Results 2,181-2,200 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Legislative Process (29 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I confirm that no piece of legislation (including Heads of Bills) from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have been sent to EU institutions before their publication. In relation to the Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019, and Brexit Preparedness and Contingency planning more generally, the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (29 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I have no plans to bring forward legislation to amend the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002. As the Deputy will be aware, my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills is responsible for this legislation and related arrangements. The redress scheme established under this act has not been extended to any additional institutions since 2005. I understand that when the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (29 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: My Department was first established in 2011. As the Deputy is aware my Department, along with all government departments, was required to deliver substantial savings on all funding programmes in line with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-2014. However, my Department sought to ensure front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people, were...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (29 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy for her question. I met with Dr. Shannon after the publication of his report to better understand the intent of the recommendations it contained, and to seek clarity on the measures that would be applied to assess their implementation. Following these discussions Dr. Shannon and I agreed the Action Plan. I am pleased to report progress has been made on the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Juvenile Offenders (24 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I am aware of the media reports that the Deputy refers to. However, this matter falls solely under the remit of the Minister for Justice and Equality and therefore there has not been meetings between myself and the Minister for Justice and Equality or officials from his Department  regarding this matter.  

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Guardian's Payment (24 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I must inform the Deputy that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an individual case. However, I have written to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and asked them to make direct contact with the individual concerned. Tusla have confirmed that the matter has been brought to the attention of the local area. Where a child is being cared for by a family member, but is not in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Brexit Issues (24 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: My officials have kept me fully briefed on all aspects of Brexit as they relate to this Department. Officials of my Department have participated fully in all relevant inter-departmental groups relating to Brexit, including groups that meet regularly at Secretary General level and Assistant Secretary level.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Affordable Childcare Scheme Expenditure (23 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The universal subsidy which will be available through the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) when it is introduced later this year, is currently available through the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme –Universal Programme (CCSU). This was introduced in September 2017 as an interim measure in advance of the ACS. The rate stands at €0.50 per hour up to a maximum of 40 hours per...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Services Provision (23 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, 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.   The placement of children in care is governed by Regulations and National Standards. These provide for the welfare of the child, including...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Brexit Staff (23 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: In July 2018, and again in September 2018, a number of decisions were made at Cabinet relating to Brexit preparedness and contingency planning, including the phased recruitment of staff, as required.  The Government has already sanctioned €4m for the commencement of a phased process for the recruitment of additional staff to carry out the greatly increased volumes of import...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I will address that question. On the Government's decision with regard to the Bethany Home survivors and the commission's recommendation, it is correct that the other Governments made decisions not to include the Bethany Home survivors in the original redress scheme. This Government confirmed and agreed with that even though the commission recommended it should be considered to be included...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone:  My Department funds 30 City and County Childcare Committees across the country. Part of their role is to advise my Department on capacity issues. I have asked officials to make contact with Fingal Childcare Committee to follow up on your question. Your constituent may also wish to make contact with them seeking assistance. Also, if your constituent is considering childminding services,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Local Authority Facilities (22 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The maintenance of playgrounds is in the main a matter for local authorities to make provision for and therefore the matter does not come under the remit of my Department . However, my Department does administer a Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation. The purpose of the Scheme is to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people. This...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Illegal Adoptions (22 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to Tusla for their direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Domestic Violence Refuges Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and provision of services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), whether in the context of the family or otherwise.  The refuge to which the Deputy refers was closed in September 2017 following a Health and Safety audit, initiated by Tusla, which highlighted potential electrical...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Investigations (22 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy is aware it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases. I have referred the matter to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and Tusla have confirmed that the matter is receiving appropriate attention. 

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Illegal Adoptions (22 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The review of adoption records is to determine if similar evidence of illegal registration can be identified from the records of other former adoption agencies and other relevant bodies as was identified in the St. Patrick's Guild files. It is not possible at this stage to anticipate the type of information that will emerge from the review. Given the sensitive personal data...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Staff (22 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Under the Child Care Act 1991 (Section 58L), childminders are currently exempt from regulation if they: 1. Care for one or more children to whom they are related; 2. Care for one or more children of the same family and no other children (other than the childminder's own children) in the childminder's home; or 3. Care for not more than 3 children of different families (other than the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Ministerial Meetings (22 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 586 and 587 together. As Minister, I have committed a significant amount of my time to meeting users and providers of services that we support and those who advocate for new and alternative policies in these programme areas; including stakeholders in the early learning and care and school age childcare sectors. The Early Years Division of my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Domestic Violence Refuges Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I am aware of the media report referenced by the Deputy. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). The Council of Europe's document on minimum standards for support services for victims of domestic violence, "Combating Violence Against Women: Minimum Standards for...