Results 881-900 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 671, 672 and 675 together. In Budget 2016 it was announced that, from September 2016, children will be eligible to attend free pre-school from the age of 3 years until they start primary school (once the child is not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the pre-school year i.e. end June). From September 2016, children who are over the age of 4 years...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Data (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: There is no fee payable to either the Adoption Authority of Ireland or Tusla, by prospective adoptive parents for making an application for a domestic adoption. However, costs may be incurred by applicants during the process for the procurement of certificates, swearing of documents, legal advice and court applications where necessary. The accreditation of an agency to provide services in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Data (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Under the Adoption Act 2010 the Child and Family Agency carries out robust and comprehensive assessments on individuals who wish to adopt a child. The assessment of a person suitable to adopt as per section 34 of the Adoption Act 2010 states that an adoption order shall not be made unless the Authority is satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person to have rights and duties in respect...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Data (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: My Department is involved in a number of data initiatives relevant to its remit. In this context it - funds and oversees Growing Up in Ireland: the National Longitudinal Study for Children, which is a rich source of data and covers a number of key domains - publishes the biennial State of the Nations Children Report, which charts the well-being of children in Ireland across a range of key...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Industrial Disputes (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: As Minister with responsibility for children and young people, I am committed, first and foremost, to the provision of an appropriate, safe and secure environment for children in custody on the Oberstown campus. These children are cared for by staff who deserve to have a safe working environment. In recent years it has been Government policy to end the practice of detaining children in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children and Young People’s Policy Framework (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014-2020)was launched by Government in April 2014. It sets out 163 key policy commitments, and outlines five national outcomes we seek to achieve for all children and young people: 1. Active and healthy with physical and mental wellbeing 2. Achieving full potential in all areas of learning and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Domestic Violence Services Funding (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence whether in the context of the family or otherwise. At all times, Tusla’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence are being met in the best way possible. A network of 60 organisations provide...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Justice Strategy (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Statutory provision in relation to young offenders in terms of persons under the age of 18 years is set out in the Children Act 2001. The elements of the Children Act relating to the operation of the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, matters relating to criminal proceedings against children, criminal law issues and the operation of the Children Court under the Act come within the remit of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Expenditure (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Statutory provision in relation to young people involved in crime is set out in the Children Act 2001. The Irish Youth Justice Service, based in my Department and staffed by officials from my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality, oversee the operation of the Act and all relevant policies and programmes. There is significant investment in community based programmes which...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and, if necessary, to receive a child into the care of the State. As of the 31st March 2016, there were 6,405 children in care. Of these 93% were in foster care, with 4,162 in general foster care and 1,790 in foster care...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Funding (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: In May 2014 Tusla applied to Atlantic Philanthropies (AP) for a grant to support the intensive implementation of the Prevention, Partnership and Family Support programme (PPFS). The objective of this grant application was to seek funding to support the implementation of previous Atlantic funded work in the area of Prevention, Partnership and Family Support. In particular the grant provides...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I understand that the Deputy is referring to a 2011 Government Decision which introduced a general pay ceiling of €200,000 for future appointments to higher positions across the public service and a general pay ceiling of €250,000 for future appointments of CEO posts within Commercial State Companies. I can confirm that over the past three years no employee of Tusla has...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla was established on 1 January 2014 and operational arrangements were completed in advance of this date to ensure the smooth transition of service provisions, staff and service management. This included the transfer of staff from the Health Service Executive (HSE), the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Family Support Agency (FSA). Provision was made for the transfer of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Ministerial Correspondence (8 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: It is not possible for my Department to provide data in a manner that would allow the Deputy's question to be fully answered within the time-frame available. During the period in question a total of 2,059 representations were received in my Department, including from members of the Oireachtas. In the same period, 1,969 representations were finalised, leaving a total of 90 representations...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (9 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am very concerned about the welfare of homeless children. While various Government Departments have responsibilities in the area, I want to ensure that we have an effective approach across all sectors. In recent weeks, I have met with representatives from a range of organisations, including Focus Ireland, Threshold, the ISPCC, and the Peter...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (9 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I very much agree with that. The Deputy focused on local authorities. I know that Tusla is very concerned about ensuring that it works closely with local authorities. In addition, I had a meeting with the director of Tusla in order to look again at some of the measures it has put in place to be proactive in its care for homeless children. I have already mentioned the homelessness liaison...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (9 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Again, I very much agree with the Deputy in terms of initiating and building on some of the newer elements of a proactive approach. This is what I would like to see as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Tusla plays a significant role in that regard. My officials and I also held a meeting with the Minister for housing, planning and local government and his officials this morning. We...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Completion Programme (9 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The aim of the school completion programme is to retain young people in the formal education system until they complete the senior cycle. The programme is designed to improve school attendance and participation of young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 37,000 children. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has had...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Completion Programme (9 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I assure the Deputy that I absolutely share his deep concern on this issue. The issue is our children and especially those who may not have had the same kind of start that the Deputy, I or others in this Chamber have had. There was a section on funding in the ESRI review of the school completion programme. I am aware that there has been widespread dissatisfaction with the current level of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: School Completion Programme (9 Jun 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy for raising the additional question on this issue. I referred to this issue earlier in the debate on the Adoption (Amendment) Bill because it came up in that context. As I said then, I am aware of the fact that we have a commitment to reform the monitoring of child benefit payments by amalgamating school attendance monitoring systems in order to address poor attendance...