Results 6,801-6,820 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy will be aware, I published a White Paper to end direction provision and to establish a new international protection support service in February 2021. In the 14 months since its publication, my Department has placed a significant focus on the delivery of the new model of accommodation and supports for international protection applicants. As the Deputy will appreciate, the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Domestic Violence (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since its formation, this Government has made it clear that tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a key priority. Counsious of the risk of poverty those fleeing Domestic Violence face, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence. The issue of domestic violence...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I want to develop a world class childcare system. One that is affordable for parents, provides quality care and education to children, and pays staff well.  We all recognise that childcare fees should not be a burden. We want every parent to be able to access childcare without worrying about what it will cost. That's why I am moving forward with far-ranging reforms in the Early Years...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Rights of People with Disabilities (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations. In response to recent concerns...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: One of my top priorities in Government is to improve affordability of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare for parents. The package of measures I announced in Budget 2022 is designed to ensure that fees to parents do not increase and that the full affordability benefits of the National Childcare Scheme and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme are felt without being...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ensuring the availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key priority for me. Since 2015, significant increases in State investment in early learning and childcare has given rise to a substantial growth in the numbers of children participating in these services. Every year, more than 100,000 children participate on the universal...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (2 Jun 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...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Measures (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: On 21 April the Government gave its approval for the drafting of a Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, the main purpose of which is to transpose elements of the EU Work Life Balance Directive and provide new rights to parents and carers in order to support a better work life balance. The General Scheme of the proposed Bill, which is published on my Department's website, has...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: In March 2021, following publication of the Independent Review into Illegal Birth Registration,  I asked Professor Conor O’Mahony, the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, to consider the significant complexities and challenges which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth registration, and to provide a report proposing an appropriate course of action. On 14th March...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: As indicated in my earlier reply, the availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority. Before the onset of Covid-19, national data indicated that supply of early learning and childcare places was broadly meeting demand, though there was evidence of undersupply for certain cohorts of children and in certain areas. Data...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can inform Deputy O’Connor that Tusla has a statutory obligation to prepare an aftercare plan for every young person leaving care who is eligible under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. This plan is informed by an assessment of need carried out prior to the young person leaving care. The plan sets out the assistance that may be provided by Tusla to the eligible person from the age...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I referred earlier to the nationwide survey on capacity in early learning and childcare services undertaken in April by City/County Childcare Committees. This survey was undertaken as part of the Action Plan put in place by my Department to respond to the early learning and childcare needs of Ukrainian children and their families. This survey was followed in May by the Annual Early Years...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is focused on providing short term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. In excess of 23,000 people have been referred to my Department for accommodation to date. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 27 together. My Department has been approached about many potential projects which aim to provide suitable accommodation to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.  Engagement does take place between parties and the Department where suitable accommodation is potentially available to address the short term needs. However, it is not presently...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Rights of People with Disabilities (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: The principle of accessibility is set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which Ireland ratified in March 2018. Article 9 of the UNCRPD requires signatories to take measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, and to other...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Earlier this month I published the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report 2020/21. The report, based on a survey undertaken in June 2021, provided data on fees charged for early learning and childcare. This Report revealed that the average fee for a full time place was €186.84 while the average fee for a part time place and sessional place was €110.92 and €74.20...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Strategies (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures – The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 concluded at the end of 2020. A final Annual Report for 2020 was published on 20 January 2022, along with updates to the policy framework indicator set. Recently, my Department concluded a public consultation on the policy framework which allowed children and young...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (2 Jun 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-government 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: Gender Equality (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 55 together. The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 has provided a whole-of-Government framework through which women’s empowerment continues to be advanced. This Strategy was developed in consultation with stakeholders, and the process included consultation with civil society and with the public.  The Programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (2 Jun 2022)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.