Results 4,441-4,460 of 11,893 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

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...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for his correspondence. Please see in tabular format per county the number of people in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation overall and those with a status that allows them to remain in Ireland currently residing in IPAS accommodation as of 6 April 2023. County Occupancy Overall No. of People With Status ...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy, for his correspondence. There are 8 Housing Support workers employed with DePaul and 8 with the Peter McVerry Trust. The role of the Housing Support Worker is to support those with status in IPAS accommodation and their transition into permanent/ long-term accommodation. They also provide additional place-finder staff where required. The services provided by Housing...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: Under the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is legally required to provide accommodation to international protection applicants who seek it while their claim for international protection is being determined by the International Protection Office which falls under the aegis of the Department...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: The Birth Information and Tracing Act was signed into law on 30th June 2022, all services established under the Act are open to applications since 3rd October. As of Monday 3rd April a total of 7,649 applications for information have been received by he Child and Family Agency, Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), with over half of that total being received within two weeks...

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 advised by my officials that a payment has recently issued to this provider in respect of the oldest outstanding invoice. Another...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: Policy on rent a room schemes is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing. Work is ongoing to procure accommodation for International Protection applicants across the country. It is important to note that over 5,000 persons currently accommodated in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres have a status that allows them to remain in Ireland and they have...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: Those seeking asylum in Ireland must make an application for international protection. While that claim is being examined by the International Protection Office, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation and related services to IPAs who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State. This offering includes food and utilities while the...