Results 6,361-6,380 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the publication of the White Paper to end direct provision, my Department has placed a significant focus on delivering the new model of accommodation and supports for international protection. This has included the recruitment of a team dedicated to drive the implementation of the new programme; the establishment of governance structures in the form of a programme board and an...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: We have Ukrainians here under the temporary protection directive, we have international protection applicants and we have refugees accepted under the Irish refugee protection programme, IRPP. Sometimes these all get jumbled in. I will speak to the IRPP programme. We have taken, at this stage, 3,900 Syrians under IRPP 1 and 2. There is an ongoing commitment to receive more Syrians in,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Our response to Ukraine is set out under EU law. Our response to them is set out in the temporary protection directive and we are working under that. In terms of a discriminatory response, I visited Citywest the week before last. The treatment of Ukrainians as they arrive into the country is identical to the treatment of international protection applicants as they arrive into the country.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: It is. With all due respect, I was there. I saw what was happening on the ground.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: In terms of what happens next, absolutely. However, that is not a determination of the Government. That is a determination of European law. With the greatest respect, it is what is set out in the temporary protection directive and we are operating to fulfil the temporary protection directive. That was a decision of European Union law but we continue to provide a full range of supports to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ensuring financial stability of early learning and childcare services is a priority of Government, as demonstrated by State supports provided to the sector throughout the pandemic that were in excess of €1 billion. A transition fund is now in place to support providers between May and August 2022. This fund is designed to support the financial stability of services in the period...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Nothing is off the table in regard to broadening AIM. I know how good a programme it is. I have spoken to parents who have experienced the value for their children. I have spoken to services which have seen they have been able to do much more for children. My starting point is to expand access to AIM. I like to do things after the research is completed in order that I can understand what...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can get back to the Deputy with more detail on the process. It started in 2021 so it has been quite a lengthy and detailed process. I imagine it has engaged with providers that have undertaken this work. The real strength of AIM is its flexibility. The DEIS model used in primary and secondary school is "all or nothing" - you get DEIS status or you do not - whereas AIM has graduated...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As set out in A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service, my Department is currently working on implementing a new model of accommodation and supports for international protection applicants. Under the new model, an applicant for international protection will initially be accommodated in one of six new integration and reception...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Deputy Cairns is aware of the major pressures on accommodation throughout the country right now. Our Department, like others, source accommodation where we can. Where we are able to facilitate families in terms of where they have integrated and made connections, we absolutely will seek to do that. Realistically I am not in a position to say I can guarantee that in every situation because...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Core funding is designed to support a range of objectives, including the drawing up of an employment regulation order, ERO, to determine minimum rates of pay for workers as well as supporting career pathways in graduate employment. Of the €221 million core funding budget, approximately two thirds is intended to contribute to improved pay rates across different categories of staff....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The ERO is the only game in town. It is the one mechanism available under the existing industrial relations mechanism that will ensure our fantastic childcare professionals receive the substantial additional funding the Government announced in the budget last year through better pay. The only way to guarantee that is through an ERO. No one in the sector, from either the employer or...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My focus and that of the Department is on supporting the delivery of the ERO and I do not wish to second-guess that process. I genuinely do not know of a way that we can as effectively support better pay for staff without an ERO being in place. That is why all our focus has to be on that mechanism. I welcome the Deputy's support for the ERO. The Deputy is correct. Staff have felt...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy. Since 2016, my Department has funded the access and inclusion model to ensure that children with disabilities can access the early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme. Its goal is to empower preschool providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to advise the Deputy that statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla is not automatically involved in cases before the family courts which may direct interim living arrangements. Where a private family law matter is settled in court, Tusla does not have a mandate to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The new Core Funding Scheme announced in Budget 2022 amounts to €221 million in full year costs, €173 million of which is new investment. This quantum of funding, in addition to the design of the allocation methodology, will substantially contribute to services’ sustainability. Core Funding will significantly increase income for the overwhelming majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I would like to thank the Deputy for this question regarding supporting the development of fostering services. There are currently approximately 5,826children and young people in the care of the State, with 90% being cared for by foster carers, enabling them to live in a safe, secure, and stable home environment. The Deputy will be aware that foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Funding (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department operates the Play and Recreation Capital grant scheme, which provides funding, via Local Authorities, to support the development of new recreation facilities for children and young people. The scheme also funds the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and the incorporation of natural play elements. The criteria for the scheme were developed in partnership...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Official Engagements (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I opened the first day of the Council of Europe Child and Youth Participation for Europe conference in May, in Cork. The conference was the first conference event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of Europe. It was also the mid-term event of the CP4Europe project. This project promotes children’s right to participation at national and pan-European levels, aiming to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Education Schemes (7 Jul 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Thank you Deputy Lahart for your question. This year DCEDIY and Tusla secured €750,000 in Dormant Accounts Funding for the continuation of educational supports for care experienced children and young people. This is the second year of a two year programme funded by Dormant Accounts. The purpose of the funding is to support and assist care experienced young people achieve their full...