Results 661-680 of 1,051,387 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:David Cullinane OR speaker:Réada Cronin OR speaker:Willie O'Dea OR speaker:Chris Andrews OR speaker:Martin Kenny OR speaker:Claire Kerrane OR speaker:Brian Leddin) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (2 Oct 2024)

Richard Boyd Barrett: That sounds positive and I will relay back what the Minister is saying but why bring problems upon or put extra pressure on himself or discommode these people and the local community when it is not necessary? Hopefully, that solution will work. I know that in terms of contacting the Department of Social Protection about rent supplement, that has not been fully processed. Perhaps the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: We are not looking to impose a looming deadline if these families are looking to make a private arrangement in this location. I hope I have addressed this location but we can step back. We contracted a significant volume of accommodation around the country to meet the emergency needs of Ukrainians. Approximately 67,000 Ukrainians lived in State-owned accommodation at one stage. This has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (2 Oct 2024)

Richard Boyd Barrett: This is not for tourism.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Absolutely. I am trying to get the balance right between the lived experience referred to by the Deputy-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (2 Oct 2024)

Michael Ring: Time is up. Other Members are present to take their questions.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (2 Oct 2024)

International Protection

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (2 Oct 2024)

Catherine Connolly: 11. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the State-owned reception and integration centres due to accommodate up to 13,000 international protection applicants; when the centres will be operational, the steps he is taking to ensure that all persons seeking international protection have their basic needs met and are offered accommodation on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (2 Oct 2024)

Catherine Connolly: My question is very specific. I am asking for an update on the status of the State-owned reception and integration centres due to accommodate people coming to our country. I ask this question a quarter of a century after direct provision was introduced as a temporary measure. A quarter of a century later, we have had a White Paper and the Day report but we still have no State-owned...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Over the past six months, my Department has been focused on progressing the new accommodation strategy I announced in March 2024 with the prioritisation of particular elements of its multistrand approach. Extensive engagement has taken place to identify and negotiate the use of State-owned sites, initially for emergency and tented accommodation and then for longer term solutions. To...

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

Alan Farrell: I am delighted to see the level of funding being allocated by the Department. I commend the Minister, his officials and the Government on the level of attention paid to this crucial area. The national childcare scheme has been a game changer for hundreds of thousands of people, which is tremendous, but there are some constraints, particularly in large urban settings where childcare places...

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

Roderic O'Gorman: Living in primarily urban constituencies, the Deputy and I have to recognise capacity challenges are everywhere. Deputies Kerrane and Sherlock have highlighted them. All over the country there are capacity challenges. Part of it is that, because we have made it more affordable, more parents are taking it up with both parents going to work and they want their kids to enjoy the benefit of...

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

Alan Farrell: The Minister's colleague in Dublin West, Senator Currie, has brought this up and brought it to the Minister's attention before. I am delighted to hear the Minister has been so proactive as to get together with local authorities across the State. It is crucial. On the publicly funded model of early years education, I wonder whether the capital scheme would involve the Department...

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...