Results 10,201-10,220 of 11,744 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Immigration Support Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 to 528, inclusive, together. There are currently three properties being utilised by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department in Co. Louth. These are Carroll Village in Dundalk, Setanta Bed & Breakfast in Ardee and the Carnbeg Hotel in Dundalk. Carroll Village, is a dedicated international protection...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Government decided on 6 January that, in order to reduce movement in the population, the ECCE programme would be postponed. It has now been agreed that the programme will remain suspended during extended restrictions up to 5 March. Other Early Learning and Childcare and School-Age Childcare services (ELC/SAC services) can remain open on a restricted basis, to offer services to the children...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: There has been a limited number of engagements between au pair organisations and my Department during the period from 2020 to date. Engagement took place specifically in relation to Covid-19 guidance. Officials in my Department provided information, advice and best practice guidance on Covid-19 to those offering childcare in a child’s/family’s own home. In addition, officials in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Au Pair participants are deemed as essential workers and can continue to operate, like all other childcare providers. Childcare is essential for a parents ability to balance work with family responsibilities, especially those in the workforce on whom we rely to deliver essential services. In addition, a household of an essential worker, without an existing childcare arrangement, can form a...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can confirm that my officials in the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) have not received such complaints from the residents in the accommodation centre referred to by the Deputy or through other verifiable sources. IPAS has a complaints procedure which is set out in the House Rules & Procedures Booklet for International Protection applicants. Complaints are...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is funded by my Department to operate a confidential support helpline for all residents being accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). IPAS understands that not everybody feels comfortable contacting the Department directly so the helpline can be used to discuss issues or problems they are having with their accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes has made clear recommendations in relation to redress on the basis of its extensive statutory investigations. Notably, the Commission recognises that redress can be financial or in the form of enhanced services. In the context of comparable previous redress arrangements, the Commission identifies a number of specific groups for whom...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I was appalled at the leaking of the report. It was wholly unacceptable and disrespectful to survivors. I secured Government agreement to a full investigation of this incident. The Secretary General of the Department of An Taoiseach is currently investigating the matter. As part of this process, he will examine the broader issue of unauthorised dissemination of documentation and other...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Family Resource Centres (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is responsible for the administration of the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. I have requested that Tusla respond directly to the Deputy with regard to the proposed application process raised by the Deputy. I am pleased to have secured significant additional funding for Tusla this year which, I believe, will help the Agency more fully achieve its...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I recognise the important work carried out by advocacy services, such as EPIC, who work with children and young adults who are currently in care or who have experience of being in care. EPIC receives Government funding so that it can fulfil this important role. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is currently reviewing the Child Care Act 1991. The Child...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Care Services (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I have no plans at present to raise the age for which aftercare supports are made available to 26. Aftercare services are support services build on and support the work already undertaken by many including foster carers, social workers and residential workers in preparing young people for adulthood. Everyone has a role to play in preparing young people to reach their developmental...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Reviews (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Deputy, thank you for your question. As you highlighted, action 65 of the Ryan Report Implementation Plan states that ‘the HSE will, with their consent, conduct a longitudinal study to follow young people who leave care for 10 years, to map their transition to adulthood’. Following on from a scoping study done by Dr Carmel Devaney in 2013, a feasibility study on conducting...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Immigration Support Services (17 Feb 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.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Exemptions for the age requirements for the ECCE programme provided by my Department are considered with regard to three guiding principles: - the child will not reach 6 years of age before beginning primary education as per the Educational Welfare Act, 2000, - a specialist has recommended the additional time in ECCE; and - the child has not already availed of the full two years of ECCE....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Consultancy Contracts (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has not awarded any contracts for public relations advice and consultancy over €10,000 since January 2021. The Adoption Authority of Ireland, the National Disability Authority and Oberstown Children Detention Campus have confirmed likewise. I have referred the question to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the Ombudsman for Children's Office and the Irish Human...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ministerial Communications (17 Feb 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Minister has not made contact, nor has had contact, from the United States administration.