Results 10,141-10,160 of 11,925 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: We are being proactive in bringing in the three-week provision this year and in extending it out to the first two years of birth. This extension is to recognise the difficulties new parents have had during the Covid crisis and the lack of traditional supports, be they immediate family supports or the wider societal supports that families normally seek to avail of. We have demonstrated a...

Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputies for bringing forward these two amendments, which are very similar. While I understand the intention of the Deputies in proposing that we provide a report on a review of this legislation within a year, I do not consider that to be the best approach. I do not agree that these amendments offer the best way to proceed and I will try to explain why that is the case. The...

Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for raising this point. He has engaged with me directly about this and I have issued a response. It is an important point. As we work towards the full transposition of the work-life balance directive, we will have to continue to look at the position regarding carer's leave. It is covered under Article 6 of the directive, which provides for five days of annual carer's...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Asylum Seekers (25 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 to 124, inclusive, together. I am aware of the open letter signed by healthcare professional in Ireland concerning asylum seekers and refugees on Lesvos. The Government pledge of last October to resettle up to 50 people from Lesvos was in addition to the commitment that Ireland had already made with the UNHCR to resettle 2,900 refugees to Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Parental Leave (25 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Policy on surrogacy rests with the Minister for Health while policy on parentage rests with the Minister for Justice.  Legislation on family leaves must be developed in the context of the legal situation concerning parentage, including in relation to surrogacy.  Any changes in the legal situation with regard to parentage and surrogacy are matters for the Minister for Justice and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Communications (25 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is currently compiling the information requested by the Deputy and a response will be issued directly as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Protected Disclosures (25 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: In the period 2017 to 2020 two Protected Disclosures were received by the Department, one in 2017 and one in 2019. No Protected Disclosures have been received in 2021 to date. One additional disclosure was received in late 2016 and has been the subject of examination in the period referred to. In relation to the 2017 disclosure the Department responded at the time and the person who made...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Protected Disclosures (25 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: In relation to the period 2017 to date in 2021 no protected disclosures were made by current officials of my Department, officials not now working in my Department or by retired officials of this Department.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: National Childcare Scheme (25 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) was introduced in November 2019. Since then, over 50,000 children have benefitted from NCS subsidies. Through the NCS, the State offers financial support to parents for childcare through the provision of subsidies, paid directly to their Early Learning and Care (ELC) or School Age Childcare (SAC) provider. Parents can access their NCS award through any...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policy Functions (25 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department's role is to co-ordinate and monitor national disability policy through two strategies, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities and through the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  It is a matter for each Department to implement the relevant...

Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank Deputies across the House for their support for this legislation. It was noticeable from the contributions that we all recognise the challenges families have faced and face, particularly the challenges new families face. Those first months after the birth of a child are always a challenging time but Covid has magnified every single challenge in society. The measure we are taking...

Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to be in a position to bring forward the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021. As Deputies know, the Bill passed all Stages in the Seanad and has been renamed the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021. The Short Title has been changed to accommodate the Government amendments to the Bill that are for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Refugee Resettlement Programme (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1055 to 1059, inclusive, and 1102 together. I am aware of the open letter signed by healthcare professionals in Ireland concerning asylum seekers and refugees on Lesvos. The Government pledge of last October to resettle up to 50 people from Lesvos was in addition to the commitment that Ireland had already made with the UNHCR to resettle 2,900 refugees...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Human Rights (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department intends on holding stakeholder consultation sessions ahead of the drafting of Ireland’s National UPR report and the State’s subsequent appearance for review under the third cycle in November 2021. The report is due to be submitted by the 9 August 2021 and drafting of the report is being coordinated by my Department. My Department has commenced contacting...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ministerial Correspondence (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can advise the Deputy that my officials are currently examining the correspondence in question and a response will issue to the person concerned in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Equality Issues (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Anti-Racism Committee was appointed in June 2020, with a mandate to review current evidence and practice and make recommendations to Government on how best to strengthen its approach to tackling racism. The Anti-Racism Committee’s purpose is to develop an understanding of the nature and prevalence of racism in Ireland, and to work towards achieving a social consensus on actions...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The ongoing management of the organisation referred to by the Deputy is a matter for their Board, including the challenges being presented due to the recent Covid-19 restrictions. My Department provides substantial funding to this organisation, which plays an important role in providing young people with opportunities for developmental experiences and informal learning.  All of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The well-being, health and safety of children, their families and those working in the sector is a priority for my Department. A dedicated web-page was developed to provide guidance during the Covid-19 pandemic for parents and service providers on the reopening, operating and use of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services including all childminders. Guidance is...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I understand that there has been some increase in brokerage fees for the majority of childcare providers, but that there has not been a general or significant increase in premiums for childcare providers.   Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Aged Childcare (SAC) services are required to have insurance as part of their registration with Tulsa, the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I understand that there has been some increase in brokerage fees for the majority of childcare providers, but that there has not been a general increase in premiums for childcare providers. It is important to note that neither the Government, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing or provision of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter which...