Results 16,961-16,980 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I indicated to Deputy Healy in my earlier response, the current arrangements for out-of-hours services are that the Health Service Executive provides out-of-hours emergency services for children at risk in the greater Dublin area through the crisis intervention service and outside the greater Dublin area through the emergency place of safety service. I have had discussions with Gordon...

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy said, access to a service is important. The form in which that will be provided can vary, but it is access to the service and to the right type of assessment that is critical, so that somebody can assess the crisis and ensure the right action is taken. The evaluation has shown that there is clear potential for such a service nationally. I am told it can be relatively...

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy's point on people's knowledge of the service is very reasonable. I understand it is addressed somewhat. An issue arises as to members of the Garda and relevant personnel knowing the service is available. This clearly needs to be addressed, and it should be addressed in the national protocol that will be rolled out. The review recommends a joint protocol for the HSE, An Garda...

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The HSE compiles a monthly census of employment in the public health and social care sector. The latest data available, which are in respect of April 2012, indicate there were 1,190 whole-time equivalent, WTE, child and family social workers employed in the HSE and in directly funded agencies. The latest HSE records indicate there are 32 social workers on career break, with a WTE value of...

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The position is very clear; the current number of social workers employed in child and family services is 1,190. This figure includes 258 of the 263 posts recruited to date in line with the recommendations in the Ryan report. The report analysed this matter and its authors suggested the recruitment of an extra 270 social workers in total. In recent months, a significant number of vacancies...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (5 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 — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (4 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 (4 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 Care Services: Child Care Services (4 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. In line with the Programme for Government, my Department has made a significant commitment to maintaining the universal free preschool year. About 65,000 children, that is approximately 95% of...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (4 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested by the Deputy is not routinely gathered by my Department. I have requested my officials to collect and collate the information required and furnish it directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Prompt Payments: Prompt Payments (4 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: In accordance with established practice and the reporting mechanisms in place for the monitoring of prompt payments, Government Departments and public sector bodies are required to publish quarterly composite reports on performance in relation to payments to suppliers on their respective websites. Particulars relating to the payments made by my Department and the statutory agencies under its...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Please find below the best estimate for my Department as requested by the Deputy, which includes a small number of staff currently on incentivised career breaks: Pay Range €000 Number of employees Estimated Cost of Increments €000 405060708090100 11 2

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (4 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can confirm that no retired public servants have been re-hired by my Department since its establishment in June 2011.

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (3 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Child Care Act, 1991(as amended) the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. If a child is in need of care and protection and is unlikely to receive it at home, the HSE has a duty to ensure they receive appropriate care. In such circumstances the HSE may apply to the Court for a care...

Written Answers — Missing Children: Missing Children (3 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I presume the Deputy's question relates to separated children seeking asylum who go missing while in the care of the state. In this regard, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised me that thirteen separated children seeking asylum were reported missing from care in 2010. Eight of these young people returned to care, while five young adults who are aged between 18 and 21 years are...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (3 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was established on 2 June 2011 and since then €22,993.76 has been spent on Irish translation services. The additional printing costs arising from printing Irish and bilingual documents is estimated at €11,752.67.

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (3 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Health Service Executive has advised me that the information will be available later in the year.

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (3 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Health Service Executive (HSE) compiles monthly performance reports which include statistics in relation to children in care. These reports are published on the HSE website. The latest published report shows that 5,742 / 92.3% of children in care had an allocated social worker in April 2012. In March 2011, 5,700 / 93.7% of children in care had an allocated social worker.

Written Answers — Legal Cases: Legal Cases (3 Jul 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The following legal cases are pending against my Department: Year Number of cases 2012 1 2010 3 2009 2 2008 2 2004 2 1997 1 Total 11 Further enquiries are being made and, if necessary, I will revert to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (3 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)....