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.

New playgrounds “welcome news for local children and families,” says Minister Fitzgerald

 Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has welcomed confirmation that South Dublin Council plans to build new playgrounds in Knockmitten and Rathcoole in 2014.

“Community playgrounds are vital assets for families, providing a suitable, safe focal point for children to improve many developmental skills," she said.

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.

Fitzgerald Shows Support to Clondalkin’s “Operation Transformation” leader Siobhan

Local TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, this week supported local RTE Operation Transformation leader Siobhan McKillen. Joining hundreds of locals, Minister Fitzgerald took part in a 5k walk in Corkagh Park last Saturday (18th January) run by South Dublin County Sport Partnership in conjunction with Operation Transformation.

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.

Fitzgerald approves bill to give couples more time for Russian adoptions

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister of Children & Youth Affairs has today (December 19th) introduced the Adoption (Amendment Bill) 2013 in Dáil Éireann.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Adoption Act to allow a small
number of prospective adopters affected by recent changes in Russian
legislation further time to complete their adoptions.

Minister Fitzgerald welcomes Saggart jobs announcement

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has today welcomed the announcement that American firm Charles River is to open a new office in Citywest Saggart, creating 30 jobs.

She said: “I am delighted that yet another company with a global reach is investing in the Dublin Mid-West region. Following major announcements by Microsoft and Digital Realty in recent weeks, this welcome news provides still further evidence that Ireland is viewed as a highly attractive place to invest.

Fitzgerald welcomes €58,000 for redevelopment of Clondalkin old swimming pool as new community space

Frances Fitzgerald TD, local TD for Dublin Mid West and Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has today welcomed the allocation of €58,824 for the redevelopment of Clondalkin’s old swimming pool as a new community space.
The funding is being provided through the ‘SportNation’ initiative, jointly run by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport and Irish Public Bodies (IPB) Insurance. The objective of the initiative is to increase opportunities and access for people to engage in sports on an inclusive basis through the provision of sports facilities on Council property.

"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.

8% Reduction in Clondalkin Jobless Figures Shows Government's Plans are Working

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today welcomed the 8% annual reduction in the live register figures for Clondalkin as a “clear and encouraging sign that the Irish economy is moving in the right direction”.

Figures published by the CSO today show that the live register total for the Clondlakin local office area, which encompasses the bulk of Dublin Mid West, showed a fall from 9.033 in October 2012 to 8,345 in October 2013.

Minister Fitzgerald stated: "This figure is still too high, but I welcome the fact that we are now going in the right direction"

Minister Fitzgerald Welcomes Launch of Child Rescue App

Minister for Children & Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald has welcomed the launch today of a new app for Child Rescue Ireland (CRI), which will allow the public to assist Gardai in cases of missing children.

Minister Fitzgerald said: “ The CRI app will be available to download for free on most smartphone platforms from tomorrow, and should prove a boon to Gardai as it provides them with a further method of enlisting the public’s assistance when investigating child abduction cases.

Fitzgerald welcomes expansion of Clondalkin Microsoft facility

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has today (3 December) welcomed the decision by Microsoft to expand their Clondalkin data centre, creating 20 new jobs at the facility and up to 380 construction jobs.

Minister Fitzgerald said: “the news of this €170m expansion is excellent news for the area, and comes hot on the heels of the news that Digital Realty is also building a mega data centre in Clondalkin. With this expansion, Microsoft’s total investment in this facility will be almost €600 million – a clear vote of confidence in the Irish economy as a global hub for this growing sector, and a further vote of confidence in Clondalkin as a key pillar in Microsoft Ireland’s architecture.

Minister Fitzgerald welcomes new Mid-West Dublin school building projects

New builds to begin in Griffeen, Newcastle and Saggart in 2014.

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has today (29 November) “warmly welcomed the announcement of 3 vital new school projects scheduled for 2014 construction in the Dublin Mid-West area”.
 

3rd Eastern Partnership Summit

I am currently in Vilnius, Lithuania for the Eastern Partnership Summit (pictured here with Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite).

With 34 countries represented, myself and Minister of State for European Affairs Paschal Donohoe TD are the Irish delegation at the Vilnius Summit.

The Joint Declaration arising from the Summit is available here: goo.gl/JJolmt 

It is a clear sign of hope that it is primarily young people - including those from from Armenia and Ukraine - who will benefit from this Partnership Summit.

Fitzgerald welcomes €100 million data centre investment for West Dublin

Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs and Local TD for Dublin Mid West has today  welcomed the start of construction works for a new €100 million data centre at Profile Park, stating that “this project is a timely boost for construction in the area and highlights the Government’s job creation strategy in this growing sector”.

“My colleague Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, broke the ground on Digital Realty’s 10 acre data centre site at Profile Park today. This is a leading international company which in recent weeks opened data centres in Hong Kong and Melbourne. The decision to build a new facility in West Dublin is a clear vote of confidence in Ireland’s recovery and potential as a global hub for data centres.

Minister Fitzgerald announces major 1m investment for Clondalkin children

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has today announced that the Clondalkin Blue Skies Initiative has been selected as one of 13 projects to be funded through the Governments new ABC (Area-Based Childhood) Programme.

€ 998,500 is to be provided to the Clondalkin initiative over the years 2013-2016, co-funded by Minister Fitzgeralds Department and Atlantic Philanthropies.

Minister hails “extraordinary” Clondalkin film festival to promote mental health

Local T.D. Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, said she was “proud and privileged” to launch the “extraordinary” second annual youth-led CAST Film Festival on Mental Health in the Green Isle hotel, Clondalkin this week.

Speaking after the event, the Minister said: “tonight’s ceremony showcased 15 short films - shortlisted from 40 entrants - made by students from across Ireland highlighting issues around mental health.