Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Disability Services

Pádraig O'Sullivan

87. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to provide respite services for disabled people and children with disabilities in Cork; the number of beds currently available in CHO 4; the number of people waiting for respite; the efforts being made to increase respite availability for people with disabilities in CHO 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25954/23]

Disability Services

Pádraig O'Sullivan

88. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the targeted domestic and international recruitment campaigns that are in place to hire staff for children’s disability network teams; if he will clarify how many vacant posts there are in CHO 4 for speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and occupational therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25955/23]

International Protection

Brian Leddin

89. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details on the current total number of refugees in accommodation provided by the State; the number accommodated this year; the total change since 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25993/23]

Disability Services

Ruairí Ó Murchú

90. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the efforts being made by his Department to ensure improvements to assessments and access to services for people with disabilities to ensure there is no wrong door when accessing services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25898/23]

Child Protection

Bernard Durkan

91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which Tusla attempts to monitor all situations in all circumstances brought to its attention where children are thought to be at risk; the action taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25909/23]

Disability Services

Matt Carthy

92. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to provide respite care services for children with disabilities in County Monaghan. [26035/23]

Child Detention Centres

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

93. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that can be taken to ensure that there is adequate provision of a safe and secure environment for young people sentenced or remanded by the Courts, in view of the fact that Oberstown detention centre has been at maximum capacity; the number of children detained in adult facilities; the alternative arrangements, if any, that are being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25168/23]

Youth Services

John Brady

94. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that his Department is planning to take to address the extent of social and economic challenges facing young people today; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26086/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Alan Farrell

95. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the progress being made to reduce the cost of childcare since budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25948/23]

Disability Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

96. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to ensure there are adequate respite services available to persons with intellectual and-or physical disabilities, in view of the crisis in respite services at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25484/23]

Legislative Process

Pauline Tully

97. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1179 of 18 April 2023, if the scoping exercise to identify outstanding requirements for ratification of the optional protocol to the UNCRPD has been completed; if not, the expected date for the scoping exercise to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25902/23]

Disability Services

Denis Naughten

98. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to address the additional transport costs associated with disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16969/23]

Disability Services

Denis Naughten

99. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to support the provision of allied health services to children with a disability within the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16968/23]

Childcare Services

Christopher O'Sullivan

100. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that are being taken to increase the number of childcare providers in areas such as Kinsale where there is a shortage of availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25959/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

101. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to meet with organisations (details supplied) to discuss their concerns regarding the operation of children’s disability network teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25903/23]

Disability Services

Pearse Doherty

102. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what action his Department and the HSE will take, following recently published HIQA inspection reports, to ensure that the areas identified that require improvement in James Connolly Memorial Residential Unit and St. Anne’s – Naoimh Áine’s are addressed without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18613/23]

Disability Services

Michael Moynihan

103. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied with his Department's progress to date in adult and children respite services; if there are plans to increase capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25774/23]

International Protection

Cathal Crowe

104. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an inventory of buildings currently being used in County Clare for the provision of accommodation for international protection applicants, along with comprehensive details of buildings he and his officials intend to acquire and bring into use through the summer and autumn period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25748/23]

International Protection

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

105. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details on the number of accommodation providers currently housing Ukrainian refugees; the number of accommodation providers currently housing international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25545/23]

Special Educational Needs

Thomas Gould

583. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the return of therapists to special schools; the number who have returned to Cork schools; and the number who will return in September, by role, in tabular form. [26125/23]

Maternity Leave

Fergus O'Dowd

584. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position in respect of calls by a charity (details supplied) to ensure that new mothers with cancer can defer maternity leave until they have finished their respective treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26186/23]

Home Care Packages

Matt Carthy

585. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if additional home support hours can be provided to a person (details supplied) who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy and has significant associated needs and who currently receives 4.25 hours per week in home support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26264/23]

Child and Family Agency

Kathleen Funchion

586. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the potential costs to undertake a comprehensive review of staffing structures within Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25542/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Kathleen Funchion

587. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing capacity in early years providers for baby places 0-1 nationally by 10%. [25594/23]

