Parliamentary questions

Childcare Services

Niall Collins

520. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to improve rates of pay for childcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21490/24]

Childcare Services

Jackie Cahill

521. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a childcare centre (details supplied), which is community run, currently catering for over 100 children with 26 employees, will be allowed to issue its own fees in order to compete with the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21501/24]

Equality Issues

Ivana Bacik

522. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, in light of the recent report (details supplied), he will outline the timeline for the introduction of socioeconomic status as grounds of discrimination in the Equality Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21565/24]

Childcare Services

Paul Kehoe

523. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is any avenue for a person to access a crèche place for their children when all local crèches are at capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21615/24]

International Protection

Robert Troy

524. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the review of transport services for residents at a location (details supplied). [21634/24]

Voluntary Sector

Paul Murphy

525. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 576 of 16 April 2024, where he stated that "the implementation of safeguarding measures for other similar organisations are a matter for these organisations themselves", the reason that a special case is being made for an organisation (details supplied); and if he is aware of the reason the organisation is not in a position to fund this post directly. [21643/24]

Disability Services

Sorca Clarke

526. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of full-time permanent residential places for adults with disabilities in County Roscommon, in tabular form, per provider, both utilised and available at present. [21650/24]

Childcare Services

Pat Buckley

527. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the lack of preschool places in Youghal, County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21676/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

528. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21686/24]

Ukraine War

Peadar Tóibín

529. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of pets which have been brought to Ireland from Ukraine in each month since the invasion; and the cost to the State in relation to this in each of those months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21715/24]

Departmental Reports

Pearse Doherty

530. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a report, believed to have begun in June 2022, into 11 allegations of abuse at a disability centre (details supplied), will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21741/24]

International Protection

Cian O'Callaghan

531. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide data on a series of issues (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21768/24]

International Protection

Duncan Smith

532. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any international protection applicants have been referred to the National Infectious Disease Isolation Facility in Portrane for treatment of scabies who are unable to isolate in their own environment to contain spread to others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21780/24]

International Protection

Michael McNamara

533. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 427 of 8 May 2024; of that number in IPAS provided accommodation at the end of March 2024, how many were in the international protection system awaiting either a decision on their international protection application or their application for leave to remain; how many had been granted status, either international protection or leave to remain; how many had received a deportation order; how many were persons in respect of whom the IPAS has been informed that they have been refused international protection and leave to remain but had not received a deportation order; how many do not fall within any of the forementioned categories; and if he will outline the basis upon which the latter group are provided accommodation by IPAS. [21825/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

534. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 445 and 446 of 8 May 2024, the estimated breakdown of the 13,000 State-owned beds targeted by 2028 that would be specifically dedicated to reception and integration centres available to IP applicants for at least six months and accommodation centres available to IP applicants after six months until they exit the protection process, in tabular form. [21848/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

535. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated total capital cost of delivering the targeted 13,000 State-owned IPAS units under the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy; the breakdown of the estimated capital cost per unit and per centre for those under reception and integration centres and accommodation centres, in tabular form. [21849/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

536. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of State-owned modular units for accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection that are currently in development; and the stage of development of each project and the estimated average cost per project and per unit, in tabular form. [21850/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

537. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of commercially owned modular units for accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection that are currently in development; and the stage of development of each project and the estimated average cost per project and per unit, in tabular form.
[21851/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

538. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average completion deadline for State-owned modular units dedicated to accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection; the providing a breakdown of the average completion timelines for units procured in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the breakdown of the average completion timelines of units procured by county, in tabular form. [21852/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

539. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average completion deadline for commercially-owned modular units dedicated to accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection; the average completion timelines for units procured in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the breakdown of the average completion timelines of units procured by county, in tabular form. [21853/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

540. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in print media; the names of the print media publications involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21859/24]

Childcare Services

Bernard Durkan

541. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the urgent assistance that can be given to a number of families in Kilcock, County Kildare following the announcement recently by a childcare provider (details supplied) that children due to start primary school next year will now have no afterschool place and will be required to force alternative afterschool care, which is already at a premium; the procedure that each family can now follow given this unexpected announcement to secure appropriate local childcare given the pressure that many working families are already under; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21879/24]

Childcare Services

Catherine Murphy

542. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports he can provide to service providers (details supplied) in order to assist them with capacity and service provision in the after-school care environment; and how parents who have provided all details to the NCS of their child, and a place is secured, but subsequently withdrawn, can be facilitated. [21904/24]

Childcare Services

Pearse Doherty

255. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are available through Pobal to provide assistance to a community playgroup (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18303/24]

Assisted Decision-Making

Mark Ward

256. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to comment on the decision support service; the number of applications that have been started; the number of applications that have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21111/24]

