Results 8,901-8,920 of 11,997 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (2 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth does not have any existing contracts of an indefinite period entered into by this Department prior to the enactment of the EU Procurement Directive.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Irish Sign Language (2 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Irish Sign Language Act was signed into law on 24thDecember 2017 and it was jointly commenced by Minister Rabbitte and I on 23rdDecember 2020. Through the Act, Ireland recognises Irish Sign Language as a native language of the State and the right of users of Irish Sign Language to develop and preserve it as their native language. The Act places a statutory duty on all public bodies to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (2 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: In Budget 2022, I secured an additional €78m in funding for early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC), bringing the total investment in the sector to €716m next year. This will allow my Department to bring forward a substantial and comprehensive package of developments to achieve significant progress on its policy priorities of affordable, high quality,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (2 Nov 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Child and Family Agency (Amendment) Bill 2021: Referral to Select Committee (21 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Child and Family Agency (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank all Deputies for their contributions today and yesterday and for the detail in which they have looked at the Bill. Some of the contributions have focused very much on the legislation. Some of them have been on broader issues that are relevant to the work of the Department, other Departments and the work of State agencies. I acknowledge the case that Deputy Boyd Barrett brought...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: School Accommodation (21 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department of Education Guidelines on the use of School Buildings Outside of School Hours, see assets.gov.ie/24484/ca5b1787db1b47f98de31f57e977dad0.pdf, relate to the use of school facilities mainly for outside of school hours but which includes pre-schools.  In line with these guidelines, the issue is a matter for the property owners taking into consideration the needs of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (21 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to advise the Deputy that it would be inappropriate for me as Minister to comment on individual cases. The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (21 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. Separately, the Department of Housing, Local Government and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (21 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I would like to thank the Deputy for her question. €28m has been allocated to DCEDIY in 2022 for implementation of the new model of accommodation and supports for international protection applicants which was outlined in A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service. This breaks down as €12.5m in capital expenditure...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Public Sector Pay (21 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Under section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla may enter arrangements with organisations to provide child and family services or services associated with the care and protection of victims of DSGBV. Section 59 of the Act provides for similar arrangements through a grant or contribution in kind to non-profit organisations for services supplemental to those provided by the...

Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I welcome the input from Deputies across the House during the debate. As has been generally identified, gender equality is a major challenge in our society. It continues to be a challenge within our society despite the progress that has undoubtedly been made in recent years. The recommendations from the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality give us a significant number of proposals,...

Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: That is entirely unfair.

Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I spoke to them, listened to them and took their letters.

Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Deputy Pringle was the one using the hashtag and posting on Twitter. His remarks are entirely unfair.

Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My apologies.

Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Today is the first opportunity for the Oireachtas to discuss the report of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality. I want to begin my contribution by commending and thanking those citizens - the 99 women and men, and the Chair - who gave their time and consideration to developing the 45 recommendations that have come from the citizens' assembly seeking to achieve greater gender equality...

Child and Family Agency (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (20 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on the Second Stage of this important legislation. The purpose of the Bill is to give effect to the Taoiseach's announcement on 27 June 2020 that education welfare functions would return to the Department of Education. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is responsible for the delivery of...

Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this draft legislation and the issue today. I thank Deputy Canney for bringing the issue forward. As I indicated earlier, I am in the middle of a strategy meeting for another of the Government's national strategies, so I apologise that I was unable to hear the contributions of all Members. I heard Deputy Canney's contribution and those of Deputies...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (20 Oct 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department cannot find any correspondence or reference to meetings held with Kinzen Limited, previously Neva Labs. The Department does not have a record of any contracts or spend with the company.