Results 2,701-2,720 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Irish Language (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 983 and 985 together. The forthcoming National Early Years Strategy will clarify the Government’s intentions regarding support of the Irish language in pre-schools, and complement the aims of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language (2010-30). My department is represented on the Action Plan 2018 - 2022 inter-departmental working group, and has...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Irish Language (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: My Department does not track Irish Language qualifications awarded to staff in Naonraí and hence would not be in a position to estimate the cost per child of a 10% increase in the capitation paid. Higher Capitation rates are available to all services for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provided the conditions of eligibility outlined below are met: i. A Room...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Detention Centres (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Report referred to by the Deputy was commissioned by Oberstown Children Detention Campus to carry out a Health and Safety audit of the Campus with a specific focus on:  1. Injuries to staff and young people over a three year period, the relationships between these injuries and the management of young people's behaviour, considering the Behaviour Management Policy and practices...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I have been advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that the qualifications of external private contractors vary as to the work asked to be undertaken. For example, an educational assessment requires a psychologist, play therapy a play therapist.  Qualifications must be verified by the practitioner and they must have appropriate registration supervision and training including...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Area Based Childhood Programme (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme is a prevention and early intervention initiative led by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA). The programme was originally designed as a time-bound, co-funding arrangement between DCYA and The Atlantic Philanthropies (AP), from 2013 to 2016. The aim of the programme is to test and evaluate prevention and early intervention approaches...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: North-South Implementation Bodies (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: An allocation of €2.098 million in 2019 is being made by my Department to support the development of youth projects under the Peace IV 2014 - 2020 Programme for Peace and Reconciliation which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Commissions of Investigation Data (6 Nov 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The sum of €2.27 million has been expended to date in 2018 through the Vote of my Department to support the independent Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters. In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Commission is tasked with examining the experience of mothers and children resident in Mother and Baby Homes and a representative...

Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Statements (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: On behalf of the Government, I thank all Deputies who made contributions to the debate. I welcome their positive and supportive comments and the expressions of support on the course of action we are embarking on. The babies in Tuam and the people connected to them have long held a place in my heart. From the very moment I heard of these tragic circumstances, I have made it my mission to do...

Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Statements (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome this opportunity to update the House on the decision by the Government on the site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam, County Galway. Before I outline the substance of what has been agreed, I warmly welcome former residents, their loved ones, advocates and friends who are here today and those watching proceedings from afar. I acknowledge the role which their collective...

Third Interim Report of the Disclosures Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The report of the disclosures tribunal has fully vindicated Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe. The tribunal chair, Mr. Justice Peter Charleton, excoriated those who stood in opposition to the stance taken by Sergeant McCabe. The report acknowledged his dedication as a public servant. I agree wholeheartedly and believe this extends beyond his role as a public servant. As a citizen of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Data (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: At 30 September 2018 there were 277 staff in my Department as follows: Grade Number Secretary General 1 Assistant Secretary General 3 Director 1 Principal Officer 24 Assistant Principal 57 Higher Executive Officer 41 Administrative Officer 28 Executive Officer 64 Clerical Officer 51 Services Officer 3 Special Advisors 2 Ministerial Drivers 2

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Protected Disclosures (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The 3rd interim report of the Disclosures Tribunal makes clear that the root cause of Tusla's failures in the case of Sergeant McCabe were not a dark conspiracy but incompetence.  In the report, the Tribunal Chair has made stark and significant findings about the managers of the Cavan Monaghan area, and a litany of missed opportunities.  I find it appalling that if the case had been...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Budgets (25 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together. Budget 2019 has made provision for a total allocation of €32 million in capital funding for my Department. The allocation is split between two programmes areas within my Department's Vote: Programme Capital Allocation Children & Family Support €20.140m Sectoral Programmes for Children and Young People...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Costs (24 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The information requested by the Deputy would not normally be held in my Department and, as this is an operational matter, I have referred the question to the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The independent Selection Panel which I appointed to nominate representatives to the Forum for my consideration, selected 19 applicants from the expressions of interest received. All 20 members of the Collaborative Forum, which includes the Chairman, are Ministerial appointments. Should a vacancy arise, I will consider any further appointments on a case by case basis, having due regard...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Ministerial Meetings (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I can inform the Deputy that I have had no engagements, meetings or correspondence with the person concerned.  I was once briefly introduced to the person referred to.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Tribunals of Inquiry Reports (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: In my view the report from the Disclosures Tribunal is devastating in its assessment of the poor management, supervision and record management in Tusla's Cavan Monaghan area.  It is clear that the standards of local management and administration expected from a publicly funded body were not met. In this context, the apology made by Tusla to the McCabe family is the least...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy is referring to an independent review which I intend to commission, in agreement with the Minister for Justice and Equality, to examine and report on the management of a complex and serious case of alleged child abuse and neglect involving sixteen children in four families. While there is no evidence of any serious mishandling of the case by either Tusla or An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Local Authority Funding (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The types of funding available to local authorities from my Department primarily relate to youth programmes and services. In addition, my Department provides funding for national recreation and play funding, children participation activities and children and young people's services committees.  The amount of funding in the period concerned is set out in tabular format below. -...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Protected Disclosures (23 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I would like to inform the Deputy that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on disclosures under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 relating to any individual. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Board of Tusla for direct reply.