Results 5,221-5,240 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Detention Centres Staff (6 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Oberstown Children Detention Campus has advised me that at 31 December 2018, there were 24 staff members on sick leave, 2 of whom were on sick leave related to an injury.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Costs (6 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: In recent years, I have secured significantly increased investment in key early learning and care (ELC) and school age childcare (SAC) areas. The measures announced as part of Budget 2018 formed part of a trend in continued growth in early years investment. The increase in supports I announced in April 2017 represented a major step towards accessible, affordable and quality ELC and SAC after...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (6 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: It should be noted that the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE) is a two year pre-school programme. There is no routine provision for a third year which may not be in the best interests of a child and may lead to breaching the statutory school starting age. Overage exemptions were introduced at the onset of the ECCE programme in 2010. At that time ECCE operated for a 38...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes: Statements (6 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome this opportunity to update the House on the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. In particular, I would like to update Senators on the commission's fourth interim report and the responses I am progressing to the issues which have emerged from the commission's work to date. As Senators will be aware, the commission submitted a fourth interim report to me in...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes: Statements (6 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: That is one concern.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes: Statements (6 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I thank Members for their very helpful and reflective observations and contributions. I have noted all of them and I will try to answer as many as possible in my response. It is clear that in their comments and questions Senators also feel deeply about these issues. They represent very well the people who come to them. In Senator Boyhan's case, he is one of those people. That is very...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes: Statements (6 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I am aware of that.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes: Statements (6 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I have brought all of those issues to the attention of my colleagues. I am explaining the decision but I am also noting that it is not a matter that is closed forever. I, too, have received a lot of representations from members of that institution, most recently, in the context of the collaborative forum's report. Senators will be aware that I established a collaborative forum to run...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy for wishing me well and noting my willingness to take the opportunity to answer these questions. I understand the connection people are making between the overrun in costs on the national children's hospital and the nurses' strike. I have spoken to many people who are making that connection, including on doorsteps in my constituency. I have spoken to a number of nurses,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The review is being carried out at considerable expense, about which I also have reservations.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: However, I believe the review is necessary.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Ministers have answered the questions that they can answer at this point. They answered the questions put to them at the committee. I do not think we will to progress our understanding of how we ended up where we are by asking the same questions over and over again and getting the same answers. I expect the questions to be answered in the PwC review which will be completed at the end of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: First, I do not accept the fact that I answered in the same way as others did. I try to be straight with Deputy Calleary, as he requested.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I indicated that I think questions have been answered to the best of their ability by the Ministers to whom it happened in respect of these issues. Moreover, I indicated that we will have further answers on the report. The second set of questions asked by Deputy Calleary are particularly on the minds of people today. The Minister for Finance and for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: How is that going to happen? First, as I understand it, there will be an audit process that will take place in terms of capital projects for 2019 that, apart from the national children's hospital issue, are already delayed. We need to see how much money might be available in that regard. Second, if there is still a deficit, and there probably will be, then a reprofiling of projects needs...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: First, in respect of Deputy Doherty's first question, we are not there yet. Clearly, we are not there yet. As he has identified, with great eloquence, the risks are escalating. We understand that. That is why there is such significant contingency planning going on between the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the HSE. I am fully with Deputy Doherty and aware of that with regard...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I am aware that this is Leaders' Questions. I also listened the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, this morning. I did not think the way he answered the question was necessarily at odds with what the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, was saying or how I answered the Deputy. As I have already said, we agree that we need a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Go raibh maith agat, a Teachta. The Deputy's question raises a very significant issue. He is asking for a substantial policy change in relation to unions and industrial relations. I understand the question and am in sympathy with the Deputy's position. However, Údarás na Gaeltachta has confirmed that under current legislation it has no statutory role, contracted or implied, to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy has argued there is effectively a power imbalance without the possibility of union recognition. As I said, I am in sympathy with that and understand that. He also spoke of the need to give additional supports to the Gaeltacht and this issue could be a good place to begin. I also understand that. Although this is not current policy or legislation, I would be happy to ask the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy for his question. As I have an interest in this issue, I am glad that he raised it. I will give the House my view as an Independent. There are at least two aspects to the Deputy's remarks on vitamins. First, many people, including me, take them and avail of supplements regularly or, if we forget, sporadically in order to improve or optimise our health and well-being....