Results 1,361-1,380 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy's final point is an important one which I will take up. On the overall impact of the plan for rebuilding Ireland, I am aware that the number of children who are homeless is increasing. I am also aware of the efforts being made by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to address this issue. He set a very ambitious objective at yesterday's committee...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am deeply concerned by the plight of the children who were in the Calais camp, particularly the many unaccompanied minors who were at the front line of this terrible situation. I have asked Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to review its ability to provide safety, protection and hope to greater numbers of unaccompanied children and assess the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I was aware of and acknowledge Deputy Burton's work on this issue and I appreciate her frustration. I, too, am frustrated and I have expressed concern about the slow pace of delivery of the programme to resettle 4,000 refugees. While the programme has made a slow start, I understand from the Tánaiste that it is increasing in rapidity. With regard to my responsibilities, as I...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I have already acknowledged and agree with the Deputy on the pace of this process. I have also indicated that, unbeknownst to the wider public, in any one year Tusla receives 100 unaccompanied children. That is already going on, in addition to the other commitments the previous Government worked on and negotiated. It is important to put that on the record. To increase the capacity...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Child Abuse Prevention (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, holds the statutory responsibility for child welfare and protection. It is the appropriate body to receive reports relating to children at risk, whether in State institutions, foster care or in the home. Tusla provides the Department of Children and Youth Affairs with regular detailed reports on key performance and activity indicators relating to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Child Abuse Prevention (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I indicated the percentages of decreases in the number of unallocated cases. Since 2014, a plan has been in place to ensure the processes will continue to be reduced. This is the second year of a three-year initiative to tackle the issue of child protection cases, such as, for example, awaiting an allocation to a social worker. In each case, the percentages are going down according to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Child Abuse Prevention (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: If there are serious concerns of abuse, neglect, etc., the children in question are dealt with immediately and taken away from the situation. Although they may not have an allocated social worker, that does not mean they are not being seen. There are various social work teams monitoring to the extent required. From the initial assessment, they will monitor the child's priorities and needs...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Traveller Accommodation (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I take an interest in all matters concerning the well-being of children. I am particularly conscious of the plight of vulnerable groups, including Traveller children, who we are committed to supporting. The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has informed me that housing authorities are responsible for the assessment...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Traveller Accommodation (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I share Deputy Coppinger's concerns over these issues. I have shared them for a number of years. I wish to make a couple of points on what the Deputy said. I am glad she put her remarks on the public record. I hope this will encourage our Minister specifically responsible for what we are now speaking about to be motivated to ensure, or find ways to ensure, there is a drawdown. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Traveller Accommodation (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: On that question, I raised the matter with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton. With regard to some of the Deputy's initial comments in her final contribution, my Department allocates funding - €220,000 in total in 2016 - to a number of projects and organisations working specifically with young Travellers. The overall objective of the funding to the youth...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I am delighted to see research being produced that uses the excellent data provided by the Growing Up in Ireland study funded by my Department. I aim to ensure that all child care policies are firmly grounded in evidence, and I welcome this report as a contribution to that evidence base. The study is a useful contribution to our knowledge about care of children at age three and the impacts...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The approach that I have taken under budget 2017 is a radical new departure, but it is just a first step. A key aspect of this first step has to do with ensuring more efficient and targeted support for lower income families, in particular those with children and that are living in poverty. It will be effective in that regard over time and more effective - I agree that a policy choice was...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I do not want Ireland to be a tax haven either. The Deputy's major point was on moving towards child care being publicly provided. Some aspects of our child care system are publicly provided, namely, preschool. A significant portion of the budget that I have delivered for 2017 will ensure that we have two full years of free preschool. Strictly speaking, it may not be public provision in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I understand that funding under the PEACE IV programme has been secured until 2020. We will examine needs in the area for after that period. The EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation is a unique Structural Funds programme aimed at reinforcing progress towards a peaceful and stable society in Northern Ireland and the Border region of Ireland. It represents the EU's commitment to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: My plan is to keep funding in place post Brexit. That is what I will work towards. I am happy to receive suggestions from the Deputy on how to support this. He was present in the Chamber when questions relevant to this matter were directed to the Taoiseach regarding PEACE funding and our commitment to what has been secured and guaranteed. On 3 November, calls were made for proposals, with...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Functions (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The main responsibility for providing prevention and education support in relation to addiction lies within the Department of Health. However, as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I recognise that every interaction with a child or young person brings an opportunity to improve their health and well being. In Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures improving Health and Well Being is one of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Completion Programme (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla has had operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme since 2014. This includes decisions on the allocation of funds to local projects. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Guardians Ad Litem (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: It is widely agreed that reform of our current Guardian ad litem provisions is necessary to address significant inadequacies in the existing arrangements. I want to establish an accountable national system for service management and delivery, and to provide assurances regarding the quality and sustainability of services into the future. In particular, I want to provide in legislation for...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Social Workers Recruitment (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla’s social work services in Tipperary are divided between two areas - Mid West Area and Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary Area. At the end of August 2016 the Mid West Area had 124 whole time equivalent social workers and the Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary Area had 62 whole time equivalent social workers. Tusla services are delivered geographically through 17 areas in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I am pleased to assure the Deputy that no recipients will be made worse off as a result of the improvements I am introducing. Under the current programmes, including the TEC programme to which the Deputy refers, there are many families with low income-levels who are not currently able to access subsidised childcare because of the requirement to be in receipt of certain state benefits or...