Results 2,601-2,620 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Amendment No. 20 seeks to delete the amendment that was inserted into section 54(1) of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill on Committee Stage in the Seanad. At the outset, I want to state that I understand the reason the Senators submitted this amendment. In short, they are concerned that some parents may not be offered supports that would assist them to take care of their child rather than that...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I note that the Senator-----

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I would be happy to hear her.

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: It has been argued that my ministerial direction is sitting back, that it is a radical change for me to come in and delete an amendment that was part of Committee Stage and that the ministerial direction will mean nothing in terms of the arguments of the Senators. I know Senators are appreciative of going back and forth in respect of my office and the Seanad Office in trying to come to the...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: All I am saying is that this is the process of law making we follow. Obviously, I made every effort on the basis on the legal advice I had and worked with my officials to come back with something different. As the Senator is aware, we went through a number of iterations. Ultimately, we had to move forward to something that is effectively broader and affects all cases, not just cases which...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I thank Senator Higgins for her willingness to engage and agree to a substitute amendment. I am deeply appreciative of this. It is something that will enable us to achieve some shared objectives. I acknowledge the benefits of open adoptions. I support it in principle. It should be noted, however, that I believe it will need to be given full and careful consideration. Open adoption...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff working in youth services and in communities. I am pleased to confirm that I have allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Detention Centres Data (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Based on information provided by Oberstown Children Detention Campus, I can confirm that the campus currently has 265 staff employed. Of these staff members, 182 are employed in front line work, working directly with young people. In relation to young people detained, Oberstown Children Detention Campus is licensed to accommodate up to 48 boys and 6 girls on campus. As of today, 9 June 2017,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Safety (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: It is the policy position of this Government that everyone in society has a duty to keep children safe from harm, and that each Government Department is responsible for ensuring that services and initiatives under their remit adhere to best practice in child protection. In this regard, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, which has oversight of transport providers, is responsible...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Counselling Services Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: In 1994 the Department of Social Welfare opened a grant scheme to provide counselling supports to children who had experienced bereavement or loss. This grant scheme then passed to the Family Support Agency (FSA) when it was established in 2003 and subsequently to Tusla on establishment in January 2014. Up until 2011 applications were invited through an annual public advertisement,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Funding (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: In 2017, I made €3 million in capital funding available for services providing school age childcare. The application process for this capital scheme has now closed. The initial deadline for applications of 5 May was extended to 17May. In order to ensure transparency and fairness in relation to the application process, late applications cannot be accepted.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Brexit Negotiations (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: On 2nd May, the Government published a comprehensive document on Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This document sets out the approach of the Government to the forthcoming negotiations, following the successful campaign to have key Irish issues recognised in the EU negotiation position....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Public Sector Pensions Data (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The information requested is not routinely collected or held by my Department. Details of such deductions are an operational matter for each agency under the remit of my Department and I have requested each agency to respond directly to the Deputy in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Poverty (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: In recognition of the higher risks and life-long consequences of child poverty, the Government set a child-specific poverty target in Better Outcomes, Better Future: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020 to reduce consistent child poverty by at least two-thirds by 2020. This figure currently represents 102,000 children. Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1904 and 1905 together. My Department's policy is that children aged 12 and under are only placed in a residential setting if it is part of their care plan , and for the shortest time possible. Children should not be placed in residential care due to a shortage of suitable foster care places. Each child is assessed and the decision about where to place...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care Expenditure (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I can advise the Deputy that the cost of statutory Foster Care Allowance is €325 per week for a child under 12 and €352 per week for a child over 12. Tusla has informed me that the average cost of non-statutory foster care is €1,000 per week which is paid to the non-statutory foster care agency. This sum includes the costs associated with the employment of the link...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Support Payments (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I am committed to the provision of childcare options for families that respect parental choice and reflect international evidence on how to attain the best outcomes for children. I support the Government’s extension of parental leave for parents; particularly in the crucial first year. The Government has provided additional support for stay-at-home parents through the home carer...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I have established a working group in order to make short, medium and long-term recommendations on reforms for the child minding sector. The working group is chaired by Child minding Ireland and includes officials from Tusla and DCYA. The working group's recommendations will relate to child minders who are currently exempt from registration with Tusla (i.e. those minding three or fewer...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Disability Act Employment Targets (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: My Department operates in accordance with the Disability Act 2005 and the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with a Disability in the Irish Civil Service to promote, support and annually report on its employment of persons with disabilities. Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies: - to promote and support the employment of people...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff in youth services and communities throughout the country. I am pleased to confirm that...