Results 3,181-3,200 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 362 together. The most recent data available with regard to the legal reasons for children being in care is from the 31st December 2015. A breakdown of the data can be found in the following table: Legal Reasons Total 2015* Emergency Care Order 251 Interim Care Order 711 Care Order 3,154 Special Care Order 16 Other Court Order 21 Voluntary...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Expulsions (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I have been advised by TUSLA that the percentage of students suspended and expelled in the school in question is as follows: - 0.4% Expelled (3 Students) - 9% Suspended (66 Students)

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Discipline (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: TUSLA has confirmed that 57% of reported suspensions in Co. Louth are from Drogheda. Please note that reports have been received for 11 of 18 post-primary schools in Louth. From reports received a total of 322 students have been suspended and 184 of those students have come from Drogheda schools.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Expulsions (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: TUSLA has confirmed that 60% of reportedexpulsions in Co. Louth during the academic year2016/2017were from schools based in Drogheda. Please note that reports have been received for 11 of 18 post-primary schools in Louth. From those 11 schools 10 students have been suspended and of those 10 students, 6 have come from Drogheda schools. I have been advised by TUSLA that it does not hold any...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Discipline (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together. I have been advised by TUSLA that there was a 11% rate of suspensions for 2015/2016, enrolment 637 (75 Students) and a 9% rate of suspensions for 2016/2017. This represents a reduced rate despite 13% increase in enrolment, up to 727 (66 students) With regard to expulsions TUSLA has advised that there was a 0.7% rate of expulsions for...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Information and advice was provided to childcare providers both on Sunday 15th and Monday 16th October. On Sunday the 15th of October at 19.41, an announcement regarding the closure of childcare facilities was released on the PIP Portal. The PIP Portal is an IT system that enables communication with all 4500 services funded by DCYA. Operated by Pobal, DCYAs funding and administration...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: My Department is committed to further developing the annual Early Years Capital programme in respect of the needs of children and providers. In 2017, for example, a total of €8.4 million was allocated in Early Years Capital funding to create new childcare places as well as increasing the quality of childcare facilities. This funding was allocated in a competitive application process...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together. Tusla has informed me that the revised policy is being prepared and is expected to be finalised in November. The Ombudsman has been informed of this time line for completion. This is a complex policy area and the policy must be subjected to detailed legal review, in order to ensure its compliance with safeguarding children and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The Early Childhood and Education Programme (ECCE) programme was expanded from September 2016 so that children may start free pre-school from age 3, and can continue in free pre-school once the child is not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the relevant pre-school year. Currently there are three different points in the year - September, January and April. Under Budget 2018,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The Children First Act 2015 was signed into law on 19 November 2015, in accordance with a key commitment in the Programme for Government. Section 14 of the Act provides for mandated reporting by key professionals of child protection concerns over a certain threshold to Tusla. I have directed that all remaining provisions of the Act will commence on 11 December 2017, including those...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Internet Safety (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Lead responsibility in this area rests with the Department of Communication Climate Action and Environment. I am aware that Minister Denis Naughten announced earlier this year that he is considering the feasibility of establishing a Digital Safety Commissioner as recommended by the Law Reform Commission in its 2016 report on Harmful Communication and Digital Safety. I have not yet seen his...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Internet Safety (24 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: My Department has not produced guidance material of the type outlined by the Deputy, I am not responsible for that topic. The main responsibility for guidance in this regard is with the Office of Internet Safety, an executive office based in the Department of Justice and Equality. Lead policy responsibility in this area is with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and...

Comptroller and Auditor General (Accountability of Recipients of Public Funds) (Amendment) Bill 2017: First Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: No.

Topical Issue Debate: Family Resource Centres (25 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy is aware, Togher Family Centre is a voluntary, community-based project located in the heart of Deanrock estate, Togher, Cork city. The centre is located in a house which has been extended and modified to meet the highest standards of health and safety. I understand the project developed from a long-established, community-based pre-school facility. Togher Family Centre...

Topical Issue Debate: Family Resource Centres (25 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I was struck by the fact that one of the objects of the Togher Family Centre's mission is to deliver "exceptional Early Years and Youth Services where the voice of the child is encouraged, heard and respected". This undoubtedly underpinned the development of the access centre, which was innovative. Through Tusla, my Department supported its establishment and additional funding has been...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services (25 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy's question refers to a specific centre which I understand operates as an independent company limited by guarantee. The centre is governed by a Board of Management that is representative of the local community. The centre provides a range of services, and receives financial support from my Department, Tusla the Child and Family Agency, and various other public bodies. The centre...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Resource Centres (25 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, will receive an additional €40.6 million in funding next year. This will bring Tusla's allocation to over €753 million in 2018. I am placing a strong emphasis on the development of family support services. In this context, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that additional funding of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Completion Programme (25 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The funding available to the School Completion Programme for the school year 2017/2018 is €24.756m. The allocation for the School Completion Programme for 2018/2019 is currently under consideration.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Services (25 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I have requested information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in relation to this matter. I will revert to the Deputy once I have been furnished with a response by Tusla.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Community Childcare Subvention Programme (25 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I presume the Deputy is referring to the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) schemes. As the Deputy will be aware, all CCS registrations are currently provisional as the snap shot period will only close today (25th of October). At present, there are 389 children provisionally registered under band D. With regard to CCSP, 230 individual...