Questions

9. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the action being taken to reduce the cost of childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47437/26]

2470. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason several therapist vacancies remain unadvertised in CHO1 children’s disability network teams (details supplied); when these posts will be advertised and filled; the reason a senior physiotherapist post, vacated in July 2025, has not yet been advertised or filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25021/26]

311. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to reopen the building blocks extension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23062/26]

312. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the options available to support a person (details supplied) who has significant communication needs and unique academic abilities; if funding for a bespoke education or learning support package can be accessed through the fund for students with disabilities or any other scheme; the process by which such supports may be applied for; an…

819. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to extend paid paternity leave from the current entitlement of two weeks to eight weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21797/26]

716. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the date on which the proposed respite centre in Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim is scheduled to commence construction and development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17170/26]

1029. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the reason an orphanage (details supplied) has been excluded from the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12432/26]

162. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the length of time it is taking the Decision Support Service to process enduring power of attorney applications; when an application (details supplied) will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6652/26]

490. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to formally establish the Sligo-Leitrim autism support service on a permanent basis, given that the current pilot is due to conclude in March 2026; to provide sustained funding for a minimum of two autism support officers for the Sligo-Leitrim area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5148/26]

24. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when funding will be allocated for the establishment of a community neurorehabilitation team in the north-west, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to complete the nationwide rollout of such teams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72805/25]

55. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the establishment of an MS community worker in the Sligo–Leitrim area, which is currently the only region in the State without access to this community work service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72806/25]

504. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the building blocks extension scheme will open again for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68007/25]

783. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding opportunities available under her Department's remit to secure permanent funding for a play therapist at a family resource centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55107/25]

560. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when funding will be allocated for a team for the north-west in line with the Programme for Government Commitment to complete the nationwide roll out of community neurorehabilitation teams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49971/25]

1211. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications submitted for the building blocks extension scheme by organisations in Counties Sligo and Leitrim; the number of successful and unsuccessful applications in each county; if the scheme will open again in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30325/25]

380. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the status of a fully staffed community neurorehabilitation team, to address the needs of neurological patients in Sligo-Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22967/25]

228. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if persons with disabilities are charged for the use of day services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17757/25]

229. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are transport charges for persons with disabilities using day services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17758/25]

636. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware that people with disabilities using day services in CHO1 are subject to a €4 daily transport charge; if those using day services in other CHOs across the country are subject to such charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15109/25]

919. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parents can expect the €200 cap on childcare fees to be in place. [2413/25]