Results 61-80 of 331 for carers speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Budget 2024 (18 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It was my priority to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in this year’s Budget in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers. As outlined in Budget 2024, from 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Budget 2024 (18 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It was my priority to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in this year’s Budget in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers. As outlined in Budget 2024, from 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for...

Funding for Persons with Disabilities: Motion [Private Members] (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: ...x2014; additional investment in broader disability measures across Government was provided for in Estimates 2024; — this includes employment-related supports, with a reduction in the minimum weekly hours' threshold for eligibility for the Wage Subsidy Scheme from 21 hours to 15 hours, which will help support people with disabilities into employment; — an increase in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It was my priority to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in this year’s Budget in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers. As outlined in Budget 2024, from 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It was my priority to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in this year’s Budget in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers. As outlined in Budget 2024, from 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (17 Oct 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: It was my priority to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in this year’s Budget in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers. As outlined in Budget 2024, from 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Child Protection: Discussion (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: ...pressures with regard to the recruitment and retention of staff. This is something my Department is working to address in collaboration with the agency. Specifically in relation to foster carers, I know of the valuable role they play, and recently received the pre-budget submission from Irish Foster Care Association. I again state that it is a priority of mine to seek an increase in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Care Services (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: ...has highlighted. In respect of the current rate of the foster care allowance, I am conscious that this payment was last increased in 2009 and I am aware of the disappointment among foster carers that no increase to the foster care allowance was secured in Budget 2023. I can assure the Deputy that it is a priority of mine to seek to secure an increase to the foster care allowance in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: In respect of the current rate of the foster care allowance, I am conscious that this payment was last increased in 2009 and I am aware of the disappointment among foster carers that no increase to the foster care allowance was secured in Budget 2023. I can assure the Deputy that it is a priority of mine to seek to secure an increase to the foster care allowance in the upcoming budget. In...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Budget 2024 (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax. I am conscious of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (20 Sep 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax. I am conscious of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Employment Rights (11 Jul 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: ...for employees and the extension of breastfeeding breaks to two years after the birth of the child. In addition, the Act will introduce a right to request flexible working for parents and carers in Part 2A and a right to request remote working for all employees in Part 3. A Code of Practice is being prepared by the Workplace Relations Commission to allow the commencement of these...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (5 Jul 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 175 together. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of early learning and childcare and to support better outcomes for children. There are two types of supports available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age under the National Childcare Scheme:Universal Subsidies are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Children in Care (4 Jul 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I want to promote the direct engagement by Tusla of foster carers. It is important we recognise Tusla's changed approach to this issue. It is in the process right now of appointing a national lead for foster care. I was surprised that was not in place but I know it is something Bernard Gloster wanted to implement and it is something Kate Duggan has implemented now. That gives a much...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Children in Care (4 Jul 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: Foster carers play a vital role in the care of our most vulnerable children. The placement of a child in foster care is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their family of origin. It enables children in State care to live in a safe, secure, and stable home environment. The Deputy may be aware that approximately 90% of children in care are cared for by foster carers,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Children in Care (4 Jul 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: ...and we will come back to it, especially in respect of the significant reforms she is bringing through with the State pension. I am certainly articulating the need for a position for foster carers within that wider context of the care pension that has been highlighted in the recommendations from the Pensions Commission. On the wider supports, one of the issues Tusla has brought through...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child and Family Agency (4 Jul 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy. I am pleased to be able to say there has been an increase in the level of foster carers. It has gone up by 1%, from 89% to 90%, so it is going in the right direction. That is really important. When comparing Ireland with other countries, the number of children who are in care, including foster care, is extremely high. We want to continue to support foster carers. In...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child and Family Agency (4 Jul 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: ...to progress a number of key developments in response to this area. First, in 2021, Tusla implemented its child exploitation procedure in partnership with An Garda Síochána. This provides Tusla staff and carers with information on how to recognise indicators of child sexual exploitation, how to make appropriate referrals and how to respond to cases where children may be at risk...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (4 Jul 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: ...to An Garda Síochána in line with the Joint Protocol. The Gardaí have primary responsibility for investigating once a child is reported missing and throughout the Garda investigation, Tusla staff and carers maintain regular contact with the Gardaí, pass on all relevant information and assist in the safe return of the child. Tusla has advised that most of the children...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (4 Jul 2023)

Roderic O'Gorman: ...and Tusla continue to progress a number of key developments in this area: In 2021 Tusla implemented its Child Exploitation Procedure in partnership with An Garda Síochána, which provides Tusla staff and carers with information on how to recognise indicators of child sexual exploitation, how to make appropriate referrals and how to respond to cases where children may be at...