Parliamentary questions

171. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has assessed the significant level of demand for childcare services in north Dublin in its plans for State-led facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13362/26]

172. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current status of Ireland’s implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the specific measures that have been implemented to date; the measures that remain outstanding; the timelines for their delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12384/26]

173. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she has taken to improve CDNT access in Cork. [12460/26]

174. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she has plans to introduce new rules to regulate non-refundable childcare deposits, given that they can be substantial, particularly for families who join multiple waiting lists in order to secure a childcare place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12391/26]

175. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will outline her Department’s plans to invest in more Tusla mainstream residential cares centres for children and young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13267/26]

176. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to improve provision in the early years sector for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12772/26]

177. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will outline the scheme, or schemes, of grant aid that will be available this year for the upgrading or provision of new childcare accommodation, both for community providers and private providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13005/26]

178. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if any of the State’s acquisition of buildings intended for the purpose of developing early child care facilities will be located in Kerry. [13365/26]

179. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Minister for Children, Disability and Equality an bhfuil sí ar an eolas faoi na deacrachtaí a bhaineann le hearcú foirne do chúram leanaí agus nionraí sa Ghaeltacht, cad iad na hiarrachtaí atá ar siúl chun a chinntiú go bhfuil daoine ar fáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13381/26]

180. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently in State care; the number who are in foster placements; and the number who are in other placements. [12165/26]

181. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has carried out any research on a social media ban for children, either in Ireland or internationally; and if she will share such findings. [13266/26]

182. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline any measures to support early years service providers to meet the increased costs of operating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13375/26]

183. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on how deposits for childcare services will be managed under Core Funding 2026-2027. [13316/26]

184. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality provide an update on progress of new childminding regulations in light of concerns raised by the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13370/26]

185. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the lack of respite available to children with disabilities across County Donegal; and to outline her plans to address this serious shortfall. [3633/26]

186. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her proposals to provide additional respite capacity for adults and children with disabilities in County Monaghan. [13203/26]

187. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria being used to select family resource centres for funding via the National Forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13215/26]

497. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the current statutory framework governing Garda vetting requires mandatory re-vetting at defined intervals for individuals working in regulated child-care or early years settings; if so, to specify the legislative provision underpinning such requirement; and if not, whether legislative amendment has been consi…

498. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to address staff shortages and recruitment challenges in Irish-language preschools, including measures to attract and retain qualified Irish-speaking staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13811/26]

499. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the plans in place to improve the availability of Irish-medium training programs and qualifications for staff in Irish-language early childhood services, including the reinstatement of discontinued QQI modules and the development of Level 8 qualifications with parity to primary teachers; and if she will make a stateme…

500. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of additional funding and investment proposed for Irish-language preschools, including increases to annual grants, capital funding for buildings, and support for operational sustainability in rural and island areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13813/26]

501. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions being taken to upgrade infrastructure and facilities in Irish-language early childhood services to address limitations leading to waiting lists, including support for co-location with schools or community buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13814/26]

502. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures her Department will implement to meet the growing demand for Irish-language preschools, particularly in Gaeltacht areas with long waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13815/26]

503. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the proposals to improve pay rates and employment conditions for staff in Irish-language early childhood services, including the introduction of fixed salaries, language premiums, permanent contracts, and benefits such as maternity top-ups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13816/26]

504. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to ensure the expansion and sustainability of Irish-language early childhood services outside Gaeltacht areas, including in areas such as County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13817/26]