Results 7,141-7,160 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: Yes, when the phased reopening of the childcare centres begins to take place, there will be plans in place to identify how to support children with disabilities. We need to consider that in the process of moving forward and it will be part of the plans we are devising.
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: I formed a group, before the election, of the relevant actors to take a look at how to move towards streamlining.
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: On the Deputy's first question regarding insurance, it is my understanding that following discussions with the providers regarding the model for potentially insuring the homes of healthcare workers, the insurance companies decided not to do that. One of the primary reasons was that the profile of the children being cared for was shifting. The profile of the children in their original and...
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: I will send the Deputy written answers to her other questions.
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: Did the Deputy's first question relate to women returning from maternity leave?
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: Of course.
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: That sounds like a very good idea.
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: The second issue raised by the Deputy related to the need for guidance for the reopening of childcare centres. I completely agree with him in that regard. In my opening statement, I outlined and identified the process whereby my Department is developing such guidance in consultation with the sector. I understand the particular need for such guidelines based on public health advice and for...
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: Yes.
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: In terms of the reopening phase, there will be a prioritisation of essential workers. The other really helpful element in terms of the phased reopening of society will be childminders. My Department's recommendation is that childminders will again be able to mind children in the childminders' homes. I hope this will be accepted in the relatively near future by other Departments and by the...
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: I accept the issue around trust, as identified by Deputy Harkin. We are working hard to rebuild trust. Does the Deputy's question on sign-up numbers refer to the temporary wage subsidy scheme?
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: At present, 84% of providers have signed up. The scheme is still open to those who want to sign up. People have different reasons for not doing so but the number is really high, which demonstrates the success of the scheme in terms of meeting the sector's needs. Even though it is not necessarily all of what the sector had originally, it is still a significant support and the take-up is...
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: This is a phased reopening and we are in a pandemic. For both of those reasons, there will be a reduction in the number that are cared for in the centres, certainly initially. These are some of the real struggles and challenges right now in terms of how to prioritise, especially in terms of the initial reopening and, as we continue to grow, we will need to find ways to meet the demand. At...
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: With regard to the mother and baby homes report, we have no information other than it will be delivered towards the end of June, which was the date originally agreed. I know Tusla has done a risk assessment and it has identified strategies in order to mitigate that. As to whether it has a paper, I do not know but I will find out and I will ensure the Deputy gets that information. With...
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: An input in terms of recommendations.
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: Is that for what happens in regard to Scouting Ireland?
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: Is that in terms of whether there is a statutory inquiry or not?
- Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: There has not been a discussion at Cabinet.
- Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1099 to 1102, inclusive, together. As per HSE guidance and in accordance with the regulations under the Health (Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2000, childminders who care for the children of essential workers in the children's home were permitted to continue working after childcare facilities were...
- Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)
Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy will be aware, I announced on 13 May that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers, which was to deliver home based childcare to healthcare workers, would not proceed from 18 May as planned. Unfortunately, uptake for the scheme among early learning and care and school aged care providers was much lower than expected, and so the scheme had to be cancelled. ...