Results 1,061-1,080 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (6 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Capital funding of €4 million is being made available through the Early Years Capital Programme in 2016 for early years pre-school services, both private and not-for-profit/community, that are intending to expand their service to provide for more capacity in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The maximum grant available under this programme is €10,000. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Appointments to State Boards (6 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I am responsible for the appointment of members to the boards of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), Gaisce and the Board of Management for the Children Detention Schools. Since I assumed office in May this year I have made 13 appointments to the new Board of Management for the Children Detention Schools with effect from 1st June 2016. The Board consists...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Public Sector Staff Data (6 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: My Department does not record information on the numbers of persons of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds employed by it or in the agencies under its aegis. My Department currently uses the services of the Public Appointments Service (PAS) for the recruitment of its staff and I am aware that PAS is committed to ensuring that the participation of members of ethnic minority groups,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foireann Roinne (6 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: My Department has recruited 30 civil servants in the last year (excluding temporary clerical officers on short term contracts). None of these posts required a specific competence in the Irish language. My Department is currently filling two positions for which competency in the Irish language is required. Both positions are awaiting allocation of resources via the Public Appointments...

Ibrahim Halawa: Motion (7 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Today we have an opportunity to speak as united elected representatives of the people of Ireland and to send a message of solidarity, determination and hope which can be heard not just by the Egyptian authorities but, I strongly hope, by my constituent Ibrahim Halawa in his cell. I think about him every day and, as previous speakers have done, I want to welcome his family, especially the...

Ibrahim Halawa: Motion (7 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Deputy Martin said that justice delayed is justice denied. That principle could not apply more in this case. On that basis I am heartened by the confirmation that the Government will support a further application for Ibrahim's release by presidential decree under Rule 140 and, although the delays are disheartening, frustrating and very upsetting, not least for the family who have endured so...

Ibrahim Halawa: Motion (7 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: After three years, there is more I could say, but time is short.

Ibrahim Halawa: Motion (7 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Suffice to say I look forward to the day I will join the Halawa family in welcoming Ibrahim back to Firhouse together. We should do everything possible to bring that day closer.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (7 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters was formally established by Government Order on the 17th February 2015. In accordance with its comprehensive Terms of Reference, the Commission was tasked with thoroughly examining the experience of mothers and children resident in 14 named Mother and Baby Homes and a representative sample of County...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Special Educational Needs (7 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Last month I introduced the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), a new programme of supports to enable children with a disability to access and fully participate in the free pre-school programme. The AIM initiative was led by my Department, in close collaboration with the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills and others. As the Deputy notes, when introducing AIM, I...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: UK Referendum on EU Membership (7 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I do not have any staff in my Department that are dedicated to managing Ireland's response to the decision of the United Kingdom to exit the European Union. My Department has limited exposure to EU matters and, accordingly, there are few direct implications for my Department arising from the UK's decision. My Department is appropriately represented at Assistant Secretary level in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Consultancy Contracts Data (7 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: In order to deliver key commitments in relation to children and young people and to put in place a unified framework of policy, legislation and provision across Government in respect of children and young people, it is at times necessary to commission reports and utilise expertise from a range of expert individuals and bodies. My Department ensures that all reports commissioned are of direct...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I have not incurred any photography costs since I was appointed.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Public Relations Contracts Data (7 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Since coming to office in May of this year, my Department has not employed any external public relations firms. I have no current plans to engage such firms but I would be open to the possibility where I believe their professional expertise could be of assistance to my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Funding (12 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I am acutely aware of the difficulties the proposed closure of Larchville Lisduggan Childcare Centre will have on families who avail of the service and staff who work there. My Department has provided significant funding over the years to the service through various childcare schemes such as the free pre-school year, the Community Childcare Subvention, the various Training and Employment...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Funding (12 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: 33 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) were established in 2001 to advance the provision of childcare facilities in their local areas. They comprise local representatives from the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, childcare providers and parents. There are now 30 CCCs, as Limerick City and Limerick County CCCs have amalgamated, as have Waterford City and Waterford County and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: EU Funding (12 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy might note that my Department does not administer or manage EU co-funded programmes.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Agencies Board Appointments (12 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The position with regard to the bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the following table: Agency Number of positions on each Board Positions currently vacant Date of Vacancy Child and Family Agency (Tusla) 9 2 1 since March 2016 1 since April 2016 Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) 7 0 Board of Management for the Children Detention Schools 13 0 ...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency (12 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla has advised that it does not collate data on situations where a request has been made for a social worker of a particular gender. There is no policy which applies in this situation as each individual case is decided on its own merits. Social workers are allocated according to the presented needs of children and concerns for their safety and wellbeing. Allocation is not based on...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency (12 Jul 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I believe the Deputy is referring to "Achieving Best Evidence" where it relates to child sex abuse and interviews of children. This practice is more prevalent in the United Kingdom, rather than in this jurisdiction. I understand that Tusla, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, is currently implementing processes for specialised joint-interview techniques for children, where an...