Results 301-320 of 1,049,904 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Thomas Gould OR speaker:Gerald Nash OR speaker:Matt Shanahan OR speaker:Rose Conway-Walsh OR speaker:Steven Matthews OR speaker:Hildegarde Naughton) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: We all realise there are many good things in the budget for parents. There is the reduction in fees through the national childcare scheme and other benefits for new parents, but my biggest issue concerns places for children. We in Carlow have children trying to get into a crèche or childcare facility and they are waiting over a year. While I welcome the funding and how hard the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy is right that we need to pay proper wages and that is why I announced that allocation yesterday for pay. That will only flow to providers if there is an agreement to increase pay. We need to go further; I do not think that is the end of the pay discussion by any means. Deputy Murnane O'Connor's point on the need for a place is similar to what Deputy Farrell spoke about and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Resource Centres (2 Oct 2024)

Family Resource Centres

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Resource Centres (2 Oct 2024)

David Stanton: 9. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to increase funding for family resource centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39082/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Resource Centres (2 Oct 2024)

David Stanton: Does the Minister agree with me that family resource centres provide an important set of services in areas and communities that need those services? What are his plans to further increase funding to family resource centres across the country as a result of the budget yesterday, in particular?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Resource Centres (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am a strong supporter of the work of family resource centres. In recent weeks, I have visited the centre in my own community in Mountview, as well as centres in Waterford, Kilkenny, Limerick and Clare, and have seen the amazing work they do. I am pleased to say that in the budget announced yesterday I secured an additional €800,000 for the family resource centre programme. That...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Resource Centres (2 Oct 2024)

David Stanton: I recognise the Minister's commitment but, as he said himself, the family resource centres were looking for €8 million nationally, or €240,000 each, in core funding. Certainly, any help is a help. Will the Minister outline the process involved in deciding where the new family resource centres will be situated? Who will make that decision? Do communities apply in some shape...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Resource Centres (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy has flagged the needs of Youghal with me on a number of occasions. Our Department, working with Tusla, will set out an application process based on metrics. It will look at the need in a particular area, the demographics that are served and detailed CSO-type information. From my constituency and other areas, I know the significant benefits family resource centres can bring to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Claire Kerrane: I had engaged with Social Enterprise Ireland ahead of Sinn Féin's policy and it had spoken about a pilot of €20,000 that would allow it to do a feasibility study which would identify community centres and community enterprise centres across Ireland. For €20,000, it is not a lot. I think doing that job of work of identifying spaces where childcare could be incorporated...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: There is and, I think, will always remain a key place for the community model in the delivery of early-years services, and the social enterprise model is part of that. We have spent much of the morning discussing the issue of capacity. As to where there are shortages of capacity, I come to the following view now, at the end of four years in this role. We recognise that sometimes a private...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Claire Kerrane: I ask the Minister to consider looking at that proposal from Social Enterprise Ireland. It is €20,000. It will do the job of work of identifying those buildings where there is existing capacity and where childcare could be brought into those buildings. In some cases they are not used at all. I think that would be a worthwhile job of work and would be a way in which we could build...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Seán Sherlock: On the point Deputy Kerrane makes, in his public utterances I perceive that the Minister is very cautious about saying anything overt about the need for a public, State-funded model. We all acknowledge the incremental progress that has been made as regards the supports provided by the State. Where is the Minister's thinking, based on the Taoiseach's comments, around the idea that we align...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: In response to Deputy Kerrane, I am absolutely happy to look at that proposal. She might make sure it gets to me herself. I cannot commit here and now to making the payment but I will definitely look at it. In response to Deputy Sherlock, I do not think I have been very cautious. I have set out, from my party's point of view, a view of a step towards legislating for ECCE as a legal...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Seán Sherlock: I do not want to cause a row, and I accept that the Minister sets out his party's view, but, with all due respect to him, he is here as the Minister, so what is the Minister's view? With all due respect to him, it is not a matter for me what the Minister's position is as leader of a party. I am asking the question to the Minister of the day about a publicly funded model.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for informing me of my role; I appreciate his advice.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Seán Sherlock: Can the Minister not separate the two roles?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: The Deputy has taken Deputy Kerrane's time now. I will reply to his question.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Seán Sherlock: I thank the Minister.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I would argue that there is already strong alignment in respect of the curriculum, the aistear and síolta curriculums, which flows through the ECCE process and into junior infants and senior infants. There is already strong integration in respect of the curriculum approach. I think where we agree is on the level of State intervention, which is complete in respect of junior infants but...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Question No. 7 taken with Written Answers.