Results 4,841-4,860 of 5,087 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister for her answer. I will pass on to her some of the concerns that were raised by the workers. Training, for example, was done on a lottery system. Access to training was not necessarily available to services that could have really benefited from the training, and some did not get it. Some services could have waited another year or so for the training and they received...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Staff (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 19. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is implementing as part of the new affordable childcare scheme to tackle the issue of poor working conditions of the early years sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15277/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Staff (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: I am sure the Minister is aware that working conditions for the early years sector are getting worse and while there are positive steps such as the introduction of the affordable childcare scheme and a welcome focus on improved standards to be introduced, I am concerned that there has not been sufficient consideration of the implications for the work force, that is, the increased...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Staff (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister for her answer and welcome her acknowledgement that wages in the sector are quite low. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs is preparing a report and I am its rapporteur. We have been speaking to workers throughout the country. The wages do not reflect the qualifications and expectations of those working in the sector. I understand there has...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Child Care Services Staff (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: I welcome the fact that the Minister met the unions on this issue. As she acknowledges, underinvestment is the elephant in the room. Capitation rates are not high enough to subsidise an increase in pay for fair wages. What is the Minister's view of the introduction of a fair pay scale or a living wage? Would she and the Department support that? Government should advocate that all...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 55. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to tackle the threat of imminent closures of community based crèches due to high operational costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15217/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 404. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to examine the pre-medical condition of girls claiming to be affected by the HPV vaccination in each of the years 2010 to 2016; his views on whether an injustice is being done to such a vulnerable group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15388/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 405. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the HPV controversy; his plans to meet the girls affected to discuss a resolution to this situation; his views on the case of these girls and their families and the major cost implications in receiving medical attention within and outside the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15389/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 406. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the fact that by continuing with the HPV vaccination programme there will be a further percentage of girls displaying serious medical difficulties if action is not taken now and in view of the fact that it is highlighted to all parties involved and may yet lead to a public inquiry at some date in the future; and if he will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 407. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the HPV controversy and the cost implication for the families in addressing their considerable medical needs; the structures he plans to put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15391/17]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 599. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children currently in foster care in 2017; and the number of those children under 12 years of age, between 12 and 16 years of age and between 16 and 18 years of age, in tabular form. [14823/17]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 600. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children that are currently in foster care that are diagnosed with special needs, physical or mental. [14824/17]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 601. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children that are currently on a waiting list for a designated social worker. [14825/17]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Data (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 602. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers that are currently employed with Tusla. [14826/17]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (28 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 603. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of supporting arriving refugee unaccompanied minors here in 2017; the number of minors to be expected; the cost per child; and the amount that has been allocated by her Department for the care of arriving refugee children and minors. [14828/17]

Commission of Investigation Announcement on Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Statements (Resumed) (22 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this issue, particularly as a woman and as a mother. I feel it is quite personal, to a certain extent, as somebody who potentially could have been sent to a Magdalen laundry for having a child out of wedlock if I had been born in a different generation. I always think of that when I am reading the stories. While I welcome the establishment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Legislative Programme (22 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: 207. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to bring forward legislation regarding commercial surrogacy in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14350/17]

Mother and Baby Homes: Motion [Private Members] (21 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: I wish to commend my colleague, Deputy Ó Laoghaire, on tabling this motion and sharing his time. Sinn Féin is proposing that in light of the commission of investigation being deemed insufficient to deal with crucial issues in their entirety, that a truth commission be set up which would complement the work of the investigation. A truth commission would ensure that hearings...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK Referendum Result (Resumed) (9 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: We have received apologies from Deputy Sean Sherlock, Senators Gerard P. Craughwell, Denis Landy and Niall Ó Donnghaile, Francie Molloy, MP, and Pat Doherty, MP. The joint committee is continuing its examination of the implications of Brexit for the Good Friday Agreement. Dr. Duncan Morrow, lecturer in politics and director of community engagement at Ulster University, will speak to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK Referendum Result (Resumed) (9 Mar 2017)

Kathleen Funchion: That is fine. There are a number of members who will have to leave early.