Results 1,221-1,240 of 5,087 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Governance Issues in Scouting Ireland: Discussion (4 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: May I ask a brief follow-up question? If a parent contacts Scouting Ireland and says that he or she is concerned about a given volunteer, will that volunteer be suspended from that role pending an investigation? As Mr. Tennant will know from a previous life, that happens all the time. It is not necessarily a matter of saying that someone is guilty. He or she is just suspended without...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Governance Issues in Scouting Ireland: Discussion (4 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: I understand that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Governance Issues in Scouting Ireland: Discussion (4 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: That is the thing. Such a suspension respects that person's rights but it also means the person is prevented from dealing with children during the investigation. If Scouting Ireland really wants to change things, that has to be dealt with promptly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Governance Issues in Scouting Ireland: Discussion (4 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: I agree with that 100%.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Governance Issues in Scouting Ireland: Discussion (4 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: I will ask a follow-up question next, but for clarity, is Dr. Lawlor saying Scouting Ireland is open to a public inquiry?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Governance Issues in Scouting Ireland: Discussion (4 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: I know, but if Mr. Tennant were-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Governance Issues in Scouting Ireland: Discussion (4 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: What would be Scouting Ireland's opinion on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Governance Issues in Scouting Ireland: Discussion (4 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: My final question is linked to that. When Tulsa was before the committee some weeks ago, I asked it the same thing around independent reviews, appeals or inquiries generally. What is Scouting Ireland's view on that? Any organisation that deals with children and that is getting public money should be open to that. It shows it has nothing to hide. I ask it not only of Scouting Ireland but...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Services Funding (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: 50. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to explain the reason there has been no additional provision in budget 2020 for a refuge (details supplied) to receive funding for play therapy and counselling for children and women who avail of its services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51703/19]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Services Funding (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: My question relates to the Amber Kilkenny Women's Refuge, which serves Carlow and Kilkenny. Why has no additional funding been granted for the coming year, especially for play therapy and counselling services for women and children? I call on the Minister to comment on that.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Services Funding (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: Is it two minutes or one minute?

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Services Funding (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: I appreciate the fact the Minister visited the service in January 2017. It was very much appreciated that the Minister took the time to go down and see the service. The service covers a vast area and includes the whole of Carlow and Kilkenny. In fact, there is an argument that Carlow should have its own women's refuge. Currently, it does not, but for various reasons, including family...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Services Funding (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: I was speaking to them today. That second outreach worker was finalised only yesterday or today. It is good. I welcome it. That is to service Carlow. Obviously, there are many people who must travel, as well as school issues, and it is not an ideal situation. Part of the reason for the question is that services dealing with domestic violence are often asked to undertake a needs...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foster Care (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: 58. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether the background checks being carried out on potential foster carers by Tusla are robust enough to ensure the protection of vulnerable children and that concerns raised regarding the safety of children in foster care are being dealt with appropriately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51552/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foster Care (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: The question concerns whether the background checks being carried out on potential foster carers by Tusla are robust enough to ensure the protection of vulnerable children, in particular given concerns have been raised regarding the safety of some children in foster care, and whether all of this is being dealt with appropriately.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foster Care (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: One reason I asked this question is that we have seen various cases recently - I would include Scouting Ireland - where it is clear vulnerable children were let down by various organisations and the State. We have a history in this regard in this country. A first ever national fostering week was recently organised by the Child and Family Agency. While I do not have a difficulty with this,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foster Care (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: Part of the reason for this question is that foster parents contact us and say they do not feel there is a huge amount of support. Particularly when people have been foster parents for a long time and they are well known as a good placement, they get asked to take emergency cases with very little support, and an emergency case can then turn into months and the children are still with them....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Provision (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: 62. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the alternative arrangements put in place for children attending crèches (details supplied) that face closure by the end of 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51554/19]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Budgets (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: 67. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason an unused amount of €60 million was returned to the Exchequer in 2018 as reported by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51551/19]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Legislative Process (10 Dec 2019)

Kathleen Funchion: 69. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2019; the timeline for the progression of the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51553/19]