Results 4,241-4,260 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the State agency responsible for supporting and promoting the welfare and protection of children. The Child and Family Agency Act 2013 states that Tusla is independent in the performance of its functions and requires the Agency to consider the best interests of the child in all matters. The Children First Act provides for a number of key child...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Health Services Staff (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: With the transfer of responsibility for the provision of disability services to my Department, I would like to acknowledge the important role of Section 39 organisations and employees in the health sector. Although the Deputy’s question relates specifically to employees of Section 39 agencies who provide disability services to the community, this reply necessarily draws attention...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: A proposal to utilise the property in question has been received by my officials and is being evaluated. A full assessment of the property is taking place, including an onsite inspection, and a decision on whether to contract the property will be made if the Department is satisfied that all appropriate standards are met. The Department will engage with local representatives as soon as...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As of 17 April 2023, 517 people remain unaccommodated by IPAS. 373 people who were initially not accommodated have subsequently been accommodated as of 17 April. Offers of accommodation are made as soon as such accommodation is available, most recently last Wednesday. The Government is aware of its obligations to provide material reception conditions to international protection...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I have not heard of reports of international protection applicants being denied the social welfare payments to which they are entitled. I have asked Minister Humphreys for the Department of Social Protection to make arrangements for a payment similar to the Daily Expenses Allowance to be made to applicants who are currently not in receipt of IPAS accommodation. That Department has...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA) is paid to international protection applicants who are accommodated in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation. My Department has recently liaised with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to ensure arrangements for the payment of a payment equivalent to the DEA to IPAs who are not accommodated by IPAS currently. This...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is designed to substantially reduce costs to families using eligible early learning and childcare. It is designed to be flexible, recognising that early learning and childcare needs are different for each family. The NCS was designed following extensive consultations with all key stakeholders (including but not limited to early learning and childcare...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Qualifications (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: In September, I launched Together for Better, an ambitious new funding model to support delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families as well as stability and sustainability for providers. Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The After-School Childcare Scheme was closed to new entrants in February 2020. It was replaced by the National Childcare Scheme and I will speak to the issues in this context. On 15 September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare and school aged childcare. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Funding (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am informed that the leisure centre attached to the Abbeyfield Hotel Reception and Orientation Centre in Ballaghaderreen closed in December 2022 due to issues with some of the equipment necessary for the operation of the swimming pool. The operators of the centre are engaged with various contractors around replacing the equipment in question and they are not in a position at this time to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Many early learning and childcare services report staffing difficulties in relation to recruitment and retention. In general, staffing pressures in the sector are caused not by insufficient supply of qualified personnel, but by high levels of staff turnover. Recruitment and retention difficulties are undoubtedly linked to pay and conditions. On 15 September 2022, the first ever Employment...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Housing Provision (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Last year, over 15,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation while their applications for international protection are processed by the International Protection Office (IPO). In the first thirteen weeks of 2023, over 2,600 people have arrived seeking international protection in Ireland. In addition, the Department has had to re-accommodate almost 2,000 people in situations where...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is designed to substantially reduce costs to families using eligible early learning and childcare. It is designed to be flexible, recognising that childcare needs are different for each family. The NCS was designed following extensive consultations with all key stakeholders (including but not limited to early learning and childcare providers). The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy is aware, last year, over 15,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation while their applications for international protection are processed by the International Protection Office (IPO). In the first fifteen weeks of 2023, almost 3,000 people have arrived seeking protection. In addition, the Department has had to re-accommodate almost 2,000 people in situations...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since publishing A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a New International Protection Support Service, my Department has placed a significant focus and drive on delivering these reforms. Implementation of the White Paper began with the appointment of dedicated staff – a ‘Transition Team’ –in this department to lead the transition to the new system....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues. Any delays in making payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority. I am advised that my officials are engaging positively with the provider and on the successful conclusion of this engagement it is expected...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues. Any delays in making payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority. I am happy to confirm that, as part of this prioritisation, the older outstanding invoices relating to this property, up to and including...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since publishing A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a New International Protection Support Service, my department has placed a significant focus and drive on delivering these reforms. Implementation of the White Paper began with the appointment of dedicated staff – a ‘Transition Team’ – in this department to lead the transition to the new...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Social Welfare Code (18 Apr 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: As of January 2023 approximately 90% of children in care were being cared for by foster carers. 64.3% (3,597) of children in care were in general foster care and 25.9% (1,452) were in relative foster care. Relative 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...