Results 1,481-1,500 of 11,893 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Equality Issues (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The ongoing review of the Equality Acts is examining the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. In July 2021, my Department undertook a public consultation process as part of this review . A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation was published last year and can be accessed here: . My officials are...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Irish Language (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Pay Transparency Directive (officially known as Directive (EU) 2023/970 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms) came into force in June 2023. Member States have three years from that date to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As of 14 March 2024, the State has revised its policies in terms of supports provided to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Under the revised 90 day accommodation policy, new arrivals into Ireland can no longer request to move into a room of friends or family who may already be residing in State supported accommodation in Ireland. For those already living in State supported accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Emergency Accommodation (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department does not collate the data in the manner requested by the Deputy. My Department oversees contractual compliance of its Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) accommodation portfolio through proactive and reactive inspections. Often investigations are initiated by investigating complaints my Department receives through its dedicated Ukraine ticketing system, from external...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Emergency Accommodation (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: To date no accommodation provider for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) have received a financial penalty. Where there is non-compliance identified, a provider is prioritised for return inspections to see that the issues identified have been rectified or addressed. If still non-compliant, ultimately, the sanction is that my Department terminates the contract. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Emergency Accommodation (2 Jul 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 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Funding (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: 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 amounts to some €24 million in 2024. Tusla has advised my Department that the current level of funding is to sustain existing services operating in the FRC...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced in July 2022 to recognise the generosity of people who have opened their homes to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. The payment rate under this scheme is €800 per month per property with a unique Eircode, irrespective of whether the property is vacant or...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Adoption Services (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) is, in line with The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, the ‘Central Authority’ for intercountry adoption in Ireland. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the AAI for direct response.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not comment on the particulars of individual transfers. Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase in people seeking international protection, and is currently accommodating over 31,000 people in the IPAS system. In the first 25 weeks of 2024, over 9,700 people have arrived in Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (2 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: My Department is currently seeking to consolidate and rationalise its accommodation portfolio for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and is making decisions to end commercial contracts, in accordance with contractual terms and conditions agreed with providers, on the basis of financial, administrative or other accommodation management reasons, including compliance concerns....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (2 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. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (27 Jun 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 but services are independently operated, either by community not-for-profit or by private for-profit providers. The level of capacity in the sector...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (27 Jun 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 but services are independently operated, either by community not-for-profit or by private for-profit providers. The level of capacity in the sector...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Health Services Staff (27 Jun 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I wish to advise the Deputy that as this is an operational matter, my officials have asked the HSE to respond directly to you on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (27 Jun 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. To date, approximately 108,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Jun 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I am not able to accept Deputy Sherlock's amendment but I hope that what I am about to say will explain why. The impact of what he is proposing and where he has located the amendment may be wider than he intends. Perhaps I can also provide some words of comfort. As we recall from last week, the purpose of this Bill is twofold. One element is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: There was loads of debate.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Schemes (26 Jun 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...