Results 10,641-10,660 of 11,948 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

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...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: I take the Deputy's reference to "long Covid-19" to mean the medical condition whereby a person experiences long-term symptoms of Covid-19. My Department has continued to deliver on its full range of responsibilities throughout 2020 and into 2021, while working remotely for the most part. To date, any impacts of Covid or “Long Covid” have been met within the budgetary resources...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: As the Deputy is aware, the Maternity Protection Acts provide for up to 26 weeks paid Maternity Leave, and a further 16 weeks unpaid leave. Where a child is born prematurely, additional weeks may be available. In addition, the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parents' Leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: A printed copy of the Final Report of the Commission is available to any survivor who wishes to have one. The Report was made available in digital format in the first instance so as to immediately make it available to the widest possible audience. This is particularly important having regard to the sheer size of the report and the challenges which arise in disseminating hard copies, due...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 575 and 576 together. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to ending the Direct Provision system and replacing it with a new International Protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach. The Government has also committed to the development of a White Paper which will set out how this new system will be structured and the...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: Whilst the particular responsibility for the monitoring of gender balance on radio under the Broadcasting Act 2009 rests with my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, I wish to inform the Deputy that I am aware of the report in question. My Department has overall responsibility for the National Strategy for Women and Girls, and work is...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies to meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities. Under the Act, the National Disability Authority (NDA) has the statutory role to report, on an annual basis, on compliance with the 3% target. The Department reports to the monitoring committee in DPER on its compliance as at the 31st December of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Childcare Services (26 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I acknowledge that even in level 5, childcare professionals are continuing to provide childcare services and school-age childcare for the children of essential workers. They are also providing services to vulnerable children and that is an important support in the economy which did not happen during the major lockdown of March 2020. I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Childcare Services (26 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: There has been rigorous engagement between my Department and the sector over recent weeks and particularly since the higher level 5 restrictions were introduced. We have had eight meetings of the childcare advisory group at which representatives have met officials of my Department. I have attended seven of those eight meetings myself because I know this is a difficult time for providers....

Seanad: Report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation: Statements (Resumed) (26 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I begin by thanking all Members of the House for their very thought-through and meaningful contributions this afternoon and last week. It has been an extremely good and considered debate. It is clear that many Senators have taken the time to go through what is a huge report. It took me weeks to get through it all in detail. Many Senators today, such as Senator Ahearn and some Senators...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together. Responsibility for the recording of the number of people who test positive for COVID-19 lies with the Department of Health. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot confirm positive test results of any person as we do not hold such personal medical information. Decisions on who should be tested and the release...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (21 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: A large number of services for children and young people funded directly or indirectly by my Department have charitable tax status. Information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and the response will issue as soon as possible.

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

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is currently developing the White Paper, which will set out options, together with the recommended direction, for the new model of accommodation and services for International Protection applicants and the transitional processes needed to implement the model. Options for developing a not-for-profit approach are currently being examined in this regard. A large scale...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (21 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to apologise to the Deputy for the inconvenience caused. I have referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that they investigate the matter and arrange for the reply to issue to the Deputy, with an appropriate clarification. The response prepared by Tusla in relation to Parliamentary Question Nos. 981 and 982 (3rd November 2020) would have included figures validated to August 2020. I...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (21 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for his further questions on this important matter. I indicated when I met with the Seanad there was a need to explore the matter further before deciding on how best the matters outlined should be progressed. I met with the Commissioner of St John Ambulance in December and I can report that he and the Chairman of St John Ambulance have informed me that they are taking...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Parental Leave (21 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 introduced a significant extension to the existing parental leave entitlements, raising the age of the child for whom parental leave may be taken from eight years to twelve. It also extended the parental leave entitlement by 8 weeks, on a phased basis. The last of these increases came into effect on 1 September 2020 and parents are now entitled to 26...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (21 Jan 2021)

Roderic O'Gorman: Childcare services will continue to receive funding under my Department's funding schemes, including ECCE, NCS, CCSP and TEC, where they close: - under direction of the Government (all services that deliver the pre-school ECCE programme only have been directed to close); - by direction of public health authorities; - with force majeure permission to close because they do not have the children...