Results 4,241-4,260 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Services (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I can inform the Deputy that I am satisfied with the overall performance of Tusla. I have no current plan to conduct a review into the operations of Tusla with regard to its child protection policy. I recently announced that all remaining provisions of the Children First Act 2015 will be commenced on 11 December 2017. These include the provisions in relation to mandatory reporting of child...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Affordable Childcare Scheme Data (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I am committed to ensuring that childcare is affordable, accessible and of a high quality. I continue to work with my officials to deliver the new Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS). Strong progress is being made in this regard with all the elements of the scheme, including the IT system and an ACS Bill. The increase in supports I have provided for the 2017/2018 programme year represents a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Programmes (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The ABC Programme is a joint prevention and early intervention initiative, led by the Department for Children and Youth Affairs. The Programme commenced in 2013 and was designed as a time-bound co-funding agreement with The Atlantic Philanthropies, in the amount of €29.7 million for the period 2013 to 2016. In late 2016, my Department secured additional funding to ensure that all 13...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mental Health Services Provision (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I am happy to inform the Deputy that my Department is at present advancing this matter. I and my officials have met with Minister Daly and we are both agreed to review the co-ordination and provision of psychological supports between TUSLA and the HSE, including specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provided by the HSE. The work of this group will focus on...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Work Projects Funding (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 59 together. In 2017, €57.4 m was allocated in current funding to support the provision of youth services, an increase of €5.5m on 2016. I have enhanced this by a further €1.5m in 2018. Laois Youth Services received €86,803 funding in 2017 under the Special Projects for Youth scheme. Earlier this year, I approved...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children and Young People’s Policy Framework (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy is aware of my wish to improve the quality and availability of services for children and young persons, with the objective of ensuring that a particular emphasis is placed on providing adequate support for families at risk. I am very pleased that the €73m package announced in Budget 2018 enables us to continue investing in our children and young people and secures much-...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Provision (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 64 together. The Clondalkin/Ballyowen Equine facility is an initiative which was financed by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with South Dublin County Council. The facility provides a base for young people from the area who can’t afford a private stable to care for their animals. It also provides an opportunity for young...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care Provision (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 513 together. Additional resources of €40.6m is being made available to Tusla as a result of Budget 2018 decisions by this Government. This will bring Tusla's financial allocation to just over €753m in 2018. This level of funding will allow Tusla to recruit additional staffing and respond to areas of identified risk and meet increased...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Resource Centres (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 73 together. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, will receive an additional €40.6 million in funding next year. This will bring Tusla’s allocation to over €753 million in 2018. The extra funding will support Tusla in delivering an ambitious and necessary programme of reform of services. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy will be aware that from 1 September 2017, children leaving state care upon reaching the age of 18 have a statutory right to an aftercare plan to identify any future supports they may require. The transition to independent adulthood can be particularly challenging for children and young people in care. Tusla had advocated for this important change to assist young people in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Poverty (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The reduction of children's poverty is a key political priority for the Government. The Taoiseach has described tackling child poverty as a moral imperative, and this is an issue that we must address robustly. In recognition of the higher risks and life-long consequences of child poverty, the Government set a child-specific poverty target in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Costs (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 509 together. In recent years, I have secured significant additional investment in the early years sector, focussing investment at each stage on critical elements of early years care and education. The new measures announced in Budget 2018 form part of a trend of continued growth and investment. In Budget 2017 I secured a 35% increase in childcare...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together. My Department recognises that there is a need to provide supports in the Gaeltacht, and throughout the country, in relation to Irish language needs in the early years sector. This will include appropriate education and training materials and resources for practitioners and services. I established a subgroup of the Early Years...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Oideachas Gaeltachta (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Rinne comhghleacaí de mo chuid, an tAire Oideachais agus Scileanna, an Polasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta a fhoilsiú i 2016. Baineann mo fhreagra leis na Cigireachtaí Atá Dírithe ar An Oideachas sna Luathbhlianta den Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna agus leis na Cigireachtaí Luathbhlianta déanta ag Tusla. Cuireadh tús le múnla nua de...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Homelessness Strategy (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I am committed to helping children and families as part of a whole-of-Government response to the problem of homelessness. This Government recognises that homelessness is an extremely distressing situation for any family, and living in emergency accommodation is not conducive to normal family life. While my Department has no role in providing housing for families, we are working closely with...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: In March 2017 the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes released a statement confirming that human remains had been found on the site of the former Mother and Baby home in Tuam, Co Galway. In early June I appointed a multi disciplinary team of experts headed by Forensic Archaeologist Niamh Mc Cullagh to provide technical advices to Government in this highly specialised area....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I meet with my Cabinet colleagues regularly to discuss childcare related issues, and to advocate the needs and interests of the sector in accordance with my role as the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I would therefore be glad to discuss the issues you have identified with the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, should this prove to be necessary. In relation...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Following the publication of the Commission of Investigation's Second Interim Report in April of this year, I announced my intention to consult with former residents on what supports and services they felt may be of genuine and practical value to them now in the area of health and well-being. I appointed an experienced facilitator with an international reputation to assist in the design and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Youth Strategy (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The Programme for Government (2016) gives a commitment to develop a Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Youth Strategy. I established an Oversight Committee with an Independent Chair, Ms Una Mullally, to oversee the development of the Strategy on 19 December 2016. The group includes cross-sectoral representation from relevant organisations, bodies and Government Departments/Agencies. A...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: National Youth Work Advisory Committee (17 Oct 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Sections 17 and 18 of the Youth Work Act 2001 provide for the appointment of a National Youth Work Advisory Committee. The Committee had an advisory and consultative role to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in matters to do with youth work, including the coordination of youth work programmes and services. In line with these provisions, a new National Youth Work Advisory Committee...