Results 3,881-3,900 of 5,087 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: Pursuant to Standing Order 187(3), the clerk to the committee will report to the Dáil that the committee has amended the Title. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: That all went fairly smoothly. Does the Minister wish to make any closing comments?

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister, especially since there were a few questions that were not entirely related to the Bill. We appreciate that he always accommodates the committee in that regard. I also thank the officials and all the members for being here. This committee deals with a significant amount of legislation and everyone is always very good in working to the deadlines. I thank members and...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Message to Dáil (8 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: In accordance with Standing Order 101, the following message will be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil: The Select Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has completed its consideration of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 and has made amendments thereto.

Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: The Bill will be sent to the Seanad.

Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (16 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: Amendments Nos. 1, 8 and 9 are related and will be discussed together.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank Deputy Sherlock for tabling the amendment because otherwise we would not have been able to discuss many of the amendments we had hoped to discuss. I also want to speak to amendments Nos. 24 and 25, which are in this grouping and were tabled by Deputy Ward and me. My position has been on the record for months, if not years, since we started discussing this. Often when we talk about...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: 65. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions that his Department has taken to address disadvantage in early years and childcare settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56883/22]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: My first question is to ask the Minister about the actions his Department has taken to address disadvantage in early years and childcare settings and if he will make a statement on the matter. I will expand further in my later time.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: The final comment about the new strand of funding is very important. I tabled this question because we were contacted last week by people when they heard the announcement of €54.5 million in funding to tackle disadvantage. While the funding is welcome, talk of a garden at the Bloom festival angered some people. I am talking about a very good and committed early learning and early...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I do not think it is from the Minister's Department.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I welcome what the Minister said about AIM, even though it was not part of the question. The service is vital and we often hear asked whether it can be expanded. There is a need in some sectors and it depends on the area. There is considerable disadvantage in some areas where parents of 90% of the children attending may not be in employment and there are various issues. Additional funding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Children in Care (17 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: 83. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the degree to which he remains satisfied with the current arrangement that sees private for-profit foster care companies fulfilling the Government’s obligation in respect of children in care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56886/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Children in Care (17 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: My question relates to the care system and the degree to which the Minister remains satisfied with the current arrangement under which private for-profit foster care companies are fulfilling the Government's obligation in respect of children in care.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Children in Care (17 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I am asking the question because a reply we recently received to a parliamentary question illustrated that up to 6 August this year, €19 million was spent on private services and 485 children, or 9.3%, were placed with non-statutory fostering agencies, that is, the private for-profit agencies. The figures released yesterday in respect of Tusla and the high turnover of staff further...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Children in Care (17 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: The joint committee looked at the issue of foster care. I cannot remember if the Minister has appeared before it regarding this topic but I think we have potentially slotted him in at some point. He should expect an invitation. The committee has looked at this issue and has not finished all its hearings on it. I definitely agree there needs to be a more joined-up approach and thinking...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I can very briefly speak to what I want to say.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I welcome the Minister’s comments on amendments Nos. 24 and 25 and I agree with much of what Deputy Sherlock said. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I do not see how you can exclude people. No matter what happens with this scheme and even if there are reviews and there are some positive changes, if you are excluding anybody, you are already on the back foot, starting...