Childcare Services

Ged Nash

257. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position on the recognition and regulation of childminders who are caring for children in their own homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21014/24]

International Protection

Paul Kehoe

258. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether a building (details supplied) is being considered for use as refugee accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21034/24]

Departmental Reviews

Neasa Hourigan

259. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions taken to date to implement the findings of the disability capacity review to 2032 report, as well as to meet the funding requirements of the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21046/24]

Disability Services

Neasa Hourigan

260. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether there is a national and-or regional waiting list or register for those with an intellectual disability in need of residential placement; if so, the person or body responsible for the maintenance of the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21047/24]

Disability Services

Neasa Hourigan

261. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of adults on the waiting list for a residential placement; the number of new residential placements created, staffed and opened; the number of new placements filled by residents moved from a congregated setting; the number filled by residents moving from family homes in each of the years 2022 and 2023; and the number of new placements that are due to be fully funded and opened in 2024. [21048/24]

Disability Services

Neasa Hourigan

262. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons in the State with an intellectual disability who are aged 40 years or over. [21049/24]

Disability Services

Neasa Hourigan

263. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with an intellectual disability who are living in State-funded accommodation. [21050/24]

Disability Services

Michael Lowry

264. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth f he will provide an update on an application submitted in October 2023 to the children’s disability fund by an organisation (details supplied); when the organisation will receive a decision on its application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21056/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Niamh Smyth

265. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review correspondence (details supplied); if he will suggest funding mechanisms to assist in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21067/24]

Emergency Accommodation

John Lahart

266. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason he did not avail of an opportunity to meet with local public representatives and national representatives on his recent visit to Tallaght, where there has been an anxiety to quietly and safely discuss his Department’s proposals for St. John’s in Tallaght and its repurposing as a migrant/asylum seeker’s hub; if he would be minded to have such a meeting in the very near future to help local public representatives convey accurate and credible information to the local business population in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21077/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Colm Brophy

267. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the State has access to mother and baby records from a private nursing home (details supplied); if the public can access this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21113/24]

Maternity Leave

Neasa Hourigan

268. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on plans to amend current legislation which prevents women from deferring their maternity leave while they are being treated and recovering from cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/24]

Child and Family Agency

Willie O'Dea

269. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered that the childcare crisis could worsen if the proposed Tusla regulations come into effect, as childminders in their own home would have responsibilities akin to a manager in a crèche as well as all their regular other duties; if he has also considered that the resulting increased amount of administration would have a detrimental effect on their work/life balance and the privacy of childminders and their families would be badly affected by the proposed regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21155/24]

Departmental Contracts

Cathal Crowe

270. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a contract renewal (details supplied) has been signed off on. [21156/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Neasa Hourigan

271. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms (details supplied) by his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2019 to 2024, in tabular form and classed by firm; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [21165/24]

Disabilities Assessments

James Lawless

422. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress his Department is achieving in reducing the waiting list for assessment of needs for children on the HSE waiting list; if he could detail the waiting time remaining for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20718/24]

Childcare Services

Neasa Hourigan

423. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the work of the early learning and childcare stakeholder forum, particularly their work on issues around staff recruitment and retention within the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20108/24]

Childcare Services

Róisín Shortall

424. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will consider allowing for childcare assistants who are undergoing training to be included in staff-children ratios, provided they are under the supervision of fully qualified childcare staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20188/24]

Legislative Measures

David Stanton

425. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he intends to introduce the Heads of Bill to legislate for working mothers who get cancer in pregnancy, or postpartum, and are subsequently forced to use up their maternity leave while getting treated for and recovering from a cancer diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20191/24]

Departmental Regulations

Richard Bruton

426. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of submissions from the respective stakeholders which have been received to date in respect of the draft regulations for the child-minding sector; if he is aware that some providers fear a very legalistic compliance approach from Tusla that might not appreciate the essence of care within a home setting compared to a business setting; and how he intends to proceed in finalising and introducing the new regime. [20251/24]

International Protection

Michael McNamara

427. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons who were in IPAS-provided accommodation at the end of March 2024; the number that were persons in respect of whom the IPAS has been informed that they have been refused international protection and leave to remain but have not received a deportation order. [20272/24]

International Protection

Michael McNamara

428. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants who were awaiting an offer of IPAS-provided accommodation at the end of March 2024. [20273/24]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

429. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of employees within his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20309/24]

Disability Services

Richard Bruton

430. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will obtain a report from a service (details supplied) regarding their capacity to find placements for children completing their school years; and if any steps can be taken to ensure suitable placements and transport to the placement, where necessary. [20326/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Holly Cairns

431. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason survivors and former residents from a mother and baby county home institution, who also spent time at St. Joseph's Hospital, Coole, County Westmeath prior to being adopted, are excluded from the payment scheme (details supplied). [20340/24]