Results 4,161-4,180 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: The purpose of amendment No. 3 is to modify the Bill's approach towards parents who were unable to use their full entitlement to parental leave previously. Section 6 of the Parental Leave Act 1998 provides for parents' entitlements to parental leave. At present, if a child reaches the age of eight years, then his or her parents will no longer have an entitlement to parental leave, even if...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: Government amendment No. 5 is procedural in nature and deletes existing text in the Bill which was inserted on Committee Stage. These provisions will be replaced by the text which will be moved in amendment No. 6. Government amendment No. 6 provides for the amendment of section 7 of the principal Act which is the section which governs the manner in which leave is taken by parents. At...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: Amendment No. 7 is a consequential amendment that is required due to the insertion of section 7(1)(ba). Senators will recall that amendment is required to address an error in the Bill and will provide families with greater flexibility in how they take their leave. When the primary Act was enacted in 1998, parents could take a single period of 14 weeks leave or smaller periods as agreed with...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: This amendment replicates and updates an existing transitional provision in section 11 of the Act. At present, under section 11(6A) where a parent takes two periods of parental leave in excess of six weeks in duration and has given proper notice to their employer but then wishes to postpone the leave, that postponement shall apply to both periods of leave unless an alternative arrangement is...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: On Committee Stage, Senators will recall that I accepted an amendment concerning the employer’s obligation to retain records of their employees’ applications to take parental leave. Section 27 of the Act requires employers to retain records on parental leave taken by their employees for a period of eight years. This retention period parallels the qualifying age of a child...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: This is a standard commencement provision which I have been advised by senior officials in my Department and the Office of the Attorney General is required as a matter of good legislative and drafting practice. I assure Senators that the Minister and I will not delay in commencing the Bill once enacted and to this effect, my officials and the Office of the Attorney General are preparing a...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: I thank the Senators for an engaging debate. I am delighted that we are able to move forward towards finalising the Bill. I hope and understand that it will complete its final passage through the Dáil next week. The main point to take away this evening is that we have introduced measures which are fair and, more importantly, which benefit parents and families. This Government and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: The statistical data the Deputy requires is detailed in the following table. These figures relate to the 31st of December of each year. Tabular Statement Year RIA Occupancy 2013 4360 2014 4364 2015 4696 2016 4425 2017 5096 2018 6115 The Department of Justice and Equality working together with other Departments and agencies have already introduced far-reaching and important reforms...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Legislation (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: The Deputy will appreciate that the Government's approach is to bring about comprehensive reform of the licensing and regulation of gambling activities in Ireland. If we can achieve this objective, we will then be in a better position to address issues relating to problem gambling. How best to address the issue of problem gambling has been one of the main concerns in the discussion about...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications Data (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: The statistics the Deputy requires have been collated by the HSE who have a lead responsibility in the health assessment area. Applicants are invited for voluntary assessments but do not have to take up the offer of such assessments. There is a specific health screening team funded and managed by the HSE located on the site of the Balseskin Reception facility for the purpose of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of Department of Justice and Equality is responsible for the offer of accommodation and supports to persons seeking international protection in Ireland. Applicants are free to accept these services or are free to source their own accommodation with family or friends. While previously this was done on an administrative basis, this is now carried out...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Justice Strategy (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, I have convened an expert Steering Group to help guide the development of a new Youth Justice Strategy, including a review of the provisions of the Children Act. The Steering Group commenced its work in February and will have a series of meetings during this year and into next year. The Group is tasked with advising and guiding the development of the new...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) accommodation centres provide food options on a catered or independent living basis to reflect the ethnic needs of the residents. It is a contractual obligation on all contractors of accommodation centres that culturally appropriate food options should be provided to residents. Contractors must prepare menus that meet the reasonable...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: The Government approved the publication of the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 on 20 March 2019. The Bill passed Second Stage in the Seanad last Tuesday and we are awaiting Committee Stage. The Government also approved the publication of the interdepartmental working group on the future licensing and regulation of gambling. A major public seminar on gambling reform will also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (18 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: The Reception Centre at Balseskin, Co. Dublin operates as a reception facility for persons who have entered the state seeking international protection. It is subject to unannounced inspection by both staff from the Reception and Integration Agency and the Department's external inspectorate QTS Limited. The inspection contains examination of the following fire safety...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (18 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: Since I responded to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 4 December 2018 concerning the FAI 'Grassroots Integration through Football' project which is funded by the Department under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the FAI has provided a quarterly return on the project's progress and the project has undergone monitoring checks as per my Department's...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: This is a Second Stage speech.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: I thank the Chairman. I am very happy to have the opportunity this morning to inform the joint committee of the Government’s efforts and intentions on regulation and control of the gambling sector. I apologise for having to leave, but I would be quite happy to come back at any time to engage with the committee and to hear its views on this very important issue. Gambling activity...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: The Deputy is right in that the issue of problem gambling and gambling addiction is primarily a health issue. Even in jurisdictions with very strong regulation there is still problem gambling and addiction. Establishing a regulator will help and will bring as much fairness as possible to the industry and activities involved. If someone has a gambling addiction it is primarily a health...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: We have two studies in hand. One study, which has been published, looked at the prevalence of gambling in the whole island of Ireland in 2014 and 2015. Another study looking at 2018 and 2019 is ongoing. Our Department is part-funding that as well. That is the engagement. I have to be careful. The issue of addiction is a matter for the Department of Health, not for me.