Results 18,061-18,080 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has received an application for funding from the 2011 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. The Deputy might note that this is one of a large number currently being assessed by my Department and I will keep him informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: To date 13 people in my Department have expressed an interest in retiring ahead of the changes to the public sector pension schemes that are to come into force on 1 March 2012. Of these 13 employees only one person has formally decided to retire.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have responsibility for implementing a number of programmes to support parents with the cost of childcare. The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, which was introduced in January 2010, provides for a free pre-school year for children aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1st September in the relevant year. Under this programme, in return for...

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have responsibility for implementing the free pre-school year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme which was introduced in January 2010, and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Almost every pre-school service in the State is participating in the programme ensuring that it is available to children in all...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Prior to the launch of the Cloyne Report, I met with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Catholic Church's National Board for Safeguarding Children to discuss a range of issues. The HSE's National Director for Children and Family Services, Mr. Gordon Jeyes, was also in attendance. Mr. Jeyes is at my request engaging directly with the Board on a programme of action designed to ensure that...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are two salary scales for Civil Servants depending on their date of recruitment. These are often referred to as non Personal Pensions Contribution 1995 and Personal Pension Contribution 1995 scales. The difference is to compensate for the personal contributions made towards their pensions. This affects Civil Servants recruitment after April 1995. The attached table shows numbers serving...

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 477, 478, 480 and 481 together. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am committed to the development of a new youth policy framework which my Department is currently progressing. Through this work a clear policy framework will emerge that will aim to enhance the development, participation and support of young people. I intend that the policy framework...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 in care. Monthly performance reports for the period from 2008-July 2011 are available at www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/corporate/performancere...

Written Answers — Departmental Strategy Statements: Departmental Strategy Statements (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department is currently in the process of devising a Strategy Statement for 2011-2014. It is my intention to publish the Strategy Statement following the completion of the Statutory Process with regard to same.

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Social care workers currently work in partnership with other professionals to support people who experience marginalisation, disadvantage or who have special needs. While they are not subject to statutory registration at present, they will be registered under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 when this legislation is commenced. Social care workers are currently employed in...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The approved Employment Control Framework for the HSE exempts social worker posts from the current moratorium on recruitment and the filling of vacancies. I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the HSE and I will be in further contact with the Deputy on receipt of this information.

Child Care Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with the Deputy on the opportunity the ECCE scheme presents in that 95% of our three to five year olds are attending these services, and quality is of the utmost importance as well as top quality training for the staff delivering the service. In that regard, another important element on which I am sure the Deputy would agree with me is to involve the parents where there are...

Child Care Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Access to child care is something we want to preserve and develop. As the Deputy said, the previous Government decided about three years ago to close down the capital funding in the area. Nevertheless, we must continue to address the issue, and at the very least be aware of the demands that exist given our increased population and increasing birth rate. We need to be sensitive to the...

Child Care Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I assure the House again of the Government's ongoing commitment to early childhood care and education. The ECCE scheme, which Deputy McConalogue mentioned, was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. Almost every preschool service in the State is participating in the programme, so it is available...

Child Care Services (27 Sep 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I certainly take the Deputy's point. He does not have to convince me of the importance of early intervention and support and quality child care. The situation has improved greatly in recent years and the ECCE programme, which 94% of children are attending, as I said, is certainly beneficial. I would like to see more resources in the area. In July, at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on...