Results 9,801-9,820 of 11,744 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Equality Issues (5 May 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, a commitment I strongly support. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland. The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2022 commits to ensuring that the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Childcare Scheme (30 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I might just speak broadly about the national childcare scheme before addressing the Senator's specific points. The national childcare scheme is built on the basis families are supported in accessing early learning and childcare based on need. The manner in which the needs of families are addressed is progressive and ensures that those...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Childcare Scheme (30 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am very much aware of the concerns that have been raised by providers, particularly in areas of great disadvantage, on some elements of the implementation of the scheme and particularly on the after school-issue. I have met providers, including from the Senator's local area with Senator Fitzpatrick, which is why I have outlined the three elements I am dealing with including, in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (29 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am advised by officials in the Interational Protection Accommodation Services area (IPAS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy voluntarily left his assigned accommodation placement in an accommodation centre for International Protection applicants in August 2020 having found private accommodation.  I am further advised that the person is no longer an...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (29 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care (ELC) and school aged childcare (SAC) services which are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding.  The works eligible for capital funding is determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department are currently not in a position to transfer residents between accommodation centres on request. All non-essential transfers are suspended due to the ongoing Covid-19 emergency and based on Public Health advice. Once Public Health advises that such restrictions can be lifted, residents will be informed and can then...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is guided by the HSE and Public Health in all measures we are taking to safeguard residents availing of our International Protection accommodation services.  In this context the  International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has been working closely with the HSE National Social Inclusion team and key regional Public Health officials since the beginning of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Communal facilities in accommodation centres provided by my Department vary from centre to centre but include reception areas, dining areas, play rooms for children, communal family rooms, study areas, laundry facilities and cooking facilities. My Department communicates directly with centre managers and residents via regular newsletters, which can be found on our website - ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Measures (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 694, 700 and 713 together. Ireland’s first National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 was published on 28 November 2019 and complements the National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy published in June 2018. Since the launch of the Inclusion Strategy, a Committee has been in place to oversee its implementation. This group is made up of officials from key...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Anti-Racism Measures (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Following Government approval on 20 April 2021, the Anti-Racism Committee’s Interim Report was published on 21 April 2021. The Deputy can access the report on my Department's website, www.gov.ie/dcediy. The Interim Report is the first Report from the Committee. It sets out the overall approach that the Committee intends to take to its work in developing the Action Plan, which is in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: National Childcare Scheme (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for his question. I am aware of the challenges facing the childcare services to which he is referring. The National Childcare Scheme represents a significant step forward in combatting the poverty traps of previous targeted childcare schemes. It removes many of the restrictive eligibility requirements, for example, dependency on Social Protection payments. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Detention Centres (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The information sought is of an operational nature and the request has been referred to Oberstown Children Detention School for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: National Childcare Scheme (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for his question. I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy, which includes recommendations of relevance to a number of areas falling under my remit. In relation to the specific points raised in this Parliamentary Question, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the following. The National Childcare Scheme represents a significant step forward in combatting the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Carer's Leave (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Section 6 of the Carer's Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of carer's leave to enable them to provide full-time care and attention to a person who is in need of such care. Carer's Leave is unpaid but an employee may also qualify for Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance, the payment of which is a matter for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Family Resource Centres (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla administers the FRC Programme, and Tusla funding supports 121 FRCs across the country. Core funding for the national FRC Programme is provided from my Department (Vote 40). In 2018, the annual budget was approximately €16.5m, and since 2019 has involved the allocation of approximately €18m annually, to Tusla for this purpose. As budgeting for the FRC Programme is an...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policy Functions (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: HIQA are proposing to have one overarching set of standards to replace the individual standards for children's social services that are currently in place.  These draft national standards are underpinned by four principles of human rights, safety and wellbeing, responsiveness and accountability. The current National Standards for Foster Care have been in place since 2003 and have...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As of the end of March 2021, there were 730 adults and 309 children who have been granted status, residing in accommodation centres provided by my Department. Considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure accommodation in the community.  My Department has a specific team who work in collaboration with...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Domestic Violence Services (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the question to Tusla for a direct response to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (28 Apr 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.