Results 2,761-2,780 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Aftercare Services (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: As this is an operational matter for Tusla, I have asked that they respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Legislative Measures (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The Department intends to commence development of a scheme for the provision of information and tracing service to adults and children who are the subject of an inter country adoption as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 545 together. The Value for Money and Policy Review (VFMPR) of the Youth Funding programmes 2014 examined three of the targeted funding schemes, the Special Projects for Youth scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, and Local Drug Task Force projects scheme. The schemes support the provision of youth services for young...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Affordable Childcare Scheme Implementation (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) will be open equally to any Tusla-registered childcare provider, including both centre based providers and home based childminders. Facilitating parental choice of childcare provider is a key objective of the ACS, and the equal inclusion of childminders is therefore a central feature. For this reason it is incorrect to say that the ACS favours day care...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Provision (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: In 2017 I was delighted to approve funding of €800,000 for the establishment of new youth projects and for the augmentation of a small number of existing youth services to meet new challenges arising from population increases. This additional investment is being provided in regions of the country where there is a pressing need for services to meet the needs of young people. Each...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Meals Programme (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I can inform the Deputy I have no function in this matter, which is within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Employment and Social Protection.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Poverty (4 Jul 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, Brighter Futures: 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 Futuresis a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Brexit Data (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: On 2 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 negotiations, following the successful campaign to have key Irish issues recognised in the EU negotiation position. Following on from...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Census of Population Data (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: My Department makes good use of data from the Census of Population for a variety of purposes, including analysis of key demographic information on the cohort of children and young people that are under the Department's remit. Much of this data will feature in my Department's forthcoming publication of an indicator set to track the progress for children and young people aged 0-24, across the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Services Provision (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Children First Act 2015 was enacted in November 2015 and it is the intention that it will be fully commenced by the end of 2017. Each Government Department is responsible for making the necessary arrangements to ensure compliance with the Children First Legislation and Guidance in the Department and in its funded services. My Department will be...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Services Provision (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla employs approximately 3,637 whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff and the vast majority of these are focused on responding to the needs of children and families at risk. I wish to assure the Deputy that with the current available staff all urgent and emergency cases, such as situations of abandonment, allegations of physical and sexual abuse, parental ill-health and the need to find an...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Services Provision (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. Tusla provides a continuum of care supports and interventions for 'at risk' children and their families, including early intervention and prevention services,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, Child and Family Agency, has advised that to the end of March 2017 there were 6,130 children in care. There were 5,834 children in foster care, of whom 4,148 children were in general foster care, and 1,686 were in care with relatives. There were 361 children in residential care placements, including a small number of special care units. There were a further 115 children in care who...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, Child and Family Agency, has advised that information of the type requested by the Deputy is not collated nationally. Individual cases of children in care are reported to Tusla and dealt with under Children First Guidelines. Each referral is assessed and dealt with on an individual basis by the relevant social work team. The immediate actions that result from a report are aimed...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse Reports (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The information requested by the Deputy , that is the location at which abuse has occurred, is not collated at a national level by Tusla. Tusla have provided me with a breakdown of the referrals they have received in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. The information in the table refers to referrals received by Tusla, and it should be noted that multiple referrals may relate to the same child....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Services (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Children leaving care before their 18th birthday are normally being reunited with either their parents or responsible family members. This is carried out in a planned manner. Tusla continues to engage with the family and provide family supports where appropriate. The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 was signed into law in December 2015 and I will commence this legislation on 1 September...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla holds the statutory responsibility for child welfare and protection, and is the appropriate body to receive reports relating to the safety and well-being of a child. This applies to children under the age of 18, living in their own home or living in care. Each referral received by Tusla is assessed and dealt with on an individual basis by the relevant social work team. In March 2017,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has responsibility for grant programmes covering Child Welfare and Protection, the School Completion Programme, and Family and Community Support, all of which provide supports for children and young people at risk. Grants are issued to service providers that work in conjunction with Tusla, as well as local school completion projects and voluntary...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (4 Jul 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 communities throughout the country. Budget 2017 provided...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Services Provision (4 Jul 2017)

Katherine Zappone: My Department does not have a policy remit for undocumented adults. This falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides a continuum of care supports and interventions for 'at risk' children and their families, including early intervention and prevention services, family support services and community based...