Results 1,481-1,500 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

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: Garda Vetting (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Garda vetting in Ireland is governed by the Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 which fall under the remit of my colleague the Minister of Justice and Equality. These Acts set out in detail the range of persons/activities to which vetting applies. With regard the Deputy's specific query around childminders, my Department is currently finalising a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: This Commission of Investigation was established by Government in response to significant concerns around the experiences of pregnant women in a specific type of institution, namely mother and baby homes. The comprehensive investigation was framed to provide a clear emphasis on the experiences of women and children who spent time in these institutions. This was a deliberately focused rather...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (28 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I published the Commission's Fifth Interim Report, which had a focus on burial arrangements, on the 16 April 2019 and it has been circulated to relevant State authorities for their appropriate attention. We know from this Interim Report that the Commission has dedicated significant time and effort to advancing its investigations into these matters. As the matters referred to by the Deputy...

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

Katherine Zappone: I am committed to ensuring childcare is affordable, accessible and of a high quality. Capital funding is aimed at increasing the capacity of services, creating new services and maintaining and improving existing services. Each year my Department reviews the capital programmes as a whole and determines the priorities for Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital grants. The capital...

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

Katherine Zappone: Historically, there have been low levels of investment in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) in Ireland. Over the past four budgets however, investment has increased by some 117% - rising from in €260 million in 2015, to €575 million in 2019. This 117% increase in investment in childcare over the last 4 budgets has assisted with an unprecedented...

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

Katherine Zappone: Early Childcare Care and Education (ECCE) services are either privately run or operated by community/not for profit services. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is not the owner or operator of any childcare service, but through a Funding Agreement provides a range of funding supports, through capitation payments and other programmes, to support the sector. My Department generally...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education Funding (22 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: It is very helpful for me to hear the Deputy's commentary concerning the Mountbellew childcare centre, particularly the way in which he describes the quality of provision for the children and the incredible commitment of the providers, the staff and the professionals. It is so important for us and for me as Minister that they stay there and continue to do that work. I know it can be...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education Funding (22 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. A key priority for me as Minister is to ensure all children can access early learning and care and school age childcare that is affordable, accessible and of high quality. My Department supports the growing sector through the provision of capital funding where it is most needed. After decades of low levels of investment in early learning and care...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Aftercare Services (22 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...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (22 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 of my Department's capital programmes. Capital funding is aimed at increasing the capacity of services, creating new services and maintaining and improving existing services. Each year my Department reviews the capital programmes as a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Data (21 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 600 together. Please see the following table which outlines the current Early childhood Care and Education (ECCE) registrations per county: County Approved ECCE registrations Carlow 1,400 Cavan 2,062 Clare 2,684 Cork 14,454 Donegal 3,562 Dublin 29,674 Galway 6,390 Kerry 3,310 Kildare 6,369 Kilkenny 2,395 Laois 2,426 Leitrim 741 Limerick...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Data (21 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Some 33 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) were established in 2001 to advance the provision of childcare facilities in their local areas. They comprise local representatives from the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, childcare providers and parents. There are now 30 CCCs, as Limerick City and Limerick County CCCs have amalgamated, as have Waterford City and Waterford...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Recreational Facilities Provision (21 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: My Department administers a Capital Grant Funding Scheme for new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people. The purpose of the play and recreation capital grant is to support refurbishment of play and recreation amenities for children and young people. Since 2013, my Department has contributed to the provision of new equipment, the development of natural play...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Domestic Violence Refuges Provision (21 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the provision of care and protection to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).  In discharging its statutory responsibility, Tusla supports 59 organisations nationally that deliver a range of services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender based...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education Data (21 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a programme of supports designed to enable children with a disability to access and meaningfully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. It was introduced in June 2016 and is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. AIM is a child-centred model, involving 7 levels of progressive...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Expenditure (21 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: My Department has utilised Deloitte’s services on a yearly basis since 2012. Deloitte provided audit services for a number of youth programmes operated by my Department.  Details of the funding provided are listed in the table below. 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Deloitte €8,911 €7,488 €7,488 €8,781 €8,781 €8,781...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Domestic Violence Services Funding (21 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency provides funding and coordination supports to some 59 organisations that deliver a range of services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence throughout the country. In 2019, €25.3 million is being allocated to Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence services, an increase of €1.5 million over 2018. I have requested Tusla...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Residential Institutions (21 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I have been informed that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, does not collate data on the number of pregnancies experienced by young people in residential care.  When a young person in residential care becomes pregnant, a review of their statutory Care Plan is arranged, which aims to assess all of the needs of the young person. The planning process takes into consideration the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Investigations (21 May 2019)

Katherine Zappone: I am aware that media reports have issued recently with regard to the individual to whom the Deputy refers.  I have been advised by Tusla that it cannot comment on individual employment matters.