Results 3,781-3,800 of 11,893 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

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.

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

Roderic O'Gorman: It is absolutely the intention behind the scheme to provide a response and to process and provide the determination on an application for a payment as quickly as possible. That is set out clearly in section 26(1) where it states that it must be done "as soon as practicable", and in particular for people who have perhaps an illness or are of advanced years. We know that would be a...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: As outlined on Committee Stage, the purpose of this Bill is to provide for the establishment of the payments scheme, the making of payments and the provision of health benefits under the scheme. What is being proposed in this amendment is extremely challenging. Some of the requirements coming in from this amendment might not be legally possible, in particular the creation of statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Workplace Discrimination (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 prohibit discrimination and harassment on specified grounds, including that of disability, in the field of employment and in the access to and supply of goods and services, respectively. The Acts place obligations on employers and service providers to take reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (28 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: Assisted Human Reproduction (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Special Rapporteur published the report “Review of Children’s Rights and Best Interests in the Context of Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) and Surrogacy in Irish Law” in December 2020. The report comprises issues relating to parentage and the right to identity in donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR) and surrogacy carried out in this jurisdiction and abroad....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (28 Jun 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I welcome the ‘Scoping Study on the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in Ireland’ conducted by UCD. The findings outlined in the report are alarming. Since the report was published, my Department has been working closely with Tusla senior management on the matters raised in the report. My Department will prioritise a review of the findings of this scoping report...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (28 Jun 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, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-government humanitarian response to assist over 85,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, including 63,000 that have sought accommodation from this Department. Overseeing provision of accommodation...