Results 5,401-5,420 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: It is part of the public story that the McCabes got a letter from Tusla, and then a second letter which said that Tusla had been wrong, which led the McCabes to request the FOI.

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: It is extraordinary, which is why the tribunal and the investigation are going on.

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I thank Senator Conway-Walsh for asking me here. I am very pleased to be here. She spoke articulately and with such great passion, as have others, in respect of the cut and paste issue. In one sense that is probably shorthand for all of the errors. The cut and paste, the original error, came from the HSE side and was then carried through to Tusla, where there were other errors. These are...

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: No staff have been suspended. We are in the midst of raising these issues, taking a look at them and determining who is ultimately responsible. All of those things, as I said, will be part both of the inquiry and of the investigation. These are still good questions the Senator has raised as to whether this is something that needs to be done immediately. I have not had the opportunity in...

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: No, I will not.

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I am trying to identify a couple of questions. In terms of the freedom of information request mentioned by Senator Kieran O'Donnell, I have identified the timing of the tribunal of inquiry.

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I have said that I have deep concerns, and I am also initiating an investigation. HIQA is out there identifying other areas. There is a huge improvement and reform programme going on that I am overseeing. I have deep concerns and I am acting on those. That is the respectable way forward.

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I was asked if I believe what the Taoiseach says. I hear that the Senator says he does not. I do not have proof in front of me to say otherwise. In terms of the account of what did not happen regarding my own meetings with him, the Taoiseach has already rectified that, but I do not have proof otherwise. We can discuss later what proof there is, and if the evidence can be demonstrated I...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: LGBT Issues (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The Programme for Government (2016) gives a commitment to develop a Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Youth Strategy. This is a key commitment for my Department in the Programme for Government and also makes a contribution towards the Government’s broader commitment to continue to strive for full inclusion of LGBT people in Ireland. Better Outcomes Brighter Futures, The...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I can confirm that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is currently leading a national, multiagency process to implement a service model for sexual abuse services for children and their families. Tusla has advised that An Garda Síochána are represented on the National Steering Committee for Sexual Abuse Services which has been established to facilitate and promote integration and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I have been advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that they are giving due consideration to the demands on the Children's Residential service and how best the centre can exist in meeting the demands of the limited number of children in Donegal who may require such a service. The needs of this group of children will be the determining factor in the decision as to what the role and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family agency is in receipt of capital funding of €13.5m in 2017. Tusla has made provision, within its Capital Plan, for the Carrick-on-Shannon project. I can confirm that Tusla is committed to the leasing of new modern office space at Shannonside Retail Park in Carrick-on-Shannon. These new premises will provide easy access to the public and will...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Funding (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Budget 2017 provided for additional funding for childcare providers nationwide under several different headings. I will be providing, for the first time, an additional payment for providers at the end of the ECCE year to take account of the administrative work they are required to complete - some providers refer to this as 'non-contact time'. This will be equivalent to seven days' ECCE...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I have asked Tusla to expand the Separated Children's team to progress the Dail resolution on unaccompanied minors who were previously in unofficial camps near Calais. Tusla is putting in place a project office and increasing the number of staff on this team. The additional staff will include a senior social work practitioner, social workers and social care staff. I understand that Tusla...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Investigations (15 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together. I can advise the Deputy that I have met with the person concerned, and heard for the first time of their experience with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I was extremely concerned for their individual situation and the serious impact it has had on the person concerned, his wife and their family. This individual case, and the...

Clarification of Statements made by the Taoiseach and Ministers: Statements (Resumed) (14 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: It was done-----

Clarification of Statements made by the Taoiseach and Ministers: Statements (Resumed) (14 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: It was done at the request of the McCabes.

Clarification of Statements made by the Taoiseach and Ministers: Statements (Resumed) (14 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: There is a paper file available that will go to the public inquiry.

Clarification of Statements made by the Taoiseach and Ministers: Statements (Resumed) (14 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I am sorry-----

Clarification of Statements made by the Taoiseach and Ministers: Statements (Resumed) (14 Feb 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Let me be perfectly clear. I had communication from another Garda whistleblower. I did not say that it was explicitly about a similar type of case, but there was engagement between Tusla and the Garda. I am agreeing to meet the garda at the request of Deputies Kelly and Pearse Doherty.