Results 2,901-2,920 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (18 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The information requested in respect of the number of registered charities and organisations that are in receipt of direct funding from my Department is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy in the near future.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (18 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for two full programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE), and the number of entry points reverted to one from that date. This measure enhances the previous provision, and increases the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a current average of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Payments (18 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency administers funding to support the provision of counselling services to vulnerable children and families. Tusla provides funding to voluntary organisations offering the following types of counselling/psychotherapy and support: - Marriage and Relationship Counselling; - Child Counselling; - Rainbows peer support programme for children; - Bereavement...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (18 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy is aware, my Department does not directly provide childcare - rather we administer a number of schemes and initiatives to support accessible, affordable and high quality childcare. These schemes are available to regulated childcare providers which include individuals, companies and community/not-for-profit groups. Following the closure of the existing childcare provider in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Legislative Measures (18 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Sections of the Youth Work Act 2001 not yet commenced are Sections 8 to 16, 19 to 23 and 25 to 37. Since the enactment of the Youth Work Act, in 2001 there have been significant policy and legislative developments that are relevant to the provision of youth services. These include the publication of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Funding Schemes, the National Youth...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Services (18 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy will be aware that it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases, in particular where it may lead to the identification of a child. I have written to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and asked if the case is known to them, and if so, to give the matter the appropriate attention. I must also remind the Deputy that I am not in a position to intervene in matters...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Programmes (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), is a programme of supports to enable children with a disability to access and fully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. It was introduced in June 2016 and is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. AIM supports children with disabilities to attend mainstream pre-school where they can learn and socialise with...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). This measure adds to previous enhancement of the programme and increases the duration of each registered child on ECCE from the original 38 weeks to a potential duration of 76 weeks (two...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children and Family Services Provision (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I am advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that the Unit to which the Deputy refers was closed a number of years ago, and the buildings are currently in use by Tusla community services. Tusla have advised that there are no plans to reopen the Unit.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Costs (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Over the last three budgets (2016, 2017 and 2018), Government has increased investment in childcare by approximately 80%. It is critical that the Government continues to invest in the early years sector to benefit all children and family types and I am very much committed to continuing to push for this investment. The Affordable Childcare Scheme we are developing will provide us with a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Sector (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: This year saw a significant increase in demand for Early Years and School Age Childcare Capital grants with nearly 2,000 applications received and appraised. I secured €6.86 million in funding for capital projects; however the level of demand and high quality of applications meant that unfortunately there were services that despite the obvious quality of their applications still...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, recognises the right of all employees to be treated with dignity and respect and is committed to ensuring that all employees are provided with a safe working environment, which is free from all forms of bullying, sexual harassment and harassment.  Tusla has advised that all employees are encouraged to raise genuine concerns about possible wrongdoing at...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Child protection is everyone’s responsibility. In order to keep children as safe as possible it is important that people across society can recognise when the children that they are in contact with are being harmed and that they are aware of what action to take in response. The Children First Act 2015, which was fully commenced in December 2017, provides for a number of key child...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Child protection is everyone’s responsibility. In order to keep children as safe as possible it is important that people across society can recognise when the children that they are in contact with are being harmed and that they are aware of what action to take in response. The Children First Act 2015, which was fully commenced in December 2017, provides for a number of key child...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I wish to advise that this is an operational matter for Tusla and my officials have requested that they respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Affordable Childcare Scheme (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: In determining their fees childcare providers must take account of amongst other things, rates, rent, labour costs, and insurance. The cost to parents to access childcare is set by childcare providers who must factor in these overheads. Notwithstanding this, I am committed to ensuring that childcare is affordable, accessible and of a high quality. My Department monitors the cost of childcare...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Gender Balance (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Thegender breakdown of senior management positions in Tusla is set out in the following table. Managers Grades VIII+ Gender Amount Male 69 Female 109 Total 178Tusla has advised it is compliant with its obligations under the Employment Equality Acts, ensuring no employee or candidate is unlawfully discriminated against and individuals are treated fairly and with dignity and respect...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Resource Centres (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme, which is Ireland’s largest family support programme, delivering universal services to families in disadvantaged areas across the country. Each Family Resource Centre (FRC) operates autonomously, working inclusively with individuals, families, communities, and both statutory and non-statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Programmes (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). This measure refines the development introduced last year and increases the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a current average of 61 weeks, to a potential duration of 76 weeks...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency (7 Sep 2018)

Katherine Zappone: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tulsa, I have referred it to Tusla for a direct reply.