to accommodate over 93,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, approximately 80% of whom have sought accommodation from my Department. Overseeing provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: In respect of the current rate of the foster care allowance, I am conscious that this payment was last increased in 2009 and I am aware of the disappointment among foster carers that no increase to the foster care allowance was secured in Budget 2023. I can assure the Deputy that it is a priority of mine to seek to secure an increase to the foster care allowance in the upcoming budget. In...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Proposed Legislation (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 829 and 830 together. On 8 March 2023, the Taoiseach and I announced that a referendum will be held to amend the Constitution as recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality. An Inter-Departmental Group (IDG), involving all Government Departments and chaired by the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Budget 2024 (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax. I am conscious of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy’s question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and the Adoption Authority of Ireland, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Correspondence (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can confirm that my Department has received written correspondence dated 14th July, 2023 from St. Ultan's together with a Business Case as referred to by the Deputy. Officials in my Department have examined the business case and have also discussed this with St. Ultan's Senior Management.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: FINANCIAL VIABILITY Ensuring the financial stability of early learning and childcare services is a priority of Government. This is demonstrated by the significant State supports provided to the sector. Core Funding - worth €259 million in Year 1 and €287 million in Year 2 - contributes to services’ sustainability and significantly increases income for the overwhelming...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and I am focused on delivering the Scheme as soon as possible. To that end, a significant milestone was achieved on 11 July with the enactment of the underpinning legislation - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023. This Act allows for the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the importance of the work done by this organisation. I can confirm that my Department has received correspondence from the organisation in relation to the financial difficulties that it is facing. The Chief Social Worker from my Department has been engaging with Tusla's CEO and Regional Office General Manager to highlight the concerns raised and to follow up...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Public Services Provision (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: This is a matter for my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.