Results 3,561-3,580 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The statutory Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) is independent in the conduct of its investigations. Therefore the advertising strategy is a matter for the Commission to decide and I do not have any role or influence in this regard. The Commission previously informed me that it had written to a range of Irish groups in the UK and the USA inviting...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I have met members of the group referred to by the Deputy and with other former residents of the Tuam mother and baby home during my visits to Tuam and in other fora. With regard to the Expert Technical Group Report on the Tuam site, I published this Report to give us a fuller understanding of the available options in responding to the confirmation of human remains interred at this...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 162 together. The statutory Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) is independent in the conduct of its investigations. I do not have any role or influence in how the Commission engages with witnesses in the course of its investigations. I am advised that the Commission’s policy is to keep all...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: It is important to note that the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes is a vital step on the path we have commenced to achieve a holistic truth. The Commission is continuing to do the valuable work it was established to do.  In parallel to the Commission's work, it is my wish to adopt a transitional justice approach through developing measures to support and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Chair and all the members of the committee for the opportunity to be here to discuss the recent Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, report following the 27 March inspection of the Oberstown Children's Detention Campus. I am aware that the committee has had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Pat Bergin, director and Professor Ursula Kilkelly, chair of the board of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I thank Senator Freeman for those questions. I fully appreciate and affirm the experience out of which Senator Freeman has raised all those questions. It was clear from the HIQA report and the other reviews that there was room for considerable change in respect of the use of single separation with children in Oberstown. That is the first thing to say. There is an acknowledgement of that....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: There is ongoing monitoring of the records by all the deputy directors. There have been specific audits in recent quarters. Those are provided to management, and that indicates progress to me. I hope that answers the Senator's question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: What is the reference?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: My first point by way of response relates to the identification of the deep concerns of the committee regarding single separation and the policies and practices associated with it in the past. I accept the point and share the deep concerns. It is good that the Deputy is raising them again, even now, on the basis of the report. There was a revision of the single separation policy as of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: On the questions of Deputy Mitchell and Senator Freeman, it was suggested that when I am next at the campus, which will be relatively soon, I should ask about young people's experiences of the changes in the policy and practice in respect of the use of single separation or the use of restraints. I will do that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: It was not my decision. The board of Oberstown commissioned the operational review and, following a detailed, careful and lengthy process informed by independent legal advice, it was decided that it was not safe to publish the review for legal reasons. As a result, it was not my decision.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I deeply appreciate the questions the Deputy is raising. First, she outlined the commissioning and process of the review and its importance, as well as the hope regarding what that could provide to us as we move forward in our job and, most importantly, in respect of what is going on within the campus to raise the standard of care and safety for the children and young people and for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: With regard to the HIQA inspection and eight of the ten recommendations not being met, it is disappointing. At the same time, huge change has been taking place over the past two years in Oberstown. First, the centre did meet a number of the standards when HIQA went in. HIQA is doing its job, which is good. Some of the issues the authority raised that needed immediate attention and change...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I met the staff separately when I was there prior to the work and changes which have gone on. The Senator's suggestion is good and I will do it again. When I did it before, there was a respect for my request from the director and management. There is a provision on-site for a multidisciplinary approach in supporting children's mental health needs. There is better availability for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: It is a positive sign. Some of the key characteristics of the young people were identified in 2017. Out of the 69 young people on the campus, 38, that is, 55%, had a mental health need. In addition to those 38 people, 22 have had a past or current diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD; 32 had been involved with CAMHS at one stage of their lives; 24 of them were...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: We have set up a good programme for bail supervision. To date, 25 young people and their families have been supported by the bail supervision provisions. There are nine active cases at present and 16 cases have been closed. The results are showing increasing compliance with the bail conditions, a reduction in the breaches of bail or any new criminal activity and the return to education has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Chairman for his comments. As the Chairman has focused on the issue of single separation, it has increased my commitment and motivation to have a direct conversation on this issue with the young people when I visit there. I will be happy to revert to the committee and have further discussions in terms of the views and feelings of the young people on their experiences in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Is the Senator referring to single separation in particular?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I would be very happy to have one of the committee accompany me. Would Senator Freeman or some other member like to offer to come with me?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Katherine Zappone: That is a very good suggestion. We are trying to do this piece of work together.