Robert O'Donoghue

223. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she has met with (details supplied) concerning the difficulties childminders face under the new childminding regulations; whether she will consider postponing these regulations to ensure that a framework is developed which protects both childminders and the availability of childcare places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15319/26]

224. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to support childminders during the phased registration period leading to mandatory registration in September 2027; whether the current regulations are sufficiently flexible to ensure home-based childminders can continue to operate without being forced out; the financial assistance, training, guidance, or advisory supports which are available to childminders to meet compliance requirements; the assessment which has been carried out on the impact of these regulations on the retention of experienced childminders and the availability of childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15320/26]

332. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the laws and regulations governing the disposal of waste and rubbish by trawlers and fishing trawlers into Irish sea; in particular, the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms that are in place to ensure compliance; the penalties that exist for vessels found to be illegally dumping waste at sea; to outline any recent prosecutions or actions taken against offending vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14745/26]

659. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has considered or supported small-scale, clustered or integrated housing developments specifically designed for adults with intellectual disabilities who wish to live independently while remaining close to their peers and community, such as a proposed development of 15–20 universally designed homes in Balbriggan, County Dublin (details supplied). [14465/26]

660. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding streams, including capital assistance scheme, housing for all measures, or other capital programmes, which could be accessed by disability-led or family-led groups seeking to develop accessible, non-institutional housing models that prioritise dignity, choice, and community integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14466/26]

661. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether current housing policy adequately recognises the need for housing models that allow adults with intellectual disabilities to live near friends and established support networks, rather than being placed in isolated or inappropriate settings such as nursing homes or scattered housing far from their community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14467/26]

662. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement his Department has had with the HSE, the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality, and local authorities to ensure that housing delivery for people with disabilities aligns with individualised supports rather than institutional-style provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14468/26]

663. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the planning, land-use, or local authority supports that will be made available to enable a community-based housing model that is neither a congregated setting nor a residential institution, but a fully integrated neighbourhood within a wider housing estate supporting adults with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14469/26]

664. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether housing for all targets include provision for adults with intellectual disabilities who can live independently with supports; if not, whether he will commit to reviewing this gap in view of ongoing reliance on unsuitable housing options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14470/26]

674. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocation for the tenant in situ scheme for 2026, including the amounts allocated to each local authority; and the measures in place to ensure that tenants at risk of homelessness, particularly in Dublin Fingal, are protected given the sharp drop in funding and the lack of an alternative scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14776/26]

675. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason funding for the tenant in situ scheme is being cut, particularly in Dublin Fingal where allocations have fallen sharply from 131 homes in 2024 to just 36 in 2025; the measures being taken to ensure that tenants at risk of homelessness are not left without support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14777/26]

676. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Government has any plans to introduce a replacement scheme or alternative supports for tenants who would have been eligible under the tenant in situ programme, in order to prevent families from entering homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/26]

677. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which he reconciles concerns about local authority “over-reliance” on the tenant in situ scheme with the ongoing urgent housing needs; the guidance or additional resources which are being provided to councils to ensure that at-risk tenants can remain in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14779/26]

678. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the shift from an acquisition tenant in situ target approach in 2024 to a capped funding allocation in 2025 is intended to reduce social housing acquisitions overall; and if so, the alternative strategies in place to meet the housing needs of those threatened with homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14780/26]

679. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria which will be used to determine which councils receive support under the tenant in situ scheme; whether Dublin Fingal will receive sufficient funding to continue protecting tenants at risk of losing their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14781/26]

808. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if reforms relating to the licensing of nightclubs, and any other provisions relevant to the night economy, are included in the Intoxicating Liquor Bill currently being drafted in his Department, and described in the current Government legislative programme as a 'Condensed Bill to introduce certain key reforms from the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022'; if not, the reason; when he expects to publish the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15193/26]

865. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she acknowledges that independence for adults with intellectual disabilities includes the right to live with dignity, choice, and proximity to friends and community, rather than solely focusing on individual tenancies dispersed across wide geographic areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14427/26]

866. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department will support a pilot project (details supplied) which would allow adults with intellectual disabilities to live independently while accessing supports only as needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14428/26]

867. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which disability housing policy ensures continuity of friendships, routines, and social connections for adults with intellectual disabilities, particularly where families can no longer provide full-time advocacy or care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14429/26]

868. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which her Department works with housing authorities to ensure that independent living does not result in isolation, loneliness, or loss of community for people with intellectual disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14430/26]

869. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the assurances that can be given to families that their adult children with intellectual disabilities will continue to live with dignity, security, and appropriate supports when parents are no longer able to advocate on their behalf; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14431/26]

879. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to move away from institutional and congregated models of care, including the ongoing placement of younger adults with intellectual disabilities in nursing homes, towards community-based housing models with flexible, onsite supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14533/26]

880. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department or the HSE has examined whether current nursing homes support payment structures create a financial incentive for the admission of persons aged under 65 years to nursing homes, rather than to community-based alternatives; and if no such examination has been undertaken, whether the she will commission this research; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14537/26]

902. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average percentage increase in pay for the lowest paid early years staff that is, those earning within the first quintile of the pay distribution between 2022 (pre-ERO) and 2025 (the most recent ERO), for each staff grade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14984/26]

1003. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the total cost to the State of funding nursing home care for persons aged under 65 years under the nursing homes support scheme (Fair Deal) in each of the years 2021 to 2025 inclusive and to date; the number of such residents in each year; and the average annual and weekly cost per resident, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14534/26]