Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

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]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Jennifer Whitmore

392. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the transfer of families and unaccompanied children from the Moria camp, Greece, to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2909/21]

Child and Family Agency

Róisín Shortall

393. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding a Tusla adoption file issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2932/21]

Childcare Services

Cian O'Callaghan

151. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the households and persons permitted to avail of childcare in crèches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2028/21]

Childcare Services

Denis Naughten

152. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his engagement with the Minister for Health with regard to the provision of childcare for frontline workers during the level 5 lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2042/21]

Childcare Services

Robert Troy

153. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review the resources which are available to early year service providers prior to reopening in terms of cleaning and sanitising facilities and equipment (details supplied). [2045/21]

Departmental Strategies

Christopher O'Sullivan

154. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the main policy initiatives undertaken by his Department since 27 June 2020; and his main priorities for 2021. [2079/21]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

155. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if plans are in place to compensate the time lost for children in the ECCE scheme due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2131/21]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Thomas Pringle

600. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to explore introducing legislation to ensure a right to personal assistance to ensure disabled persons who need supports to live independent lives can do so as per Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44797/20]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Cian O'Callaghan

601. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Syrian family members reunited under the Irish refugee protection humanitarian admission programme of the Irish refugee protection programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45168/20]

Human Rights

Cian O'Callaghan

602. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of action 24.1 of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 to research the banning of LGBT conversion therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45173/20]

Maternity Leave

Carol Nolan

603. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will bring forward primary legislation to amend the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 to 2004 in order to provide that women who had already started or completed their maternity period would be entitled to take a further 13 weeks leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1040/21]

Childcare Services

Peter Burke

604. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide funding to implement the recommendation from the Workplace Relations Commission to upgrade the pay scale of county childcare managers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1169/21]

Childcare Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

605. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the arrangements being made to ensure childcare for preschool and school-age children is available to front-line staff in the health services and other essential services while schools remain closed and many childcare centres are not in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1666/21]

Employment Data

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

606. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider the establishment of a working group within his Department to examine the impact of the motherhood gap in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1769/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Noel Grealish

607. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if essential workers who work from home can avail of childcare services under the current level 5 restrictions, given the possible ambiguity in two separate sources (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1811/21]

Youth Services

Mark Ward

608. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the process for a community centre to apply for funding for a youth service worker to be employed directly by it. [44683/20]

National Childcare Scheme

Kathleen Funchion

609. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of school-aged children given standard hours and enhanced hours, respectively, since September 2020 under the national childcare scheme. [44707/20]

Community Childcare Subvention Programme

Kathleen Funchion

610. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of school-aged children registered under community childcare subvention plus from September 2020 to December 2020; and the number of school-aged children registered for the period September 2019 to December 2019. [44708/20]

National Childcare Scheme

Kathleen Funchion

611. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children referred under the national childcare scheme via the HSE, Tusla and so on from September to December 2020; and the number of children referred via Community Childcare Subvention Plus for the same period in 2019. [44709/20]

National Childcare Scheme

Kathleen Funchion

612. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of referrals for the national childcare scheme from September to December 2020 and the number of community childcare subvention plus referrals for September to December 2019, by county. [44710/20]

National Childcare Scheme

Kathleen Funchion

613. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of referrals under the national childcare scheme by each sponsor body nationally and by county. [44711/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Kathleen Funchion

614. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which the amount that Pobal states services owe has been calculated; and if a breakdown will be provided. [44735/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Paul McAuliffe

615. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which a person (details supplied) who is a survivor of a mother and baby home can access counselling to deal with the aftermath of events that occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44738/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Peadar Tóibín

616. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons residing in direct provision centres that have tested positive for Covid-19 in 2020. [44770/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Peadar Tóibín

617. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Covid-19 outbreaks experienced by direct provision centres to date. [44771/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Peadar Tóibín

618. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of direct provision centres currently experiencing outbreaks of Covid-19. [44772/20]

Departmental Contracts

Louise O'Reilly

619. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department or State agencies under the aegis of his Department have awarded contracts to a company (details supplied); if so, the value of such contracts; if the contracts were tendered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44780/20]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Niall Collins

620. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a person (details supplied) can defer an ECCE place for the person's children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44849/20]

Child Protection

Thomas Pringle

621. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the meetings his Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) in 2020; the planned follow-up meetings in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44862/20]

Child Protection

Thomas Pringle

622. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the investigations that will be taking place into child protection issues at an organisation (details supplied); when these investigations will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44863/20]

