Results 18,281-18,300 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (12 Jul 2011)

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

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Tackling economic and social disadvantage is a priority for Government and the Government programme sets out a range of measures to achieve sustainable economic growth, increase employment and protect the most vulnerable in society. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, improving children's outcomes is a key objective. Studies undertaken by my Department, such as the longitudinal study...

Early Childhood Education (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The legal situation is that children may commence primary education at the age of four. Beyond that it is a question of parental choice. Ideally, I would like to see a situation in Ireland similar to that in other European countries where two years of preschool education are provided for young children. It is universally recognised that a two-year period of early education from three to...

Early Childhood Education (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said earlier, I would like to see a situation where children with special needs would have a second year. When the scheme was introduced originally, it began in January and those children who attended from January to June were then allowed to take a second year. There has been some misunderstanding but there was never actually a second year available, although clearly it would be of...

Child Abuse (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I indicated in my reply to Deputy McConalogue, I will be launching the new Children First national guidance later this week. I also hope to be in a position to outline shortly the details of the legislation to underpin Children First. The Government has committed, in the programme for Government, to this legislation and I have made considerable progress in recent weeks in developing the...

Child Abuse (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is interesting that recent reviews of the Children First guidelines, and we will have an updated version of those later in the week, have found them to be robust and appropriate. What is really important - and this is what makes the difference - is implementation. We must focus on implementation. It is not simply about reporting. We must insist that people report their concerns. I...

Child Abuse (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: On reading the Children First guidelines and compliance, it is clear there is a reporting requirement in the guidelines. The legislation will reflect that. Professionals mentioned will be under an obligation to report, as they are at present, and that will be reflected in legislation. Regarding Deputy Boyd Barrett's question on neglect, it is important to highlight that area. This is a...

Child Abuse (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not using the phrase "mandatory reporting" and I have already explained that to Deputy McConalogue. There will be a reporting requirements, which is different to the concept of mandatory reporting. The legislation I am introducing will be based on Children First guidelines.

Child Abuse (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is a reporting element to it but, as important as that element is, there will be an outline of how agencies work together. Of course there will be sanctions if people do not report. The report was correct in that there will be sanctions. In every organisation there will be someone designated to ensure the Children First guidelines are complied with.

Child Protection (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: In line with the programme for Government, I am committed to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First, the national guidance document on the reporting and management of child welfare and protection concerns. The need for such legislation was already highlighted in the implementation plan prepared following the publication in July 2009 of the report of the Commission to...

Child Protection (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: We also need to emphasise the importance of multidisciplinary and inter-agency co-operation in the management of such concerns if we are truly to protect children. Key to this is the sharing of information between agencies and disciplines in the best interests of children and the need for full co-operation to ensure the safeguarding of children. I am attaching particular importance to the...

Child Protection (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Ryan implementation report set a deadline of December 2010 for the previous Government to draft legislation putting Children First on a statutory footing. This was accepted by the Deputy's party when in government and it is regrettable it did not meet that deadline. I have, however, made much progress in drafting this legislation. Putting Children First on a statutory basis will...

Child Protection (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will do what the former Government agreed to do, which is to put the Children First guidelines on a statutory basis, as recommended by the Ryan report. Part of this will be a reporting requirement. It will be a different concept, however, to that where the focus is on mandatory reporting alone which other countries such as Australia have introduced. It will not replicate such a system....

Proposed Legislation (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The programme for Government 2011 states the referendum on children's rights is a priority and that the wording will be along the lines of that proposed by the Joint Committee on the Constitution, of which Deputy Ó Caoláin was a member. On taking office I instructed the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to work with the Office of the Attorney General with a view to preparing a draft...

Proposed Legislation (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: The previous Government did not come up with legislation based on the all-party committee's wording but with a different formula. Apparently, this was based on the concerns of the former Attorney General. That wording was not circulated formally but discussed informally with several non-governmental organisations, NGOs. The Government's priority and intention is to ensure the wording will...

Proposed Legislation (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: As already stated, I hope and expect to be in a position to submit the outcome of that work to the Government for its approval in the autumn. The Deputy will be aware that there will be some further work to be done at that point. Draft legislation will be required in respect of adoption proposals - this will have to be brought through the Dáil - and a referendum commission will have to be...

Missing Persons (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for tabling this question. The European Commission Decision of February 2007 harmonised numbers for services of social value on the 116 number range. ComReg is the competent national regulatory authority in Ireland responsible for assigning 116 numbers to prospective service providers. ComReg has informed me that the numbers 116111 and 116123 were assigned to...

Missing Persons (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: I cannot provide the Deputy with a timeframe but I certainly want the hotline to be established. It has not been established up to now. Since taking office I have initiated discussions in respect of it. In that context, I have discussed the matter with one of the NGOs that might be interested in providing the service. It is estimated that it will take approximately €120,000 to set up...

Children in Care (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of the principal commitments in the implementation plan prepared following the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is the need to ensure that all children in care have an allocated social worker and a care plan. This initiative is designed to target resources at front line services in order to ensure that the HSE can fulfil its statutory obligations....

Children in Care (12 Jul 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: What is critical is that we ensure the 270 are in place and that they begin their work. I am in ongoing discussions with the director for children and family services in the HSE. The Deputy mentioned a particular area in Dublin north west, where there are some difficulties. As can be seen from the figures I have provided, a care plan is in place and a social worker is allocated for a high...