Results 3,521-3,540 of 7,126 for speaker:Alan Farrell

Public Accounts Committee: 2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children and Youth Affairs (13 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: It is still being built. What is the outlay to this point?

Public Accounts Committee: 2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children and Youth Affairs (13 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: I appreciate that the current system is not ideal. I thank the witness.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Functions (12 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: You are over time, Deputy.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Functions (12 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: Deputy Boyd Barrett is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: I welcome all of the members as well as viewers who may be watching our proceedings on Oireachtas TV to this session of the committee. The purpose of today's session is to meet with representatives of Focus Ireland to discuss the impact of homelessness on children. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Mike Allen, director of advocacy, and Ms Niamh Lambe, team leader of the family...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: I thank Mr. Allen. Does Ms Lambe have anything to add at this stage?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: I thank Ms Lambe for that. It is important to note that the committee is also looking at the issue of social workers - in a very broad manner - in how they interact with children. Unfortunately, it is a very big issue, as a report of this committee will find in the very near future. Prior to opening up to the other members - who will, I am sure, want to ask a number of questions - I have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: From my perspective alone and notwithstanding anything the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government might be doing, it has often been the case in my years in the Houses that we have declared something as an emergency such as the climate emergency, for instance. It is all well and good to declare something as an emergency, but something has to be done after the emergency is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: We have been in that position for a while, but I agree. In their professional experience have Mr. Allen or Ms Lambe encountered variations in the standard to which family hubs are managed? What would they say to this committee to influence that element of policy?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: To be helpful, Ms Lambe mentioned that Focus Ireland is dealing with approximately 1,000 children and that 9% of those of are covered. How many of these individual workers would be needed to deal with the 9%?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: So it would be five per 100 or thereabouts.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: With that discussion in mind, I have a question before I bring in Deputy Rabbitte. From an international comparative perspective, it is very difficult to pitch Ireland with any meaningful outcome. I have asked this question before, specifically about children, and never received a satisfactory answer. Broadly, regarding the 10,000 people living in unsuitable accommodation in the State,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: Today the figure is 10,000 people or thereabouts. We all accept that figure.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: Of course.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: Of course not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: From my own perspective, a hub or emergency accommodation is the lesser of two evils but I know what Mr. Allen is getting at. I would be of the view that in order for us to ensure we do not have more tragedies like the one mentioned we ensure persons are provided with suitable accommodation even if it is temporary. There is nothing worse than reading about the emergencies that occur when...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Impact of Homelessness on Children: Discussion (11 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: On behalf of the committee, I thank the witnesses for coming in and answering all our questions in such a comprehensive manner. The joint committee is adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 19 June when we will meet representatives of the Ombudsman for Children's Office and the Children's Rights Alliance.

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Public Policy Matters: Discussion (30 May 2019)

Alan Farrell: I welcome the Taoiseach. Childcare is the overarching issue that always comes up at the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs. The launch of the national childcare scheme will happen shortly. It is a major development. However, we can never do enough in this sphere because we are so far behind where we should be as a state. While an unprecedented budget has been provided for the...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Public Policy Matters: Discussion (30 May 2019)

Alan Farrell: I thank the Taoiseach for his comments. I understand that it is a complex issue on the rates side, and is based on several generalities but based on the number of childcare providers across the State, the best guess is that it is a very small sum of money. While I appreciate the Taoiseach's comments, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs could look at it, although it would have to do...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (29 May 2019)

Alan Farrell: 31. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to help communities which require assistance in formulating proposals for funding from the various programmes under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22719/19]