Results 3,581-3,600 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can advise the Deputy that since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate, temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing the conflict. My Department is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can inform the Deputy that my Department is not aware of the event described in respect of the details supplied. Perhaps the Deputy might write to me with more specific information and I will look into this matter further.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I greatly appreciate the positive contribution of the ABC Programme to improved outcomes for children and families, and its wider influence on the planning, evaluation and delivery of services. I am aware of requests from the ABC Managers Forum for a meeting to discuss funding matters. As an independent state agency, Tusla is responsible for the management and oversight of exchequer funding...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla has a statutory obligation to notify An Garda Síochana of all incidences of suspected child sexual exploitation, including those relating to children in the care of the State. An Garda Síochana lead the investigation into these notifications. Consequently, Tusla liaises closely with Gardaí, and also has an assigned Principal Social worker based with Garda National...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: This working group was set up as a joint action by the Department and Tusla following publication of Dr. Shannon’s review of St. John Ambulance Ireland in March 2023. This working group is not specifically about child sexual exploitation as it relates to issues within organisations and institutions regarding governance and safeguarding and any potential grooming of children by members...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The findings of the recent UCD study are alarming. In the first instance, my Department has requested a detailed report from Tusla in relation to the findings of the research, including the number of notifications to An Garda Siochana regarding suspected Child Sexual Exploitation of children in residential care and in particular of young girls in residential care. HIQA is authorised, under...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Over the last two Budgets, I have made a number of enhancements to the NCS to reduce the cost of childcare for parents availing of the NCS, these include:The removal of the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from NCS awards, meaning that parents are able to use their full awarded subsidised NCS hours regardless of whether their children are in pre-school or school.The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Expenditure (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The table below shows the items of memorabilia purchased in relation to Pride 2023. Quantity Item Total Cost 100 Pride T-Shirts €899.13 500 Pride Lapel Pins €1,362.84 500 Pride Lanyards €713.40 ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Maternity Leave (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 396, 398 and 401 together. The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks which will be extended to two years following the birth of the child through...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Question: To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Answer: Since my appointment as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the remit of the Department has been broadened with the inclusion of a number of very...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The report to which the Deputy refers was not provided to me in advance of its publication on 27 June. However, I acknowledge the Deputy’s provision of excerpts from “Voices from the frontlines: Service providers identify key challenges and opportunities for Ireland’s ELC and SAC sector” produced for the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP) as part of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: School Accommodation (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: First 5, the whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families recognises the potential for the use of school facilities for before and after-school early learning childcare. Data captured through the Annual Early Years Sector Profile in Spring 2022 revealed that approximately 15% of early learning and childcare services are located on school...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Funding (29 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department has utilised the services of a media buying agency since 2019. The information, as requested, is below. The Department does not collate information on behalf of agencies under its aegis. 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total Ex VAT ...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I indicated during Committee Stage proceedings that I might bring an amendment on Report Stage with regard to data sharing by information sources. Amendment No. 51 creates a new section that will allow the chief deciding officer, where necessary and proportionate in respect of his or her functions under the Act, to access and process personal data and special categories of personal data held...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I have addressed this point on numerous occasions, both during the earlier part of the Report Stage debate and on Committee Stage. I accept that Senator Gavan does not agree with my position but it is wrong of him to say I have not addressed the question, which I have done on many occasions before now.

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: On the amendment put forward by Senator Flynn-----

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I completely understand where Senator Flynn and the Civil Engagement Group are coming from in putting forward this amendment, which we had the opportunity to discuss on Committee Stage. However, I am not able to accept it. It would only apply to people who submitted an affidavit. The ability to receive an apology would apply only to a certain category of those making an application under...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I will speak to the amendments put forward by Senator Flynn and also to some Government amendments. This grouping relates to the legal waiver for the scheme. As outlined in previous debate and in a written response provided to the Senators on the matter, the scheme will include a legal waiver. I have received consistent advice that this is acceptable for this scheme, similar to other ex...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The amendments we are bringing forward do not in any way limit or seek to reduce the number of people who can avail of this scheme. What they do is clarify the applicability of the waiver. I think they work to clarify and make it more specific in terms of what the waiver actually covers. It is done in a way that is to the benefit of those making applications under the scheme.