Results 221-240 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Childcare Scheme (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) opened to online applications on 20 November 2019 and paper based applications became available on 13 March 2020.  To date, over 31,700 applications have been received relating to over 41,100 children. I am very aware of the concern around transitioning to the new National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the difficulties involved therein. The NCS is based...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy will be aware,  I announced on 13 May that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers would not proceed from 18 May as planned. Unfortunately, uptake for the scheme among early learning and care and school aged care providers was much lower than was hoped, for a variety of reasons, and so the scheme had to be cancelled. 

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: As per HSE guidance and in accordance with the regulations under the Health (Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2000, childminders who care for the children of essential workers in the children's home were permitted to continue working after childcare facilities were closed on 12 March, and are themselves considered essential...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Domestic Violence Services (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: The response to Domestic, Sexual Violence and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality (DJE). Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is providing Tusla with €25.3m...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: Any disruption to family contact (access) can be very difficult and upsetting for both children/young people and also for their parents and family. The importance of the contact for the child in care and their family can not be underestimated. In compliance with national guidelines every effort is being made to continue access. Where face to face access has been a challenge or deemed too much...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy will be aware,  I announced on 13 May that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers, which was to deliver home based childcare to healthcare workers,  would not proceed from 18 May as planned. Unfortunately, uptake for the scheme among early learning and care and school aged care providers was much lower than expected, and so the scheme had to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy will be aware that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers was cancelled on the 13th May. My primary focus now, and that of my Department, is to work towards the significant challenges of a phased reopening of early learning and childcare facilities for 29th June, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: My Department does not have policy responsibility for summer activities that may be organised by local communities or are provided through the private sector. Funding from the Department's Youth Affairs Unit is to youth groups and clubs around the country, some of which will operate in the summer months. The advice to these funded organisations has been to follow the guidance being issued...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy will be aware that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers was cancelled on the 13th May. My primary focus now, and that of my Department, is to work towards the significant challenges of a phased reopening of early learning and childcare facilities for 29th June, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: On Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1125 and 1129 together. On Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: On Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy is aware, on Friday 1 May the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Health and Safety Inspections (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1128 and 1139 together. On Friday 1st May, the Government released a Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework underpinned by expert advice,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: Insurance for early learning and care providers is a commercial matter for service providers, which is outside my remit.  However, I understand that Allianz will give a rebate for insurance costs for the period of closure and Early Childhood Ireland who are the administrator of the group insurance scheme is working with Allianz to maximise the return. The exact amount of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Insurance Coverage (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy will be aware,  I announced on 13 May that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers, which was to deliver home based childcare to healthcare workers,  would not proceed from 18 May as planned. Unfortunately, uptake for the scheme among early learning and care and school aged care providers was much lower than expected, and so the scheme had to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Costs (20 May 2020)

Katherine Zappone: On Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice,...