Parliamentary questions

247. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a breakdown of the amount of money paid to each agency the HSE used in 2025 to hire agency staff across all public residential facilities for children with disabilities, and adults with disabilities in 2025; the total number of staff used in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matte…

248. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the adequacy of existing supports for single mothers in the weeks and months after giving birth; if any review of the State support structures can be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12938/26]

249. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider providing for a nominated support person (details supplied) leave in lieu of paternity leave in situations whereby the father of a child is not supportive to the mother; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12940/26]

250. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views of the adequacy of support services available to single mothers compared with two-parent families, particularly during pregnancy and the early months of their child's life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12942/26]

251. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports available to an existing childcare provider looking to upgrade their outdoor facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12964/26]

252. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason support services provided to foster carers by an organisation (details supplied) located in Fethard has been terminated by Tusla without any consultation with the stakeholders; if she will insist that the services be continued while all concerned are consulted; and if she will make a statement on the ma…

253. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding allocated to NGOs by her Department in 2025; the funding allocated to NGOs by agencies and bodies under the remit of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13077/26]

254. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way she intends to guarantee the independence of guardians ad litem under the new guardian ad litem national service, given that both Tusla and the new service will report to the same Minister; if she will outline the safeguards that will be put in place to ensure that advocacy for children in court proceedings i…

255. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if children may be placed on waiting lists for guardian ad litem appointments under the new service; the way this aligns with the State’s obligation to protect vulnerable children involved in court proceedings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13110/26]

256. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures the Government has taken to ensure that companies comply with the EU Gender Balance on Corporate Boards Directive, (EU Gender Balance Directive (2022/2381), implemented in Ireland via S.I. No. 215/2025), specifically the requirement that, by 30 June 2026, at least 40% of non-executive director position…

257. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a breakdown of the amount of money paid to each agency Tusla has used in 2025 to hire agency staff across all public mainstream residential care facilities for children and young people; the total number of agency staff used in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13358/26]

258. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early years spaces currently provided in the Dublin 7 and Dublin 3 areas; the steps being taken to increase childcare places in these postal codes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13412/26]

985. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount the third party residential care model costs compared with services provided directly through HSE with regard to costings. [12223/26]

986. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality which public sector bodies have met the 6% employment target for people with disabilities as of 1 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12330/26]

987. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has conducted audits or inspections to monitor compliance with the disability employment targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12331/26]

988. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the results of public sector progress towards the 6% target will be published; the format; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12333/26]

989. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way the 6% public sector target aligns with broader national strategies for the employment of people with disabilities; the plans to extend similar targets to the private sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12336/26]

990. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current status of Government proposals to introduce legislation banning conversion therapy; the scope of any proposed ban; the steps being taken to ensure the legislation is comprehensive and free from loopholes; the indicative timeline for publication and enactment; and if she will make a statement on the matt…

991. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider the creation of a mandatory rechecking system for Garda vetting for those people employed in the childcare sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12756/26]

992. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider establishing a museum in Tuam dedicated to victims of abuse by religious orders. [12805/26]

993. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will direct the HSE to review the referral pathway decision for a child (details supplied) whose case has been refused by the Children's Disability Network Team on three occasions despite a completed assessment of need and general practitioner concerns; if she will ensure that the child's case is reconsidered …

994. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of cases in which families, including that of a child (details supplied), are repeatedly directed to apply to the CDNT despite previous referral forum decisions ruling them ineligible; the measures which are being taken to ensure families receive accurate and consistent guidance; and if she will make …

995. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which the HSE ensures that children (details supplied) who receive an assessment of need diagnosis subsequently receive timely and appropriate interventions; if she is satisfied that current practice is meeting statutory obligations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12842/26]

996. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reasons a child (details supplied) has not had any speech and language therapy for several years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12867/26]

997. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a child (details supplied) will receive the residential care place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11649/26]