Results 41-60 of 1,088 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister for clarifying that point in relation to the designated person. He will probably share my view that State-owned accommodation is where we have to go. Obviously, in an emergency situation or when something is unfolding, one has to respond in real time. There are such situations. If we are all being honest with ourselves, there are a lot of people making significant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: 82. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects to publish the White Paper on ending direct provision; the steps his Department is taking to address some of the recommendations highlighted in the Ombudsman for Children’s report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54565/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I will just double-check that this is the question regarding the White Paper and the ombudsman's report because I had my question order incorrect. This question follows on from the discussion we had in this Chamber two weeks ago about the report of Dr. Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children. It gives us an opportunity to discuss again some of the recommendations that came up in that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: As we said previously in this Chamber on the day of that debate, we really are very lucky to have Dr. Niall Muldoon and his team. When he highlights an issue, he really does it because it needs to be highlighted. As we know, we have so many children living in direct provision, which includes a combination of children who are here as unaccompanied minors. That combination is the most...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister. The following is not really related to the question so he might have to come back with this information, but we have the opportunity. In regard to the pay talks, and it came up at the recent Estimates as well, there have been savings, and when we questioned those, it was that the money for the pay talks had to be returned to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: 75. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on improving the chart of accounts mandatory for those services signed up to core funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54563/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: This question relates to the mandatory chart of accounts for those services signed up to core funding. Some people refer to it as double accounting. I am interested in hearing if we can get some more information in regard to that and then I will expand further on it in my remaining time.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister. I had all my points ready on the stuff I was going to give out about, but I do not have to say them now. It is great to come in and hear about progress on an issue. That is really welcome. Issues were raised in offices and elsewhere but they were also raised at the committee, as the Minister is aware. The Association of Childhood Professionals and the Federation of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mother and Baby Homes (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: 69. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on negotiations with relevant religious orders and pharmaceutical companies regarding their contributions to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; how many meetings have been held to date; what actions he intends to take outside of these discussions to ensure religious orders and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mother and Baby Homes (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: This question is about negotiations with the various religious orders and, if any, the negotiations with pharmaceutical companies about their contributions to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme. How many meetings have been held to date? What actions do the Minister and his Department intend to take outside these discussions to ensure that religious orders and pharmaceutical...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mother and Baby Homes (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: The reason I raise this issue is that Sheila Nunan was appointed in July. Is that correct?. Six months have passed since then. It is frustrating for people who are listening to this, especially as the religious orders played such a role. I accept that it was ultimately the responsibility of the State and that is key. However, it is difficult to even think that someone had to be appointed...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mother and Baby Homes (14 Dec 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I welcome that the Minister would potentially consider other options and the fact that a report is coming. That is information people were not aware of to date. What is the timeframe? Negotiations cannot go on indefinitely, even with the best will in the world on both sides. It is unfair. The cynical part of me would ask whether the religious organisations are just pushing out the...

Special Report by the Ombudsman for Children on Direct Provision: Motion (30 Nov 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I commend Dr. Niall Muldoon and his team and welcome him here this evening to the Public Gallery. This is a really important report which, unfortunately, paints a very depressing childhood for the 5,000-plus children living in direct provision, hotels and emergency reception centres in Ireland right now. I share the concerns that are raised in this report. From our own constituency work,...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I am glad to get the opportunity to speak on this Bill. As has been previously said by some of my Sinn Féin colleagues, we want to see a planning system which meets the social, economic and environmental needs of society. Public participation is key to this but it is very important that this be meaningful participation. I say that in particular on behalf of rural communities which, I...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: The Rural Independent Group is next. Will Deputy Collins take the full 20 minutes?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (7 Nov 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: 32. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how the extra €7 million allocated in budget 2024 to the access and inclusion model, AIM, programme will be delivered; to provide further clarity on the number of extra hours eligible children will receive; what ages the scheme is being extended to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48401/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (7 Nov 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: My question regards the announcement that was made in the budget a couple of weeks ago about the AIM programme and the additional provisions. I think an extra €7 million has been allocated to the AIM programme. I would like some more information on exactly how that will be allocated. Is the plan to extend it past the early childhood care and education, ECCE hours, or what exactly is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (7 Nov 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister. The AIM report he referenced came up today in a committee meeting we had with regard to early years. Does the Minister expect that AIM report to be published before the end of this year? If I am picking the Minister up correctly, it is envisaged that for children who are currently eligible for ECCE, the idea of the expansion initially is that if they wish to take...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (7 Nov 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I welcome that. AIM is an excellent programme and it is a huge benefit to children, particularly in the ECCE years. I know it is very frustrating for parents of children who are younger than that but it is welcome. I want to ask about some of the other issues that came up today, and I know we have a committee session on this next week. There was definitely clear frustration, with...

Funding for Persons with Disabilities: Motion [Private Members] (17 Oct 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank my colleague, Deputy Tully, not just for bringing this motion forward this evening but for all of her work in this area. We are very lucky to have such an excellent spokesperson. My colleagues have spoken about the strike action. It is true that it was averted at the very last minute. As somebody who used to work in the trade union movement, I can tell the House that no worker...