Results 601-620 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: Things have moved on from when we started to debating the Bill in the Seanad. I have received advice from the Attorney General that it is in the nature of being mandatory. There are two stages. An assessment must be carried out of whether there is a need and once the need is established, the obligation is on the HSE to deliver a service. That is a long way from a simple discretionary...

Seanad: Job Losses. (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: I thank Senators Wilson and O'Reilly for raising this matter which I take on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. In recent weeks the Minister has been in close and regular contact with the State agencies, the Quinn Group employee representatives and local public representatives, including Senator Wilson, across the political...

Seanad: Job Losses. (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills has already agreed that €1 million of the special fund for activation measures will be ring-fenced. It is part of the existing fund that will be ring-fenced to fund upskilling and activities for the Quinn Group employees affected. As Senator Wilson pointed out, the key will be ensuring the UK business is allowed to return to the greatest...

Seanad: Community Enterprise Centres. (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: I thank Senator John Paul Phelan for raising this matter on the Adjournment which I am taking on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. Enterprise Ireland's community enterprise centre scheme has provided significant funding to facilitate the development of community enterprise centres aimed at providing a physical and human support...

Seanad: Community Enterprise Centres. (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: I undertake to do so. The community enterprise centre draws on the concepts of social entrepreneurship and social capital which were buzz words some years ago but are still relevant today. The Senator has acknowledged that there are priorities, but we would be foolish to ignore the benefits that have accrued in this area. I will relay these messages to the Minister.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: I will address the specific issues raised by Senator Cannon. He is right in saying a stay in special care should be a positive and therapeutic intervention on behalf of a child. In the Health Information and Quality Authority's report on special care produced at the end of last year the authority broadly agreed that such outcomes were being achieved. When one is having a debate of this...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: It is interesting that the Senator should ask that question. My office has an obligation to fulfil its responsibilities under the national children's strategy in so far as the voice of the child is concerned. That is why we organise Dáil na nÓg, the Children and Young People's Forum and the advisory group. This year, for the first time, we have tried to ensure we consult children in...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (6 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: Section 3 of the Children Act 2001 defines a "children detention order" as having the meaning assigned to it under section 142 which provides that an order may be imposed on a child for a period of detention in a children's detention school. Thus the amendment appears to seek a change in the definition of a "children detention order", but to do so one would be confusing in terms of legal...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (5 May 2010)

Barry Andrews: It remains my intention to assist 20 named applicants to complete intercountry adoptions in respect of children from Vietnam on an exceptional basis and insofar as it is practicable in law. In communicating the decision to suspend the bilateral negotiations the Irish Government asked the Vietnamese Government whether it will be possible to proceed with these adoptions. The Vietnamese response...

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I welcome the opportunity provided by this debate to reflect on the important issue of child welfare and protection services and to discuss ongoing developments in this complex and sensitive area.

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: The provision of appropriate robust and responsive child welfare and protection services remains a key priority for both myself, as Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs, and the Government. The provision of these services is every bit as crucial as the delivery of critical care services and should be afforded that same priority in Health Service Executive,...

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: Waterford.

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I thank all the contributors to the discussion which was very informative and showed speakers to be well-informed. This discussion underlines what the Oireachtas does best. Having a much calmer discussion about this, without the white heat from an unfolding drama, is a much more constructive approach. The Government remains committed to a referendum which will give expression to children's...

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: No. The Government responded to the Ryan report with an implementation plan. We have already put in place leadership positions with specific responsibility for children and families. An additional 200 social workers will be recruited which in the current economic context is an extraordinary commitment. Not only is €15 million provided for the implementation plan to effect these changes,...

Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I accept that. It is better than nothing. That is the reason we put certain reports into the public domain as best we can. It should not be assumed that because that is not done in a timely fashion it supports a view that we are tolerant of cover-up because we are not.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January this year. Children will qualify for the scheme where they are aged more than 3 years and 2 months and less than 4 years and 7 months at 1 September each year. The upper age limit does not apply where children are developmentally delayed and...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (29 Apr 2010)

Barry Andrews: I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.