Free 30 mins parking “the right move by Council,” says Fitzgerald

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has welcomed South Dublin County Council’s decision to trial 30 minutes free parking across the area’s pay and display areas as “the right move for businesses and consumers alike”.

She said: “I have supported this proposal since it was first mooted, and I congratulate my FG colleague Councillor William Lavelle for pursuing it with such vigour at Council level. The Council’s new approach will be rolled out for a trial period of six months, and I believe it will have a positive beneficial impact for Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown and Rathcoole.

Minister Fitzgerald announces €3 million Childcare Capital programme

    · €0.25 million each for grants to Parent and Toddler Groups; and Childminding Development Grant Scheme
 
  · €2.5 million for repair, maintenance and upgrade of community and not-for-profit childcare services

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today announced the launch of capital funding totalling €3 million for community childcare services, parent and toddler groups and childminders.

Fitzgerald welcomes €60,000 funding for anti-bullying training for parents

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has welcomed the Government announcement that €60,000 is being provided to support the delivery of anti-bullying training sessions for parents in 2014.   
 

Minister Fitzgerald promoting Irish trade, investment and culture in Japan

- Meetings with leading Japanese and Irish business figures
- Building on Taoiseach’s visit last December
- Developing strong links with Japanese universities
- Strengthening cultural links between Ireland and Japan

€21 million Construction initiative to target social housing shortage and create jobs in Dublin Mid-West: Fitzgerald

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has welcomed the Government announcement of over €21 million in funding for the construction of local authority housing in Dublin.

Public consultation on Internet governance (incl cyberbullying) open to the public

A public consultation process on internet content governance in Ireland, including how to address the issue of cyberbullying is currently underway and the deadline is next Tuesday, March 18th.

Views gathered from members of the public will feed into the work of an expert panel on this issue. This is a great opportunity for those who are concerned about the online safety issues to contribute to the growqing national debate. Views can be submitted easily and securely at http://bit.ly/1fwabpS 

Speech on Sexualisation of Childhood

Speech by Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs
Seanad Éireann - Private Members Motion on Sexualisation of Childhood

- “Catapulting little girls and boys into a sexuality for which they are neither physically nor cognitively ready is a form of theft. It is the theft of childhood.”

- “I want Ireland to be a cold house for child pageants.”

Sports Capital grant deadline extension.

THE SPORTS CAPITAL GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 5PM MARCH 10TH.

Please visit the website below for further information or advice.  https://www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. If you require any further assistance please feel free to contact me on 4577712.

High approval of Enterprise Offices among South Dublin businesses: Survey

A survey of local businesses has shown a very positive attitude to the services offered by the Local Enterprise Offices, as well as a willingness to avail of the National Internship Scheme.

The survey of over 100 local businesses took place following a recent Business Breakfast organised by Local TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald backs local Tidy Towns Groups to have a “clean, green 2014”

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has welcomed the recent meeting hosted by South Dublin Council to provide ideas for Tidy Towns, saying “this gives local groups the tools to have their best year yet in 2014”.

Fitzgerald launches innovative Ballymount material recycling initiative

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, on Friday (14 February) launched a “highly innovative local initiative which transforms surplus material into art, craft and play resources”.

Launching Recreate in Ballymount, the Minister said: “ReCreate is a new social enterprise that sources unwanted and surplus materials for reuse as creative resources. This is a timely initiative for our area, which I hope will raise awareness of the importance of recycling and sustainable thinking. I have contacted local schools inviting them to consider using the service for their Transition Year, technology or art classes. Indeed, I believe any young person would benefit from this innovative method.

Safer Internet Day - Tips on online safety for parents, teachers and kids

On Safer Internet Day 2014, Local TD & Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald encourages parents and teachers to educate themselves and their children to make the right choices online – and notes that an increasing range of tools is becoming available to help them.

Minister launches National Pyjama Day in Lucan Creche

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, last week officially launched National Pyjama Day to raise funds for the Irish Hospice Foundation at Lucan’s Learning for Life crèche.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald's speech at launch of Child and Family Agency

Below is the speech I delivered at the launch of Tusla, Ireland's new Child and Family Agency. Taoiseach Enda Kenny also spoke at the launch of the agency, which represents one of this Government's most important reforms. Indeed, it is the single most important set of reforms in the history of child protection in Ireland.

Fitzgerald invites local businesses to breakfast event with Minister Bruton

Local TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, is hosting a business breakfast in Finnstown House Hotel, Lucan on the 30th of January. The morning, in conjunction with Dublin Mid-West Fine Gael, will hear from Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton who will discuss job creation and opportunities for businesses in 2014.

The event will take place in Finnstown House Hotel, Lucan at 8 a.m. on Thursday 30th January, with registration starting at 7.30 and a light breakfast being served. TO REGISTER CALL 4577712 or email frances.fitzgerald@oir.ie.

Fitzgerald welcomes Citywest jobs announcement

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today (23^rd January) welcomed the announcement that global pharmaceutical company Aspen is expanding Citywest base, bringing its total workforce in Ireland to 100 within12 months.

Applications for Sports Capital Grants now open

Applications for the Sports Capital Grant 2014 opened on the 17th of January. I encourage any sporting organisation with eligible projects to apply, and my office is happy to provide any advice or guidance.

The Sports Capital Programme is the main method of delivering funding from the Government to develop sports facilities and purchase sports equipment for clubs and sporting organisations across Ireland.

Minister Fitzgerald launches new Child and Family Agency

Local TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald announced that the Child and Family Agency will commence operation with effect from 1 January, 2014.

"The establishment of the Agency is one of the largest and most ambitious public sector reforms being undertaken by this Government involving the bringing together of over 4,000 staff and a budget of nearly €600 million from three existing bodies," Minister Fitzgerald said.

The agency will assume responsibility for a range of services, including:

Child Welfare and Protection Services, including family support services currently delivered by the HSE’s Children and Family Services;  

An Overview of my Ministerial and Legislative Achievements in 2013

As Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, I have been leading the Government’s comprehensive reform of child protection in Ireland.

2013 was a very busy year for the Government generally, and for my Department specifically. We took a great many important steps in our ambitious reform agenda to deliver real and major improvements for Irish children and families. Click "read more" for a detailed list of my legislative and ministerial achievements.

"No room for complacency" in church abuse safeguards - Fitzgerald

Frances Fitzgerald, TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, today responded to the publication of a further tranche of reviews conducted by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC) into safeguarding practices at both diocesan and Religious Congregation level.