Results 5,941-5,960 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Social Welfare Benefits (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Foster carers are paid at a rate of €325 per week for a child under 12, and €352 per week for a child over 12 and under 18. In certain circumstances, where the necessary criteria are met, enhanced and additional payments may be made. In addition to the foster care allowance, foster carers receive a number of targeted supports to ensure they continue to function as a...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Official Engagements (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I met with the CEO and the Chair of the Board of Tusla as well as the chairs of board committees on the 29th of September 2022, as part of my scheduled quarterly meetings with the Tusla Board. The outcome of Budget 2023 was discussed during the meeting, including supports available to foster carers and options to explore further potential measures, such as the waiting period for foster...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Official Engagements (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I met with the CEO and the Chair of the Board of Tusla as well as the chairs of board committees on the 29th of September 2022, as part of my scheduled quarterly meetings with the Tusla Board. The outcome of Budget 2023 was discussed during the meeting, including supports available to foster carers and options to explore further potential measures, such as the waiting period for foster...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Official Engagements (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I met with the CEO and the Chair of the Board of Tusla as well as the chairs of board committees on the 29th of September 2022, as part of my scheduled quarterly meetings with the Tusla Board. The outcome of Budget 2023 was discussed during the meeting, including supports available to foster carers and options to explore further potential measures, such as the waiting period for foster carers...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Official Engagements (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can inform the Deputy that I have received a formal written request to meet with the organisation in question, which I have accepted. The meeting will take place before the end of the month.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis. The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis. The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Budget 2023 introduces major reforms to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) from January 2023, which will substantially improve the affordability of early learning and childcare for families. Additional funding of €121 million has been allocated to the NCS from January 2023 so all families accessing registered early learning and childcare will receive a minimum hourly NCS subsidy of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla has informed me that at the end of July 2022, there were 5,208 children in foster care comprising 89.4% of all children in care (5,826). Of the 5,208 children in foster care, 29% (1,492) were in relative foster care. Both Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in foster care. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Human Rights (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 338 together. Children's rights, and their enjoyment of these rights, are of paramount importance to my Department, and indeed across Government. The importance of child-centred policies and protections represent a core value in society where children can flourish and see a brighter future. There is no doubt that we must work towards ensuring this...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Safety (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331, 333 and 334 together. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the dedicated State agency responsible for supporting and promoting the development, welfare and protection of children. The Child and Family Agency Act 2013 provides that Tusla is independent in the performance of its functions and also places the Agency under a requirement to have regard to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: At the end of July 2022, there were 5,826 children and young people in the care of the State. Of these, 418 (7.2%) were in Residential Care, and 15 (2.6%) were in secure Special Care. Both Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of Alternative...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Safety (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: This is a matter more appropriate for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Funding (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: In terms of my Department's 2022 spending, I am currently seeking additional funding for my Department for 2022 principally to cover the additional costs arising in relation to the Ukraine response and due to the increased numbers of International Protection applicants arriving in the State. In this regard, I am bringing a supplementary estimate to the Dáil which has been agreed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (13 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: This is a matter more appropriate for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022: Second Stage (12 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to address the House on Second Stage of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022. The purpose of this Bill is to ensure Ireland fully transposes Articles 6 and 9 of the EU work-life balance directive, which are the final elements not already compatible with Irish law. The Bill also fulfils an important and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: With the support of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I achieved a €346 million increase in the budget for childcare. In 2023 we will spend more than €1 billion on childcare for the first time ever. That is going to deliver, on average, a 25% cut in fees for parents. Importantly for providers, this also allows us to put more money into core funding. Core...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: To keep the record clear, I have met with seven religious congregations or lay organisations, and the leaders of the Church of Ireland, in seeking a meaningful and significant response from them on redress. Those negotiations are ongoing at present. There has been no conclusion in terms of those engagements. As the Deputy said, yesterday we brought forward the final redress Bill, which...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Ukraine War (12 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter in terms of the operation of the pledge process. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the activation of the temporary protection directive shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis. My Department is focused on the immediate, short-term...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Ukraine War (12 Oct 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: An extension of a further six months provides very real certainty to Ukrainians and provides certainty to my Department. We are seeing situations where pledges have ended and people have had to go to Citywest thus requiring us to find new accommodation for them. We will find new accommodation for people but such movement adds to the pressures on the Department. I will certainly look for...