Results 1,461-1,480 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Funding (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402, 404 and 421 together. Assisting childcare providers in extending their existing childcare services, or establishing new childcare services, have always been key areas of focus for my Department's capital programmes. Each year the Department reviews the capital programmes as a whole and determines the priorities for Early Learning and Care and School Age...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: First 5, a Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, was published in November 2018. First 5 includes over 150 actions including a broad a range of measures to support families given their fundamental importance in shaping children’s experiences and outcomes. The vision for babies and young children articulated in First 5 is of a healthy childhood...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Staff (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I have been unequivocal in my support for better pay and conditions for staff in Early Learning and Care services. Early Learning and Care practitioners play a critical role in supporting young children's early learning and development and in providing a safe and caring environment. They deserve to be recognised, valued and respected for this. While my Department funds a wide range of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I can advise the Deputy that a child received into care by Tusla as a result of a legal court order or through voluntary parental consent is placed in foster care or residential care. Foster care is the main form of alternative care for children in need of care and protection, and is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their parents or guardians. Children, depending on...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foster Care Policy (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I wish to thank the Deputy for her question. As with Parliamentary Question No. 446 of 14 May, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, are in a better position to address the Deputy's concerns. As such, I have again referred the matter to Tusla for their direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Funding (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Assisting childcare providers in extending their existing childcare services, or establishing new childcare services, have always been key areas of focus for my Department's capital programmes. Each year the Department reviews the capital programmes as a whole and determines the priorities for Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital grants. The capital strands have been made...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Funding (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The National Childcare Scheme is a new, national scheme of financial support for parents towards the cost of childcare. The development of this Scheme is a significant move forward in delivering quality, accessible, affordable childcare to families throughout Ireland. The Scheme represents a fundamental shift away from subsidies grounded in medical card and social protection entitlements,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Data (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I can advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the appropriate body to receive referrals of children at risk. Tusla collate and publish data on the number of referrals received, and the actions taken in relation to referrals. I have therefore written to Tusla and asked them to revert to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I can advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the appropriate body to receive referrals of children at risk. Tusla collates and publishes data on the number of referrals received, and the actions taken in relation to referrals. I have therefore written to Tusla and asked them to revert to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Before receiving any funding from my Department, youth organisations must enter into a Service Level Agreement with either their relevant Education and Training Board or Pobal who act as funding intermediaries on behalf of my Department. This service level agreement opens the dialogue by outlining the youth services' responsibilities to protect children under the Children First Act 2015. In...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection Services Provision (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The question relates to operational matters for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have referred the matter to Tusla and asked that a direct reply issue to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children and Family Services Provision (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, will receive Exchequer funding of over €787m in 2019. Tusla allocates some €150 million annually to a range of community and voluntary organisations which provide services to achieve better outcomes for vulnerable children, and families, that require interventions and supports. In 2019, €60.4m has...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Protection (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I can advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the appropriate body to receive referrals of children at risk. Tusla publish data on the number of referrals received, and the actions taken in relation to referrals. I have therefore written to Tusla and asked them to revert to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Homeless Persons Supports (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: While my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, has primary responsibility for reducing and ultimately eliminating homelessness, I am committed to helping children and families experiencing homelessness as part of a whole-of-Government response to this problem. As the Deputy will be aware, children and families experiencing homelessness are supported by Tusla,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse Reports (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I can advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the appropriate body to receive referrals of abuse. Tusla publish data on the number of referrals received, and the actions taken in relation to referrals. I have therefore written to Tusla and asked them to revert to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Internet Safety (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I am conscious of the issue referred to by the Deputy. The internet is an increasingly valuable resource for everyone, including children and young people, but it also exposes people to new risks including cyberbullying. A range of Government Departments and agencies have a role in relation to internet safety. In recognition of the whole of government approach required, in July 2018,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Abuse (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I can advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the appropriate body to receive referrals of abuse. Tusla publish data on the number of referrals received, and the actions taken in relation to referrals. I have therefore written to Tusla and asked them to revert to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Costs (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I understand that Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare costs can be a significant burden for families. I and officials in my Department are working towards alleviating this financial strain for all families. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS), which will be introduced later this year, is a new user-friendly scheme to help parents meet the cost of quality childcare. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Investigations (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I can advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the appropriate body to investigate the non-compliance of a provider of a relevant service under the Children First Act 2015. I have, therefore, written to Tusla and asked them to revert to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children in Care (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The impact of violence and abuse witnessed or experienced in childhood can last a lifetime. Where a child is in the care of Tusla, and where there is a history of violence or other forms of abuse, the Courts may order, or social workers may arrange, for access to be supervised to ensure safe oversight of the access visit. I am deeply conscious of, and sensitive to, the concerns of parents...