Address by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD at the Annual Garda Memorial Day

Saturday 17th May 2014 - Dubhlinn Memorial Gardens, Dublin Castle.

"Commissioner, members of An Garda Síochána, serving and retired, Distinguished Guests, ladies and gentlemen,

 "At the going down of the sun
 And in the morning
 We will remember them…"

Government agrees comprehensive response to Guerin Report

(Pic: www.thejournal.ie)

Government agrees 'comprehensive response' to Guerin Report -Statement by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD

Tuesday 13 May 2014

The Government has today agreed a set of measures in response to the Guerin Report on foot of proposals brought to today's Government meeting by the Minister for Justice & Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD.
"Today's decisions by Government represent a comprehensive response to the serious and varied spectrum of issues raised in the Guerin Report," said Minister Fitzgerald.

Minister Fitzgerald's speech at the launch of the Fine Gael local election manifesto

With FG female candidates at the launch.

MAKING THE RECOVERY LOCAL

Fine Gael Manifesto launch for the local elections 2014.

Speech by Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs.

Council offers Anti-Litter and Anti- Graffiti Grants - Apply Now!

South Dublin County Council is now accepting applications for funding of projects which qualify as Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Initiatives. Anti-Litter and Anti- Graffiti-Awareness Initiatives should seek to promote public awareness and education in relation to litter and/or graffiti. This Grant Scheme has a particular focus on voluntary initiatives by community and environmental groups, and on involving schools and young people in anti-litter and anti-graffiti awareness actions.

Minister featured in NCBI Spring Newsletter

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, featured in the Spring Edition of the NCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) Newsletter, having attended a fundraiser in Clondalkin for the local Early Learning Centre.

Fitzgerald launches ‘Better Outcomes Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 – 2020’

•    Minister Fitzgerald joined by an Taoiseach and Tánaiste for launch in Dublin Castle

•    Framework sets-out transformation goals and outcomes for children and young people and new structures reporting to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy

•    Minister says Framework is about “moving on from addressing the legacy of failings to promoting a new culture and cross-government approach to improving outcomes for all children.”

Minister Fitzgerald publishes Children First Bill 2014

• New law to strengthen child protection in Ireland
• Acting on the 2009 Ryan Report Implementation Plan
• Delivery of key Programme for Government commitment

'Getting the Balance Right' - Irish Perspectives on policies for women in work and child wellbeing.

The following speech was delivered by Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, to an audience at Ewha Women's University, South Korea, in March 2014. 

'Getting the Balance Right' - Irish Perspectives on policies for women in work and child wellbeing.

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.

Fitzgerald “delighted to open new Clondalkin flooring business”

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs on Saturday (5^th April) said she was “delighted to officially open the new dedicated premises of local flooring company Unique Flooring in Bawnogue Enterprise Centre”.

Minister Fitzgerald congratulated business operators Keith Howell and Rory Monaghan for their “initiative and entrepreneurial spirit,” and wished them the best of luck for their venture.

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.   
 

Fitzgerald launches sensory garden at Newcastle Creche

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, last week opened the new “sensory garden” at Grian na n-Og Creche in Newcastle.

Speaking at the opening, Minister Fitzgerald said she was “delighted to be able to cut the ribbon on this wonderful new facility, which will challenge the children in Grian na n-Og to explore their senses and develop important skills.

Fitzgerald welcomes school improvement funding

4 schools in Clondalkin & Palmerstown included in first round of successful applicants

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has welcomed today’s Government announcement that schools in Clondalkin and Palmerstown will be able to undertake school improvements this summer.

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.

Fitzgerald commends Council for “taking action on Saggart Arms eyesore”

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, has commended South Dublin Council for “serving notice on the owners of the Saggart Arms that they will enter the derelict site in the coming days, following my representations”. 

Rathcoole painter’s masterpiece displayed in Aviva at rugby legend’s last home match

Rathcoole painter Leo Clancy’s epic depiction of Brian O’Driscoll was given pride of place in the Aviva Stadium during the 6 Nations Ireland v. Italy rugby international last Saturday.

On the occasion of the rugby legend’s last home match in the green jersey, Leo Clancy of Rathcoole had his masterpiece displayed in the foyer of the stadium, following a request to the IRFU from his local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs.

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 

Europe comes to Ireland for EPP Congress

Europe comes to Ireland for the European People's Party Congress 2014. Fine Gael is proud to welcome our European colleagues to Dublin ahead of this year's European elections. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0opCBhTMzU