Written Answers Nos. 1395-1413
1395. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the annual amount claimed by special advisers attached to her or her Department outside of their regular salary, since 1 March 2020 to date in 2025, by mileage claim and amount, subsistence, other vouched expenses and unvouched expenses; and if the travel episode and or journey related to same will be included in the response. [11757/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo expenses were claimed in respect of advisers to Minister Foley or Minister O'Gorman in the period specified.
Please see details of the expenses paid to the adviser to Minister Rabbitte for the years 2020 - 2025.
|
Date |
Minister |
Expense |
Amount (€) |
|
12/06/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
522.94 |
|
18/07/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
120.74 |
|
19/07/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
198.47 |
|
24/08/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
277.26 |
|
04/09/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
286.39 |
|
06/09/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
344.4 |
|
26/09/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
196.92 |
|
22/10/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
288.2 |
|
23/10/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
330.81 |
|
14/11/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
344.39 |
|
23/11/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
437.74 |
|
24/11/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
429.59 |
|
08/04/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
132.66 |
|
07/05/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
308.84 |
|
13/05/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
248.74 |
|
20/06/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
291.88 |
|
07/08/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
414.18 |
|
19/08/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
380.65 |
|
22/08/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
381.55 |
|
07/09/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
140.48 |
|
12/09/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
384.28 |
|
13/09/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
433.22 |
|
20/09/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
348.93 |
|
24/09/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
142.29 |
|
27/09/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
396.05 |
|
08/10/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
223.85 |
|
11/10/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
229.44 |
|
15/10/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
99.23 |
|
22/10/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
98.06 |
|
23/10/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
131 |
|
24/10/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Mileage |
43.14 |
|
12/06/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Subsistence |
39.08 |
|
07/08/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Subsistence |
42.99 |
|
19/08/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Subsistence |
42.99 |
|
30/08/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Subsistence |
42.99 |
|
12/09/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Subsistence |
42.99 |
|
13/09/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Subsistence |
42.99 |
|
20/09/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Subsistence |
42.99 |
|
18/07/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Subsistence |
160 |
|
22/10/2023 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Subsistence |
167 |
|
27/08/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Foreign accommodation |
395.61 |
|
30/08/2024 |
Anne Rabbitte |
Vouched travel |
60 |
1396. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way the estimated number of public and private sector organisations that will use the new gender pay reporting portal was calculated as 6,000 organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11828/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government have taken a range of actions to reduce the gender pay gap. The Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 introduced the legislative basis for gender pay gap reporting in Ireland. The Act requires organisations to report on their hourly gender pay gap across a range of metrics.
Organisations must also publish a statement outlining the reasons for their gender pay gap (if any) and any measures that they are taking to reduce or eliminate the gap.
In 2024, organisations with over 150 employees were required to report on their gender pay gap. In 2025, the Regulations will be revised to extend this obligation to organisations with over 50 employees.
An online reporting system is in development and will consist of a central portal where all employer reports must be uploaded. The portal will provide and allow for the comparison of data on how the gender pay gap varies across different sectors, industries, and levels of seniority.
The estimated number of public and private sector organisations that will use the new gender pay reporting portal was calculated using data from the Central Statistics Office Business Demography report. Approximately 6,000 organisations will be required to report their gender pay data to the new portal.
1397. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to develop ASD places in pre-school settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11833/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Minister for Education.
1398. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the budget allocation for the Ombudsman for Children's Office in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [11863/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe budget allocation for the Ombudsman for Children's Office for 2024 and 2025 is set out in the tale below:
|
- |
Ombudsman for Children’s Office Budget Allocation |
|
2024 |
€4,259,000 |
|
2025 |
€5,026,000 |
1399. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her views on safeguarding issues at an organisation (details supplied); the specific steps she will take to ensure that such abuses are never repeated; and the mechanisms to be put in place to ensure that independent charities working with vulnerable populations are held to the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. [11878/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to reiterate that St. John’s Ambulance Ireland (SJAI) is independent in its functions as a registered charity, and the oversight of the governance of this charity is a matter for the Charities Regulatory Authority. This Authority, under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development, is Ireland's statutory regulator for charitable organisations, including SJAI.
