Results 10,421-10,440 of 11,744 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 552 together. An Interdepartmental Group (IDG) will develop proposals for a bespokeex-gratia Restorative Recognition Scheme to provide financial recognition in respect of the issues examined by the Commission of Investigation. The IDG will examine the three specific groups identified by the Commission in its recommendations, but is not restricted to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Parental Leave (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid parent’s leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Under proposals approved by Government in December 2020, each parent will be given an additional three weeks of paid parent's leave, and the period in which it can be taken will be extended to the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 Jan 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: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 Jan 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: Youth Services (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has no role in relation to the funding of the European Youth Parliament. However, the Deputy may be interested to know that my Department provides funding to support the participation by young people in Ireland in the EU Youth Dialogue. The EU Youth Dialogue facilitates and empowers young people to influence decision making on a local, national and European level and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Local Authority Funding (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am informed by my officials that specific funding streams are available to Local Authorities in the policy fields of Children and Young People and Equality, as follows: - Play and Recreation Fund - Comhairle na nÓg funding - Comhairle na nÓg ICT funding (once-off in 2020) - Irish Refugee Protection Programme - Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund - National Integration Funding -...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: As of the week ending 24 January 2021, there were a total of 6,986 people in the International Protection process being accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department. As you will be aware the Programme for Government contains a commitment to ending the Direct Provision system and replacing it with a new International Protection accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am very conscious that, during this challenging period, healthcare and other essential workers may have additional, unanticipated childcare needs, particularly as a result of the temporary school closures. Information has been shared through the Department of Health and the Department of Education with healthcare workers and school staff on the existing option of contacting their local...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Under current COVID19 restrictions, financial supports continue to be available to the sector, notably the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). EWSS is an economy-wide enterprise support for eligible businesses in respect of eligible employees. It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll; and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Under current COVID19 restrictions, financial supports continue to be available to the sector, notably the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). EWSS is an economy-wide enterprise support for eligible businesses in respect of eligible employees. It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll; and...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Years Sector (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Between 11 and 31 January, access to early learning and childcare services is restricted to the children of essential workers and vulnerable children. In addition, the resumption of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme has been delayed. During this period, my Department is continuing to provide funding under its schemes (ECCE, NCS, CCSP and TEC) as long as...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I was acutely aware that publication of the Final Report from the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and related institutions would be a difficult time for former residents and their families. With this in mind my Department has staffed a dedicated information line to assist callers in relation their queries on the Report. The contact details for this information line...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Detention Centres (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The capital budget allocation for Oberstown Children Detention Campus is as follows: - 2018 2019 2020 2021 Capital (€000) 4,200 2,000 3,800 3,000

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: A copy of the final report of the Commission of Investigation, which includes extracts of the information provided to the Confidential Committee, will be made available to all former residents who wish to receive one. I have requested my officials to contact the person concerned to make the necessary arrangements. On the 13 January, my Department issued an email to our contact list of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Reports (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine the introduction of a new ground of discrimination, based on socio-economic disadvantaged status to the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts. In addition, a broader review of the Equality Acts is also planned. Research is being undertaken at present and, following receipt of this, I hope to undertake a wider public...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Between 11 and 31 January, access to early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services is restricted to the children of essential workers and vulnerable children. In addition, the resumption of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme has been delayed. My officials are engaged in detailed planning as regards the arrangements for ELC and SAC...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Proposed Legislation (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid parent’s leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Under proposals approved by Government in December 2020, each parent will be given an additional three weeks of paid parent's leave, and the period in which it can be taken will be extended to the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter with me. The Commission of Investigation into mother and baby homes was independent in the conduct of its investigation and the production of its reports. I had no role or influence in relation to the inquiries conducted in accordance with the legislative framework of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. I have sought advices on the matters...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children First Guidelines (27 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Public health experts have confirmed that Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services may continue to operate during the current Level 5 restrictions. While no environment is without risk in relation to Covid-19, and this has been the case throughout the pandemic, services can significantly reduce their risk level by closely following the expert guidance provided by...