Results 1,521-1,540 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Other Questions: Early Childhood Care Education (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: -----but refers to the need for further supports to achieve the better outcomes we seek. The early childhood care and education programme has helped considerably and there is a lot of evidence to support that. However, there is a need for further assistance and support, and that is why the interdepartmental group is so important. As with many steps taken in government, there is a need for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care Education (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: As the Deputy will be aware, yesterday the Minister for Education and Skills announced additional special needs assistants, SNAs, for those with special needs in the school system. The number will be in the region of 600. As part of that conversation, I made a strong case for the need for special assistants who would provide special assistance to children in the preschool years. This...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care Education (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: It was inevitable at some point during the course of these questions that Deputy Troy would revert to type. He stands there pontificating from the far side of this Chamber about the scandalous state of the services his party left us to deal with. He speaks of our lack of action when I have outlined clearly to him that serious action is being taken and that this group will report in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care Education (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: I am not prepared to allow Deputy Troy continue to try to pretend progress has not been made when it is being made-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care Education (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: -----in extremely serious circumstances. If Deputy Troy continues to interrupt, I will continue to talk because I will not be silenced by him or his ilk.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child and Family Agency (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: The Government is delivering the most comprehensive reform of policy and provision for children, young people and families in the history of the State and our commitment to continuing that work remains very strong. Tusla's accounts for 2014 show total expenditure of €627 million. In accordance with the establishing legislation for the agency, I will be laying its full 2014 accounts...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: Tusla's position, as given to me, is that it has issues with the timeliness of the data collected. I am mindful of the need to ensure that we have comprehensive and timely national data across the system to assist in monitoring and evaluating existing services and to help in planning for the future delivery and development of these services. I have raised with the board and the executive of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: Two of the biggest centres, including the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, the centre in Galway and several others, are not members of this group and they have a considerable volume of information which would be essential for planning. I do not have the full list with me. Tusla is not the only provider of funding for the RCNI although it provides a substantial part of its funding. We maintained,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care Education (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: The early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme is a free and universal programme for all children in the eligible age cohort, including children with special needs. Approximately 65,000 children are availing of this programme in the current school year. The issue of access to the free preschool year for children with special needs was considered when the ECCE programme was launched...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Regulation (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: I thank the Deputy for her question. Childminders play a very important role in the care and protection of children. At present, childminders who mind four or more unrelated preschool children must notify Tusla and are inspected by the agency. The statutory notification process is set out in the 2006 child care regulations. As of April 2015, just 154 childminders had been notified to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Regulation (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: As I said in my reply, it is accurate to say that childminders who are looking after three or fewer unrelated children do not have to register, but they are encouraged to do so voluntarily. We will need to take an incremental approach. Childminding is governed by the Child Care Act 1991 and the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No. 2) Regulations 2006. The national guidelines for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Regulation (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: The Deputy has asked quite a lot of questions which I do not think I can deal with in the short time remaining to me. I reassure her that Report and Final Stages of the Children First Bill will be taken in the House tomorrow and this will provide an opportunity to discuss these matters, which were discussed at some length. I note the concerns expressed by the Deputy and her party colleagues...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: I understand that the Deputy's question relates to Rape Crisis Network Ireland, and I am responding on this basis. Tusla has undertaken a comprehensive review of sexual and domestic violence services in consultation with service providers. The purpose was to identify strategic priorities and to set out a roadmap for the future delivery of these services. It is seeking through this process...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Area Based Childhood Programme (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: I thank the Deputy for his question. The area based childhood, ABC, programme is an innovative prevention and early intervention initiative. It consists of committed funding for an area based approach to improve outcomes for children and thereby reduce child poverty. The programme builds on and continues the work of the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme 2007-2013, which was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Area Based Childhood Programme (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: As the Deputy has pointed out, prevention is much better than cure, and I have always been a strong proponent of that. Evidence based interventions are critical and because of constraints on our budget, we want to ensure the money we spend delivers the results we seek. What we are looking for here are better outcomes for children and to address the issue of those who face disadvantage,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Area Based Childhood Programme (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: I agree with the Deputy regarding prevention, not just in terms of value for money in the context of the money saved, but in terms of offering something invaluable, namely, a better outcome for a child, a fuller life, a better educational achievement and a better standard of living for the child and his or her family. The evaluation is critical because it will form part of how this...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Costs (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: I am aware that the lack of access to affordable, quality childcare can be a significant barrier to many low-income and disadvantaged families seeking to avail of work opportunities. To address this issue, my Department currently invests over €260 million each year to support a number of childcare programmes. These include: the free pre-school year provided under the Early Childhood...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Youth Strategy (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: The National Youth Strategy 2015 - 2020 has its basis in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for children and young people 2014 – 2020 and in particular its youth-specific commitments. The purpose of the National Youth Strategy is to enable all young people aged 10 to 24 to realise their maximum potential with regard to the five national outcomes in Better...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Area Based Childhood Programme (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: The Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme is an innovative prevention and early intervention initiative. It consists of committed funding for an area-based approach to improve outcomes for children and thereby reduce child poverty. The programme builds on and continues the work of the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme 2007 - 2013 which was co-funded by the my Department and The...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (8 Jul 2015)

James Reilly: The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters was formally established by Government Order on the 17th February 2015. In accordance with its comprehensive Terms of Reference, the Commission is tasked with thoroughly examining the experience of mothers and children resident in Mother and Baby Homes and a representative sample of County Homes. The...