Results 1,301-1,320 of 11,893 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mortality Rates (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I can assure the Deputy that the health and wellbeing of all who avail of accommodation in International Protection Accommodation Centres provided by my Department remains the highest priority to both myself and my officials. As the Deputy may be aware, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has a policy on the recording and reporting of deaths of residents in International...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mother and Baby Homes (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As at Sunday 14th July 2024, 4,375 applications have been received, of which 3,463 are completed applications and can be processed. Where applications are incomplete, the applicants are being supported by the Payment Scheme Office. Applicants can, for example, submit their application online but choose to send in their certified ID by post or they may need support where they have forgotten to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Emergency Accommodation (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by my Department is temporary in its nature and given the number of people that are being accommodated it is not possible to develop tailored solutions for individuals or families. In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations. Where hosting arrangements are coming...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Ensuring access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. I have recently established a new Supply Management Unit in the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare division of my Department. This unit is currently undertaking a forward planning project to identify the quantum and volume of different types of early learning and childcare...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Freedom of Information (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I apologise for the delay in responding to this Freedom of Information request. I can confirm that it is receiving attention and that a response will issue to you as soon as possible. As widely reported, despite tireless efforts of Department officials, there is currently an accommodation shortfall for people arriving to Ireland seeking international protection (IP). The arrival numbers...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Youth Services (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The National Youth Council of Ireland recently presented their Pre-Budget Submission for Budget 2025 at the National Youth Organisations meeting on June 24th which I attended. I note the priorities set out in that submission. Budget 2025 will be considered by Government during the annual Estimates process which is currently taking place. As this process has yet to be completed, the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Care Law Reporting Project (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Department of Children) funds the Child Law Project (CLP) to attend and report on child care proceedings. Child care proceedings ordinarily occur otherwise than in public, and the CLP has an important role in highlighting for policy makers those issues that may impact on children as they arise in these proceedings. In...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Legal Cases (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department has not taken any legal cases against another Department, Government agency or State Body. I am advised that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the Ombudsman for Children's Office are responding directly to you. No other body under the aegis of my Department have taken a legal case against another Department, Government agency or State Body.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Emergency Accommodation (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Government is working intensively to source additional accommodation for those most in need, including those who are found to be rough sleeping. The Department is making every effort to accommodate asylum seekers against a backdrop of unprecedented demand. However, the situation remains challenging, and the Department cannot provide accommodation to all people seeking international...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I firmly believe the level of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners should reflect the value of their work for children, families, society and the economy. The State is not the employer and therefore does not set the pay or conditions for employees in either early learning and care (ELC) or school-age childcare (SAC) services. However, there is now, through the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department of Integration continues to work with relevant state agencies to support people who have applied for international protection and for whom no accommodation was available. International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) has arranged for outreach to applicants known to be rough sleeping. This has allowed us to offer accommodation as it becomes available. Outreach is...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I announced on 2 July, details of Year 3 of Core Funding worth €331 million, which will run from September 2024 to August 2025. This is an increase of €44 million (15%) on the current programme year. This funding will accompany new developments to the scheme rules to support services as well as children and their families. The increases I announced will support expanded...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mental Health Services (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: This is an operational query for Tusla to address, as such I have referred to Tusla for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Mental Health Services (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Foster care is the preferred model of care for children in care, who cannot live with their families of origin. In recognition of the importance of foster care in contributing to improved outcomes for children in care, it was a priority of mine to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in Budget 2024 in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I recognise and acknowledge the service that foster parents provide in caring for some of the most vulnerable children on behalf of the State. Additional funding for Tusla will be the subject of discussion in the Estimates process for 2025 which has recently commenced. I will work with Tusla and with Government colleagues in order to secure additional funding for Tusla. Details of any...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Social Welfare Code (23 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA), which is provided for by the Department of Social Protection, is a means-tested once-off payment aimed at helping families with the extra costs of clothing and footwear when children start school. I can inform the Deputy that I have raised the issue of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility in respect of foster...