Results 981-1,000 of 5,087 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (9 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: That is welcome. I have often spoken on this matter. Childminders are invaluable. Theirs is the service I used due to the nature of my current work and when I previously worked for a trade union, where the hours are so uncertain. Many people are in that situation, including those doing shift work or not doing the traditional 9 to 5 hours. There are so many roles like that where...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (9 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: This is good. It would be great to complete the legislation this year in order that it could come into force next year. Those of us familiar with this sector have often wondered how to encourage more people to register. I have always thought there is sometimes a fear that, all of a sudden, somebody who has been childminding for years but was not registered believes there will be some sort...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (9 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: 233. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to pilot the provision of a range of meal options to children, including the provision of hot meals in early learning settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6419/23]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (9 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: 234. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions his Department has taken to promote the safety and wellbeing of unaccompanied children and young people seeking international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6420/23]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Registration of Births (9 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: 235. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on applications being processed through the information and tracing legislation. [6421/23]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (9 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: 236. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the impact that increases in the national childcare scheme is having; if his Department plans to increase the subsidy in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6422/23]

Committee on Public Petitions: Public Petition on St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir (Resumed): Health Service Executive (9 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I agree with the assessment of the Chair. Sometimes decisions are made and then people try to justify them. At a time when we are under such pressure in our health services, is this not a perfect facility and location for people? There is the issue of the lack of transport in rural Ireland. Some of the suggested alternatives are not really an option for people if they do not have their...

Committee on Public Petitions: Public Petition on St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir (Resumed): Health Service Executive (9 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I have one tiny supplementary question. I take the point being made in relation to infection control and everything but surely then the HSE is breaking its own rules on a daily basis in places where there are trolleys on corridors. If that is the case, should those wards not be shut down that day and for the few days or weeks that happens? The expression "when you are defending you are...

Committee on Public Petitions: Public Petition on St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir (Resumed): Health Service Executive (9 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: In fairness, it has to be the same rules in relation to infection control. That is my final point because I have taken up enough time.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: The committee will consider the Revised Estimates for Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, as referred by the Dáil. Only matters relevant to the Estimates can be discussed. On behalf of the select committee, I welcome the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister. I will go through our speaking rota. Deputy Costello is first, followed by Deputies Ward, Murnane O'Connor and Cairns.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I have several questions, which are mainly on the NCS. In the document I have in front of me, are the two pieces of information under subhead B04 to be taken together as the overall spend? Am I correct in thinking that? I refer to the number of children on the NCS and legacy-targeted schemes and then the average full-time NCS subsidy for those living below the relative income poverty line....

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: Okay. Pobal carries out a survey on an annual basis but the difference between fees and funding was always around 60% Government funded and then 40% fees. That is the rough estimate. The new scheme potentially means a 25% reduction in fees for parents. What is the increase in funding now between that 60:40 breakdown? Will we have to wait until the Pobal survey comes out?

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: The information on childcare and capital grants is probably in there but I may have missed it. Is there an allocation for that this year? We get many queries about minor works. People ask how they are going to fund something, in particular after a Tusla inspection where it is nothing severe, let us say, but people need to come up with €10,000 to €15,000, which a small service...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: Okay, it is €9 million.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: Okay.

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: Yes, definitely. I also have a question about domestic violence services. Is this all with the Department of Justice now? We were looking at our work programme as a committee and we wanted to look more at aspects or even awareness. A recent study showed that so many people did not understand what coercive control was and all the aspects of that. Does that all fall to the Department of...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: Okay. I think that is everything. Does the Minister wish to make any concluding remarks?

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: On behalf of the committee I thank the Minister and all the officials. That completes the select committee's consideration of the Revised Estimates for 2023 in respect of Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. A message to that effect will now be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil in accordance with Standing...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Message to Dáil (8 Feb 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: In accordance with Standing Order 101, the following message will be sent to the Dáil: The Select Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimates for public services for the year ending 31 December 2023: Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights...