Questions

650. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider a review of the enduring power of attorney process to address the reluctance of many legal practitioners to engage with it, to make it more accessible and understandable to the general public; the improvements that could be made to make the process clearer and more efficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter…

387. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the short-term or interim funding options available for an early education centre (details supplied) while it is awaiting the outcome of a sustainability fund application from the Dublin City Childcare Committee; to maintain this centre’s viability in the short term considering it is located in an area where there is already a signif…

648. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the strategy in place to provide continuing professional development in the early years sector; the plans to expand CPD offerings for educators working in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47838/26]

649. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the subject areas that are a priority for continuing professional development in the early years sector; the number of CPD fields of study that will be made available; the total budget figure that her Department has committed to the provision of CPD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47839/26]

650. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to ensure continuing professional development is available across early years services statewide; if she accepts that widespread access to CPD is vital to the implementation of the Aistear framework and creating inclusive learning environments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47840/26]

651. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the verification and assurance process that is implemented in the Department to ensure that continuing professional development standards are met in the early years sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47841/26]

1652. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of serious concern amongst AIM support workers in relation to recent reported changes to the way in which funding will be allocated and the impact they may have for these workers’ jobs in September; if she will outline the changes being made or proposed to the process of awarding of AIM support and funding; and if sh…

191. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when she intends to publish details of the DCDE mapping of existing early learning and care services against projected need, to show the gaps in each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29085/26]

313. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when she intends to provide all county childcare committees with the Shaping the Future - Early Years Action Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27432/26]

2503. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the issue of core funding for early years and childcare settings given the increasing number of creches withdrawing from the scheme; if she is considering increasing core funding; if any other measures are being taken to help providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25414/26]

2504. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that a creche (details supplied) has withdrawn from core funding; the measures that can be taken to help keep fees for parents low while ensuring the creche remains sustainable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25415/26]

2526. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason a child (details supplied) was denied an under attendance exemption to allow them continue to attend a creche under the national childcare scheme in the afternoons after completing early intervention appointments for non-verbal autism in the mornings; if she accepts that the failure to approve this under attendance exempt…

2259. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to address the problem of childcare providers exiting the core funding scheme; if a review into the core funding scheme is underway; the number of providers that have exited the scheme in the past twelve months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40821/25]

393. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of the case of a child (details supplied) who is seeking supports for autism and an auditory processing disorder, but is encountering significant delays despite being finally accepted onto the local children's disability network team; if assurances can be given that the child will receive appropriate supports locally; and …

990. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department, or any body under its aegis, currently outsources cleaning services and/or service officer/security officer roles to private companies; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3191/25]

991. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department, or any body under its aegis, currently directly employs cleaners and/or service officers; if so, the number of staff employed in each role; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3209/25]