Parliamentary questions

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Holly Cairns

256. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he or his Department released copies of the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes to journalists ahead of it being made available online to survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3182/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Holly Cairns

257. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the sixth interim report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was withheld until the release of the final report from the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3183/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Holly Cairns

258. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to conduct a full survey of the Bessborough estate in County Cork in response to the fifth interim report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, which states that the commission considers that it is likely that some of the 859 unaccounted children are buried in the grounds, but has been unable to find any physical or documentary evidence of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3184/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Holly Cairns

259. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on working with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to use ministerial directives under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to halt any development on the Bessborough mother and baby home site ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3185/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Holly Cairns

260. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposed contents of the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes; the eligibility criteria for same ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3186/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

261. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when all former residents of the mother and baby institutions will be given a hard copy of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, in full; if his Department has carried out an analysis of the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3210/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Mark Ward

262. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a comprehensive list of mother and baby homes was compiled; if so, the criteria for inclusion on same; and the location in which the list can be accessed. [3214/21]

Direct Provision System

Catherine Connolly

263. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the terms of reference of the independent monitoring mechanism tasked with carrying out inspections of direct provision accommodation centres for the legal basis underpinning the establishment of the independent monitoring mechanism; the details of membership of the independent monitoring mechanism; if the monitoring mechanism is operational to date; if so, the number and locations of inspections it has carried out to date; the role of HIQA in the independent monitoring mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3280/21]

Direct Provision System

Catherine Connolly

264. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the implementation of the national standards for direct provision accommodation centres; the measures his Department is taking to ensure compliance of existing direct provision centres with the national standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3281/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

265. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes suggests, and if he will consider, the inclusion of all women and survivors of all mother and baby homes in the country when awarding redress; if it will be limited to specified mother and baby homes or certain cohorts of women and survivors; if the latter is the case, the way in which redress will be decided upon; if he will provide information on these specified groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3324/21]

Asylum Seekers

Catherine Connolly

266. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 631 of 17 November 2020, if the formal vulnerability assessment system for asylum seekers promised by the end of 2020 is operational; if so, the number of formal vulnerability assessments carried out to date under the new system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3332/21]

Childcare Services

Jim O'Callaghan

267. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the approach he is taking to ensure the continued operation of early learning childcare facilities for essential and front-line workers after 31 January 2021; the publication date for the plan; the plan to reopen for all workers; the level of engagement with representative bodies in the childcare sector to date in tabular form, the funding options available to childcare providers after 31 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3347/21]

Parental Leave

Claire Kerrane

268. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when legislation will be introduced to extend parent's leave; the estimated timeframe in which he envisages this legislation will be passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3396/21]

Ministerial Correspondence

Niall Collins

269. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3434/21]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Brendan Smith

270. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a refuge centre for victims of domestic abuse will be established in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3483/21]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

271. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason some essential workers whose children were offered places in creches and who are not taking up the offer of a place for their children are facing penalties from the crèche providers and still being charged for the child’s place; if his attention has been drawn to same; if his Department has had communication from crèche owners and management on this issue; if he will address the matter relating to fees and charges on parents who are not availing of a crèche place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3498/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Holly Cairns

358. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a physical copy of the mother and baby homes commission report is being given to each known survivor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3181/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Peadar Tóibín

359. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of authorities, persons, Ministers and Departments that had access to the final report of the mother and baby homes commission of investigation prior to 10 January 2021. [2292/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Peadar Tóibín

360. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of times since he took office that he has spoken to or corresponded with his predecessor (details supplied) about the mother and baby homes commission of investigation and issues related to it. [2293/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

361. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if teachers are officially recognised as essential workers for access to childcare purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2335/21]

Parental Leave

Jennifer Whitmore

362. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the extension to parental leave as a result of budget 2021; if he will bring forward the start date of such leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2336/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

363. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to ensure a full investigation into the leak of the mother and baby homes report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2337/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

364. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he will be consulting with the collaborative forum on the mother and baby and Bethany homes commission of investigation report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2338/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

365. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if childcare services have been requested to remain closed beyond 31 January 2021, if providers will be requested to continue the suspension of fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2354/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

366. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if employees of his Department have received Covid-19 vaccines due to their role in the Department; if so, the rationale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2395/21]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Seán Sherlock

367. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who availed of ECCE in 2020 and to date in 2021. [2456/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Thomas Gould

368. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that childcare providers are requesting full payment from parents who are essential workers even if one parent is an essential worker and the other currently is not working and, therefore, not in need of childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2457/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

369. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions a provider of childcare services should take when it has one non-ECCE child, which means, under the rules, it must remain open in cases in which the provider is also a parent of a school-aged child who requires supervision; if the premises is allowed to close to allow the provider to provide care to their own child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2489/21]

Childcare Services

Niamh Smyth

370. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if matters raised by a childcare facility (details supplied) in correspondence will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2542/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Peter Burke

371. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that childcare providers are charging parents for childcare due to parents' jobs being referenced in the list of essential workers even when this work is being carried out at home and children are not availing of childcare; his views on whether this is appropriate; if advice will be given to childcare providers and parents in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2600/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Peter Burke

372. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if emergency funding will be provided for childcare providers who are severely negatively impacted by very low occupancy, particularly those who are not supported significantly by State funding, to augment the employment wage subsidy scheme, such as school age care, SAC, providers and those who benefit from the universal payment on the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2601/21]

Childcare Services

Peter Burke

373. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered the sustainability of funding for childcare providers after 31 January 2021, given that he has advised that the Government is legally prevented from providing scheme funding after that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2602/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Niall Collins

374. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a copy of a report will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2604/21]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Denise Mitchell

375. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of early years and preschool settings that have closed their services permanently since March 2020. [2644/21]

Child and Family Agency

Denise Mitchell

376. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of social workers employed by Tusla from July 2020 to date. [2647/21]

Child and Family Agency

Denise Mitchell

377. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of cases deemed to be high priority by Tusla that await the allocation of a social worker. [2648/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Peadar Tóibín

378. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can provide clarity regarding the online presentation he provided to survivors of mother and baby homes on 12 January 2021; the process through which survivors could ask questions; if these questions were submitted live during the presentation; if not, if they were submitted by email in advance of the presentation; and if the microphones of survivors on the call were kept muted throughout the presentation. [2783/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Neasa Hourigan

379. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the support services established in view of the publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes that are available to those who are deaf or hard of hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2802/21]

National Childcare Scheme

Mark Ward

380. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost in 2021 if the affordable childcare scheme universal subsidy increased by 50 cent per hour to €1.50 per hour having regard to 2019 figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2807/21]

Proposed Legislation

Jennifer Whitmore

381. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the adoption of legislation in relation to mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2887/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

382. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when hard copies of the commission on the investigation into mother and baby and Bethany homes report will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2888/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

383. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will be engaging with survivors again once they have reviewed the commission’s report into mother and baby homes; the mechanism by which engagement will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2889/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

384. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of calls made by survivors of mother and baby homes to support services, including mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2890/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

385. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes will be put in place; the steps his Department will take; the position regarding the overall strategic action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2891/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

386. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional resources put in place to deal with GDPR requests related to survivors of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2892/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

387. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline of the appointment for an archivist in relation to mother and baby homes; the steps his Department is taking to facilitate this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2893/21]

Domestic Violence

Jennifer Whitmore

388. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional supports being provided to assist women and children facing domestic abuse under the current lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

389. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if essential workers who decide not to put their children into childcare in order to reduce movement during the current level 5 restrictions are compelled to pay for that childcare service regardless of whether they use the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2903/21]

Childcare Costs

Jennifer Whitmore

390. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the financial supports available for teachers who must teach online in a live capacity, resulting in the need to put their children into childcare, but whose childcare costs are now more than their incomes due to the fact that their children are no longer in school owing to school closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2904/21]

Direct Provision System

Jennifer Whitmore

391. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the White Paper on direct provision will likely be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2908/21]