Results 1,421-1,440 of 11,893 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 597, 599, 608 and 612 together. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not comment on the particulars of individual transfers. The Department is currently providing accommodation to over 31,000 people, of whom over 5,500 have been granted permission to remain in Ireland and, as such, are no longer in the International Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 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: Parental Leave (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: There have been significant improvements in the duration of family leaves for working families in recent years in line with the Government's commitment in the Programme for Government to supporting parents, including by extending paid leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their baby during the first year. The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (9 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: Mother and Baby Homes (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: While I try to be helpful at all times in the parliamentary process, the Deputy will be aware that I cannot be involved in individual cases and cannot comment on same. The legislation underpinning the Payment Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 - specifically provides for the explicit independence of the Chief Deciding Officer in administering the application...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Artificial Intelligence (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to advise that officials in this Department are not authorised to use AI applications such as ChatGPT when drafting speeches or responses to PQs.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Equipment (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Please find below table containing the requested information. Laptops Lost Laptops Stolen Phones Lost Phones Stolen 2024 1 0 2 0 2023 0 1 4 0 2022 0 0 3 0 2021 0 0 0 0 ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Measures (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: In March 2022, Government approved high-level proposals for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance, to be located on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street in Dublin 1. This Centre will stand as a site of conscience to honour equally all those who spent time in Industrial Schools, Magdalen Laundries, Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Staff (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The number of accountants employed by my Department as of year end 2023 and end of June 2024 are listed in the table below. Date 31/12/2023 30/06/2024 Number of Accountants 6 7 It is expected that more accountants will be on-boarded in 2024 from panels held by Public Jobs.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Care Services (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Statutory responsibility for the provision of children’s alternative care services, including foster care and residential care, rests in the first instance with Tusla, as set out in the Child Care Act 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. Tusla is independent in the performance of its duties and may exercise discretion in carrying out its statutory functions. Section 41...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Core Funding is in operation since 15 September 2022 and has achieved very significant success in terms of the high levels of participation. 95% of providers participated in year 1 of the scheme, 94.5% providers have signed up for Core Funding Year 2. There are more providers in absolute terms participating in the Scheme this year. At its peak in Core Funding Year 1, there were 4,245...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Investment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding for the first time reaching more than €1 billion in 2023 for early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. Core Funding, which is a significant achievement of this Government, was first introduced in September 2022. It is designed and has...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Social Workers Register (9 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: Childcare Services (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The support my department provides for the development of new play and recreation facilities for children and young people is through the annual Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation. Established in 2013, this grant scheme operates through and with Local Authorities. The scheme also funds the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and the incorporation of natural play...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (9 Jul 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: Child Protection (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Department wish to acknowledge receipt of your question. There has been on going communication and correspondence between this Department and HIQA with regard to the proposals put forward. This has resulted in significant review and analysis of the proposed standards by officials in the Department alongside other stakeholders. Officials from my Department continue to engage with HIQA...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. My Department has in place a range of supports and funding schemes to support the delivery of early learning and childcare places and services are independently operated, either by community not-for-profit or by private for-profit providers. The level of capacity in the sector has...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (9 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...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Maternity Leave (9 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: At the end of last year I announced plans to introduce legislation to allow women undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses postpone their maternity leave. My officials are finalising these proposals and I intend to bring them to Cabinet for approval in the coming weeks. The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant...