Results 61-80 of 1,088 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Kathleen Funchion

Childcare Fees: Motion [Private Members] (3 Oct 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank everybody for their contributions and those who are supporting the motion. I again acknowledge that there has been work done in this sector. I said that last year at budget time as well. I also welcome aspects of the Minister's speech in relation to access and inclusion model, AIM. If that is to be extended, that would be welcome. It would be fantastic. On the administration...

Childcare Fees: Motion [Private Members] (3 Oct 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: - childcare fees are unaffordable for many families and this is made worse by the cost-of-living crisis, which has families' finances on the brink as they are hit by a barrage of day-to-day costs; - these prices mean many parents, especially mothers, feel forced to give up work or cut their hours, and this is exacerbating gender...

Commissions of Investigation (Amendment) Bill 2023: First Stage (20 Sep 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 and to provide for related matters. I am delighted to introduce this Bill today. It has been in the works for a long time. It aims to amend the current Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. The idea for this Bill came to me during the work on the mother...

Commissions of Investigation (Amendment) Bill 2023: First Stage (20 Sep 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (11 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: All aspects of the housing system are broken. Whether it is first-time buyers trying to save for a house, those who are renting or on a housing list or those who, due to a change of family circumstances, need to move out and try to get a different property, there is so much we could talk about on housing that it is sometimes difficult to know on what to focus. This evening, I will focus on...

Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: Hear, hear.

Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: From the Seanad (5 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I wanted to come back in to make one or two points I did not get to make earlier, but I might first ask a question on a point of order. Will there be a vote on the Bill as a whole after we dispose of the amendments? Am I correct in thinking that is not the case?

Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: From the Seanad (5 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: Yes, but once we have disposed of the amendments, will a question be put to the effect that the Bill will be then passed?

Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: From the Seanad (5 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I think that is the procedure, in fairness, but I was not sure, so I wanted to check.

Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: From the Seanad (5 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I was not sure but I thought that was the case and wanted to check. It is important, therefore, that I put on record what I would do if there were to be a vote. Sometimes even some of us in the House still get confused by the procedure, and certainly, for people outside the House who have been following the debate, the procedure may be even more confusing. I put on record, therefore, that...

Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: From the Seanad (5 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: The Minister finished by saying that the amendments will not affect anybody who is eligible for the scheme, but I will ask about the reasoning behind the "concluding year" provision. I support some of the Seanad amendments, even though, as the Minister knows at this stage, I do not support the Bill because of the fact it excludes anyone who was resident for six months or less in these...

Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (5 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this. I am delighted to see that we are at this stage. It is five years since we repealed the eight amendment and as I find myself often saying in this Chamber around issues that disproportionately affect women, everything seems to be a battle, and if it was not for the women and the advocacy groups that continue that battle, would we actually be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (4 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: 92. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to address the steps he will take in budget 2024 to address disadvantaged children in early years education given the significant levels of child poverty being experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32485/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (4 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: This question relates to the steps in budget 2024 that will address disadvantaged children in early years education, given the significant levels of child poverty being experienced.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (4 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I wanted to raise the issue of meals in pre-schools as I have received good feedback on it. Will that continue? It is a pilot scheme but it was very successful. On the policy the Minister referenced that is being drafted, does he envisage it will be ready for the budget or is it a longer term project? In the area of poverty, particularly child poverty, anything we can do to assist...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (4 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: If it is early in the process, that gives us the opportunity to keep asking - asking early and asking often. That is good to know. I welcome that. I also want to reference childminders coming into the scheme. That will be welcome in general. A huge number of people rely on childminders. Not everyone, including those of us in this Chamber, has a nine to five, Monday to Friday type...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child and Family Agency (4 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: 58. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will comment further on a recent parliamentary question I tabled on the number of children in care who are awaiting the allocation of a qualified social worker; the measures that he proposes to tackle the shortfall in the number of social workers within Tusla; the measures he proposes to address the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child and Family Agency (4 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: This question follows on from a written parliamentary question I tabled on the number of children in care who are awaiting the allocation of a qualified social worker and what measures, particularly as we come into budget season, the Department is proposing to tackle the shortfall in social workers in Tusla. What measures are there to address the deficit in available data? That is one of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child and Family Agency (4 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister. What prompted me to ask this question is that, in the reply we got back, remembering that 870 children do not have a social worker, the Department was not able to give us a breakdown of the time that children were waiting. Someone could have gone onto the list two or three days before the question was asked, but it could have been months or a year. It would be useful...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child and Family Agency (4 Jul 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: In the context of the previous question, if a social worker is allocated and if there is consistency in an individual's case, that person is less likely to fall into the trap of potentially being exploited. I know we all agree with that statement but we really need to work towards that. I welcome any sort of imaginative initiatives that we can do, particularly the apprenticeship route. Is...