Written Answers Nos. 1158-1177
1165. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the pilots for enhanced in-school therapy supports in the 16 special schools in Dublin and Cork; and if he will provide the number of extra speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, per school, who are working in those schools because of the pilot, in tabular form. [46522/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1166. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps she will take to prioritise the deployment of speech and language therapy to a school (details supplied) which is situated in one of the most disadvantaged areas in the State as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46548/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1167. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the residential care place of a person (details supplied). [46560/24]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1168. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any further clarity can be provided at this time to explain why it has taken so long to administer the children’s disability service grant fund, especially given as this was supposed to be emergency funding in light of the significant gap in services in Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46579/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1169. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what supports his Department can provide to a group (details supplied) in County Galway in its efforts to establish a new community creche in Caltra; if there is funding available from his Department for construction and initial operational costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46608/24]
View answerEnabling access to and availability of affordable high-quality early learning and childcare is a key Government priority.
Considerable investment has taken place in recent years to improve the resourcing, quality and availability of early learning and childcare. Data available to my Department demonstrates that the level of capacity in the sector has risen substantially in recent years.
Last year, I established a Supply Management Unit within the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Division of my Department. Part of this Unit's remit is to oversee the administration of capital investment under the revised National Development Plan. Some €89 million has been allocated to my Department between 2023 and 2026 for capital funding.
€25m will be made available this year to deliver additional capacity under the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme. The Extension Grant Scheme, which is now open for applications and is a competitive application process, is open to existing Early Learning and Childcare services to undertake large scale extensions to their premises to provide additional capacity for full day places for 1-3 year old children. The scheme will also allow community services to apply for funding to construct or purchase new premises. The closing date for applications under the scheme is 27th January 2025. For services interested in applying for the scheme, additional information and support is available from City and County Childcare Committees.
1170. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans he has in place to address the shocking respite care services in County Kerry, especially for those individuals with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46640/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
1171. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has undertaken a formal review of the operation of section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; if so, the outcome of the review; and the actions he has taken to address the low rate of compliance by public bodies with the requirements of the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty as set out in section 42(2) of the 2014 Act. [46652/24]
View answerSection 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 requires that a public body, in the course of it's functions, have regard to the elimination of discrimination and the equal opportunities and human rights of it's staff and service users. This obligation is known as the public sector equality and human rights duty.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) is the body tasked with the promotion of the duty and s.42 of the 2014 Act provides powers to IHREC where the Commission considers that there is evidence of a failure by a public body to meet the obligations under the duty.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has been established and operates with a very high level of independence from Government and it would be inappropriate for a Minister to offer comment on areas which fall within IHREC's remit.
1172. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has approved the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Code of Practice on the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46653/24]
View answerThe Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has written to me seeking approval for a draft Code of Practice on the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty which was prepared under s.31 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. In line with section 31(3) of the Act, the draft code is currently under review by officials in my Department. My officials will liaise with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to ensure that this Code can be finalised and published as soon as possible. This will be a matter for my successor as Minister.
1173. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child in Donegal (details supplied) will receive an appointment for speech and language therapy and an appointment for awareness therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46659/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1174. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if access to a dietitian will be provided for disability services users at a location (details supplied); and if he received a risk assessment or business case regarding same. [46661/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1175. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on a waiting list for assessment of need in County Waterford; and the average length of time it takes a child in Waterford to receive an assessment. [46664/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1176. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on a CDNT waiting list for therapy or assessment or any other appointment in County Waterford. [46665/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1177. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the staffing levels and vacancies for relevant children’s disability network teams covering County Waterford. [46666/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
