Questions

394. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to the lack of flexibility under Section 8.2/8.3.2 of the national childcare scheme, specifically for children that are neurodiverse and benefit particularly from afterschool activities; and her views the current scheme acts as a disincentive for families to include their children in spo…

840. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she is taking to address the shortage of part-time childcare places available, forcing parents to pay for full-time fees, regardless of whether the full hours are required. [74232/26]

841. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any review of section 8.2/8.3.2 to allow certified extracurricular activities to count toward registered attendance hours under NCS attendance rules; and if she believes the current scheme disincentivises families to include their children in sporting or other afterschool activities. [74082/26]

842. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any review of the national childcare scheme particularly in relation to the lack of flexibility afforded to parents who choose not to take the full-time allotted due to differing working arrangements outside the traditional 9-5pm pattern. [74237/26]

850. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the asks of a children's rights campaign (details supplied) and the actions she will take to engage with this organisation to progress their concerns. [74067/26]

617. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she is taking to engage with a childcare centre (details supplied) in relation to their withdrawal from the core funding model; and the actions she will take to support parents with the knock-on price increase. [71459/26]

651. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding families with children in childcare centres that are not part of the core funding scheme; if they will benefit from the €550 cap per month as announced in Budget 2027. [72164/26]

666. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in the context of the review of the Right to Request Flexible Working provisions as outlined in her previous reply, if the review will examine whether employers should have to give clear role-specific reasons for refusing flexible or remote working, rather than relying mainly on a general company-wide office policy. [71804/26]

667. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in the context of the review of the Right to Request Flexible Working provisions as outlined in her previous reply, if the review will examine protections and supports for parents and carers that request the right to work from home. [71808/26]

668. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in the context of the review of the Right to Request Flexible Working provisions as outlined in her previous reply, if the review will consider the impact that stricter office attendance policies may have on people with disabilities, long-term health conditions or neurodivergent people, including autistic people, where remote or hybrid wo…

669. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in the context of the review of the Right to Request Flexible Working provisions as outlined in her previous reply, if the review will examine the increasing level of congestion facing commuters and the knock on impact on their wellbeing. [71810/26]

675. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the €550 cap on childcare fees as announced in Budget 2027; and if it will apply to all childcare bands, including Band F. [72468/26]

495. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she is taking to engage with a large childcare centre on its withdrawal from the core funding model (details supplied); and the actions she will take to support parents with the knock-on price increase. [69818/26]

499. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in relation to the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025–2030, which academics and independent experts were consulted in developing the strategy; and the published research that they provided or relied upon. [69741/26]

505. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanisms in place to support families that have children in childcare centres that have withdrawn from the core funding scheme and the related knock-on increase in costs. [70030/26]

506. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of a childcare centre from the core funding scheme (details supplied) and what actions her Department has taken to engage with the management of this facility to try and maintain their membership of the scheme. [70028/26]

509. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanisms in place to support families that have children in a childcare centre (details supplied) that has indicated that they are withdrawing from the core funding scheme and the related knock-on increase in costs. [70075/26]

510. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of a childcare centre from the core funding scheme (details supplied); and the steps her Department has taken to engage with the management of this facility to try and maintain their membership of the scheme. [70074/26]

159. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the decision of the HSE to not publish a report into disability services (details supplied); and if she will engage with the HSE on their decision in this regard. [69264/26]

651. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the engagement she has had with the Before We Die campaign in relation to the funding and delivery of residential places for adults with intellectual disability and what progress has been made in this regard. [68326/26]

488. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if consideration has been given to creating a system that would allow for parents to be paid the NCS subsidy directly in cases whereby their choice of preschool or childcare centre is not signed up to this scheme and therefore they cannot benefit from it and must pay the full cost of the fees. [66428/26]

489. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if consideration has been given to creating a system that would allow for parents to be paid the ECCE subsidy directly in cases whereby their choice of preschool or childcare centre is not signed up to this scheme and therefore they cannot benefit from it and must pay the full cost of the fees. [66427/26]

1034. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanisms in place to engage with childcare providers that indicate they plan to withdraw from the core funding scheme. [64942/26]

1071. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in cases in which a building under her control is not wheelchair accessible, the reason for this; her plans to remedy this; and the timeline for measures to be completed. [65340/26]

1074. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the way in which Ireland compares to the UK in terms of the level of statutory paid paternity leave and other related supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65633/26]