Parliamentary questions

Disability Services

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

523. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for the delays in reopening respite services in the Ard Aoibhinn Unit in Carndonagh, County Donegal; when he expects a HIQA inspection to be carried out at the unit; and if he can provide an ongoing update on same, until such a time that it reopens. [22714/24]

Disability Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

524. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy are not available to a vulnerable child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22717/24]

International Protection

Cian O'Callaghan

525. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will engage with an accommodation provider (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22725/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Holly Cairns

526. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an application an (details supplied) for the mother and baby institution payment scheme. [22768/24]

International Protection

Catherine Murphy

527. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with the Private Security Authority and-or the Minister for Justice in respect of the enforcement guard sector in the context of IPAS accommodation contractors engaged by his Department and the requirement for employees in those accommodations to hold an enforcement guard licence. [22775/24]

Departmental Funding

Peadar Tóibín

528. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of additional funding his Department has given to charities since December 2023 for the purpose of providing tents and sleeping bags to homeless asylum seekers (details supplied). [22841/24]

Child Protection

Marian Harkin

529. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the child protection measures that are in place at the IPAS centre at Abbey Manor, Dromahair, County Leitrim; if he will provide a copy of the child safeguarding statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22858/24]

Childcare Services

Francis Noel Duffy

530. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the chronic shortage of childcare spaces in the area of Dublin south-west with a case of one mother on 21 waiting lists; if he is further aware of the affordability crisis of childcare services and the impact this is having on working mothers trying to get back into the workforce; the measures his Department is taking to alleviate these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22912/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

531. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 427 and 428 of 27 February 2024, when the papers of the interdepartmental group will now be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22938/24]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

532. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE child psychologists working as part of Cavan children's disability network team in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased. [22947/24]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

533. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE child psychologists working as part of Monaghan children's disability network team in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased. [22948/24]

Childcare Services

Rose Conway-Walsh

534. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 574 of 16 April 2024, the annual cost to the Exchequer, in tabular form, of the means-tested national childcare scheme; the numbers accessing the scheme and the average subsidy, per recipient, in each year since 2020, by income levels, for example, by families earning €20,000 to €30,000, €31,000 to €40,000, €41,000 to €50,000, and €51,000 to €60,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22954/24]

Childcare Services

Rose Conway-Walsh

535. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 574 of 16 April 2024, to provide a table, with a breakdown, by deciles, of the distribution of hourly and weekly subsidy levels of means-tested NCS subsidy recipients for 2020 to 2023, that is, the average hourly subsidy and average weekly subsidy received by the bottom 10% of the distribution, the next 10% and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22955/24]

Childcare Services

Rose Conway-Walsh

536. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 1 May 2024, the estimated cost of a 1 cent increase in the hourly wage of all early years assistants, room leaders, deputy managers and centre managers in the childcare sector if the State were to directly subsidise the increase, regardless of current income level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22956/24]

Childcare Services

Rose Conway-Walsh

537. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s annual targets for additional childcare places, that is, increased capacity, for each year they are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22957/24]

Disability Services

Niamh Smyth

538. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review a case (details supplied); to provide an update on the provision of transport for this person to the National Learning Network in Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22980/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

539. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any expressions of interest have been received for the purchase or leasing of turnkey properties in accordance with the comprehensive accommodation strategy; the number of submissions received; the average accommodation capacity; and the average cost per unit of properties contained in the EOIs received, in tabular form. [22994/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

540. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of State-owned reception centres currently in operation; the number of units delivered, by year; and the average capacity and the average capital cost of units delivered in each of the years 2021 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22995/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

541. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to specify the average per-night cost of accommodating an IP applicant in privately owned accommodation, providing a breakdown of the average per-night cost in private accommodation contracted in each of the years 2021 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22996/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

542. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average per-night cost of accommodating an IP applicant in State-owned accommodation, providing a breakdown of the average per-night cost in State-owned accommodation delivered in each of the years 2021 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22997/24]

Parliamentary Questions

Michael Ring

543. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a response has not issued to a previous parliamentary question (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23002/24]

Asylum Seekers

John Brady

544. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail the current approach to consulting with communities where accommodation for asylum seekers is to be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23006/24]

Asylum Seekers

John Brady

545. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail the record of consultation that has taken place with communities where accommodation for asylum seekers was to be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23007/24]

Asylum Seekers

John Brady

546. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what resources have been allocated towards consultation with communities where accommodation for asylum seekers is to be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23008/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Howlin

230. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in accordance with the implementation plan for the neurorehabilitation strategy, and the commitment given by the HSE CEO that a community neurorehabilitation team would be provided for CHO 5, if funding will be provided for this team in the immediate future; if it is his intention that this service will be in place in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22162/24]

Disability Services

Mark Ward

231. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason no social worker is employed in the Clondalkin community disability network team; when this position will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22166/24]

Disability Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

232. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made in developing a procurement framework for disability home support; if he is still on target to develop and agree this by quarter of 2024, as per the HSE National Service Plan 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22154/24]

Disability Services

Mark Ward

233. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of community disability network teams in the Dublin mid-west area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22164/24]

Disability Services

Mark Ward

234. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the staffing levels in the Clondalkin community disability network team; the vacant positions; if they have been advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22165/24]

Disabilities Assessments

James Lawless

235. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures his Department is undertaking to assist families waiting on assessment of need appointments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22170/24]

Childcare Services

Mairéad Farrell

236. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the options currently available to the family of a young child seeking crèche support in Galway city when they are currently on long waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22185/24]

Disability Services

Réada Cronin

237. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the policy and procedures extant to guarantee continuity of service and care in the time when a child leaves primary care services and moves to within the remit of the children's disability network team, in order that this is as seamless as possible without closure of discharge involving services; if there is no such policy, if he will introduce one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22208/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Martin Browne

238. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria that would enable parents of children in need of autism assessments to secure funding to avail of a private practitioner; the funding streams available to parents of children in need of a range of therapies that cannot be assessed through CDNT teams due to staffing shortages or lengthy waiting lists, to alternatively avail of the services of a private practitioner; if additional access to the private sector in these situations is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22215/24]

Maternity Leave

Holly Cairns

239. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to support a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) in order to allow new mothers who fall ill while pregnant to take sick leave and defer their maternity leave; if so, to provide an update on work conducted to date on this legislation; the timeline for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22223/24]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

240. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding is available for a community nurse to cover care that may fall outside of regular business hours to enable a disabled person to live independently. [22225/24]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

241. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if community nurses are available to cover care that may fall outside of regular business hours to enable a disabled person to live independently. [22226/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Denis Naughten

242. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to review the rates paid to providers under the ECCE scheme in light of the significant increase in operational costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22227/24]

International Protection

Catherine Murphy

243. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide this Deputy with a soft copy of an opinion paper (details supplied) in respect of a property in Leixlip, County Kildare. [22272/24]

Childcare Services

Ivana Bacik

89. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children accessing early childhood education and school age childcare on the NCS sponsorship subsidy; if he will provide a breakdown of same by county, in tabular form; and if he will provide a breakdown of same by way of percentage of those in community and private services. [21917/24]

Childcare Services

Ivana Bacik

90. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of referrals for NCS sponsorship by each of the Minister for Education, the Minister for Justice, Tusla, the HSE and local authorities in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [21918/24]

Childcare Services

Ivana Bacik

91. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average childcare fee paid by parents in each county in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the lowest childcare fee paid by parents in each county in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and the highest childcare fee paid by parents in each county in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [21919/24]

Childcare Services

Ivana Bacik

92. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated percentage of Government funding, as against private fees, funding the early years sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21920/24]

International Protection

Paul Murphy

93. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure the provision of local accommodation for a person (details supplied). [21922/24]

Disability Services

Seán Sherlock

94. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine an issue for an individual (details supplied). [21940/24]

Disability Services

Jackie Cahill

95. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the progress of a new travel support scheme, following the closure of the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant scheme in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21941/24]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

96. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 91 and 92 of 30 April 2024, if he is aware that the proposed draft childminding regulations represent a further bureaucratisation of a system that is already onerous for parents and service providers; if he is aware that childminders are reporting that these regulations are too extreme and will drive many of them out of childminding, creating a further dearth of places for parents already facing difficulties in securing care for their children; if he will scrap the current draft proposals with a view to consulting with and listening to childminders and parents’ concerns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21964/24]

Departmental Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

97. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of publicly funded contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department in each of the past ten years; the cost of each contract; and the purpose for which each contract was awarded. [18662/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Pádraig O'Sullivan

98. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) will receive an assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22000/24]

Childcare Services

Niamh Smyth

99. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the new regulations for childminders; if he is aware of the concerns being expressed regarding these new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22011/24]

Maternity Leave

Róisín Shortall

100. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will honour his commitment to legislate to ensure women going through a cancer diagnosis or other serious illness during maternity leave can defer that leave while they recover; the timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22063/24]