Results 1,821-1,840 of 5,087 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: The Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and then, if there is time, the Department of Health. If not, it is fine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: Could the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth come in briefly on existing children in families formed through surrogacy?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: We can come back to it if there is time at the end.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I am a little concerned about some of the discussion earlier. It was made obvious in the opening statement of the Department of Health that there is an urgency with the AHR Bill. I totally understand that. Do the witnesses believe new legislation will be needed to address the issues falling under the remit of this committee or are we looking at amending the AHR Bill? I ask all three...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I am sorry for cutting across Mr. O'Connor but I am conscious of the time. What if this committee comes up with great recommendations for amendments to the AHR Bill? Is it just the timeframe that is the issue?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: Does Mr. O'Connor not see how frustrating that must be, though, for people who have been waiting for surrogacy regulations or legislation, whatever the appropriate word is? As was said, this was in pre-legislative scrutiny in 2017 and now, all of a sudden when this committee has started to meet, there is this panic about it. Maybe it is unfair to put the questions to Mr. O'Connor. It just...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: The Department sees it potentially as a new legislative measure.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I am just trying to tease that out. I am not trying to be difficult with anybody. It is important that we know because we want to be constructive in this committee and get the work done. People have been waiting for far too long and it is not fair. Ultimately, it is not fair to children. If that is what Mr. McGennis thinks, that is fine. At least if we know that, it helps inform the work.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Cathaoirleach and thank Professor O'Mahony. Professor O'Mahony addressed the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as well a number of months ago which I found extremely interesting, and his report is excellent. Like many people, I am wondering too why some of this stuff has not been implemented. The question I want to ask comes out of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank Professor O'Mahony. That is one of the most comprehensive answers we have got since we started. I know we are only two hours into our proceedings, but I really appreciate that directness.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I do not have much more to add other than that the report Professor O'Mahony has published is going to be extremely helpful for us and we are very lucky to have it. Other things will be said over the course of the three months of the committee's existence but the report is a good starting point for us. Given the comments that were made earlier by the representatives of the various...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (6 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: 153. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be made available to assist ECCE providers with the rising running costs. [18675/22]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (6 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: 154. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be made available to assist childcare providers with the cost of insurance. [18676/22]

Childcare Fees: Motion [Private Members] (5 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank everybody who has contributed. I welcome that fact that the motion is not being opposed by the Government and I have no difficulty supporting the Labour Party amendment. I was struck by the amount of unity in the House, on all sides, including the Government side and across the Opposition side. The same key issues keep coming up, which include the worry and concern that the...

Childcare Fees: Motion [Private Members] (5 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: It is an extra €267 million.

Childcare Fees: Motion [Private Members] (5 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I am sorry, a Cheann Comhairle. On a brief point of clarity, it is an additional €267 million on top of what the Government is spending.

Childcare Fees: Motion [Private Members] (5 Apr 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I move: That Dáil Éireann: recognises that the cost of childcare fees, which now range from an average of €800 to highs of €1,350 per month per child are causing a generation to put their lives on hold, impacting decisions to start or expand their families, to return to work and putting household finances under immense pressure; notes: — the inadequacy of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (31 Mar 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: 323. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current capacity in school-age childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17140/22]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (31 Mar 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: 324. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in each of the age categories supported under the national childcare scheme; and the cost per child in each of those age categories. [17162/22]