Results 3,061-3,080 of 5,087 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: 576. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a playgroup (details supplied) is entitled to apply for capital funding for a permanent building; the criteria for such an application; and if his Department will make funding available in the interim to avoid closure of the facility. [24177/21]

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: That is no problem. As I said, we are delighted you are here today. This is your second time to meet the committee on this matter, so we appreciate your time. I will now call on members for their questions. I remind them that each member has five minutes. I will call Deputy Cairns followed by Deputy Cathal Crowe. Can Deputy Cairns first confirm her location?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: Thank you.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: The Deputy has 30 seconds left. If she wants to ask the question, I might ask the Minister of State to come back at the end to address unanswered questions.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: Does the Minister of State want to come back in on any other point?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Deputy and Minister of State. I think everybody would agree with her on those points and share the frustration too. I ask Deputy Dillon to confirm his location.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: Before the Minister of State comes in on those issues, although I understand that members wish to take the opportunity to raise certain matters, some of these issues fall under the remit of the Department of Education and, in fairness to the Minister of State, she will not be able to answer those questions. I remind members that we are dealing with the report of the Ombudsman for Children....

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: I call Senator McGreehan and ask her to confirm her location.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister of State. We are moving on to Deputy Sherlock. Could he confirm his location first please?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: Deputy Sherlock is out of time, but if he wants to ask a question, we can get an answer at the end. There will be time for the Minister of State to come back in.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: I will let the Minister of State come back in at the end to respond to some of those points. Before I call on the next speaker, if anybody who has not indicated wants to ask a question, he or she should indicate now so that we can manage the last hour of the meeting. There might be a chance for some members to come in a second time. Deputy Costello is next. I ask him to confirm his...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: I have to say again that much of this is falling outside the remit. In fairness, when we invite a Minister or Minister of State before the committee we have to have respect. I deal with many parents myself. It is frustrating that things do not neatly fit into various compartments. Many of the questions are not necessarily within the remit of the Minister of State. Although the Minister...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: Does the Minister of State wish to come in on any of that?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister of State. Does any member wish to ask an additional brief question or a make a point? Deputy Cairns has indicated. If any other members want to make additional comments, I ask them to indicate now.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: Senator Seery Kearney wants to make an additional point.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: I wanted to ask that question when I had the opportunity. I want to say a very sincere thanks to the Minister of State. Some of the questions strayed outside her exact remit but she was very fair and honest in her answers. The Minister of State has a very difficult role. I know that she is pushing and advocating greatly and doing her absolute best in difficult circumstances. I thank her...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Children's Unmet Needs: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Health (Resumed) (11 May 2021)

Kathleen Funchion: Apologies have been received from Deputy Ward. I wish to advise members that Deputy Cairns has taken the place of Deputy Whitmore on the committee. I welcome Deputy Cairns. Before we begin, I remind members who are participating remotely to keep their devices on mute until they are invited to speak. When they are speaking, I would ask that, where possible, they have their cameras...