Results 15,281-15,300 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Topical Issue Debate: Foster Care Supports (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The issue of contact with natural family is dependent on a range of factors and I do not want to comment on an individual case. One must always ask whether it is in the best interests of the young person to have contact because there may be cases where it is not. I want to make that point. Sometimes young people deserve a second chance with another family and it sounds like that young...

Topical Issue Debate: Foster Care Supports (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Wall for raising this important topic. Many changes have been made in the after-care area to deal with the precise situation he described. Clearly, it is completely unsatisfactory that the young woman he met had 25 placements. If she has found a stable placement, we should be in a position to support her, even if she has reached the age of 18. I ask the Deputy to bring the...

Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Financial Resolution (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move:That provision be made in the Act giving effect to this Resolution: - for the charging, in accordance with regulations made under the Act by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, of fees by the Authority in respect of the performance of its functions, the provision of services and the carrying out of activities by the Authority under the Act; and - for the payment in accordance...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care Expenditure (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the Minister for Social Protection has responsibility for social assistance and income supports, including the Guardian's Payment Scheme. A child requires to be taken into the care of the State, where they cannot live with their parents either on a short or long-term basis. The HSE will, in the first instance, seek a suitable relative or person known to the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The responsibility for the registration of intercountry adoptions is a matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), an independent quasi judicial entity established under the Adoption Act 2010. It is a matter for the AAI to ensure that all adoptions are made in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption Act 2010. Accordingly, as Minister, it is not open to me to intervene in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The overall budget for the youth sector in 2013 is €53.498m. Within this total funding, €1.75m has been provided for a new capital funding programme. This funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector. The Youth Service referred to by...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foreign Adoptions (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The responsibility for the registration of intercountry adoptions is a matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), an independent quasi judicial entity established under the Adoption Act 2010. It is a matter for the AAI to ensure that all adoptions are made in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption Act 2010. Accordingly, as Minister, it is not open to me to intervene in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foreign Adoptions (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The responsibility for the registration of intercountry adoptions is a matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), an independent quasi judicial entity established under the Adoption Act 2010. It is a matter for the AAI to ensure that all adoptions are made in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption Act 2010. Accordingly, as Minister, it is not open to me to intervene in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Rights of the Child (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ireland has signed but not yet ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the rights of the child on the sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. It is my intention to progress to ratification in due course, once I am satisfied that the State will be able to meet all its obligations therein. I discussed the issue of ratification of this Protocol in a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Reports (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested is being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO). With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO). With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1018 and 1020 together. The information requested is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Training (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: To-date, a total of €45,957 has been spent on third level courses, training programmes and courses for the period 1 September 2012 to 30 June 2013. The table below sets out relevant details: 3rd Level Course Number of staff Total Cost Doctorate/PhD 3 €12,941 Post Graduate 1 €3,320 Training Programme / Course Number of staff Total Cost Risk...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Exchequer Savings (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: A total of €134,000 was spent in my Department on travel and subsistence of staff during 2012. The table below details the annual savings that would occur if the reduction percentages identified by the Deputy were applied to the 2012 amount. Reduction % Saving 1% €1,340 5% €6,700 7% €9,380 10% €13,400 12% €16,080 15%...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Exchequer Savings (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: A total of €58,000 was spent in my Department on training and development of staff during 2012. The table below details the annual savings that would occur if the reduction percentages identified by the Deputy were applied to the 2012 amount. Total Reduction % Saving €55,100 5% €2,900 €53,940 7% €4,060 €52,200 10% €5,800 ...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Exchequer Savings (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I currently have two special advisors appointed to me, one of which works full-time and the other works a 50% pattern. Both advisors were originally appointed onto the first point of the Principal Officer standard scale. The Principal Officer standard scale provides for annual increments, subject to satisfactory performance and attendance and each advisor has now progressed to the third point...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department operates a number of grant schemes of both a capital and current nature. Grant assistance is available under a number of sources including funding for Youth Organisations and Services, National Lottery Funding as well as Childcare Programmes. The matters funded under the various categories include funding for youth projects and facilities, playgrounds, equipment and general...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Programme for Government Implementation (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The time line for delivery of the commitments in the Programme for Government is over the lifetime of the Government. Below is a list of my Department's commitments in the Programme for Government and their current implementation status. Programme for Government Commitment Status A referendum to amend the Constitution to ensure that children's rights are strengthened, along the lines...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Consultancy Contracts Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO). With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children...