Results 1,801-1,820 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Motion (Resumed) (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: I reiterate what I said. The disingenuousness of Fianna Fáil knows no bounds. A man stands up in the Dáil and talks about selling 100% of Aer Lingus. It was sold into private hands by Fianna Fáil, let there be no doubt about it. The deal that the Government has done is a good deal, for Dublin and Ireland. It will provide a boost to jobs and tourism while securing the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Data (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: Hear, hear.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Data (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: As the Deputy is aware, we are investing €260 million in improving outcomes for children, and that is not a small sum of money by any means. We are very much convinced, as is the Deputy, of the value of early intervention. The good news that I have from the programme is that its existence has conferred particular advantage to those who come from disadvantaged programmes; an...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Data (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: My Department is very concerned about childhood poverty and so is the Department of Social Protection. With respect to the information I have given to date, having these evaluations and task forces in place will very much strengthen my hand when it comes to Estimates time. I will have a real case to make for additional funding and to explore the areas where we feel there can be further...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Data (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: My Department currently provides approximately €260 million annually to early years and school-age care and education services. This funding is directed towards a number of programmes, which aim to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of early years and school-age care and education. To ensure that all the benefits of this and future investment are fully realised,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Data (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: First, I want to place on the record of the House my appreciation of the work that the early years professionals do. They have been very much minded to upskill in the interests of the children they look after. I really appreciate and thank them for that. In the past, I have made it clear that the issues of the capitation rate and reductions forced upon us by the economic situation we...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Data (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: I absolutely agree that the issues of quality and affordability are inter-linked and very important to parents. Research will bear that out. We must remember though that in the darkest and deepest of recessions that this country ever experienced, we did protect funding for the ECCE programme. Without that funding, many of these facilities would not exist as it was the only funding...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Data (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: My Department in conjunction with Atlantic Philanthropies has funded Preparing for Life through 2007 to 2013 via the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme or PEIP, which was established to examine innovative and integrated ways to improve outcomes for children across areas such as literacy, speech and language, parenting, health and pro-social behaviour. Since 2014, Preparing for Life...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Protection Services (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: I wish to correct a number of points made by Deputy Troy. The school completion programme has not been cut.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Protection Services (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: Deputy Troy repeatedly alleges there have been cuts to the programme and I repeatedly assure him of the Government's intentions in this regard. I have also made clear to Tusla that we hold this scheme in high esteem and do not wish to see its funding cut. The Deputy alleges its funding has been cut but has failed to produce any evidence to support his allegations. Funding for the programme...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Protection Services (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: I will not be interrupted by Deputy Keaveney. I am entitled to protection from the Chair. Deputy Keaveney should sit down.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Protection Services (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: The Deputy's party leader delayed Question Time by almost an hour. I cannot understand the reason the Fianna Fáil Party does not want this debate to take place.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Protection Services (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: Shouting will not help. The correct position is that a vote was taken on the Government's proposal for the Order of Business, yet the Deputies opposite continue to disrupt Question Time by engaging in argument. I do not know what it is they are afraid of but there will be a full debate. In any event, I would like to answer the questions. This Government established, for the first time,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Protection Services (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: I am pleased to take questions on children. As Deputy Troy noted, I raised this issue initially at the select sub-committee. I did so to place as much information as I could in the public domain at the earliest opportunity. Before proceeding, I remind Deputies that we need to give due regard to fair procedures for any individuals who may be involved. I have received an action plan from...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Protection Services (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: I assure the House that the action plan includes steps to address the management of the intake of cases; engage in liaison with An Garda Síochána; use external child care expertise to ensure appropriate management and prioritisation of the backlog of cases; and put in place the resources needed to support the process. Tusla has in place a mechanism to monitor the progress of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Protection Services (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: The action plan involved establishing an oversight team in Tusla; commissioning a review of the backlog of referrals using Tusla staff from another area; reducing the backlog through the use of agency staff and the reassignment of staff from another area; using independent child care expertise to support the assessment and address the backlog; and communicating the current position to the...

Business of Dáil: Motion (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: That is not a point of order. That is a question.

Business of Dáil: Motion (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: That is not a point of order.

Business of Dáil: Motion (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: It is not a point of order.

Business of Dáil: Motion (27 May 2015)

James Reilly: We will go to 10 o’clock.