Results 861-880 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child and Family Agency (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy. I note the information and the specific examples he has provided. We take note when the Deputy makes representations. I suggest there is evidence of good inter-agency co-operation, particularly between Tusla and An Garda Síochána, which is what the Deputy's comments largely concerned, as well as other bodies working with children and their families. As the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Administration (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 72 and 80 together. As I have indicated, the national childcare scheme will open for applications on 20 November. The current childcare subvention schemes will continue to accept applications for a further short period of time. The community childcare subvention scheme, CCSP, will remain open to new applicants until Friday, 15 November 2019. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I am fully confident that it is user friendly. I was given a demonstration of a couple of family types that could use it and how relatively straightforward it was to use. Ultimately, there is a determination of the award and what the subsidy will be. It will be revolutionary, not only for parents and families but also for providers. Nevertheless, it will probably take some time for people...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I am deeply conscious that climate justice is the issue of our time. I am proud of how young people have demonstrated tremendous leadership, as the Deputy identified, in amplifying the conversation on climate justice, not least on the international stage. My Department has become a world leader in listening to children and young people. Young people have a right to have their voices heard...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I greatly appreciate what the Deputy stated. I, too, have visited several schools in my constituency to observe what they have done of their own accord under the green flag scheme or in dealing with other issues they have identified. The other day I visited a junior school where I met the green committee which comprised senior infants pupils and discussed what they encouraged their parents...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I attended the UN General Assembly with the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and others when young people were outside. The United Nations invited them inside and we listened to what they had to say. Some of our climate activists were in attendance and we had conversations with them. We promised them that when we returned, we would try to identify ways by which we could develop engagement. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foster Care Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I really note what the Deputy has said about that region and we will take account of it. I have also tried to indicate my own response to that report. An action plan has been drawn up and the overseeing and implementation of that will hopefully address many of the issues the Deputy has identified. I have also talked about the ways in which we are trying to move on the recruitment and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foster Care Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Senior management in Tusla is working to improve foster care in the region. As I already indicated, HIQA has expressed satisfaction with the action plan that has been put in place in the area to address the shortcomings identified in the HIQA report. I take note of and acknowledge the Deputy's statement about the inspection and uncovering of the issues. That is why HIQA is there and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The national childcare scheme will open to online applications on Wednesday, 20 November, with subsidies flowing from the following Monday, 25 November. The paper-based application will be available early in the new year. Children and families using the existing schemes may choose to remain on their current schemes. In preparation for the national launch of the scheme in November, we...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: In answer to the first of the Deputy's questions, as she is aware this is one of the most significant infrastructural projects that the State has taken on in the past couple of years. We have had in place a project management oversight board of experts in all the different fields, governing the implementation of this initiative to the highest standard. That is exceptionally important in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I apologise because I have not answered the Deputy's last question.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services Inspections (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Where Tusla has evidence of a serious risk to children, Tusla's early years inspectorate brings this to the attention of social work services. This is a requirement under the Children First Act 2015 and in such instances parents are informed. As the independent statutory regulator, Tusla's early years inspectorate employs a risk-rating system for all early years services. This system...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services Inspections (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I can answer "Yes" to that question; it is very straightforward. As I have identified, a panel meets every couple of weeks to take a look at the various issues that arise in terms of those listed as critical risk. It is also important to note that we are also examining how parents might be given more information at an earlier stage where possible. In addition, I encourage parents to ask...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foster Care Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I understand the Deputy is referring to the HIQA foster care service inspection for the Carlow, Kilkenny and south Tipperary Tusla region, which was published on 3 of October. The inspection itself was carried out in May this year. I was very disappointed with the issues raised in the report. To hear the word "chaotic" used to describe the management of this important work was of great...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Resource Centres (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency is responsible for the administration of the Family Resource Centre Programme. I can assure the Deputy that Tusla is acutely aware of the level of need in certain areas, and is actively working to improve outcomes for children and young people. I understand that the Trinity Adult Resource Group for Education and Training (TARGET), the organisation...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Inspections (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: In 2019 I allocated €330,000 of capital funding to aid community/not for profit early learning and care services to address fire safety issues that were highlighted in inspection reports. I am currently planning the capital offering for 2020, and I will look carefully at this area again, taking account of the likely demand for fire and other safety measures. A key priority for...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Online Safety (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: One of the biggest challenges for our children and young people today is that of online safety. I am acutely aware of the dangers that it brings, and I am committed to playing my part in a co-ordinated Government response. A range of Government Departments and agencies have a role in relation to internet safety. In recognition of the whole of government approach required, the Taoiseach...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: In May 2019, my Department approved the terms of a procurement process for the provision of childcare services in MacEoin Park in Longford with a view to opening for the 2019/2020 programme year. Longford County Childcare Committee, which is funded by my Department, oversaw the process. Unfortunately, no suitable application was received and therefore no tender for establishing a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question, which I understand to be  in the main about staffing in residential centres. I am concerned to learn that  some centres have a high turnover of staff with a  dependency on agency staff. I am also aware of injuries sustained by some staff in the course of their work and the impact this has on their welfare and the overall...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Domestic Violence Refuges Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I understand that Tusla has not made any decisions about funding for Amber Women's Refuge, the organisation to which the Deputy refers on foot of Budget 2020. Tusla has yet to make any such decisions in relation to the services it funds in 2020. The Deputy will be aware that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, supports Amber Women's Refuge as part of its role to provide care and...