Results 1,121-1,140 of 11,855 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. I am advised that there are six Tusla-registered early learning and childcare services based in Palmerstown that are in receipt of programme funding from my Department. Data available to my Department demonstrate that, overall, early learning and childcare provision is expanding,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to extending regulation and supports to all paid, non-relative childminders who work in their own homes. The National Action Plan sets out a phased approach to regulation with a preparatory phase followed by an extended transition period, to allow childminders lead-in time for any requirements. This supportive, phased process aims to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Family Resource Centres (24 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 396 together. I wish to inform the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency administers the FRC Programme, which supports 121 FRCs throughout the country. My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme through Tusla, which has advised my Department that the current level of funding is to sustain existing services operating in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Parental Leave (24 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: In terms of changes to Maternity leave, I received Government approval in July for the drafting of a Bill to allow mothers who require treatment for a very serious illness to postpone their maternity leave for a period of time. The proposed legislation will also introduce, for the first time, a form of maternity leave for members of the Oireachtas. The text of the bill is currently being...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Youth Work Supports (24 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am cognisant of the campaign referenced by the Deputy, and the submission is being reviewed within my Department. Budget 2025 is currently being considered by Government in the context of the annual estimates process. Therefore, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage. However, from 2020 to Budget 2024, current Exchequer...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Youth Work Projects (19 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251, 252, 253 and 254 together. I have received the submission referred to by the Deputy, and it is being reviewed within my Department. Budget 2025 is currently being considered by Government in the context of the annual estimates process. Therefore, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage. ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Youth Work Projects (19 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Budget 2025 is currently being considered by Government in the context of the annual estimates process. Therefore, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage. I am aware, of course, of the pre-budget submission in question and the request for additional funding for Comhairle na nÓg. In 2022 there was an increase in funding of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Youth Work Supports (19 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Budget 2025 is currently being considered by Government in the context of the annual estimates process. Therefore, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage. However, from 2020 to Budget 2024, current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes increased from €61.79 million to €77.95 million, a 26% increase...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Budget 2025 (19 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I have received the submission referenced by the Deputy, and it is being reviewed within my Department. Budget 2025 is currently being considered by Government in the context of the annual estimates process. Therefore, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage. However, from 2020 to Budget 2024, current Exchequer funding for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (19 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (19 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (19 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Up to now, services availing of Core Funding have not been allowed to raise their fees above what was charged to parents on 30 September 2021 (or at the point of first signing up for Core Funding if the service did not exist on 30 September 2021). The fee freeze will remain in place for the majority of these services for year 3 of Core Funding, though services whose fees have been frozen...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (19 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ballymore Community Childcare’s application has been received by my Department and is currently under assessment as part of the Fee Increase Assessment process. My Department is currently working through a large volume of applications and will endeavour to issue follow-up communications to all applicant services as soon as possible, it is expected that decision letters will issue next week.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (18 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department works with Pobal and local childcare committees to offer case management supports to services in difficulty. Through this process, services may also access sustainability funding following an assessment of need. One strand of this funding can support a service with the cost of relocation. Pobal and Donegal County Childcare Committee are in communication with Ardara Community...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (18 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Until this year, the sole capital funding coming from my Department for early years services was for the building of new services or extensions to existing services. My Department and I, as Minister, have recognised that when a service requires major work - I am not talking about fire safety doors - there is a need for a fund to support community services. The situation outlined by Deputy...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (18 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My understanding in the case of north Cork is that there is engagement between Pobal and the childcare committee on a resolution. In terms of the services Deputy Doherty raised, I will inquire with my Department on the engagement with the childcare committee. It is important to recognise the need to have flexibility and that has been recognised in the terms of the use of our capital...

Childcare: Motion [Private Members] (18 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Yes, I got a selfie with your mother-in-law.

Childcare: Motion [Private Members] (18 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "welcomes that: — the present Government has implemented the most significant reform agenda to early learning and childcare in the history of the State; — total Government investment in early learning and childcare has almost doubled since 2020, rising to €1.1...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Refugee Resettlement Programme (18 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports them to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (18 Sep 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The individual case raised by the Deputy has been referred to Tusla for the attention of the appropriate staff. I am aware that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is an area of genuine concern for foster carers. Last year, my Government colleague, the Minister for Social Protection oversaw the implementation of a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system as...