Results 4,641-4,660 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Paediatric Services (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I can inform the Deputy that the matter referred to is under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Detention Centres (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has been advised by Oberstown Children Detention Campus that the Report referred to by the Deputy was shared with the relevant parties, including the Oberstown Board of Management, staff representatives and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It was not made available to the public as the review was intended for...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: It would not be appropriate for me to comment on disclosures under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 relating to any individuals. This is an operational matter for Tusla under their Grievance Procedure and also their Protected Disclosures Policy and Procedure. I have referred the Deputy's question to Tusla for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Services (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 592 and 594 together. Earlier this year, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency undertook a process to develop a Creative Community Alternative (CCA) plan in all 17 Tusla Areas, including the Galway/Roscommon area. The CCA plan establishes regional frameworks to provide outcome-focused alternatives for young people in residential or foster...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Funding (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: My Department has not provided direct funding to the named organisation in the years specified by the Deputy. However, the Deputy might wish to note that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides funding to the organisation in question under Sections 56-59 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. In addition, Oberstown Children's Detention Campus provide funding to the organisation...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Costs (24 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The information requested by the Deputy would not normally be held in my Department and, as this is an operational matter, I have referred the question to the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, for a direct reply.

Third Interim Report of the Disclosures Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The report of the disclosures tribunal has fully vindicated Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe. The tribunal chair, Mr. Justice Peter Charleton, excoriated those who stood in opposition to the stance taken by Sergeant McCabe. The report acknowledged his dedication as a public servant. I agree wholeheartedly and believe this extends beyond his role as a public servant. As a citizen of the...

Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Statements (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome this opportunity to update the House on the decision by the Government on the site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam, County Galway. Before I outline the substance of what has been agreed, I warmly welcome former residents, their loved ones, advocates and friends who are here today and those watching proceedings from afar. I acknowledge the role which their collective...

Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Statements (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: On behalf of the Government, I thank all Deputies who made contributions to the debate. I welcome their positive and supportive comments and the expressions of support on the course of action we are embarking on. The babies in Tuam and the people connected to them have long held a place in my heart. From the very moment I heard of these tragic circumstances, I have made it my mission to do...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Data (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: At 30 September 2018 there were 277 staff in my Department as follows: Grade Number Secretary General 1 Assistant Secretary General 3 Director 1 Principal Officer 24 Assistant Principal 57 Higher Executive Officer 41 Administrative Officer 28 Executive Officer 64 Clerical Officer 51 Services Officer 3 Special Advisors 2 Ministerial Drivers 2

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Protected Disclosures (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The 3rd interim report of the Disclosures Tribunal makes clear that the root cause of Tusla's failures in the case of Sergeant McCabe were not a dark conspiracy but incompetence.  In the report, the Tribunal Chair has made stark and significant findings about the managers of the Cavan Monaghan area, and a litany of missed opportunities.  I find it appalling that if the case had been...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Budgets (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together. Budget 2019 has made provision for a total allocation of €32 million in capital funding for my Department. The allocation is split between two programmes areas within my Department's Vote: Programme Capital Allocation Children & Family Support €20.140m Sectoral Programmes for Children and Young People...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The number of entry points reverted to one at the beginning of September 2018. One enrolment period at the start of the pre-school year will help to streamline the administration process and will make it easier for childcare providers to operate and budget for the programme year. It also makes it easier for parents to secure places on the Early Childhood Care and Education...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Funding (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: My Department's annual capital offering for childcare has supported the development of full-time and sessional childcare services in terms of capacity, maintenance and quality. The total Capital allocation for Early Years in 2018 was €6.86m. From a budget of €6.36m, the 2018 Early Years and School Age Childcare Capital Programmes achieved the following: - 85applications...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Since September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months are eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. This measure refines developments introduced in 2016 and increases the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a previous average of 61 weeks, to a potential duration of 76 weeks (two...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Meetings (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I can inform the Deputy that neither I nor my Department officials have had meetings with the organisation concerned or with representatives of that organisation.  Also, there are no records in my Department to indicate that any of my predecessors met with the organisation. 

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone:  I have been advised by Tusla that, where allegations of abuse are made, by their nature the allegations must be assessed on an individual basis. Allegations are assessed in the context of whatever information is known about the child or the person suspected of alleged abuse. A previous unfounded allegation is considered by Tusla to be significant, and should be judged in the context...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Criminal charges can only be prepared following investigation by An Garda Síochána. Tusla , the Child and Family Agency, has no role in the processing of criminal charges and is not in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Consultations (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 954 and 955 together. The information requested by the Deputy is being collated within my Department and will be forwarded as soon as possible. The Deputy has since clarified that the Questions relate to written public consultations where the resulting report has been published. My Department consults with stakeholders on a wide range of matters and provides...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Domestic Violence Refuges Provision (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the provision of funding, co-ordination and support to 59 organisations nationally that deliver a range of services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. 22 of these organisations provide emergency refuge and emergency non-refuge accommodation to victims of domestic violence and their children. ...