Questions

1653. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the further steps being considered to support families with the cost of childcare and to improve availability of places; if she will outline any planned measures in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43300/26]

1654. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the rationale behind the funding cuts to FASD Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43307/26]

1655. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the actions her Department is undertaking to support those who suffer from foetal alcohol spectrum disorder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43309/26]

1656. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the HSE or her Department maintains a national register of current and projected residential housing need for adults with intellectual disabilities; if not, whether consideration is being given to establishing such a register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43325/26]

1657. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of adults with intellectual disabilities currently awaiting residential placements, supported living arrangements or alternative housing supports, broken down by CHO area, age cohort and length of time waiting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43326/26]

1658. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of adults with intellectual disabilities currently residing with a parent or primary carer aged over 65 years and over 70 years respectively; whether the Department has undertaken an assessment of future residential need arising from ageing carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43327/26]

1659. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of emergency residential placements provided for adults with intellectual disabilities in each of the past five years; the average waiting time for such placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43328/26]

1660. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of residential places for adults with intellectual disabilities that have been approved or funded but are not currently operational due to staffing shortages, recruitment difficulties, regulatory issues or other factors, broken down by CHO area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43329/26]

1661. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a formal transition planning process exists for young people with intellectual disabilities approaching adulthood; the age at which such planning commences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43330/26]

1662. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of adults with intellectual disabilities placed in residential settings outside their home county in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43331/26]

1663. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of new residential places and supported living arrangements for adults with intellectual disabilities delivered in each of the past five years; the number planned for delivery in 2026 and 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43332/26]

1664. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the level of capital and current funding provided to Section 38 and Section 39 disability service providers for residential accommodation in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43333/26]

1665. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has prepared a long-term strategy to meet the residential and housing support needs of adults with intellectual disabilities over the next ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43334/26]

1666. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of allegations or reports of abuse involving children in State care that were made in each of the past five years; and if this information is not available, the reason Tusla does not collect standardised national data on such allegations, in tabular form. [43361/26]

1667. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Tusla holds any data, nationally or at regional or local level, on allegations of abuse involving children in care, broken down by placement type, including foster care and residential care, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if not, when such data collection will be implemented. [43362/26]

1668. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if children in State care have direct access to an independent body outside Tusla, such as the Ombudsman for Children, to report abuse or safeguarding concerns; and how this access is actively facilitated. [43363/26]

1669. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide details of the initiative referenced by Tusla to improve data collection on abuse allegations involving children in care, including timelines and funding allocated; and when comprehensive data will be publicly available. [43364/26]

1670. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the timeframe for the publication of the Alternative Care Framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43365/26]

1671. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the specific issue of pension provision for foster carers will be addressed in the forthcoming Alternative Care Framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43366/26]

1672. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the engagement her Department has had with the Department of Social Protection on the issue of pension provision for foster carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43367/26]

1673. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will initiate a comprehensive review of supports for people with physical impairments and their carers, including personal assistance hours, respite care, access to education and employment, and community based services; if she is aware of the significant levels of unmet need and isolation reported by individuals and families; a…

1674. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early learning and childcare providers who applied for and received support under the Sustainability Fund linked to Core Funding in each of the years 2023, to date 2026; the number of applications refused or withdrawn in the same period; the total value of funding allocated under the scheme; the breakdown, by county …

1675. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any key performance indicators, governance metrics, audit measures or oversight arrangements are in place regarding the use of Emergency Care Orders under section 13 of the Child Care Act 1991; and if they will provide details of same. [43456/26]

1676. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department and the HSE will investigate and address a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43483/26]

1677. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of persons in County Kildare currently awaiting an assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005; the average waiting time for completion of assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43487/26]