Results 16,841-16,860 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (19 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The immediate and ongoing needs of separated children seeking asylum (SCSA) as well as their application for refugee status are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in accordance with the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) and the Child Care Act, 1991. Where children are identified by An Garda Síochána, at the point of entry, the circumstances are investigated and if there...

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (19 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Task Force which was set up to advise on the necessary transition programme to establish a Child and Family Support Agency, has submitted its final report to me. The report will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and launched tomorrow, Friday 20th July. The report contains advice on a number of key issues which will inform the preparation of the necessary legislation to...

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (18 Jul 2012)

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 — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (18 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has sought the information requested by the Deputy from the HSE. I will provide the Deputy with the information when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (18 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that Children First has operated on the basis of voluntary compliance since it was first published by the then Department of Health and Children in 1999. Indeed, a number of submissions to the Joint Committee on Health and Children as part of its recent examination of the draft Heads of the Children First Bill emphasised the progress which has already been made in...

Written Answers — Ministerial Expenditure: Ministerial Expenditure (18 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The question is not applicable to my Department as it was only established on 2nd June 2011. Matters relating to the former Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs should be referred to the Department of Health.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (18 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme provides funding to community child care not-for-profit services to enable them to charge reduced child care rates to low income and disadvantaged families. Community child care services qualify for grant aid on the basis of the level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. Because of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Particulars relating to the annual spend, including grant payments, since 2011 on the structures of local Government are currently being compiled by my Department and the relevant information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (18 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand from the HSE that the Roscommon audit commenced in September, 2010, the Waterford audit commenced in February, 2011, and the Dublin audit commenced in May, 2011. All have end-April, 2012 as the completion date. The HSE intends to publish a composite report of the findings of the audits. This report is not yet finalised but a final draft is with the Office of the National Director...

Written Answers — Ministerial Advisers: Ministerial Advisers (18 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has issued detailed guidelines on the staffing of Ministerial Offices which include salary limits for persons appointed to the position of Special Adviser, Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and Civilian Driver. All Ministerial appointments in my Department are in line with these guidelines. There are three special advisors in my Department,...

Written Answers — Ministerial Advisers: Ministerial Advisers (18 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The question is not applicable to my Department as it was only established on 2nd June 2011. Matters relating to the former Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs should be referred to the Department of Health.

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (17 Jul 2012)

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 — Child Protection: Child Protection (17 Jul 2012)

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 — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (17 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Family Support Agency provides support for families under the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. The aim is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. Key services provided by FRCs include: · Information, advice and support for groups and families at local level. · Assistance to community groups (such as training and the shared use of facilities). ·...

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (17 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Family Support Agency, under my Department, operates the Family Resource Centre Programme. The aim of the Family Resource Centre Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. The programme funds 107 family resource centres throughout the country. It emphasises involving local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful...

Written Answers — Missing Children: Missing Children (17 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under EU telecoms rules agreed in 2009, the 116000 number is reserved in all EU member states for a missing children hotline. My Department established and is leading a cross-sectoral Project Team, including representatives of my own Department, the Department of Justice and Equality, ComReg and An Garda Síochána to advance this matter. Following cross departmental consultation and an...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (17 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 693 to 697, inclusive, together. Under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No. 2) Regulations 2006, adult practitioner in pre-school services are set out at Part II, Article 5 of the Regulations. Nearly all pre-school services in the State are now participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, which provides a free pre-school year...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department is currently engaged in a Workforce Planning exercise to compare our current workforce with future workforce requirement relative to the delivery of commitments under the Programme for Government and other strategic objectives of the Department. This exercise is examining how best to have the right people with the right knowledge, skills and competencies deployed appropriately....

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (17 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Adoptions from Russia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). Under the provisions of the legislation, such adoptions may take place up to the end of October 2013. As regards adoptions thereafter, Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (17 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Adoptions from Russia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). Under the provisions of the legislation, such adoptions may take place up to the end of October 2013. As regards adoptions thereafter, Russia has not ratified the Hague...