Results 6,421-6,440 of 11,908 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (21 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 sets out a plan for extending State support and regulation to childminding on a phased basis over the coming years, with accelerated access to subsidies for childminders through the National Childcare Scheme. The overall objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (21 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: On 15th September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. Together for Better is underpinned by an Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC).This new funding model will support delivery of ELC and SAC for the public good, for quality and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes made significant findings in relation to the failings of the State and Religious Congregations, who together ran Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Government believes that all relevant parties have a shared moral and ethical obligation to support appropriate actions in response to the Commission’s Report....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 robustly fulfills the vast majority of the Special Rapporteur's recommendations, specifically addressing recommendations 1- 14 inclusive.The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 was signed into law by President Higgins on 30 June 2022. I commenced the first parts of the Act on 1 July with the establishment of the Contact Preference Register and the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 401 together. I am committed to ongoing engagement with former residents of Mother and Baby Institutions and their advocates. I have directly engaged with survivors and advocacy groups since my appointment and will continue to engage with those most centrally involved with these matters. As I have acknowledged previously, plenary meetings of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Following publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation, I listened to the disappointment of some survivors when the Report of the Confidential Committee did not live up to their expectations. This included the concerns expressed directly to me by members of the Collaborative Forum in relation to the treatment of survivor testimony. Although care was taken in the design...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The investigation of burial arrangements in Mother and Baby Homes, including the former institution in Bessborough, was an important part of the work of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters. The Fifth Interim Report report noted that, despite extensive inquiries and searches, the Commission was only able to identify the burial places of 64 of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Budget 2023 (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I have received the Pre-Budget Submission for Budget 2023 from the organisation referred to by the Deputy and its contents have been noted.   I am committed to supporting this important sector, which has enormous value to the many young people involved and from a broader social and economic viewpoint.  Budget 2023 is currently being considered by Government in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Transport (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department does not own any vehicles, electric, hybrid or otherwise.  The following bodies are under the aegis of my Department and I have asked that they reply directly to the Deputy on this matter. Body Child and Family Agency (Tusla)   Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) Ombudsman for Children’s Office...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Core Funding is allocated on the basis of a service’s capacity focusing on the typical operating week and typical operating weeks per year of a service. One element of a service’s capacity is having the right staffing levels for the number of places offered for different age ranges and place types (sessional, part- or full-time) as stipulated by the statutory ratios. ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Health Services Staff (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, I am very conscious of the impact the community and voluntary sector have on improving outcomes for children, young people and families all over Ireland. To support these activities, additional funding was provided in Budget 2022 to enable Tusla to increase its supports to the community and voluntary sector. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Health Services Staff (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, I am conscious of the impact the community and voluntary sector have on improving outcomes for children, young people and families all over Ireland. To support these activities, additional funding was provided in Budget 2022 to enable Tusla to increase its supports to the community and voluntary sector. Section 56(14)...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Reports (20 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has 36 live studies, reviews and research projects underway. 25 of these (69%) involve the commissioning of external experts. For full details please see the table below: Project Commissioned or Internal Scheduled Completion A review of the current provision of Home Visiting Services for families with babies and young children in...

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am pleased to introduce this Bill to the House and I look forward to today's debate on this important legislation, which is required to commence the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 in full. That landmark legislation will bring to an end wardship for adults. The State will move away from an outdated and disempowering status approach to persons with capacity difficulties to a...

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank Senators for their contributions and their support in passing this critical legislation. The move away from wardship is long overdue. It represents a huge step forward in further aligning Ireland with our commitments under the UNCRPD. Senators have spoken very eloquently about how the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act was passed in 2015 and for seven years we have seen no...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (15 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I would like to assure the Deputy that the health and wellbeing of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority to myself and my officials. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation, 2018, we cannot comment on individual cases without express consent of the person concerned. Please be assured, however, that since 1 February 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (15 Sep 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since I published the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions last November, there has been consistent progress in implementing its key commitments. Of the 22 actions, 8 have been completed while another 12 are currently in progress. Key achievements include: Dedicated professional counselling support continues to be available...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (15 Sep 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...