Child Protection

Thomas Pringle

623. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the way in which his Department will communicate with persons affected by historical child protection issues at an organisation (details supplied); if there will be a liaison person assigned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44864/20]

Special Educational Needs

Danny Healy-Rae

624. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter regarding the case of a child (details supplied) with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44875/20]

Childcare Services

Brendan Griffin

625. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a matter regarding the case of a childcare centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44897/20]

Childcare Services

Niamh Smyth

626. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review correspondence (details supplied); the reassurance or assistance that will be provided in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45138/20]

Children in Care

Cian O'Callaghan

627. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of young persons discharged from State care into homeless services in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45164/20]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

628. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the childcare facilities that will be in place for children of front-line workers for the duration of level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1123/21]

Childcare Services

Peter Burke

629. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of progress relating to the implementation of the recommendation from the Workplace Relations Commission to amend the pay scale for county childcare managers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1170/21]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

630. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the loss of ECCE hours during the Covid-19 crisis will be made up to the preschool children to ensure they do not miss out on crucial development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1270/21]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

631. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports in place to help childcare providers to remain open during the current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1279/21]

Protected Disclosures

Catherine Connolly

632. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a report of acute public interest (details supplied) will be published. [1315/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Danny Healy-Rae

633. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which it is safe for staff, children and families to return to preschools while primary and secondary schools are closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1401/21]

Childcare Costs

Cian O'Callaghan

634. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if parents will be charged crèche fees in order to save their children’s place even if they are not attending; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1706/21]

Childcare Services

Michael Healy-Rae

635. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a matter in relation to payment deductions for a childcare facility (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1707/21]

National Childcare Scheme

Brendan Griffin

636. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if childcare providers will continue to be paid the national childcare scheme payments for the duration of level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1768/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Griffin

637. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if childcare providers who are operating for essential workers will be provided with a top-up on the shortfall in wages being paid with the support of the employment wage subsidy scheme, given that these services will be loss making due to the loss of fees for the duration of level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1776/21]

Parental Leave

Éamon Ó Cuív

447. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of parental leave available to parents of children at the moment; if it is planned to increase the amount of parental leave granted to parents of children under 13 years of age to enable them to strike the correct work life balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44329/20]

Legislative Measures

Cathal Crowe

448. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Community Participation (Disability) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019 will be enacted. [44201/20]

Legislative Measures

Cathal Crowe

449. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will commence. [44202/20]

Legislative Measures

Cathal Crowe

450. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Disability Act 2005 will be fully commenced. [44203/20]

Legislative Measures

Cathal Crowe

451. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when legislation will be brought forward for personal assistance services as a right in law, as per the motion unanimously supported by all parties and independents on 29 November 2019. [44204/20]

Departmental Funding

Jackie Cahill

452. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding is available to help with the purchase of a car for a family with a disabled child who has to travel from Tipperary to Dublin on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44227/20]

Departmental Funding

Thomas Gould

453. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding streams available to support the work of a project (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the extraordinary work it does; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44232/20]

Paternity Leave

Jackie Cahill

454. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of paternity leave increasing from two to five weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44275/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

455. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if counselling and support services will be available to all of those who will potentially be impacted by the publication of the mother and baby homes report on 11 January 2021; if it will be ensured that these services are advertised widely and that those affected will be directly contacted with details of the locations the services are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44288/20]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Joe Flaherty

456. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the contract will be extended for the resource worker appointed to work with the 18 families recently resettled (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44347/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

457. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the new protocols in place to guide best practice in the Covid-19 context for special minibuses, special education and supported work environments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44443/20]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Brendan Smith

458. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be provided in 2021 to ensure the provision of a refuge centre in counties Cavan and Monaghan for victims of domestic abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44480/20]

School Attendance

Réada Cronin

459. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of school absences recorded in the State in each of the past three years; the number of school absences recorded in north County Kildare in particular since the outbreak of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44501/20]

White Papers Publication

Jennifer Whitmore

234. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the White Paper on direct provision will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43618/20]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Jennifer Whitmore

235. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports available for refugee families from Syria coming into Ireland as part of the resettlement programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43620/20]

Legislative Measures

Joe Carey

236. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 will be enacted to give full provision to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43831/20]

Legislative Measures

Joe Carey

237. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43832/20]

Foster Care

Dara Calleary

238. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the rules and regulations attached to the placement of children in foster care; his views on whether many of the restrictions placed upon children in such care may actually be having a negative rather than the hoped-for positive effect upon the health and well-being of the child (details supplied); his plans to order a review of such restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43674/20]