Results 61-80 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (16 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: The provision of foster care is central to child welfare and protection. As the Deputy is aware, the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) commenced an inspection of HSE Foster care services in 2007 and more recently in Dublin in September, 2009 under Section 69 of the Child Care Act, 1991. In July 2010 the Health Information Quality...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (16 Dec 2010)

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. The issue of the funding of this is under consideration.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementation of the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) which included a capital grant programme to develop childcare facilities. As the Deputy is aware, the company in question was approved capital grant funding under the NCIP of up to €520,000 and subsequently sought additional funding to complete the project. The request for additional...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (15 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Government has shown significant commitment to tackling youth homelessness. It has done this by targeting significant resources at the youth homeless service in the context of the development of the broader child welfare services. In 2001 the Youth Homelessness Strategy was launched providing a strategic framework for youth homelessness to be tackled on a national basis. The goal of...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 Dec 2010)

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

Written Answers — Child Deaths: Child Deaths (14 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: I established the Independent Review Group on Child Deaths (IRGCD) on March 8th 2010. The Group is composed of Ms Norah Gibbons and Mr. Geoffrey Shannon. The HSE have transferred the relevant files to the IRGCD, via my Office. The HSE originally identified 188 files for transfer to the Independent Review Group on Child Deaths in respect of children who died while in care, children who were...

Written Answers — Child Deaths: Child Deaths (14 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Schedule referred to has not yet been received from the HSE, but I am informed that it is to be provided very shortly. I will lay a copy of the schedule before the Houses as soon as it has been received.

Written Answers — Child Deaths: Child Deaths (14 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Independent Review Group on Child Deaths (IRGCD) was established on March 8th 2010. The Group is composed of Ms Norah Gibbons and Mr. Geoffrey Shannon. The HSE has collated the information and relevant files required for the work of the Review Group, including the cases referred to by the Deputy. This material was provided to my Office which transferred it to the Review Group....

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (14 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: The findings of the Strategic Review of the Delivery and Management of Children and Family Services, (known as the PA Consulting Report) are helping to inform the HSE in the restructuring of services at national and regional level. The report is the subject of regular discussion with the HSE, most recently as part of the preparation of its Service Plan for 2011. I expect that the 2011...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (9 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: In recognition of the fact that foster care is an essential and integral component of child care services, it has been agreed to maintain the rates at the existing levels in 2011. The rates of foster care payments that apply are €325 per week per child under twelve years of age and €352 per week per child of twelve years of age and over.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (9 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 to 54, inclusive, together. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: I understand that in 2008, Fethard Community Playgroup made an application under the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010 which is implemented by my Office, for capital funding for a new purpose built child-care facility. The Deputy will be aware that, due to the economic downturn, a review of Government expenditure was completed in April 2009, following which the...

Written Answers — Child Care Regulations: Child Care Regulations (7 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: Statutory Instrument No. 604 of 2006, provides for the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No.2) Regulations 2006 which were made by Mr. Brian Lenihan, then Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sections 50 and 68 of the Child Care Act 1991. The Regulations impose legally binding requirements on pre-school services which come...

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (2 Dec 2010)

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

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (2 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 103 together. Grants from National Lottery funding are considered and approved by the Minister for Health and Children based on the recommendation of the relevant section within the Department. In the case of the group in question, I understand that the Childcare Directorate of my Office has considered the application in question and has passed its...

EU-IMF Programme for Ireland and National Recovery Plan 2011-14: Statements (Resumed) (1 Dec 2010)

Barry Andrews: Are we getting lectures in disunity from Fine Gael?

Seanad: Alcohol Misuse (30 Nov 2010)

Barry Andrews: I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The House will be well aware of the harm caused by alcohol misuse in society. It would be simplistic to describe the problem as one related to under-age drinking. Most of the harm occurs among the adult population. It manifests...

Seanad: Health Services (30 Nov 2010)

Barry Andrews: I welcome the opportunity to set out the position on funding support for patients from the Sligo area travelling for cancer treatment. The need for patients to travel arises partly as a result of the consolidation of cancer services that has taken place in the past two years. It is also the case that some cancer services, in particular radiotherapy, have always been located in a small...

Written Answers — International Children's Day: International Children's Day (30 Nov 2010)

Barry Andrews: International Children's Days are celebrated at various times by various bodies. The UN for example, generally designates the 20th of November as that day so it coincides with the annual anniversary of the UNCRC. I am not aware of any initiative at UN level to name the 25th of May next year as International Children's Day. The issue of children who go missing is primarily a matter for the...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (30 Nov 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for the implementation of the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), which is provided for in Vote 41. The NCIP had an initial total allocation of €575m for the period 2006-2010 of which €358m was in respect of capital funding and €218m was in respect of current funding. The NCIP current funding in this period now stands at approximately...