Parliamentary questions

36. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to report on the review of the Disability Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47540/26]

37. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress being made to reduce waiting times for assessment of need, including the current average waiting period nationally; the immediate measures being implemented to ensure children are not disproportionately affected by delays in accessing diagnostic and therapeutic supports; and if she will make a stateme…

38. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to increase the affordability of childcare for families across the country in 2026 and 2027. [46783/26]

39. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she intends to undertake a review of the Bia Blasta Pre-school Nutrition Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46787/26]

40. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on assessment of need waiting lists in County Meath; the way in which she plans to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46891/26]

41. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the review of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47405/26]

42. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the work her Department is undertaking to support professionalisation within the childcare sector, including measures to strengthen career pathways and workforce development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47463/26]

43. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in Cavan and Monaghan who received an assessment of need within the statutory timeframe in the years 2024 to date; and the number that did not. [47501/26]

44. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports available to people looking at setting up creches and afterschool services, particularly in locating and paying for spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47283/26]

45. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the transposition of the EU Pay Transparency Directive as the deadline approaches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43030/26]

46. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she will take to make childcare more affordable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47542/26]

47. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports her Department is considering for parents whose childminders are not participating in the Core Funding scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47469/26]

48. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on her plans to roll out a new autism protocol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46890/26]

49. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to detail the actions that will be taken to entice childcare providers who have exited core funding back into core funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47286/26]

50. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if equine therapy facilities will be developed at the HSE’s Toghermore campus in Tuam, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46888/26]

51. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will report on the engagement she has to date with childminding organisations regarding the issues impacting the sector. [47223/26]

52. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she is taking to cut the cost of childcare for families; if this is forming an important part of her Budget 2027 negotiations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47281/26]

53. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific measures being taken to increase childcare capacity in areas of County Cork where shortages have been identified; the timelines for any measures being taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47538/26]

54. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has considered the role of housing insecurity on child welfare; the additional supports she is proposing to improve child welfare in precarious housing situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47497/26]

55. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she is taking to ensure that childminding remains a viable option for families across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46786/26]

56. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the State-led childcare programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47449/26]

57. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress that has been made and is planned to reduce the childcare cost to €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47547/26]

58. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update regarding assessment of needs for children. [46892/26]

59. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the introduction of a State pension for foster carers; the engagement she had with the Minister for Social Protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47404/26]

60. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to report on engagements she has had with other departments in relation to the review of the Disability Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47541/26]