Child and Family Agency

Kathleen Funchion

588. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the budget allocated for Tusla under the NDP for ICT infrastructure; the budget allocated for Tusla by his Department for ICT infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25626/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Denis Naughten

589. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review the core funding model which is presently undermining the viability of sessional providers, some of whom are now being forced to close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25664/23]

International Protection

Niall Collins

590. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on payments due to a service provider (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25676/23]

International Protection

Niall Collins

591. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a service provider (details supplied) will receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25683/23]

International Protection

Niall Collins

592. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can assist a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25704/23]

Health Service Executive

Mattie McGrath

593. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of funding spent on providing training for clinicians in private clinics providing outsourced assessments and therapies for the HSE over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25732/23]

Disability Services

Colm Brophy

594. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm the number of vacant posts waiting to be filled in the Mid-West Disability Team providing services to children living in County Clare in 2022 and 2023; if he will outline the vacant posts, by discipline, in tabular form; the status on the recruitment for these vacant posts and efforts being made to fill these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25734/23]

International Protection

Peadar Tóibín

595. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has any intention of housing refugees in a location (details supplied); if he will engage with the local community on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25746/23]

Human Rights

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

596. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he received correspondence from the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to concerns raised by a campaign (details supplied); if he has responded on the matter; if so, the date on which he responded; and what the content of his response was. [25758/23]

Disability Diagnoses

Róisín Shortall

597. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of need by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [25823/23]

Disability Diagnoses

Louise O'Reilly

598. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of situations where parents who have children with additional needs in private after-school or crèches have been advised that their child cannot continue to attend the after-school or crèche unless they have an SNA; if he is aware that the SENO has said that they do not provide SNA support; if he will provide a list of options for the care of this child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25850/23]

Ukraine War

Paul Kehoe

599. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on outstanding payments to an accommodation centre (details supplied) for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25913/23]

Departmental Schemes

Aindrias Moynihan

600. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the uptake of applications for the Ireland against racism fund; if the number of applications to date has met or exceeded expectation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25941/23]

International Protection

Carol Nolan

601. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details on the proposals to issue tenders for floating accommodation to house international protection applicants; if such accommodation will also be used to house beneficiaries of temporary protection; the initial budgetary amount being ringfenced for these tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25957/23]

Childcare Services

Carol Nolan

602. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department assists with, or makes a financial contribution to, the sourcing or provision of childcare or crèche facilities for the children of staff members of any grade or position; if so, the names of the providers; the costs incurred for the period 2020 to date in 2023; the number of staff who have availed of such assistance over this timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25967/23]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Mark Ward

603. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; when this ratification will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26019/23]

Childcare Services

Cathal Crowe

604. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports he, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection, will put in place to support parents in terms of childcare for new babies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26048/23]

Disability Services

Thomas Gould

605. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding provided for residential respite for children's disability services in CHO 4 in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [26053/23]

Disability Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

606. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be issued for non-emergency transport for those using disability services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26057/23]

Departmental Strategies

Willie O'Dea

607. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the Autism Innovation Oversight and Advisory Group; when the next public consultation to finalise the Autism Innovation Strategy will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25950/23]

Disability Services

Richard Bruton

608. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth that available therapeutic resource for children with special needs is properly allocated between completing assessments and delivering therapeutic services; and if he will indicate the key performance targets for the new disability networks, and their capacity to achieve them. [18546/23]

Health Services

Gino Kenny

609. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that community neuro-rehabilitation is a vital support for people living with neurological conditions, a community neuro-rehabilitation team was promised for every Community Health Organisation (CHO) area but most have not been delivered; if he will commit to a timeline to establish a team in every CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17656/23]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

610. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will change policy to ensure that all refugees will in future be provided with accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26002/23]

Direct Provision System

Bríd Smith

611. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current position in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to end the direct provision system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26005/23]

Direct Provision System

Bríd Smith

612. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current position in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to end the direct provision system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26005/23]

Disability Services

Matt Carthy

613. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the eligibility criteria to access respite care for children with disabilities in counties Cavan and Monaghan will be amended; and the proposals to expand the number of respite care places for children in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [18554/23]