Results 15,061-15,080 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Tax Code (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The question of tax allowances for working parents who incur childcare costs was considered prior to the introduction of the targeted childcare supports which are now in place. A number of issues emerged at that time which did not favour the introduction of tax relief for childcare. This approach would not benefit parents working in the home and could, therefore, be seen by some as...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Support Agency Establishment (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: An amount of €546 million has been allocated in the HSE vote for 2013 in respect of children and family services. This consists of €545 million in current expenditure and €1 million in capital. The Child and Family Agency is in the process of being established. In addition to taking on responsibility for the HSE Children and Family Services budget the Agency will, on...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Agencies Staff Data (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Authority of Ireland has advised that it currently employs 25 staff (24.1 whole time equivalent). Issues in relation to staffing within the Adoption are a matter for the Authority as a quasi-judicial independent body. As such, I have asked the Authority to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 to 383, inclusive, together. At a meeting at the US State Department in September which was attended by myself and the Chairman of the Adoption Authority, the administrative arrangement in relation to intercountry adoption from the USA which had been agreed between Ireland and the USA was given effect. It was agreed that adoptions from the USA into Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: In September 2012 the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) and the Vietnamese Central Authority for Adoption signed an administrative arrangement for intercountry adoption. The administrative arrangement is the first international arrangement for intercountry adoption entered into by the AAI and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam since both countries ratified the Hague Convention. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have outlined on a number of occasions, my Department and I, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and other stakeholders, are progressing a Pre-School Quality Agenda involving a range of actions in eight key areas, aimed at improving quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime. The actions include: - Increasing the qualification requirements...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Custody and Access (15 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been advised by the HSE that both children are in the care of the HSE and have been appointed a Guardian Ad Litem. The assessment is ongoing and both the children and parents are involved. The HSE also advised that it will work closely with the family developing relationships, ensuring that all views are considered in order to achieve the best outcome for the children.

Topical Issue Debate: Adoption Issues (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Ross for raising this issue. I am committed, in conjunction with my Government colleagues, to bringing forward amending legislation to address current anomalies with respect to adoption by step-parents. As the Deputy indicated, those anomalies include the requirement - as part of step-parent adoption - for a natural parent to adopt his or her own child, including compliance...

Topical Issue Debate: Adoption Issues (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: If it were that simple, I would proceed in the manner outlined by Deputy Ross. I am considering the precise implications of changing the position. I understand why he might advocate that we should just bring an end to what is happening, particularly as it would not have implications for any other approaches to adoption and consent. However, I am of the view that there are implications for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will discuss the budgetary issues first. We are bringing together the budgets of the HSE child and family services, the National Education Welfare Board and the Family Support Agency. We are examining the most effective use of resources possible in this context. Over the past two years successful progress has been made on budgetary management. Undoubtedly we have seen this. Gordon...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The external manager has been offered the job. It is an external appointment and we are awaiting final details before I can announce his name, but he has been interviewed and has agreed to take the job. We are in the process of finalising the details and I should be in a position to announce his name shortly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are four children in each unit and they are dealt with on a one-to-one basis. Therefore, approximately 25 staff have been employed in the centre because the rosters have to be covered in order that the young people in question have one-to-one care. They are in the centre and safe. There is a significant number of staff and significant monitoring. Care plans are being made in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I responded to the question on the McElfatrick report. I said it was an internal HR report that had to go to the board. I have not yet received a recommendation from the board on it and when I do, I will communicate with the Deputy. I am not sure if I will be in a position to publish it. It was an internal HR report that was commissioned, but I will ask the board if it can be published....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Chairman for those questions. It is not clear. It is linked to court activity and sometimes coming up to the end of a court term one gets many referrals. Sometimes it is arbitrary depending on what cases are referred to the courts and the previous history. There is much movement of young people back and forth with court appearances. Some of them may have had six court...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Troy asked about the child and family agency. We have obviously taken a progressive approach to the establishment of the agency already. The staff are already working to the new line management system. There were interviews for the senior staff, management team and new line management. It would not be feasible to have interviews for all 4,000 staff. I am sure the Deputy would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Could I ask the Secretary General to address the issues that Deputy Ó Caoláin raised on questions and the delay?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Let me address some of the points made by various Deputies and Senators. The board has had its first meeting. It will continue with the work under the chairmanship of Ms Norah Gibbons. Once the legislation goes through the Dáil and Seanad and is finalised, the board will be called the board of the child and family agency. Effectively, there will be a transition to the work in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will make sure that happens in future.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very pleased to have the opportunity to address the Joint Committee on Health and Children again this morning in the quarterly review of the activities of my Department. Today's meeting provides another opportunity to bring Deputies and Senators up to date on the developments in my Department since we last met in July. Members are familiar with a number of the initiatives so I will...