Parliamentary questions

Departmental Policies

Pauline Tully

920. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 62 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to introduce a non-means tested, targeted cost-of-disability payment for autistic people and disabled people with high levels of expenditure due to their autism diagnosis or disability; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57309/23]

Departmental Policies

Pauline Tully

921. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 63 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to introduce a non-means tested, targeted cost-of-disability payment for the carers to autistic people and disabled people with high levels of expenditure due to their autism diagnosis or disability; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57310/23]

Departmental Policies

Pauline Tully

922. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 64 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to introduce specific targeted supports for those with the highest additional costs due to disability, including autism; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57311/23]

Departmental Policies

Pauline Tully

923. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 65 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to increase the income disregard for disability allowance and carer’s allowance to account for the high costs of disability; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57312/23]

Departmental Policies

Pauline Tully

924. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 66 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to recognise the work of carers and the services they provide the State by establishing a pilot scheme for a basic income entitlement or a participation income to replace the carer’s allowance, in line with the recommendations of an organisation (details supplied) and the Joint Committee on Gender Equality; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57313/23]

Departmental Policies

Pauline Tully

925. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 67 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to establish a grant to assist autistic people and disabled people in paying for larger, one-off expenses; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57314/23]

Departmental Policies

Pauline Tully

926. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 68 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to benchmark the rate of disability allowance and other social protection payments to ensure that autistic recipients can achieve a minimum essential standard of living; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57315/23]

Departmental Consultations

Pauline Tully

927. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 69 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to undertake consultation with the autistic community on the accessibility of information regarding supports and services provided by her Department and ensure that there is no reduction in supports when those in receipt of disability allowance reach State pension age; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57316/23]

Departmental Reviews

Pauline Tully

928. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 70 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to undertake a review of the accessibility and user-friendliness of all application forms for disability supports with the autistic community; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57317/23]

Departmental Reviews

Pauline Tully

929. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 71 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to initiate a review of application processes and their transparency to minimise the rate of rejection of applications for disability supports and care supports; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57318/23]

Departmental Policies

Pauline Tully

930. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 72 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to allow those who were previously in receipt of disability allowance and have subsequently entered employment to retain their entitlement to a medical card and free travel pass, subject to certain limitations; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57319/23]

Departmental Policies

Pauline Tully

931. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 73 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to raise the age limit of domiciliary care allowance to 18 years; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57320/23]

Departmental Policies

Pauline Tully

935. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection in line with Action 72 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report (details supplied) if she has plans to allow those who were previously in receipt of disability allowance and have subsequently entered employment to retain their entitlement to a medical card and free travel pass, subject to certain limitations; and the estimated first and full year cost respectively of implementing this proposal. [57370/23]

Departmental Data

Pauline Tully

936. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the estimated additional cost of implementing the Green Paper on Disability Reform that was indicated as €130 million by a person (details supplied) on 25 October 2023 at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, if she will give a detailed breakdown of what this estimated additional spend will consist of. [1005/24]

Departmental Consultations

Pauline Tully

1046. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice if consultation has taken place with disabled persons representative organisations in relation to the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022. [57012/23]

Asylum Seekers

Pauline Tully

1085. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice with regard to the increasingly urgent conflict situation in Sudan, if she introduced, or will consider introducing options such as stamp zero, temporary visas or other pathways to reunite Sudanese/Irish citizens or residents with their immediate relatives with agreed-upon guarantees that would ensure they will not become a burden on the State. [1222/24]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1298. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in line with Action 96 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report (details supplied) if he has plans to increase resources for the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design to allow for the centre to reach its full potential in assisting the State to embed the principles of universal design. [57335/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1299. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in line with Action 97 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report (details supplied) if he has plans to provide capacity to the National Disability Authority to review the accessibility of information on the websites of Government departments and on application forms and support departments in changing or updating information; and the estimated cost of implementing this proposal. [57336/23]

Departmental Funding

Pauline Tully

1306. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when his Department will provide the funding to allow for the payment of the 8% pay increase to Section 39, Section 56 and Section 10 organisations that was agreed on 17 October 2023; the reason this funding has not already been provided; and the timeframe for reengagement with unions (details supplied) which was due to take place in December 2023. [56332/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1308. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of children currently on the waiting list to access a children’s disability network team nationally; the number of those waiting for over a year; and the number of children overdue for an assessment of need. [56342/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1358. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children with disabilities in each CHO requiring an emergency/crisis residence and package of supports known to the HSE currently. [56865/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1359. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of adults with disabilities in each CHO requiring an emergency/crisis residence and package of supports known to the HSE currently. [56866/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1360. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of children with disabilities in each CHO who were offered and accepted a residence in 2023 outside the county in which their family resides. [56867/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1361. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children with disabilities in each CHO who were offered and accepted a residence from for-profit service providers in 2023 outside the county in which their family resides. [56868/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1362. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of adults with disabilities in each CHO who were offered and accepted a residence in 2023 outside the county in which their family resides. [56869/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1363. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of adults with disabilities in each CHO who were offered and accepted a residence from for-profit service providers in 2023 outside the county in which their family resides. [56870/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1364. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of current funding for the provision for residences for children with disabilities that was provided by for-profit service providers in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [56871/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1365. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of current funding for the provision for residences for adults with disabilities that was provided by for-profit service providers in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [56872/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1366. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether there is a need for multi-annual HSE funding for supported living packages for people with disabilities; how his Department works in partnership with the Housing Agency to deliver on the new housing strategy for disabled people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56873/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1367. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether children and adults with disabilities need to live close to family and natural supports where that is their will and preference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56874/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Pauline Tully

