Results 3,161-3,180 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy for his question. As he will be aware, we do not have a majority in the Seanad, therefore, in that context, it has been more difficult to move this legislation through. In one sense though, it is not necessarily a bad thing. I have met Opposition and Independent Senators extensively regarding the policy issues. The Deputy is correct, it has to do with balancing the...

Seanad: Incorrect Birth Registrations: Statements (30 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Members for the opportunity to address this very important subject. Senators will be aware of my announcement in regard to evidence of incorrect birth registrations. These come from the records of a former adoption society, St. Patrick’s Guild, SPG. Tusla has identified 126 individuals in 13,500 records whose births were incorrectly registered between 1946 and 1969. I...

Seanad: Incorrect Birth Registrations: Statements (Resumed) (30 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I will do my best to answer the questions raised. I acknowledge the very heartfelt and profound contributions made by Members of this House. I have heard some things in a way I have not heard before, which often happens in the Seanad, and I want to acknowledge that. That is true especially in the way Senators tell their own stories or the stories of others. We know - not just because of...

Seanad: Incorrect Birth Registrations: Statements (Resumed) (30 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Senator has asked a good question. It is an estimation based on nursing homes in particular places, as I understand it, but I can get further information on that. The main point is that they are not in the possession of the State at the moment. Many Senators have mentioned people within civil society and journalists. I have met Conall Ó Fátharta and made sure he was informed...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Sector (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: "Baby Boxes" for newborns are to be trialled in a pilot under the national Early Years Strategy that is to be published later this year. Piloting Baby Boxes is just one initiative which will be part of a wide ranging strategy that will address various aspects of the lives of babies and young children under 6 years old and their families including supports to balance working and caring of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Detention Centres (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Single separation is when a young person is separated from his or her peers to a room designated for separation, for as short a period of time as is necessary, due to one or both of the following reasons: a) Where a young person is likely to cause significant harm to her/himself or others; b) Where a young person is likely to cause significant damage to property that would compromise security...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 22/05/2018, which requested similar information. I can advise the Deputy that a child or young person who is the subject of a legal court order or through voluntary parental consent, is placed in foster care or residential care with either state, private or voluntary providers. Prior to the establishment of Tusla,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Contracts (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has no active contracts with the company named in this question. The Adoption Authority of Ireland, Oberstown Children's Detention Centre and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has also confirmed they have no active contracts with the company. The Office of the Children's Ombudsman has been requested to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: My Department is currently working to establish dedicated centres to support children who have suffered sexual abuse in a way that will minimise their trauma,  while allowing them to  access protective, therapeutic or health services, and to engage with the criminal justice system. My colleagues the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan and Minister for Health,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Children First Joint Working Protocol for An Garda Síochána/Tusla- Child and Family Agency Liaison was published earlier this year to reflect the provisions in the new Children First Act 2015. The protocol covers respective responsibilities in key areas including: - Notifications of suspected abuse between both agencies - Role and function of each Agency - Confidentiality...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Costs (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Independent Review of the Cost of Providing Quality Childcare is a critical input to the on-going reform of childcare in Ireland and is commitment in the Programme for Government. This Review seeks to: - Analyse the current costs of providing childcare in Ireland and factors that impact on those costs; - Develop a model of the unit cost/costs of providing childcare that allows analysis...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Resource Centres (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The Family Resource Centre Programme is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. At present there are 109 Family Resource Centres in operation throughout the country, and 11 additional centres will become operational by the end of 2018. As the cost of establishing new Family Resource Centres and the estimated full year running costs of such centres, under the Family...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The latest information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Funding (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The ECCE capitation rates are currently as follows: Capitation Rates: Standard: €64.50 Higher: €75.00 The following table outlines the additional cost of increasing both ECCE capitation rates by the specified amounts from September 2018: Increase: September - December 2018 January - December 2019 €5 €9.7m €21.6m €10 €19.4m...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Sector (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: It is estimated that some 20 Childminding Development Officers have exited the early years sector over the last number of years. The estimated cost of reinstating these posts on a like for like basis is in the region of €800,000 per annum. However, this estimate should be treated with a degree of caution owing to significantly changed landscape of the childcare sector since these...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Costs (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I assume that the question relates to the new Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) that is currently being developed, rather than the universal subsidy that is currently available. The universal element of the ACS will match the existing provision and provide a €0.50 per hour subsidy for children aged 6-36 months, for up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. Only families who use the full...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Sector (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla employs 45.28 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) Early Years Inspectors. The total pay costs for 45.28 WTE Early Years Inspectors for the 4 month period January-April 2018 is €1.04 million. The total non-pay cost for 45.28 WTE Early Years Inspectors for the same period is €57,295.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Sector (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The allocation for Learner fund in 2017 and 2018 was €3,000,000 and €2,388,000 respectively. The higher allocation in 2017 is accounted for by the addition of once off funding available in that year. An estimated 1,050 individuals in the sector benefited from Learner in 2017 alone.  The Learner Fund was established to support the Early Years sector in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Staff (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: The latest information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency (29 May 2018)

Katherine Zappone: I have requested that Tusla provide this estimated cost as soon as possible. I will revert to the Deputy when this is at hand.