Results 11,841-11,860 of 11,948 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 751, 760 and 762 together. The Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business allows for the phased reopening of both Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare services from 29 June. On Friday 5 June, my Department published a range of online resources and guidance to support service providers, practitioners and parents to prepare for the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028 commits to piloting a meals programme in Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings. In 2019, as part of Budget 2020, funding was secured to pilot this initiative. The meals programme will be trialled in a sample of approximately 45 community, not-for-profit ELC settings. The focus of the pilot is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department, in conjunction with Pobal, the agency which administers the childcare funding schemes operated by my Department, has established a simplified registration system for children who are returning to childcare on or after 29 June, and who are availing of the Department funded CCSP scheme.  My Department considered the option suggested by the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 755 and 756 together. The information which my predecessor provided to the House on both 20 May and 03 June in response to parliamentary questions on the expected delivery of the final report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters by 26 June was correct and accurate. Notably, the receipt of an update...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can confirm that the Childminding Development Grant will continue to be available in 2020. The Childminding Development Grant scheme will be open for applications from 6July 2020 until 14 August 2020. The Childminding Development Grant has not been replaced by the Childminding Re-opening Grant. In light of the announcement on 25 June by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Wage Subsidy Scheme (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 758 and 759 together. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has required a series of emergency responses from the Government. I am acutely aware of the particular impact the pandemic and the emergency measures have had on childcare providers. I am also very conscious of the importance of the childcare sector,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business allows for the phased reopening of both Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services from 29 June.  My Department continues to invest significant resources in the childcare sector generally. Over the last five Budgets investment in childcare has increased by 141%, which reflects the emphasis being placed on...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: Guided by public health advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services can resume from 29 June. On 10 June 2020, a €75m funding package was announced to facilitate the reopening of ELC and SAC services over the summer months. This substantial investment recognises the important role that the ELC and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Childcare Scheme (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is aware of the current situation with regard to the Public Service Card, however parents can still apply for the National Childcare Scheme without obtaining a Public Services Card. They can do so by completing a paper application form and returning by post. For information on how to apply by post, parents can contact the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530, Monday to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Resource Centres (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. There are 121 Family Resource Centres currently in the FRC Programme. In 2020, Tusla is providing funding of some €18 million to the FRC Programme. Tusla has maintained consistent contact with FRCs during the COVID-19 national emergency, and continues to provide core funding to FRCs to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 766 and 767 together. It would not be appropriate for my Department or Tusla, the independent statutory regulator for early years services, to comment on individual cases of this nature. In line with the provisions of Regulation 23 of the Child Care Act, 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations, 2016, all registered pre-school service providers have a statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: Thank you deputy for raising this important matter. I was very impressed by the  strength of the women involved in coming forward to share the experience of the abuse they suffered at the hands of their father. Their courage  is to be commended. In looking at the question of an enquiry into the role of public officials in this matter, I  have to  bear in mind...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: I acknowledge that continuing uncertainty about the operation of the ECCE programme may be challenging for both service providers and parents. Decisions on the operation of the ECCE programme, including funding arrangements, will be announced in the coming weeks. The decisions to be made are complex and must balance a number of important issues.  Expert guidance on the safe reopening...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: I understand that the Deputy's intention was to refer to the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. My Department has been working diligently to progress the ratification of this important treaty. In 2019 the Department made a comprehensive submission to the Attorney General’s Office seeking confirmation as to whether Ireland was...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (30 Jun 2020)

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 and Youth Affairs: Child Safety (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: The statutory bodies with primary responsibility for child welfare and protection are Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and An Garda Síochána. Both have distinct functions, powers and methods of working. Tusla has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. If Tusla suspects that a crime...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Safety (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: I refer you to your Parliamentary Question No. 746, reference number 13374/20, for the answer to this duplicate question.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department does not provide a funding scheme to cover rent and other business overheads of service providers, including those who provide the Department funded NCS and ECCE schemes.  My Department provides subsidies to childcare care providers to reduce the fees charges to parents, or in the case of ECCE, to ensure that parents so not have to pay any fees.  Childcare is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: While its not Departmental policy to comment on individual cases, I would like to bring to your attention my Department's guidance for eligibility for childcare upon reopening, which I have included in full below.  Guidance on eligibility for childcare The Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business allows for the phased reopening of Early Learning and Care and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (30 Jun 2020)

Roderic O'Gorman: My predecessor received a Seventh Interim Report from the Commission of Investigation on 03 June 2020. In its short update the Commission says its final report is very close to completion but it has encountered delays as a direct result of Covid-19 restrictions. For this reason, the Commission requested an extension to complete its work in accordance with the provisions of the...