The previous Minister for Children took the initiative to fund the appointment of a National Safeguarding Officer for SJAI for a specified period. This was to ensure that recommendations of Dr. Geoffrey Shannon’s report were fully implemented. My Department is still engaging with the Board of SJAI and I am assured that all 11 recommendations have now been implemented.
The National Safeguarding Officer was asked by SJAI to review the adequacy and effectiveness of SJAI’s response to complaints of sexual abuse within the organisation. The Safeguarding Officer is currently reviewing the SJAI Child Safeguarding Statement and its Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. I understand from the reports that they are deemed to be robust and clear but there are opportunities for enhancement. This review will be further informed by the outcome of an audit of cadet divisions.
I have been given assurance that the updated Garda Vetting Policy & Procedure 2025 has now been approved by the Board of SJAI. The Adult Volunteer Process specifies that members must undergo a Children First eLearning Programme and the SJAI Safeguarding programme training before they can be vetted. This is to prevent divisions allowing people to attend duties when they are vetted but without the appropriate safeguarding training. Members being re-vetted must have completed Children First eLearning and SJAI Safeguarding Training in the same calendar year as their vetting.
Following on from recommendations by the National Safeguarding officer, a new risk assessment template is being developed as part of the revised Child Safeguarding Statement. It is recommended a yearly safeguarding workshop be made mandatory to all members of SJAI involved in leadership, and this will be an opportunity to upskill and update on safeguarding matters. I am assured that SJAI recognises that safeguarding best practice will continue to evolve, and the Department continue to review their operations to ensure that they meet and exceed the required standard, so that the mistakes of the past do not happen again.
I wish to acknowledge and understand that the trauma associated with sexual abuse in childhood continues into adulthood, affecting many aspects of a victim-survivor's life.
I am assured that SJAI is fully committed to ensuring that it assists and provides support to all victim-survivors. It has been made clear to SJAI that each affected person has separate needs, and the organisation would like to try and meet these. I understand that SJAI are making continued efforts to ensure that all of Dr. Shannon's recommendations are fully implemented.
A written organisational apology has been issued, through the review team, on behalf of the SJAI Board, to all known victim-survivors. The written apology has also been posted to the SJAI’s website to ensure transparency and awareness among victim-survivors and others. I understand that representatives of the SJAI Board have committed to meet with victim-survivors to deliver an apology in person and to facilitate discussion or any questions that may arise.
I would like to highlight again that SJAI has made supports available to those affected following the publication of the report including outreach support and counselling therapeutic services funded by the organisation, and which are provided on an anonymous basis.
1400. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost to provide a €100 a week cap for childcare costs; and if she will consider the introduction of such a support for families. [11889/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme:
• Universal Subsidies are available to all families with children under 15 years old. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €2.14 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
• Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on individual circumstances. The rate will vary depending on the level of family income, child age and educational stage, and the number of children in a family.
This Department does not hold individualised fee data for parents as these are local agreements between parents and providers; instead a reduction in the average cost of ELC to parents is examined. To estimate this cost, data from Pobal on average weekly fees across the country was used. To achieve the desired reduction in fees, an increase to the NCS universal subsidy were examined.
As this costing is based on an average fee, the impact of this change would vary based on the level of fees within services, patterns of usage and age of the child. The below estimate has been costed as such that all children in the scheme will have their costs reduced to at least €100 per week.
It should be noted that given the current NCS rates many families are already inside the proposed cap.
The ESRI SWITCH model was then used to estimate the quantum of these changes and applied to the Departments baseline cost of the NCS. The results are given below in tabular form.
|
Max fee per week |
NCS Universal Subsidy |
Cost of change |
|
Baseline |
€2.14 |
|
|
€100 |
€2.17 |
€5.02m |
This estimate comes with a number of caveats, from September 2024 a number of enhancements were made to the NCS, the estimates factor in these changes:
Increase in universal subsidy from €1.40 to €2.14.
