Results 17,901-17,920 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care Provision (14 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I have requested information from the Child and Family Agency and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with this information.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care Provision (14 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Under the Child Care Act 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, the Child and Family Agency has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. The majority of children in care are in foster care; one third are placed with relatives. The Child and Family Agency receive a child into care where it appears that the child requires...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Inspections (14 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Responsibility for the inspection of childcare services, which previously came under the remit of the HSE, transferred to the new Child and Family Agency from January. Inspection is carried out to monitor compliance with the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations with the aim of ensuring the health, safety and welfare of children enrolled in pre-school services. When the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Garda Operations (14 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The operation of the Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer scheme comes within the responsibilities of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality in the first instance. My Department has not has any contact to date on the issue mentioned by the Deputy. However I am arranging for an official from the Irish Youth Justice Service, which is co-located between my Department and the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Expenditure (14 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the importance of the services delivered by Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Ltd. to some 260 children across the areas of Darndale, Belcamp and Moatview. In 2013 the Centre incurred expenditure of €2.022 million and received funding amounting to €1.960 million resulting in a deficit of €62,000. The Centre employs...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I will be pleased to convey the Senator's views to the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White. I am sure he will be in direct contact with the Senator in due course.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Child Care Services Funding (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I accept the urgency of the issue. Again, I thank Senator Power for bringing the matter to my attention in the Seanad this evening. She referred specifically to the matter of direct funding. The company has been in discussion with the Child and Family Agency, which is one of several State agencies that provides funding to the centre. The agency has already provided a level of short-term...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Alex White, Minister of State with responsibility for primary care. I thank Senator Martin Conway for raising the issue this evening. Orthodontic referrals are received via the HSE's dental service school screening programme. Referrals are assessed for eligibility and patients with the greatest clinical need are treated...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Child Care Services Funding (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Acting Chairman and Senator Averil Power for their kind words. I welcome the opportunity to respond to the issue raised by the Senator. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the importance of the services delivered by Damdale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Limited to some 260 children across the areas of Darndale, Belcamp and Moatview. The centre was established in January...

Topical Issue Debate: Child Care Services Funding (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Again, I thank the Deputies for raising the issue. A number of options have been proposed, involving the HSE, the Child and Family Agency and my Department. All possible options are being explored. There have been a number of high level meetings and these will continue until resolution can be found. I am acutely aware that access to affordable, quality child care can be a significant...

Topical Issue Debate: Child Care Services Funding (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the opportunity to respond to the issues raised by Deputies Seán Kenny, Ellis and Broughan. I had an opportunity of discussing the matter briefly with Deputy Seán Kenny on the day following my appointment last Friday. I would like to acknowledge the importance of the services delivered by Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Limited to some 260 children across...

Other Questions: Inter-Country Adoptions (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Efforts are ongoing within my Department in relation to a bilateral agreement on inter-country adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. A delegation of Russian officials travelled to Ireland in October 2013 for further discussions on a bilateral agreement on inter-country adoption between both countries. The meeting was very positive and detailed discussions took place between...

Other Questions: Inter-Country Adoptions (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with what the Deputy said, that there is an element of anxiety, upset and trauma on the part of many prospective adoptive parents in this jurisdiction as to a perceived delay. I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to minimise that delay and have matters resolved at the earliest opportunity. My Department prepared a revised draft wording on a number of specific points...

Other Questions: Inter-Country Adoptions (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to reassure Deputy O'Sullivan that officials in our embassy and in my Department are ready and willing to engage in any form of discussion to bring this matter to a resolution.

Other Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I do not disagree with anything the Deputy has said. In fact, I agree fully with his sentiment and comments. The Deputy will be aware that Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the national policy framework for children and young people over the years 2014-2020, recognises the value of early childhood care and education in supporting children's early cognitive social and emotional development....

Other Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I will have a look at the commitment sought by the Deputy, but I reiterate the commitment is to the introduction of the second free preschool year within a period of six years provided the required quality standards are achieved. We will be keeping that commitment under review in the context of resources. I will specifically check out the issue of 48 week contracts as raised by the Deputy...

Other Questions: Child Abuse Prevention (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: That will be the objective, subject to the availability of capital and current finances. It is my intention, as well as that of everyone involved, to ensure this new Department of Children and Youth Affairs and child services will be on a par with their counterparts across the EU and, indeed, beyond. The Deputy will be aware of the financial constraints involved, however.

Other Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which not for the first time is being discussed in the House. The Early Childhood Care and Education programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children before commencing primary school. Approximately 68,000 children are availing of the provision in the current academic year. In spite of the...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The answer is in the affirmative. From a medical, education and training, psychological and psychiatric point of view, all of these factors are recorded on admission a child detainee's admission to the facility and a care plan will be conducted and monitored in that context.

Other Questions: Child Abuse Prevention (13 May 2014)

Charles Flanagan: As incoming Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am in the process of familiarising myself with the composition of the budget for my Department and the different services falling within its remit. The Revised Estimates for Public Services 2014 allocated gross funding to my Department of some €997 million, which includes more than €955 million in current funding and...