Parliamentary questions

546. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what measures are being taken to address the huge shortage of childcare places in Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4530/25]

547. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what measures are being taken to increase the budget for early years and school age care, which currently stands at just 0.1% of expenditure, far below the OECD average of 0.9%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4531/25]

548. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children under the age of three are on childcare waiting lists in Kerry for the years 2021-2025, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4532/25]

549. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures being taken to increase the number of childcare facilitates in Dublin Bay north; the number of current childcare facilities in Dublin Bay north and the number of childcare facilities in Dublin Bay north in 2015. [4557/25]

550. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently under the care of Tusla who have been identified as at risk of sexual exploitation; what specific measures are in place to protect these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4567/25]

551. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what training and resources are provided to social workers and care providers to identify, prevent, and respond to cases of sexual exploitation among children in State care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4568/25]

552. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care have gone missing in the past year, with a breakdown of the number suspected to be victims of, or at risk of, sexual exploitation; what immediate actions are taken when a child goes missing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4569/25]

553. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for details on the level of cooperation between Tusla, An Garda Síochána, and other relevant agencies when dealing with cases of suspected sexual exploitation of children in care; the protocols in place to ensure swift and effective responses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4570/2…

554. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on any upcoming legislative changes or policy reviews aimed at enhancing the protection of children in care from sexual exploitation, particularly in light of recent reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4571/25]

555. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what specific therapeutic and support services are available for children in care who have been victims of sexual exploitation or are at risk; how these services are accessed; the current capacity versus demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4572/25]

556. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how the reporting of sexual exploitation within the care system is monitored, including the mechanisms for collecting and analysing data to inform policy and practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4573/25]

557. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a comparison of the risks of sexual exploitation faced by children in foster care versus those in residential care; the differences in safeguarding measures implemented in these settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4574/25]

558. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to increase public awareness about the risks of sexual exploitation for children in care; how communities are being engaged to help protect these vulnerable individuals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4575/25]

559. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what longitudinal studies or follow-ups are being conducted to assess the long-term outcomes for children who have been identified as victims of sexual exploitation while in State care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4576/25]

560. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the support systems in place for young adults leaving care who have experienced or are at risk of sexual exploitation; how the transition from child to adult services ensures continuity of care and protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4577/25]

561. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will consider adopting international best practices or successful strategies from other jurisdictions in enhancing the protection of children in care from sexual exploitation; if so, which practices or strategies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4578/25]

562. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine the case of a child (details supplied) awaiting support services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4583/25]

563. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the length of the CDNT waiting lists for the Kilbarrack, Clontarf and Coolock teams; the number of children that were seen in each of the Kilbarrack, Clontarf and Coolock teams, each year from 2019-2024, in tabular form; the number of additional children added to each of the Kilbarrack, Clonta…

564. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the exact title of each Minister of State in her Department; to outline their delegated functions and attributable budget heading for each of these functions; the timeframe for when such delegated functions will be formally notified to the Dáil; and if she will make a statement on the m…

565. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1200 of 22 January 2025, the date on which the relevant posts entered maternity leave, in tabular form; the date on which maternity cover was first advertised; and the timeframe for the filling of posts. [4677/25]

566. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of Kelvin Grove, Carlow and the proposed children’s therapy services unit to be situated there. [4690/25]

567. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently awaiting assessment of needs in CHO 7; and the number of those waiting longer than 12 months. [4691/25]

568. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently awaiting speech and language therapy in CHO 7; and the number of those waiting longer than 12 months. [4692/25]

569. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently awaiting occupational therapy in CHO 7; and the number of those waiting longer than 12 months. [4693/25]

570. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1284 of 22 January 2025, to detail which individual CDNTs, and their corresponding CHO areas, do not yet have a system in place to capture the level of activity requested; and to provide a timeline for the full roll out of the national information management s…