Extension of NCS to families availing of childminders
Increase in NCS sponsor subsidy to €5.30 per hour for all children over the age of 1.
The impact of these changes are yet to be determined and carry a risk of altering the above costings due to increased participation of childminders for example. As such extensions to the scheme are based on estimates.
In addition, this costing is made on the basis of a static system; that is, the model assumes that the level of usage of eligible ELC does not increase or decrease but remains static. Any changes to subsidies may create a change in behaviour of families, for example, return to/increased labour force participation and use of formal ELC for the first time.
1401. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost for the State to make an annual €3,000 childcare subvention available to mothers and fathers who choose to stay at home within the first three years of the child's life; and if she will consider the introduction of such a subvention. [11890/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere a number of supports available through the Department of Social Protection and through the tax system to support parents to stay at home and care for their children.
From 1 August 2024, parents can now avail of 9 weeks paid Parent’s Leave and Benefit. This measure means that under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit schemes, the number of weeks that parents can take time off work, with financial support from the State, increases from 7 weeks to 9 weeks. With this new measure the Government has now more than quadrupled paid parent's leave, from two weeks up to nine weeks. Budget 2025 saw further increases to rates of these payments. The Deputy is advised to contact the Department of Social Protection for further queries in this regard.
In addition, the Deputy may wish to note the existence the Home Carer Tax Credit for tax payers who are married, or in a civil partnership, and who care for one, or more, dependent person. The Home Carer Tax Credit rate is €1,950 for 2025. The Deputy is advised to contact the Department of Finance for further queries in this regard.
This Department’s investment with regard to early learning and childcare is focused on provision outside the family home. This includes early learning and childcare and childminders working in the childminder’s own home.
The issue of payments to parents to allow the family fund their early learning and childcare directly has been considered at several junctures in recent years.
“Demand side measures” (i.e. funding directly to parents) and “supply side measures” (i.e. funding directly to providers to assist in the meeting the cost of early learning and childcare provision and/or to reduce parents fees) were explored in the context of the development of National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
The 2016 policy paper, which informed the subsequent development of the NCS, concluded that supply-side measures offer the State greater “steering capacity, in terms of ensuring equity of access and driving quality in early learning and childcare services. This is because well-designed supply-side measures offers the State several policy levers (e.g. subsidy levels linked to quality, conditions for provider participation, regulation of co-payments etc.) through which policy objectives can be pursued.
The NCS has undergone a number of enhancements in recent Budgets with the minimum NCS subsidy steadily rising from €0.50 in 2022 to €2.14 in September 2024 alongside extensions to eligibility. Additionally, families availing of a childminder can now claim an NCS subsidy towards their costs.
The Core Funding Model, a new direct supply-side measure was introduced in 2022. Through Core Funding, my Department financially contributes to the running of early learning and childcare services in return for conditions related to quality of the sector, staff pay and affordability for families. A fee management system in place for over 92% of services due to Core Funding ensures that the benefits of these schemes are not unnecessarily absorbed by fee increases.
The emphasis on supply-side funding allows my Department to leverage quality of the sector and make progress towards a more publicly managed service, where policy levers can be used to support quality, affordability, availability, access, and sustainability. Additionally, lower-income families would not benefit as much from demand side measures as those with higher incomes.
1402. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is legislation dealing with the right of a person with a disability to access toilet facilities from a private business they are patronising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11909/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I am committed to enhancing the accessibility of public facilities and spaces as well as promoting best practice in universal design so that people with disabilities can avail of services and goods on an equal basis with others.
The Disability Act 2005 places obligations on public sector bodies to ensure that information and services are accessible to all members of the pubic. This includes the parts of physical premises open to the public as part of service delivery. These requirements are subject to some exemptions such as disproportionate burden.
