Results 7,101-7,120 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: That list is public, I would think.

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: What, then, is the Deputy's point?

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: Which Department?

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: I can. First, as the Deputy is aware, the road map is following the advice in terms of the reopening of childcare services and what happens during that reopening for the childcare profession. We are following the public health advice, and the advice we got in terms of this first effort is that we had to go into the homes. As I have already described, we worked with the Department of...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: First, as I mentioned, I have established an advisory group of people who represent the sector. I am working with the group and I expect that the scheme we are developing will effectively assist people and ensure we have many more providers signing up. Second, on the question of capacity, we have almost completed a survey that we will be sending out to providers and another survey to...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy for her question. Excellent, I-----

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: I apologise. Shoot, I will do it maybe another time.

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: Regarding the Deputy's first question, as I described, I have an advisory group and the sector chose the representatives that would be on it. We asked the sector to choose. I think that is a good principle. Those are the people who are there. I made the decision that we needed childminders because they are going to be a key part of the solution, especially as we move forward, and also...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: Regarding the Deputy's first question, I, as Minister, made a decision, because I think it is good practice, to ask representatives from the sector to put forward names. It was those in the sector who put those names forward. I have also suggested a way in which I am going to try to draw a wider representation. I think that is a very good practice. On the Deputy's second question...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: -----especially concerning the 29 June opening, those children with additional needs are going to be considered as a priority as we move forward.

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: As I indicated, I am intensively engaging with the sector. I identified how that is proceeding. We have already met three times. Some of the Deputy's questions are related to those asked by Deputy Rabbitte, such as on the issue of how one prioritises, especially in the case of a phased reopening in line with the public health advice. It must be phased; we cannot bring all children back in...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: I can give answers in written form. I did not get to the question on Tusla.

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: I thank Deputy Costello for those excellent questions, some of which others also raised with me. One of the Deputy's primary questions relates to whether the Government recognises the stress that parents are under because of the double or triple-jobbing. This Minister does and my colleagues do too. We are particularly aware of it because the schools remain closed. School is where many...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: When there is a reopening, the centres will invite in fewer children than they initially are able to care for. That is the reality in light of the public health restrictions we are operating under. I am sorry about that, as I am sure we all are, but my hope is that a reopening will begin then and we are planning intensively for that. There will be fewer children and, as I said before, the...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: It sounded like I was saying that but I was not saying that. I understand we need to be pre-emptive and that we need to plan for it. It is absolutely something we are considering if additional spaces are required. More support will be required. My point is that we will first have to see how people use the space they have.

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: I apologise. I got a little carried away.

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: Honestly, does the Deputy think I would not know the rules after four years?

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: I am not a member of Fine Gael.

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: Deputy O'Donnell, too, has parents in his constituency whom he has to represent.

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy for his kind comments. I am very familiar with the campaign and am happy to share my thoughts on it. I am on record as saying that, from a personal perspective, I would be in favour of a public model. I am aware, from working with my Department over the years, that the model - if this is what the Deputy means - would cost approximately €2 billion to €3...