Results 6,001-6,020 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: In order to receive the Higher Capitation Rate, under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, the service provider must submit an application on an annual basis. For a childcare room/session to be approved for the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate the following criteria applies: - Pre-school leaders must satisfy the minimum qualification requirements as approved on the published...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I am committed to the provision of childcare options for families that respect parental choice and reflect international evidence on how to attain the best outcomes for children. While operational responsibility for these do not fall within my policy remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I support the extension of parental leave for parents; particularly in the crucial first year....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Funding (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: My Department did nor receive any funding from the organisation mentioned by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Recreational Facilities (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The provision of play and recreation facilities is primarily a matter for Local Authorities. My Department administers a Capital Grant Funding Scheme for Play and Recreation. The Schemewas introduced in 2013 to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people. The total amount of funding available under the Scheme in any year is €250,000, with a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: State Bodies Property (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I can confirm that Tusla, Child and Family Agency has recently approved the lease 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 accommodate the expansion of Tusla staff and services for local communities. Lease terms are currently being agreed between the parties, and work on outfitting the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Expenditure (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla has informed me that the provision of legal services include the costs of legal services directly to Tulsa and the legal costs that Tusla may need to discharge such as Guardian ad Litem, their solicitors, their counsel or third party costs. There are also ancillary costs associated with legal proceedings such as translation service, tax accountants, settlements etc. The table below...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Services (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency. I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Funding (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: The agency referred to is funded by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, and my Department has not provided funding thereto.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Psychological Assessments (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I want to thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to my attention. My Department requires further information and has contacted the Deputy directly so that the matter can be progressed.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Strategy Statements (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has prepared a draft Statement of Strategy for 2016-2019. The draft was prepared following consultations with external stakeholders, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, other Government Departments and the staff of my Department. The content is informed by the commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government for...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Resource Centres (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced a significant increase in the funding allocation to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency for next year. Tusla will have available to it some €713 million in funding, representing an increase of €37 million over 2016. The precise level of funding to be allocated in 2017 to the Family Resource Centre Programme will be considered by Tusla...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children First Guidelines (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: As the Deputy will be aware, the Children First Act 2015 was signed into law on 19 November 2015, in accordance with a key commitment in the Programme for Government, and provides for, inter alia: - mandatory reporting by key professionals, - mandated assisting, - comprehensive risk assessment and preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements by services for children, and -...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Preschool Services (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I am aware of the service in question and the challenges they face due to new childcare Regulations. Under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, registered providers of pre-school services will, from 31st December 2016, be required to ensure that each employee working directly with children attending the service holds at least a major award in Early Childhood Care...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 534 together. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and, if necessary, to receive a child into the care of the State. I am satisfied that Tusla takes its responsibility very seriously regarding the welfare of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 525, 528 and 530 together. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, holds the statutory responsibility for child welfare and protection, and is the appropriate body to receive reports of concerns relating to children at risk. I wish to assure the Deputy that Tusla deals immediately with emergency cases, including for instance, if a child has been abandoned or is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Priorities (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Services which support children and young people structure and span the policy and operational domains of my Department. These are foregrounded in policy through Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and supported by structures such as Children and Young People's Services Committees. These support and guide the range of services and supports across DCYA, its agencies and constituent sectors....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Homelessness Strategy (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Homelessness among children and families remains a serious problem. In September there were 1,173 families in emergency accommodation, including 1,568 adults and 2,426 dependents. I am committing to supporting implementation of Rebuilding Ireland: the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. We have made some progress in this regard, but more remains to be done. The Dublin Region Homeless...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Funding (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: My Department does not have a dedicated scheme in place through which groups, bodies or organisations can apply for funding for the purposes mentioned by the Deputy. However, the Deputy will be aware that my Department provides funding for the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. Budget 2017 provides €713 million for Tusla, representing an increase of €37 million on the current...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Poverty (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: In recognition of the higher risks and life-long consequences of child poverty, the Government set a child-specific poverty target in Better Outcomes, Better Future: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020 to reduce consistent child poverty by at least two-thirds by 2020. This figure currently represents 100,000 children. In order to understand and improve the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Bullying of Children (8 Nov 2016)

Katherine Zappone: Bullying Data from Wave One Data Collection from the Child Cohort in Growing Up in Ireland (at age nine) revealed: A total of 40% of nine-year-olds reported being victims of bullying in the past year, and boys and girls experienced similar rates of victimisation. Prevalence rates based on information provided by the child’s mother were substantially lower than rates based on...