Results 2,741-2,760 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Data (16 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The following principal officer appointments were made in my Department arising from internal competitions since 7 July 2015: 2016 - 1 appointment 2017 - 2 appointments 2018 - 2 appointments. The bodies under the aegis of my Department have not appointed principal officers from internal competitions in that period.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Data (16 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The number of principal officers appointed in my Department following open competitions runs by the Public Appointments Service between 2015 and 2017 are as follows: Following 2015 competition (Campaign ID 1512210) - 1 appointment in 2016 Following 2017 competition (Campaign ID 17101202) - 2 appointments in 2018.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Protected Disclosures (16 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I would like to inform the Deputy that it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual disclosures under the Protected Disclosures Act, 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care Policy (16 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy is aware, foster carers are no longer covered by a commercial public liability insurance policy. Attempts by Tusla to secure continuing commercial cover have proved unsuccessful. However, I am pleased to confirm that pending a permanent solution all foster carers have an indemnity on an individual basis where required. This is on an ex-gratia basis as a temporary measure...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Funding (16 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) is a registered charity and one of the largest organisations operating in the Early Years sector. ECI represents 3,800 childcare members, who support over 100,000 children and their families through preschool, after-school, and full day-care provision nationwide. They provide a broad range of training, mentoring, information and advocacy supports to better shape...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: After-School Support Service Provision (16 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: It must be noted that my Department is not the owner/employer of Early Years services as these are private businesses that operate independently of the State. My Department offers a range of programmes to support the delivery of childcare. However, individual services are free to choose what levels of service they offer. I would advise any parent having difficulty sourcing an after school...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Affordable Childcare Scheme (16 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: In September 2017 I introduced a range of measures to lower the cost of childcare while the new Affordable Childcare Scheme was under development. These included raising the level of childcare subsidy available for families that need it most by up to 50% (from a maximum of €95 to €145 per week for children up to the age of fifteen). I also introduced a brand new universal...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Domestic Violence Refuges Provision (16 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence whether in the context of the family or otherwise. At all times, Tusla’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of domestic violence are being met in the best way possible. The provision of capital funding for refuges is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Programmes (16 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is fully funded by my Department and the rule in relation to the return of booking deposits relating to ECCE services remains unchanged. "Booking deposits may be taken from parents provided such booking deposits are no more than four times the weekly capitation fee applicable to the pre-school service. The deposit must be repaid in full...

Financial Resolutions 2019 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: As an independent progressive, I welcome the budget. It is one which favours public services, which through childcare, welfare and income tax reforms favour low-income households. Childcare was once again a key part of the budget. The €89 million additional funding means Government investment will have increased by 117% since 2015. The benefit for those on lower incomes is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Sector (11 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The early years capital budget in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has over the past number of years contributed to the creation of early years and school age childcare places, essential maintenance, quality improvements and other smaller scale grants with the objective of improving the overall infrastructure of the childcare sector in Ireland. Between 2015 and 2018, the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Sector (11 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: My Department operated a number of Capital Programmes in 2018 offering assistance under a number of categories covering increased capacity, essential maintenance and natural outdoor play areas.  The Programme was launched earlier in the year and unfortunately the process has now concluded with the budget allocated in full. No further funding is anticipated to be made available this year....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (11 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: While acknowledging the extraordinarily difficult legal and practical challenges, I shared my personal perspective on the decisions which must be taken and outlined my intention to bring comprehensive proposals on the future of the site to Government.  This work is now at an advanced stage. I also understand that representatives from these groups were actively involved in the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (11 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I am informed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that assessments of children in circumstances in which an allegation of child sexual abuse has been made must be carried out by a registered social worker.  In order to register with CORU, social workers must hold an approved qualification, as laid out by CORU, and demonstrate that they are fit and proper to work in the field. CORU is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (11 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Social workers involved with specialist  interviewing  of children who are alleged to have been sexually abused are registered with CORU as qualified social workers and have practice experience. Social workers involved in this type of interview are also required to have successfully completed a course in specialist training.  This is an intensive four week residential...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (11 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I am informed by Tusla that data on joint specialist interviews with Gardaí taking the lead role is not collected. Joint working between Tusla and An Garda Síochána forms an integral part of the child protection and welfare service. Once a report of child sexual abuse has been screened by a duty social worker, a strategy meeting is held to decide which service is most...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (11 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I have referred the question to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. A further reply will issue when I have had their response.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (11 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together. In terms of the status of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, it is important to recognise that the Commission is independent in the conduct of its statutory investigations. I am not therefore in a position to provide detailed progress updates on its work. The Commission has prepared three Interim...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Data Protection (10 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy will of course be aware, GDPR has provided for significant sanctions for data controllers where personal data is improperly processed. I understand that GDPR is impacting on a number of sectors and services and this includes on the provision of a tracing service for adopted people. My priority is to proceed with the enactment of the Adoption ( Information and Tracing ) Bill...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (10 Oct 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I have asked the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, to supply me with the information requested by the Deputy and will revert directly when this has been received.