1382. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail the way in which the qualifications of psychologists employed by organisations that have been contracted by the HSE to undertake assessment of need appraisals are checked and verified; if organisations that have been contracted by the HSE to undertake assessment of need appraisals are guided by the same guidelines and regulations as children's disability network team staff to ensure assessments are carried out in line with the Disability Act 2005; and if clear protocols for quality assurance and regular monitoring takes place of organisations that have been contracted by the HSE to undertake assessment of need appraisals. [57157/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Pauline Tully

1383. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessment of need liaison officers employed in each CHO area as of 31 January 2023, 31 July 2023 and 20 December 2023, in tabular form. [57158/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Pauline Tully

1384. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe within which a review should be carried out of an assessment of need; and if assessment of need reviews consists of a diagnostic assessment or if they consist purely of a desktop review. [57159/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

1393. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in line with Action 74 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report (details supplied) if he has plans to adopt a needs-based approach to the disabled drivers and passenger's scheme; and the estimated first and full year cost respectively of implementing this proposal. [57372/23]

Health Services Staff

Pauline Tully

1599. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of the memorandums CEO ref 09954 and 10166 of 2023, by grade for Cavan General Hospital; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; and the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts and the number which were related to absence/leave cover, in tabular form. [57171/23]

Health Services Staff

Pauline Tully

1600. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of the memorandums CEO ref 09954 and 10166 of 2023, by grade for Monaghan Hospital; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts and the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence/leave cover, in tabular form. [57172/23]

Healthcare Policy

Pauline Tully

1616. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if, in line with Action 87 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to introduce mandatory autism training for all health and social care workers in the Health Service Executive and in Section 38 and Section 39 organisations who provide services on behalf of the Health Service Executive; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57300/23]

Healthcare Policy

Pauline Tully

1617. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if, in line with Action 89 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to provide funding to health service providers (including general practice and dentistry) to make their services and built environment more autism-friendly; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57302/23]

Healthcare Policy

Pauline Tully

1618. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if, in line with Action 90 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to formulate guidelines for autism-friendly service design and built environment design within health services, including general practice, physiotherapy, dentistry and mental health services; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57303/23]

Healthcare Policy

Pauline Tully

1619. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if, in line with Action 91 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to direct Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to cease its practice of refusing to serve children on the basis of an autism diagnosis or a suspected autism diagnosis; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57304/23]

Healthcare Policy

Pauline Tully

1620. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if, in line with Action 92 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to initiate an independent review of CAMHS practices in respect of service provision to autistic children and investigate reports of discrimination against autistic children referred to CAMHS; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57305/23]

Healthcare Policy

Pauline Tully

1621. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if, in line with Action 93 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to initiate meetings between CAMHS and disability services to establish how best to provide mental health services to autistic children, taking into account the current lack of capacity within CDNTs to provide multi-disciplinary supports including mental health interventions; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57306/23]

Healthcare Policy

Pauline Tully

1622. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if, in line with Action 94 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to establish how best to create a pathway for autistic adults to access multi-disciplinary supports, including mental health interventions; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57307/23]

Healthcare Policy

Pauline Tully

1623. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if, in line with Action 95 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to offer individual health plans to autistic people, including health check-ups, to ensure that they are supported in accessing health services; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57308/23]

Budget 2024

Pauline Tully

1827. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of additional core funding that was allocated in Budget 2024 to the higher education sector. [57014/23]

Third Level Education

Pauline Tully

1828. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in line with Action 54 of the Final Report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism, if his Department has, or if he has plans to, liaise with the Department of Health to increase the number of places in third-level courses in occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, social work and nursing and work to match these numbers with clinical placements. [57103/23]

Third Level Education

Pauline Tully

1829. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the number of places in third-level courses in planning in line with 55 of the Final Report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism. [57104/23]

Third Level Education

Pauline Tully

1830. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in line with Action 57 of the Final Report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee, if his Department has plans to liaise with the Department of Education and the Central Applications Office to provide prospective students with information regarding Leaving Certificate results and third level placements in sufficient time to allow for higher education institutions to engage with students who may have need for additional supports. [57105/23]

Third Level Education

Pauline Tully

1831. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in line with Action 61 of the Final Report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism his plans to provide multiannual funding based on the academic calendar to allow higher education institutions to undertake comprehensive, long-term planning to establish supports for disabled students as well as tailored supports for individual students before the beginning of the academic year. [57106/23]

Third Level Education

Pauline Tully

1850. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in line with Action 88 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to ensure that understanding autism training is a component in all higher education courses relative to health and social care, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, social work and psychology; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57301/23]