Results 8,661-8,680 of 11,907 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Tests (30 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is currently working with the HSE to finalise an antigen testing programme for early learning and childcare services. It will be launched in the coming weeks. The antigen testing programme for early learning and childcare services will be similar to the antigen testing programme which has recently been rolled out for close contacts in primary schools.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Employers in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector are currently eligible to access the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) without having to demonstrate the 30% reduction in turnover required of other employers. EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the Covid-19 crisis. It is an economy-wide scheme that operates across...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (30 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) has been a key component of the Government’s response to the Covid-19 crisis. It is an economy-wide scheme that operates across all sectors. While the criteria for eligibility for business in general is based on a reduction in turnover, I negotiated a special arrangement for registered Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Parental Leave (30 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended), working parents are entitled to five weeks of paid Parents' Leave for each relevant parent, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Provision has been made in Budget 2022 to increase this entitlement further to seven weeks per eligible parent with effect from July 2022. The...

Mother and Baby Institutions: Statements (25 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: It was given detailed consideration at the joint Oireachtas committee, which provided me with a detailed report outlining issues members had with the proposals. We are looking to respond to that and to bring forward amended legislation. Deputy Higgins spoke about a project run by the Christine Buckley Centre concerning the lived history of survivors of institutional abuse generally. As...

Mother and Baby Institutions: Statements (25 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank all the Deputies for their contributions today and for taking the opportunity to read into the Dáil record many of the items of correspondence that they have received from survivors. Deputy Gino Kenny’s contribution was particularly meaningful. Throughout today’s debate and the debate on Tuesday, Deputies have raised a range of concerns regarding the payment...

Mother and Baby Institutions: Statements (25 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Business Committee for arranging this debate and allowing time for the Dáil to discuss the important work that is ongoing in dealing with Ireland's legacy of mother and baby and county home institutions. The keen interest Members have in these matters is very welcome and it is clear that survivors appreciate the level of support across the House. In speaking with survivors,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (25 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Capital investment in early learning and childcare will be delivered through the National Development Plan (NDP) during 2021-2030. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare during the lifetime of the NDP. Investment under the NDP will consist of three pillars: (1) Modernisation grants will be available for upgrading and modernisation necessary to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (25 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme includes financial payments and a form of enhanced medical card. Payments will be provided to eligible applicants based on proof of residency for a defined period of time. Any person who was residentas a child in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution for a period of six months or more (and who did not receive redress in respect of that...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (25 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will provide financial payments and an enhanced medical card to defined groups in acknowledgement of suffering experienced while resident in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions in the Republic of Ireland. The institutions covered by the Scheme are the 14 Mother and Baby Homes investigated by the Commission of Investigation and all...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (24 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: First of all, I can assure you that the health and wellbeing of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority to both myself and my officials. Any crime of sexual assault should be reported to An Garda Síochána (AGS) and AGS investigate such crimes as appropriate. The International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) has a sexual...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: No personnel in my Department have been removed from their position, transferred to another role or had their employment terminated from 2011 to date due to breaches of departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence.

Mother and Baby Homes Redress Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I welcome the opportunity to address the issues raised in this motion. We are all united in our belief that the State must take responsibility for the indisputable wrongs that were visited on women and children who spent time in these institutions. As the Taoiseach stated in his apology earlier this year, "The State failed you - the mothers and children in these homes." It would be...

Seanad: Children in Care and Children Leaving Care: Statements (23 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank Senator Ruane for raising this important matter and for her ongoing work in this really significant area. It is valuable that Members of the Seanad should have the opportunity to express their views on issues concerning vulnerable children and young people in or leaving State care. We all share an ambition for children in care to thrive. This requires all forms of alternative care...

Seanad: Children in Care and Children Leaving Care: Statements (23 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I must leave as I have to speak on a Private Members' motion in the Dáil. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, will take over for me. I thank the Senators for their contributions and I am sorry I cannot respond directly. However, many of the issues raised are issues we are engaging with, as Senator Ruane and I discussed yesterday. We will continue to engage on those issues and I...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (23 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Capital investment in early learning and childcare will be delivered through the National Development Plan (NDP) during 2021-2030. Investment under the NDP will consist of three pillars : Modernisation, New Capacity and First 5 Initiatives. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare during the lifetime of the NDP as follows: (1) Modernisation: Much of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Correspondence (23 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to advise the Deputy that operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Therefore, I am not in a position to comment on individual cases. I can confirm that this matter has been referred to Tusla, for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Strategies (23 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: National action in respect of autism is a firm commitment in the Programme for Government. Earlier this year, Minister Rabbitte announced an intention to develop an Autism Innovation Strategy with the aim of launching it in 2022. In Budget 2022, Minister Rabbitte and I secured €100,000 for the design and implementation of the Autism Innovation Strategy, and for awareness raising around...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Housing Provision (23 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Thank you for your question Deputy. It is incorrect to state that "it is the hope of this Government to give every asylum seeker in this country a home of their own after 6 months of being in direct provision". As outlined in A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service, applicants for international protection will be provided with...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Communications (23 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am familiar with this matter. I can confirm to the Deputy that the family in question have arrived safely into Ireland and are now receiving assistance from the Department of Social Protection, the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána and the Irish Refugee Resettlement Programme.