Results 1-20 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (1 Feb 2011)

Barry Andrews: The issue of children who go missing is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána. A hotline for missing children is in operation in some EU Member States. My Office is currently involved in discussions with other relevant Government Departments in relation to the establishment of this service.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (1 Feb 2011)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for the implementation of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which was introduced in January 2010. The ECCE scheme is a universal scheme which provides children with a free pre-school year prior to commencing primary school. There is no entitlement under the scheme to any additional provision. The scheme does, however, include a number of provisions...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (1 Feb 2011)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for the implementation of the free Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which was introduced in January 2010. This is a universal scheme which provides children with a free preschool year prior to commencing primary school. Approximately 4,300 preschool services, 95% of those operating in the State, are participating in the ECCE scheme and...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (1 Feb 2011)

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

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (27 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: As stated in my previous reply, the Russian Government has made it clear that if adoptions are to continue, they wish to have bilaterals put in place with receiving countries. Prior to the establishment of the Adoption Authority, I wrote to the Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation to initiate discussions on putting in place a bilateral agreement with Russia. I am still...

Written Answers — Age of Consent: Age of Consent (27 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: The age of consent is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Law Reform. The Department of Justice and Law Reform has provided me with the following information. The Deputy will be aware that a majority of members of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children favoured a reduction in the age of consent from 17 to 16. In Northern Ireland, the age of consent has been...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (27 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is drafting the Heads for the National Vetting Bureau Bill. Formal consultations have taken place with the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána and colleagues in other Government Departments. Once complete the Heads and General Scheme will be submitted to...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (26 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: Pre-school services can apply to participate in the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced by my Office in January 2010. Under the scheme, in return for providing the free Pre-School Year to eligible children, a pre-school service will be paid an annual capitation for each eligible child enrolled. The standard capitation rate is...

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (25 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: I understand that the representations referred to by the Deputy were made by him on behalf of a person in relation to the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which is implemented by my Office. As you know, the representations in question relate to correspondence between the person in question and my Office both of which were issued on 7 January 2011. I...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (19 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: As previously pointed out to the Deputy the company in question was approved capital grant funding under the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010 of up to €520,000 to develop child care facilities. The company then sought additional funding and I understand that Pobal, who administer grants on behalf of my Office, is still awaiting a response from the company in...

Written Answers — Juvenile Detention Centres: Juvenile Detention Centres (19 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: Following Government approval for the development of new national children detention facilities at Oberstown, Lusk, Co. Dublin, the design process is well underway. Planning approval is in place and some advance works have recently commenced on site with a view to enabling the main works at a later date. The development is to be completed in phases in order to ensure the continued operation...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (18 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 215 together. Belarus has ratified the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. The Adoption Act, 2010, commenced on 1st November 2010. This coincided with Ireland's formal ratification of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption....

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (18 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which provides for a free pre-school year to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. Children qualify for the free pre-school year where they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months in September of the relevant year. This...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (18 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 to 188, inclusive, together. As these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.nd of Take

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (18 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: The National Counselling Service (NCS) is a professional, confidential counselling and psychotherapy service available free of charge in all regions of the Health Services Executive. The client group of the NCS includes adults who have experienced trauma and abuse in childhood, with priority given to adult survivors of institutional abuse in Ireland. The HSE has given priority in its...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (18 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: The HSE Service Plan for 2011 includes a commitment to the establishment of multi-disciplinary assessment services for children and young people at risk, and development of a multi-disciplinary team for children in care and detention (with Irish Youth Justice Service). The full year cost has been calculated at €3m and funding is provided from the service plan. The Service Plan commitment...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (18 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: Additional funding of €15m was provided in 2010 to progress the Implementation Plan approved by Government following the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. This funding forms part of the HSE base funding provision for 2011 and is, therefore, available again in the current year. In addition, a further amount of €9m has been provided in 2011. This...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (18 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: Children's Services Committees (CSCs) are part of what is known as the Working Together for Children initiative. The first phase included four CSCs which are located in Dublin City, South Dublin, Donegal and Limerick City. These are implementing work plans which they have already agreed. A further six CSCs in the following locations are at different stages of development: Fingal; Kildare;...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (18 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: The HSE provides out-of-hours services: (a) In the greater Dublin area through the Crisis Intervention Service (CIS) and (b) Outside the greater Dublin area through the Emergency Place of Safety Service The CIS provides an out-of-hours emergency social work service to young people aged under 18 years who are in crisis in ten Local Health Offices in the Eastern region. The CIS comprises the...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (18 Jan 2011)

Barry Andrews: Aftercare is recognised as a key element to achieving positive outcomes for young people leaving care, aiming to assist young people in care in bridging the transition from care to independent adult life in the community. Aftercare is provided for under Section 45 of the Child Care Act, 1991, which states: "45. - (1) Where a child leaves the care of a health board, the board may, in...