Results 6,741-6,760 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Early Childhood Care and Education (4 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Senator again. I appreciate the spirit of his question and the manner in which he has raised further concerns. Tusla and my Department were aware of the issues he raised, especially those affecting smaller providers. There has been an attempt to ensure flexibility. My Department has tried to make sure staff are available to support the providers. There has been communication....

Scouting Ireland: Statements (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome this evening's debate on Scouting Ireland. There are many in this House who, quite rightly, have remained vigilant in respect of Scouting Ireland. I will listen carefully as I value the knowledge and expertise of colleagues who bring an insight from meetings with survivors, children, parents and volunteers of Scouting Ireland. I understand that members of the Oireachtas Joint...

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

Katherine Zappone: The Youth Service Grant Scheme (YSGS) provides funding, on an annual basis, to 30 national and major regional voluntary organisations to support the provision of youth services nationwide. The continued funding of voluntary youth organisations through the Scheme is intended to ensure the emergence, promotion, growth and development of youth organisations with distinctive philosophies and...

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

Katherine Zappone: I am currently working closely with Government colleagues and the officials in my Department to complete the final phase of preparation of the targeted youth funding scheme, with a view to launching the scheme before Christmas. The targeted youth funding scheme will streamline and strengthen four existing, overlapping schemes. The new scheme is designed to support for young people...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Climate Action Plan (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am proud of how young people have demonstrated passion, leadership and empowerment in amplifying the conversation on climate change on the national and international stage. At Dáil na nÓg, two topics were chosen for the two–year work programme of the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive, namely: - more climate conscious...

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

Katherine Zappone: The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) is primarily a support and development tool for youth work. It provides a structured framework for organisations to assess, indicate and enhance their work and supports organisations to articulate their youth work practice using a common language. The NQSF operates on a 3-yearly cycle and was introduced nationally on a phased and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Youth Strategy (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The National Youth Strategy has its basis in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures – the National Policy Framework for Children & Young People 2014-2020. It supports stakeholders in making best use of the implementation structures established for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. Currently, the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures implementation team are working on the 2019...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children and Young People’s Policy Framework (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium represents the keystone in the implementation infrastructure for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futuresthe National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014 – 2020).The Consortium comprises high-level representation from Government departments and agencies, and key experts and representatives from a range of sectors and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Youth Strategy (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Since the publication of the National Youth Strategy, my Department has worked towards creating quality opportunities for young people which include culture, art and sports. Local Creative Youth Partnerships are supported in three selected Education and Training Board areas through Hub na NÓg and a dedicated Participation Officer. These opportunities are supported by my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Youth Strategy (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy may be aware that I have taken on board the findings of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes 2014. I have prioritised the design and implementation of an integrated funding scheme as recommended by this Review, and following significant consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, I intend to progress the implementation of this Targeted Youth Funding Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Youth Strategy (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The recognition of learning outcomes, namely knowledge, skills and competences acquired through non-formal and informal learning, can play an important role in enhancing employability and mobility. In order to take steps in this direction, the National Youth Council Ireland was provided with funding to support the implementation of the Skills Summaryproject which provides a framework to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Youth Strategy (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: My Department engages in several democratic programmes to enable young people to be connected, respected and empowered to contribute to their world. Nationally, Comhairle na nÓg (youth councils) give children and young people a voice in decision-making with regard to the development of local services and policies. They are recognised as the national structures for participation of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: North/South Education and Training Standards (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The North South Education and Training Standards (NSETS) Committee for Youth Work, established in 2006, currently works to ensure and promote quality standards in the education and training of youth workers. This is done through a professional endorsement process based on a rigorous assessment of all aspects of programme content and delivery. This professional endorsement represents a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Reviews (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: In the context of the continued delivery of the organisation's business objectives a decision was taken to conduct a review of the Department in 2019. Following a tender competition in conjunction with the OGP, external consultants were engaged to examine the current organisational structure of the Department and to consider the need for an organisational design which would align the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Oireachtas Joint Committee Recommendations (5 Dec 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The Report on Tackling Childhood Obesity was published by the Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs in November 2018, and Recommendation 4 of this report recommends that the Government should endeavour to ensure that the youth work sector has the necessary supports to strengthen the sector’s work in enhancing the knowledge and skills of young people in...

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

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 344 together. I understand the Deputy to be referring to residential care, which is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct reply be provided to the Deputy in relation to their concerns.

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

Katherine Zappone: I must advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment on individual cases. I can confirm that I have referred the matter to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency for their appropriate attention.

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

Katherine Zappone: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not hired or engaged agency staff in the past five years to date. As the Deputy is aware, there are four agencies within my remit and I wish to advise as follows: - The Office of the Ombudsman for Children is independent in its function and reports to the Oireachtas on matters within its remit, as required by the Ombudsman for Children Act...

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

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides funding and coordination supports to some 59 organisations that deliver a range of services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence throughout the country. In 2019, €25.3 million has been allocated to Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence services, an increase of €1.5 million over 2018. This year, the additional...

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

Katherine Zappone: As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, one of my key priorities is to support the early learning and care and school age childcare sector through the provision of capital funding, where it is most needed. My Department reviews the capital programmes annually as a whole and determines the priorities for Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital grants for the year ahead. I have...