Results 15,601-15,620 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foreign Adoptions (22 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter relating to an individual case I have asked the Adoption Authority of Ireland to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Services Provision (22 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Adoption in Ireland is governed by the Adoption Act, 2010. My Department is responsible for matters relating to the formulation of adoption legislation, including Regulations, and public policy issues on adoption. The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) was established in November 2010. The Authority is an independent statutory body charged with implementing the Adoption Act, 2010. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Disability Act Employment Targets (22 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The civil service is an equal opportunities employer and all recruitment campaigns are conducted in strict compliance with the Codes of Practice set out by the Commission for Public Service Appointments and is subject to the Code of Practice on the Employment of People with Disabilities in the Irish Civil Service. The civil service is also subject to specific legal obligations in the...

Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Education (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I pay tribute to the staff who have engaged in further education and training in the sector. This is an area to which we need to give further support.

Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Education (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The reason we had this pilot inspection carried out was to inform the development of an ongoing quality regime within early childhood settings. We are absolutely committed to that. It is extremely important. Developing that is an important part of the process of moving towards a second year as well. We should still have the vision for a second year but we need continually to build in...

Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Education (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I believe the two are inextricably connected. I welcome the increased focus on the early years and I want to see more discussion about it, not less, given we need to focus far more on early intervention. That is the first point. Second, there is no question of the shutting down of the debate by the Tánaiste or anybody else. The Tánaiste has said he welcomes the increased focus...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Aftercare Services (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested the information from the HSE and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Missing Children (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The 116000 Missing Children Hotline is operated by the ISPCC in liaison with a cross-sectoral Project Team, chaired by my Department. The ISPCC has been successful in securing EU Daphne funding to support the establishment of the line. The ISPCC also submitted an application for funding to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to cover the establishment and running of the Hotline....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Detention Centres (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ Number 23519/13 of 16 May 2013. By way of further information on this matter, the physical layout at present of the Oberstown campus comprises three detention units in Oberstown Boys School, one detention unit in Oberstown Girls School and three detention units in Trinity House School. One of the three detention units in Trinity House School is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Support Agency Services (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Family Support Agency under the remit of my Department administers a programme of grants for voluntary organisations that provide marriage and relationships, child and bereavement counselling services. Some 600 organisations are funded each year. In 2013, an amount of €8.147m has been allocated to this programme. These services aim to support people with difficulties they are...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Support Agency Remit (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has approved the Heads of the Child and Family Support Agency Bill and has also agreed to the priority drafting of this Bill. The necessary legislative and organisational preparations are being prioritised so that the Agency can be established as soon as possible. The Agency, upon establishment, will assume full statutory responsibility for a range of child and family services...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department provides funding for a Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which supports youth work activities at a local level (€1.035m in 2013). These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through local Vocational Education Committees. The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department has notified all VECs of their 2013 allocation. The scheme will be advertised locally and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Missing Persons Hotline (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The 116000 Missing Children Hotline is operated by the ISPCC in liaison with a cross-sectoral Project Team, chaired by my Department. The ISPCC has been successful in securing EU Daphne funding to support the establishment of the line. The ISPCC also submitted an application for funding to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to cover the establishment and running of the Hotline....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (21 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: State Bodies Accounts (21 May 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. Gaisce also comes under the remit of my Department. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 together. The information requested by the Deputy has been sought and I will write directly to the Deputy in the coming days.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested by the Deputy has been sought and I will write directly to the Deputy in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Detention Centres (16 May 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The current lack of bed spaces in the Children Detention Schools, at Oberstown. Co. Dublin has been caused by a recent increase in the number of young people being referred by the Courts, compared to the trend over the past few years. This has put severe pressure on the number of bed spaces available in the Children Detention Schools. I am considering all options to resolve the matter and...