Results 16,141-16,160 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care (22 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (22 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The 1991 Childcare Act provided for regulation of the pre-school sector. However, there was a recognition at the time of the difficulties of regulating the childminding sector, given its scale and the strong view that women should not be subject to regulation if they minded a small number of additional children. As a result, the majority of childminders are exempt from the Regulations...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Inter-Country Adoptions (22 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: As Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention future adoptions from Russia, beyond those provided for under the transitional arrangements, may only be possible under a bi-lateral agreement. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010. It is the role of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Support Agency (22 Jan 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 a priority. From its establishment the Child and Family Support Agency will have service responsibility for a range of services,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Ministerial Staff (22 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand the Deputy is referring to immediate family and or close relations and I can confirm that I employ no such persons.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Appointments to State Boards (22 Jan 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. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Support Agency (17 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the preparation of the legislation is proceeding as a priority and the intention is that the Agency will be established as a priority. In order to inform the content of the legislation the Government has decided that upon establishment the Child and Family Support Agency...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Guidelines (17 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, which I published in 2011, provides clarity and guidance for individuals and organisations in identifying and responding appropriately to child abuse and neglect. It also sets out what organisations that care for or work with children should do to ensure they are safe whilst in the care of the organisation. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care (17 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Fostering involves caring for someone else’s child in one’s own home and providing a family life for a child. Foster care provides the best way for children to experience family life and begin to deal with their situation, whether for a short or long foster placement. The weekly Foster Care Allowance remains at €325 for children under 12 years and €352 for...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Illegal Adoptions (17 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The issue relates to children who were given at birth to other individuals who registered these children as their own and who are now unable to access personal records and information. The issue of illegal registrations of births is a matter for the General Registrations Office (GRO) under the remit of the Department of Social Protection. The GRO have advised that historically birth...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Redeployment (17 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The mechanisms currently available to staff in my Department seeking a voluntary transfer to another location is directly through the Central Applications facility run by Public Applications Services (for remaining decentralisation locations) or to source a "Head to Head" transfer by directly contacting a person willing to transfer with them. My Department only becomes aware of such...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Proposed Legislation (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am currently examining a number of proposals in relation to possible amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010. Any changes will be brought forward in conjunction with the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2012, which the Government plans to bring before the Oireachtas following the passing of the Children's Referendum. In addition, the drafting of the Heads of Bill in relation to the Adoption...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: A response issued from the Health Service Executive to the Deputy on January 9th at 14.16 p.m.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Regulatory Impact Assessments (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: No Regulatory Impact Assessments have been completed by my Department. Work on a number of Regulatory Impact Assessments has commenced.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Support Services (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 904 and 918 together. 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 a priority. From its establishment the Child and Family Support Agency will...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand the Deputy's question relates to the issue the Adoption Authority's assessment of a possible bilateral agreement with Ethiopia. Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. In these circumstances, future adoptions from Ethiopia would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Public Sector Reform (16 Jan 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). In July 2011, the Government decided that the Family Mediation Service should transfer from...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Obesity Levels (16 Jan 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government shares with many other agencies and professional groups, concerns about the growth and nutrition of teenagers. Understanding factors associated with physical activity levels and overweight/obesity in Irish children is therefore critical to effective prevention efforts. The large scale study, ‘Growing Up in Ireland’ longitudinal study, which is funded by my...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The composition of the Board of the Child and Family Support Agency is currently under consideration. While the composition of the Board will reflect the component organisations which are being amalgamated into the Child and Family Support Agency, the criteria for Board membership will be focused on ensuring that that Board members have the requisite mix of experience and competencies needed...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 909 and 910 together. I am currently examining a number of proposals in relation to amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010 including proposals relating to the extension of the life of declarations for the adoption process. Any changes will be brought forward in conjunction with the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2012, which the Government plans to bring before the...