Results 17,901-17,920 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Youth Homelessness: Youth Homelessness (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is appropriate that, some ten years after the National Strategy for Youth Homelessness was developed in 2001, we review progress and set new targets. A review of progress in 2008 by the HSE in conjunction with other agencies found that significant progress had been made, especially in the areas of interagency co-operation, early prevention and an 'out of hours' service. My Department met...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 45 of the Childcare 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 — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Department of Children and Youth Affairs currently provides funding directly to a wide range of voluntary organisations engaged in the provision of services to children and young people. The most significant share of the funding is targeted at implementing three major child care programmes that include the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Early Childhood Care and...

Written Answers — Youth Homelessness: Youth Homelessness (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 37 together. It is appropriate that, some ten years after the National Strategy for Youth Homelessness was developed in 2001, we review progress and set new targets. A review of progress in 2008 by the HSE in conjunction with other agencies found that significant progress had been made, especially in the areas of interagency co-operation, early...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 41 together. Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum are deemed to be in need of care and protection under the Child Care Act, 1991 and are entitled to the same treatment and rights as indigenous young people. The immediate and ongoing needs of separated children seeking asylum (SCSA) as well as their application for refugee status are the responsibility...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendment on Children: Constitutional Amendment on Children (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Programme for Government 2011 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. Since taking office, both myself and officials of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have had a number of meetings with...

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following the commencement of the Adoption Act, 2010, which took place on 1 November 2010, adoption in Ireland is now regulated by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) which is an independent quasi-judicial statutory body appointed by Government. The functions of the Authority are set out in Section 96 of the Adoption Act, 2010. These include functions of an operational, judicial and...

Written Answers — Vocational Education Committees: Vocational Education Committees (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The following table shows the number of Youth Officers employed in VECs and details of where vacancies exist. Under the current restrictions on recruitment in the public service, agencies do not have the discretion to fill vacant posts by recruitment or promotion. In line with the Croke Park Agreement, this often necessitates the prioritisation of work amongst existing staff and examination...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 153 together. The HSE compiles monthly performance reports which provide an overall analysis of key performance data from finance, HR, hospital and primary and community services. These reports include statistics in relation to children received into the care of the State when they are deemed to be in need of care and protection in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The preparation of legislation to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, as far as practicable, on a statutory basis, is under way following the approval of the Government to the preparation of the Heads of Bill and General Scheme on 12 July 2011. The Government has committed in the Programme for Government to this legislation and is attaching a...

Written Answers — Youth Homelessness: Youth Homelessness (3 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 — National Children's Strategy: National Children's Strategy (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The National Children's Strategy (2000) identified the needs of children under a number of different objectives. Effective and responsive policy making and service provision for children and young people relies on good data and research. The Strategy is currently being reviewed and updated and this will be informed by the best available evidence. I look forward to working with my...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (3 Nov 2011)

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

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The report of the Independent Review Group on Child Deaths is at an advanced stage of preparation. I expect to receive the report in the coming weeks. The Report will be presented to Government, following which it is my intention to lay it before the Houses of the Oireachtas and publish. Without pre-empting the work of the group, I am anticipating that the change programme already underway in...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (3 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). The CETS programme replaces the previous childcare support programmes implemented by FÁS and the VECs under which qualifying students and trainees were paid a weekly Childcare Allowance of...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (3 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 — Youth Policy: Youth Policy (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: A priority for my Department is to ensure the enhanced integration and coordination of constituent units responsible for youth work and youth related policies with a view to developing a new strategic framework for youth related services under my remit. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am committed to the development of a new youth policy framework which my Department is...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have an extensive legislative programme in the coming years to address a number of issues which fall within my remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The preparation of legislation to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, as far as practicable, on a statutory basis, is underway following the approval of the Government to the preparation...

Written Answers — Child and Family Supports: Child and Family Supports (3 Nov 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I established the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency in September 2011 under the chairmanship of Ms Maureen Lynott. The Task Force will advise my Department in regard to the necessary transition programme to establish a Child and Family Support Agency, and will base its work on best practice in child welfare, family support and public administration; consistent with the...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (3 Nov 2011)

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