Results 2,441-2,460 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Cúram agus Oideachas na Luath-Óige (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Tuigim go maith an luach a bhaineann le tacaíocht a thabhairt do sholáthar seirbhísí sa Ghaeilge do leanaí óga, agus an ról a bhaineann le naíonraí agus naíolanna chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn mar theanga bheo. Maidir leis sin, bhí mo Roinn ag plé go réamhghníomhach le comhghleacaithe sa Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Value for Money Reviews (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The NCIP (National Childcare Investment Programme, 2006 - 2010) Capital Programme was a strategic infrastructural programme within the childcare sector with an aim to address local needs and meet local demands in the provision of childcare places. A total of €177.8m was awarded under the programme to 847 childcare facilities. Of these, 501 were private providers, receiving a total of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Tribunals of Inquiry Reports (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The recommendations of the report are mainly a matter for An Garda Síochána. A relatively small portion of the report concerns Tusla. Although it does not make specific recommendations about Tusla, the report does identify some very serious issues that existed in a social work office in one area at the time. Arising from the Tribunal's report, I wrote to the Chairperson of Tusla on...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Budgets (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the gross amount of funding being made available to my Department in Budget 2019 will be €1.511 billion which represents an increase of 9% over its allocation for 2018. The allocation includes a current provision of €1.479 billion and a capital allocation of €32 million. Just over half of the total funding, or €786 million, is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The safety of all children , and particularly those living in State care, is a key priority for me. On December 11 2017, I commenced the remaining provisions of the Children First Act, 2015. This saw the introduction of mandatory reporting of child protection concerns. The Children First Act 2015 places a statutory obligation on persons, who have been identified by virtue of their position,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Support Services (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: As these are operational matters, I have asked Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Question Heading (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy may be aware, Tusla Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) work with young people who are experiencing difficulty with school attendance and their families. EWOs are employed throughout the country, working with all recognised schools to offer advice and guidance to parents who need support in ensuring that their child attends school regularly. I am attaching a document containing...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Guidelines (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy will be aware that I am not in a position to comment on individual cases, or on matters which are the subject of court decisions. I therefore propose to answer the question in general terms. The decision to remove a child from the care of their parents is not one that is taken lightly, particularly at a young age. In all cases, the safety, well-being and best interests of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Funding (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers funding through its Counselling Grants Scheme to voluntary organisations offering marriage/relationship counselling, child counselling, rainbows peer support and bereavement counselling and support. It should be noted that the allocation of funding within the Counselling Grants Scheme is an operational matter for Tusla. I have no role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Care Orders (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I have requested information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with this information.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Poverty (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I have a strong personal commitment to reducing child poverty. This is a key political priority for me and the Government. The Taoiseach has described tackling child poverty as a moral imperative and this is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently. Under the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014-2020), my Department and other...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff working in youth services and communities throughout the country.   The overall...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Cyberbullying Issues (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I am conscious of the issue referred to by the Deputy. The internet is an increasingly valuable resource for everyone, including children and young people, but it also exposes people to new risks including cyberbullying. A range of Government Departments and agencies have a role in relation to internet safety both inside and outside of educational environments. In recognition of the whole...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 to 198, inclusive, and 202 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Services Provision (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection in Ireland. If I, or my officials, become aware of a situation in which a child is at risk, that risk is communicated to Tusla as a matter of urgency.  If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together. I can advise the Deputy that the most recent figures on the number of young people exiting care is published in the Tusla Review of Adequacy, which covers the three-year period of 2014-2016. The table below refers: Care Type 2014 2015 2016 Returned home/with family 1,140 959 677 Remained with foster carers 115 267 330 Independent...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Child Care Act, 1991 applies to all children resident in the State irrespective of their immigration status. Under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection. The Agency is obliged to provide care for these children for as long as their welfare requires it.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Youth Officers of the 16 Education and Training Boards operating country wide provide an important support role to my Department in the co-ordination and administration of youth services at local level across the country. In order to keep my Department informed of their ongoing work, officials hold quarterly meetings attended by all Youth Officers from across the country. These meetings...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Counselling Services Provision (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency is required to support and promote the development, welfare and protection of children. Tusla provides funding to voluntary organisations offering a range of counselling, psychotherapy and support services to children and families including: - Marriage and relationship counselling, - Child counselling, - Rainbows...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (13 Dec 2018)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy is aware my Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities and the total youth funding provided by my Department was €58.9m in 2018. Budget 2019 provided an additional €1.5m in current funding to my Department to support...