Results 17,841-17,860 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Nursing Homes Support Scheme: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (17 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive for the information in question which I will forward to the Deputy.

Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the wide range of comments made in the course of the debate and the acknowledgement by many Deputies of the importance not only of the issue before us but also the broader issue of child protection and the need to develop services and provide the resources required in this area. I also note their concern that children should be placed centre stage and resources must be allocated to...

Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: In January 2010, the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, published Guidance for the HSE for the Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care. In accordance with the HIQA guidance, last year, the Health Service Executive, HSE, established a national review panel to undertake these reviews. Dr. Helen Buckley, senior lecturer and research fellow at the school of...

Written Answers — Foster Care: Foster Care (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive for the information in question which I will forward to the Deputy.

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The following is a table of State agencies under the aegis of my Department, including 2011 budget, functions and staff numbers as requested. Name Annual Running Cost Primary Function Staff Number**at end of September Family Support Agency, 4th Floor St. Stephen's House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 2011 Budget€ 31.7 million Family Mediation Service ( up to 1.11.2011)Programmes :- Family...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 to 228, inclusive, together. Following talks with the HSE, the Sacred Heart Order and officials from my Department, the HSE agreed to take responsibility for the adoption files of the Sacred Heart Adoption Society for homes in Bessborough, Co. Cork, St Peter's, Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath and Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. I have been advised by...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department was formally established on 2nd June 2011 and to date I have nominated the following persons: Mr. Dick Hickey Family Support Agency Ms. Catherine Hazlett Family Support Agency Ms. Caroline Murphy Family Support Agency Mr. Brendan Broderick National Education Welfare Board Mr. Eamonn Flynn National Education Welfare Board

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. These include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. St. John Bosco Youth Centre is currently in receipt of funding under...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) is ongoing. It would be inappropriate to comment on the impact of any decision which may be taken by Government at this point.

Written Answers — Inter-County Adoptions: Inter-County Adoptions (16 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Act, 2010, commenced on 1st November 2010. This coincided with Ireland's formal ratification of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The purpose of the Adoption Act, 2010, is to improve standards in both domestic and intercountry adoption. The regulatory framework governing adoption has been strengthened in an...

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church is a Church Organisation which has no connection with or reporting function to my Department. Recent media reports indicate that the Board is due to furnish to the Bishop of Raphoe later this month with the results of an audit into clerical child sexual abuse in the diocese, and that it is the Bishop's intention to publish...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 531, 539, 540 and 543 to 545, inclusive, together. The Adoption Act, 2010, commenced on 1st November 2010. This coincided with Ireland's formal ratification of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The purpose of the Adoption Act, 2010, is to improve standards in both domestic and intercountry...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the HSE to form a view in relation to each person leaving care as to whether there is a "need for assistance" and, if it forms such a view, to provide services in accordance with the legislation and subject to resources. All young people who have had a care history with the HSE, be it foster care, residential care or high...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Child Care Act, 1991, the Health Service Executive has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection. The policy of the HSE is to place children in care settings, preferably in foster care, as close as possible to their home and community. The vast majority of children in care are in foster care and residential care. Some children have...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendment on Children: Constitutional Amendment on Children (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: A draft wording on the proposed Amendment to the Constitution in respect of Children is currently being prepared by the Office of the Attorney General. I will need to seek approval from Government for the proposed wording in due course, with a view to holding the referendum next year. I am very conscious of the complex nature of the proposed referendum and the need, in any referendum...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme was introduced in September last year and is implemented by my Department, on behalf of FÁS and the Vocational Educational Committees (VECs). Under the CETS programme funding is provided by my Department to participating childcare services in return for the provision of free childcare places to qualifying students and trainees....

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The National Education and Welfare Board is progressing a number of projects under the Croke Park agreement in the following areas: Service Integration, Employee Control Framework, Employee Relations, Resource Availability, Performance Management, Training and Development, Integration of Services, Shared Services and Procurement, and Business Process. The Family Support Agency is also...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 Nov 2011)

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 — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the request for the number of children who leave the care system each year, since 2005, is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive for the information in question which I will forward to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (15 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The supports available for prospective Irish parents who are looking to adopt children are those supplied by the HSE and agencies accredited under the Adoption Act 2010 and would include among other things pre-adoption counselling, advocacy, guidance and assistance in the assessment process. Following receipt of a declaration of eligibility and suitability to adopt, prospective adopters can...