Results 2,821-2,840 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (25 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I have referred the Deputy's question to Tusla for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (25 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I have not received any complaints or grievances in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy. It would not be appropriate 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.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (25 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 445 to 447, inclusive, together. I can inform the Deputy that Tusla currently do not collate data on the number of assessments deemed to be ‘founded’ and ‘unfounded.’ Current Tusla policy “Policy and Procedures for responding to allegations of child abuse and neglect"(September 2014), outlines the policy basis for the use of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: General Data Protection Regulation Implementation (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy. I will put those questions to Tusla or my officials rather than say that I can confirm that now because it is important to be exact and accurate. With due respect, I asked the Deputy the question whether it would be placing the protection of children at risk because that is what he is asking me. In terms of the GDPR I am indicating that they are not in breach and that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Children who are homeless are entitled to have the same level of safeguarding as any other child. Child protection concerns will be dealt with by Tusla with the same degree of diligence, care and promptness for any child in need, regardless of whether they or their family are experiencing homelessness. While ultimate responsibility for managing homelessness rests with the Department of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy for her question in terms of the research and the authors. I know the centre well and I have the highest regard for its work. We are certainly reviewing that piece of research to which I will pay careful attention. The new article within our Constitution was a driving factor for me to ensure that child protection measures, particularly those that are included in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I have indicated that, as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I felt that one of the key aspects was implementing mandatory reporting in the Children First Act 2015. I am as conscious as anyone of those statistics increasing and it would distress anyone. As I have indicated, in the context of my Ministry and with Tusla's support, we are focused on and we are committed to providing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Correspondence (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I used the opportunity presented by Pope Francis's recent visit to Ireland to raise directly with him the issue of mother and baby homes and more specifically the discovery of human remains in Tuam. I outlined the serious concerns that I and others had, particularly the concerns of people within the context of Tuam such as the survivors and their families. I told him that I would write to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I agree with the Deputy on this matter. As she knows, I have been to the site in Tuam many times. I have spoken to those affected both as a group and individually and I have met them at the site. Through these experiences I have come to a deeper understanding of the hurt and shame suffered as the years are passing, as Deputy Rabbitte so eloquently described. She has clearly also had that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: General Data Protection Regulation Implementation (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: When the national child care information system, NCCIS, was being developed, Tusla carried out a privacy impact assessment in 2013. This preceded the requirements of the general data protection regulation, GDPR, which came into effect in May of this year. The system was also the subject of design and security considerations prior to its national launch last July. Following the original...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: General Data Protection Regulation Implementation (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: To be clear, Tusla is not in breach of the GDPR in respect of the NCCIS. This system is fully compliant with the current legislation. The data protection impact assessment currently in progress was started in early 2018 and is due to finish by the end of this month. A total of 12.5 of the 17 Tusla areas were using the NCCIS system in advance of the GDPR coming into effect on 25 May 2018....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Counselling services for the survivors and families in respect of the Tuam and other mother and baby homes is a key concern for me. It is an issue that is being examined by one of the sub-committees established by the collaborative forum. I indicated at the end of my initial reply that I expect to receive a report from the representative stakeholders within six months. I have also told...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Am I correct that the Deputy's reference to a kick-to-touch exercise relates to the work of the collaborative forum?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: As previously indicated, the selection of a representative group of people for the collaborative forum was a complex and difficult task and it took some time to complete. We wanted to ensure we have a representative group with the authority to identify what is needed. If the forum wants to come forward next week with recommendations as to what would work best I would welcome that. I do...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: On other sites and the possibility of the remains of other children being buried etc., this is a matter for the commission. We are where we are in terms of Tuam because the commission did that investigation, produced its findings and brought them to Government. I have to respect the independence of the commission. As part of its terms of reference it is examining and investigating all...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Adoption Registration (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy asked many questions. I will start with her last one, with the preface that I am deeply concerned about the issue of illegal registrations. I am in regular communication and contact with those who are in the position of having been adopted and I listen to the concerns that they raise. I am in contact with advocates of those who are in that position and subsequent to authorising...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Adoption Registration (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The short answer to the Deputy's final question is "Yes". That will potentially be in the mix and I would not rule it out at this stage. At the same time, the first task that we are working on is to see if we have evidence of more illegal registrations. We need that evidence to go down the route the Deputy spoke about. To go back to one of the Deputy's earlier questions, we are looking at...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 13 together. I thank Deputies Rabbitte and Maureen O'Sullivan for their questions. I know they are very interested in the work of the commission of investigation and supportive of former residents. Deputies will be aware that the commission of investigation is independent in the conduct of its statutory investigations. For this reason, I am not in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Funding (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: That is fine, yes.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Funding (20 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I support fully the sentiments that Deputy Brendan Smith is outlining. We have got significant investment. As the Deputy knows so well, we make decisions on what is current and what capital we will need taking into account demographic changes and what the gap might be. All of that analysis is going on and is informed by research but also through conversations with people in the local...