Results 5,881-5,900 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Data (22 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: In 2016, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has allocated funding of €20.6m for a network of some 60 organisations providing services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland. Almost €12.0m is provided for emergency refuge and support services, a further €4.6m is provided for other community based domestic violence support services and...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Commissions of Investigation (17 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters is the only Commission of Investigation established under the aegis of my Department. It was established by Government on the 17thFebruary 2015 (S.I. No. 57 of 2015) and is due to submit its three reports by February 2018. The costs associated with the Commission are met from my Department's Vote. Since...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Data (17 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The information requested is not readily available in my Department. 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: Foster Care Supports (17 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I have asked Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to review its ability to provide safety, protection and hope to greater numbers of unaccompanied children, and to assess the additional resources that may be needed. This review will address the possible placement options that may be needed to meet the needs of the individual children involved. As this work progresses, the foster care...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Remit (17 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: In 2016, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has allocated funding of €20.6m for a network of some 60 organisations providing services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland. Almost €12.0m is provided for emergency refuge and support services and a further €4.6m is provided for other community based domestic violence support services. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Semi-State Bodies Remuneration (17 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: There have been no pension top-ups paid in respect of Chief Executive Officers in the agencies under the aegis of my Department, namely, the Ombudsman for Children's Office, the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Children's Detention Schools and Tusla.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The Deputy’s amendment proposes to insert "a birth grandparent, siblings, or other blood relative, who has played a formative, active and beneficial role in the life of that child, as may be determined by the Authority" into the Bill’s definition of the term "relevant non-guardian". I would like to clarify for the Deputy that where such a person has guardianship rights in...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: While I appreciate the Deputy's view, I do not agree with it. It is useful to have this statement in place. As the Deputy will be aware, this is largely a technical phrase used to ensure that the implementation of the constitutional referendum is best placed within our law. It also refers to the adoption authorities in that respect. We acknowledge and recognise their role and...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Of course.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Okay, I thank the Deputy. I will do that.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Adoption is a means of alternative care for a child where his or her family is unable to provide such care. There are no proposals to extend adoption to persons other than children, that is, to persons over 18 years of age. Such a policy change would require careful consideration, legal advice and Government approval. The primary purpose of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill is to give effect...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy. To be perfectly clear, it would be a major policy change to introduce what the Deputy is proposing. Such a policy change would require careful consideration, legal advice and Government approval. Applications for adoption where the child is 16 years or older are prioritised by both Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland. The Department has not received any...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: As I indicated, priority is given to cases where children are older to ensure the adoption process is completed as quickly as possible. We have not had any requests in this regard from either the Adoption Authority or the Child and Family Agency. I am not aware of any cases where the child was prevented in that regard.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: If the Deputy has any further information, I would welcome hearing it. I will think about it again and we can discuss it again.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I move amendment No. 10:In page 12, to delete lines 16 and 17. I am proposing to delete lines 16 and 17, of section 13 of the Bill which states "this section applies in respect of the adoption of a child by a person, other than a relevant non-guardian, of the child." Section 30 of the Adoption Act 2010 provides for consultation with the father of a child. Section 30(2) provides that in the...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Section 18 of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 amends section 37 of the Adoption Act 2010 to provide that a couple who are civil partners of each other and a cohabiting couple and a step-parent are included in the categories of persons who may apply to the Child and Family Agency for an assessment of eligibility and suitability and for the issuance by the Adoption Authority of a declaration...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy. I appreciate very much the rationale and concern behind his proposal. What he says is true. I will outline why. Where a child has been adopted, he or she is considered with regard to the rights and duties of parents and children regarding each other as the child of the adopter or adopters. With respect to the child, the mother or guardian of the child and every...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy identified, there is no legal entitlement, for the reasons I have already identified. The current practice does go on. I have said that the adoption (information and tracing) Bill will allow for the birth parent and adopted person to enter into arrangements regarding the sharing of information between both parties. I hope this goes all or some of the way towards acknowledging...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I accept that.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The arrangements will apply only where there is agreement among all parties. We would have to accept that. If the Deputy is willing to withdraw the amendment, we will consider what is being raised and perhaps return to it on Report Stage.