Results 16,921-16,940 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The maximum grant available was €50,000 (including VAT). The aim of the funding is to provide support to childcare settings to address remedial, maintenance and renovation work, or to purchase equipment. Following a robust appraisal 290 applications were approved for funding. The successful applications were those that represented the most complete, coherent, precise and compelling cases...

Written Answers — Child Protection Guidelines: Child Protection Guidelines (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that Children Firsthas operated on the basis of voluntary compliance since it was first published by the then Department of Health and Children in 1999. Significant resources have been put in place to support the implementation of Children First and in the case of the HSE and An Garda Síochána, Children First has formed an integral part of their existing operations...

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am currently seeking an update on this issue from the Adoption Authority of Ireland and I will provide this information to the Deputy when it is received.

Written Answers — Children's Rights Referendum: Children's Rights Referendum (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Programme for Government 2011 - 2016 states that the Referendum on Children's Rights is a priority, and that the wording of the proposed referendum will be along the lines of that proposed by the All Party Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children (JCCAC). Following taking office as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, both myself and officials of my Department have...

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 440 together. 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...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Revised Estimates for Public Services 2012 indicates, for the first time, a dedicated sub-head budget provision of €550.7 million for children and family services. The equivalent budget figure for 2011 is estimated at €529.7 million. Reliable data for 2009 and 2010 is not available on a comparable basis in the absence of a standardised national reporting system which accurately...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (10 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 — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The gross estimate provision for my Department in 2012 is €426.980 million. This represents an increase of €7.8 million, or 2%, on last year's outturn. In addition, the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2012 indicates, for the first time, a dedicated sub-head budget provision of €550.7 million for HSE children and family services. The equivalent budget figure for 2011 is estimated...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 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 — Child Protection: Child Protection (10 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 — Youth Services: Youth Services (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, improving children's and young people's outcomes is my primary objective. Early childhood care and education programmes, in particular those that are aimed at low income families, are priorities to enhance children's opportunities for social and educational development. In 2012, some €230...

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (10 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 — Bullying of Children: Bullying of Children (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Recently, along with my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills I co-hosted the National Anti-Bullying Forum where I highlighted research findings by the Anti-Bullying Centre Trinity College which indicated that one in four girls and one in six boys in Ireland have been involved in cyber-bullying either as a victim, bully or both. My Department will continue to work with both the...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (10 Jul 2012)

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

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (10 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 — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The number of applications for adoption awaiting processing and approval covers various aspects of processing work ranging from an enquiry by prospective adopters to the HSE for assessment through to the granting of an entry in the Register of Adopted people and Register of Intercountry Adoptions, as appropriate. The AAI have advised me that they have received 288 applications for extensions...

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I told the Deputy the last time we discussed this matter, his figures are incorrect. Of the 263 additional posts recommended by the Ryan report, 258 have been recruited. As I mentioned to Deputy Ó Caoláin, a significant number of vacancies have arisen due to retirements, career breaks, extended leave, etc. The national director has the authority to fill those positions, as they lie...

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----and he is recruiting for them. The 57 recruitments will take the normal course. Some have already been offered and some staff are already in place. The recruitment is going ahead. There is no embargo. However, I take the Deputy's point. This is an area in which there is high demand, the work is challenging and social workers require support. I pay tribute to the front line work...

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: For example, inexperienced social workers on the front line are often asked to undertake complex work without the kinds of supervision and support that are required. This situation cannot be turned around overnight. I am impressed by the new management system that the new director has put in place. The number of managers has been reduced, a more national approach is being taken to the...