Results 2,021-2,040 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Funding (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I will answer the last question first. Yes, from our past experience I see it being taken up in full. There are usually more applications than we can fund. Deputies Rabbitte and Moynihan are aware that the Department works very closely with Pobal on the waiting lists to the extent that it is possible and with the science available. We work regularly with Pobal in scenario analyses to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The investigation of burial arrangements of persons who died while resident in what were termed mother and baby homes is a key focus of the terms of reference for the statutory commission of investigation. We know from the commission’s interim reports that it has dedicated significant time and effort to advancing its investigations of these matters. While I understand the urgency and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The commission has recently conducted geophysical testing on the burial grounds located on the site of Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea, County Tipperary. The work is being undertaken following the receipt of further information from a member of the public. I understand that the commission has examined the burial plot at Bessborough but has not conducted a similar geophysical examination. Burial...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Yes, I confirm that no geophysical examination of Bessborough has taken place. I reiterate that if the commission decides there is a need to undertake an examination, I expect it to do so. As I have stated, I do not know what the commission will do because it is independent. Nevertheless, having questioned the chair of the commission, Judge Yvonne Murphy, when I met her regarding the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Funding (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together. A key priority for me as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is to support the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector through the provision of capital funding where it is most needed. In this regard, I have allocated significant funding in recent years for the creation of early learning and care and school-age...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Affordable Childcare Scheme Implementation (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I refer to Deputy Smyth's questions. Absolutely, the intention is that there will be an easing of bureaucracy. That is a significant aspect of the establishment of the scheme. Will it happen all at once? No, probably not, but we are preparing for it and for the transition. The Deputies will be aware that part of the investment has been towards increasing the team in my Department and it...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aftercare Services Provision (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy for her ongoing interest in this area. I am aware that the rollout of Tusla’s after care policy has been uneven across areas, particularly in the minority of Tusla areas that have recruitment and retention problems. However, overall the service has improved considerably in recent years. Each year, around 500 young people who have been in care turn 18 years of age....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aftercare Services Provision (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Those are all excellent questions. As I acknowledged, we do not yet have the uniformity that we seek. It is an ambition but it will require more work, particularly to ensure the adequate level of staffing in the different areas as well as ensuring that we improve data collection. That is what I tried to indicate in my answer. It relates to staff and to the need for better data,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aftercare Services Provision (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Those are excellent questions. I understand that is being considered and will revert to the Deputy more specifically on this. The Deputy's questions relate to supports, including financial and educational, for care leavers. She also indicated concerns over where they go, where they live and so on. We have taken some significant steps for the 9% who leave care and are at the most...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Affordable Childcare Scheme Implementation (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to Questions Nos. 34 , 46 and 58 together. I am delighted to report positive progress in the development of the affordable childcare scheme and confirm our plans for the scheme to launch this October, with payments flowing from November. The launch of this scheme will, as indicated earlier, alter the landscape of childcare in Ireland. It will provide financial support for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Affordable Childcare Scheme Implementation (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The cost of childcare for many families is still exceptionally challenging, as I am well aware. As the Deputies know, we have seen significant investment over the past couple of years but we started from a low base. It is as simple as that. We are conscious of the need for investment not only to ensure that childcare is affordable but also that it is of a high quality. The latter point...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Affordable Childcare Scheme Implementation (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: An earlier question from Deputy Rabbitte and Deputy Niamh Smyth's question relate to affordability. With our use of information technology, it will be much easier and more straightforward to increase investment for families and make changes to thresholds, whether they are at the lower or higher end. It will be streamlined into one way of looking at a family's income and the supports...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Children and Family Services Provision (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I understand the Deputy's passion. Currently, in the context of the budget for that region, if there was a decision to give them the €400,000, it would have to be taken from some other services that no doubt are also doing a good job. That is important to outline. On requesting Supplementary Estimates, I am not necessarily ruling it out but there are certain time periods for doing...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child Abuse Reports (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The shocking abuse suffered by these brave young women while in foster care in the early 2000s has disrupted and deeply impacted their lives. I am conscious of the significant public interest in the case. The Deputy will be aware that the review process begun by the national review panel in 2016 was paused at the request of An Garda Síochána to allow criminal proceedings to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child Abuse Reports (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: It is important for the Deputy to outline the timeline and the issues and concerns, which I understand. I am fully aware of them as well. The Deputy raised many of the criticisms of Tusla in respect of the Charleton tribunal as well as other matters, particularly the HIQA statutory investigation that I commissioned. I am aware of this and the Deputy will be aware that measures have been...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child Abuse Reports (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child Abuse Reports (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: It is my hope as well that it could be published as soon as possible. Tusla is going through a process right now in the context of awareness and changes in its practices. The decision of the people involved, including the social workers and managers, is that they need the time to consult the young people. My understanding is that one of them has waived her right to anonymity but that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Affordable Childcare Scheme Implementation (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy has asked two questions. Affordability is an integral aspect of what we have been developing. I am aware of the fact that parents are still struggling, and that is why we have made a continuing commitment to increasing the investment over a period of time. The additional €89 million provided this year will support the continued delivery of the childcare schemes and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Affordable Childcare Scheme Implementation (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I understand that the piloting is continuing and is being supported. We are learning a lot about the scheme, which informs my belief it is on target and will be delivered on time. I can assure the Deputy of that. On broadband, I will have to consult with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment because I do not have the answer to that question. We are rolling out...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Children and Family Services Provision (13 Feb 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I agree with the Deputy that this organisation provides valuable services to children and families in the south Dublin area. The Deputy previously tabled questions in relation to this service. Since that time, I have met with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, representatives from the Cottage Home and representatives from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. At this...