Results 6,601-6,620 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Orthodontic Services (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I wish to state that I have not had sight of the report to which the Deputy refers. Orthodontic services are a matter for the HSE, which falls under the policy remit of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Resource Centres (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy is aware, on 23 April 2019, I made an announcement that the additional €1.5m in funding for Family Resource Centres (FRCs) was to be used this year as follows: - to increase core funding to each of the 110 FRCs which existed pre-2018 by 5%, - to employ an additional 17 Family Support Workers - one FRC in each of the 17 Tusla geographical areas is to be allocated funding...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Information and Communications Technology (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 994 and 995 together. There are two computers in my Department utilising the operating system the Deputy has enquired about. These computers are currently carrying out dedicated tasks in relation to the Department's telephone systems. They are not on the Department's network. These computers will no longer be required to carry out these tasks from January...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Information and Communications Technology (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: As outlined in my response to the Deputy's other questions relating to this specific operating system, there are only two computers in my Department utilising that system at present. They are stand alone machines and not on my Department's network. They do not represent a security risk. In addition, my Department implements a multi-layered approach to cyber security and to protecting our...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Budgets (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: An additional €54m of funding has been allocated to Early Years policies and programmes in Estimates 2020. This represents a year-on-year increase of 9%, and a total growth of the Early Years allocation of c. 138% since 2014. This significant investment of public money will support the provision of affordable, accessible and quality ELC & SAC in Ireland. It has been allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Expenditure (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: €297m euro has been allocated to the Early Childhood Care and Education programme in 2020. ECCE is available for 38 weeks throughout the year, the following table outlines the cost of increasing the weeks available as per the question. ECCE Capitation Costs Proposed change Annual Cost (€m) Increase (€m) No...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Data (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: There are 285 staff employed in my Department. As the Deputy maybe aware, any adjustments to the salaries of public and civil servants are set out in the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) 2018-2020. DPER Circular 17/2019 sets out the adjustments to the pay of civil servants on 1 September 2019 as provided for under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 and is available on...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: My Department has obligations with regard to the management and control of Exchequer resources assigned to it and also to ensure that the administration of all grant funding is carried out in accordance with correct public financial procedures. All youth organisations in receipt of grant funding from my Department are required to adhere to the financial management principles associated with...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: City and County Child Care Committees Data (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) were established in 2001 to advance the provision of childcare facilities in their local areas. The CCCs support the delivery of the childcare programmes operated by my Department. They also carry out a range of activities to promote the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), including the provision of information and support for parents and ECCE...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Sector (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: My Department provides capital funding annually to early learning and care and school age childcare services. The capital programme is designed each year to ensure that capital grants have a positive, lasting impact on the childcare sector. The following table shows the amount of capital funding which was approved in the years 2016 to 2019 and the amount of capital funding paid during those...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Contracts Data (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Details of contracts of €25,000 or more that have been awarded by my Department that were found to be non-compliant with procurement guidelines in 2017 and 2018 are outlined in the following table. No such contracts exist to date in 2019. Subject of Contract / Purchase Value € 2017 TRK Construction t/a TKC...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Data (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1004 to 1006, inclusive, together. The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Officials from my Department contacted Pobal, who administer programme funding on the Department's behalf. Pobal have confirmed that there have been no unsuccessful applications for funding for the service in question for the 2019-20 programme year under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which supports the participation of children with additional needs in the Early Childhood Care and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Orthodontic Services (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy will be aware that the report in question has been commissioned by the Health Service Executive, and that decisions with regard to the possible release or publication would be a matter for that body. My Department is not aware of litigation against the State in relation to this matter. I have requested Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to respond directly to the Deputy with...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Libraries (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Educational Welfare Service has no role in the provision of grant funding for the purchase of books for school libraries. This question is more properly directed at my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Sector (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: My Department has liaised with Tusla to answer this question. Tusla is the independent statutory regulator of early learning and care and school age childcare services in Ireland. In performing its regulatory function, its actions include responding to breaches of regulations while respecting fair procedures and natural justice. The suitability and safety of premises is a key concern in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB), a committee of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board, administers targeted youth funding on behalf of my Department to youth services in the Dublin area which includes this youth project. CDYSB notified officials in the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department on 11th October that it has concerns with regard to the financial management and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Schemes (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Parent & Toddler Groups which are organised on a not-for-profit basis, and which involve the participation of parents in the local community, are eligible for grant aid from my Department. These grants are available for the funding of: - toys, equipment and books; - training for parents, such as in paediatric first aid, committee skills and parenting courses; and - children’s...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Family Support Services (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. It is wonderful to be back in the beautiful Seanad Chamber.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Family Support Services (5 Nov 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I congratulate all the great craftsmen and craftswomen as it is absolutely stunning. I thank the Senator, my friend and former colleague, for the opportunity to discuss the planned closure of ParentStop in Donegal. ParentStop is one of many voluntary and community organisations across the country, funded by Tusla and other State agencies, which provide valuable supports to parents and...