No similar blanket legislative requirement exists in respect of private property or private businesses. However, where the accessibility of a physical premises may be integral for the delivery of a service then the Equal Status Acts (2002-2018), subject to relevant exemptions and the particulars of the situation, may apply. The Equal Status Acts prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services on nine grounds, including disability. Under the Acts, discrimination “includes a refusal or failure by the provider of a service to do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability by providing special treatment or facilities, if without such special treatment or facilities it would be impossible or unduly difficult for the person to avail himself or herself of the service.”
In addition to this legislation, the Irish Centre for Excellence in Universal Design which is part of the National Disability Authority (NDA) is funded by my department and has done considerable work in promoting the concept of universal design as a means of enhancing the accessibility of a range of built environments, spaces, facilities, products and services. With particular relevance to the issue of accessible toilet facilities, the Centre has a range of guidance material available on its website to support members of the public and businesses.
1403. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the vacancy rate for therapists for each CDNT in CHO9, in tabular form. [11918/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1405. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will provide information on research commissioned previously to inform plans to modernise youth information services; if this research has been published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11927/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials commissioned a piece of independent research to help inform Department policy on youth information provision in Ireland. The Department has received a report prepared by the independent researchers.
My officials are considering the contents of the report in the context of the wider strategic approach to the sector set out in Opportunities for Youth, the National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services. As part of that process officials will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure any revised policy meets the information needs of today's young people.
1406. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she has considered amending the childminding services regulations 2024 to allow childminders employ assistants, or have emergency cover, for incidents in which the childminder is unavoidably occupied such as for medical appointments or illness; if not, the reasons why; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11956/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 30 September 2024, relevant sections of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 were commenced to provide for removal of the exemption from registration for childminders, and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Regulations) 2024 came into effect on the same day. These changes allowed for the registration of childminders with Tusla.
This was a milestone in the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028. Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, which is now complete, included extensive consultation with childminders, parents and other stakeholders. The childminding-specific Regulations are proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. In finalising the Regulations, substantial changes were made in response to feedback in the public consultation last year.
In addition, an independent external review of the draft regulations was carried out by Dr Bill Maxwell, the former CEO of Education Scotland, former Chief Inspector in both Scotland and Wales, and OECD consultant. Dr. Maxwell provided a detailed report on the draft regulations. The report concluded that ‘Overall, I think the draft regulations provide a strong statutory basis for implementing a new regulatory framework for childminding in Ireland, with arrangements that are very much in line with those in comparator systems . . ., in my view the regulations take a proportionate approach for the circumstances in Ireland.’
The Act provides for a transition period of three years before registration becomes mandatory. During this three-year period, childminders can register with Tusla but are not required to do so. This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
Under the amendments made in the 2024 Act, the definition of a childminding service:
"(a) entails an individual taking care, by himself or herself, of children under the age of 15 years, in the home of the individual, and
(b) is provided to children (other than that individual’s own children) for a total period of not less than 2 hours per day."
In line with this definition, a primary feature of a childminder is that they undertake the work themselves and there are no staff employed in the service.
In developing the Regulations, the then Minister acknowledged the need for support in exceptional circumstances and this resulted in the inclusion of Regulation 15 which provides for emergency cover in limited circumstances:
"To assist the childminder in the event of an emergency, a childminder shall ensure that one or more persons, aged 18 years or over, familiar with the operation of the childminding service are, at all times, within close distance of the childminding service and available to attend the childminding service."
This Regulation provides for cover in emergency situations such as where the childminder or a child falls ill and must be taken to hospital. It is not intended to provide a regular back-up arrangement.
The National Action Plan for Childminding commits to a review of the initial implementation of the childminding-specific Regulations before 2028. My Department will undertake this review, which will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders, during the transition period.
In addition, it is open to an individual to register a service under either the 2016 Pre-School Regulations or the 2018 School Age Regulations - rather than the 2024 Childminding Services Regulations - if they wish to employ staff.
1407. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the vacancy rate of each CDNT in the CHO7 as a percentage of WTEs; the vacant posts in each of those CDNTs by job title, in tabular form; and to specify any of those posts which do not currently have approval to be filled. [11962/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1408. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that will be taken to progressively reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child through the national childcare scheme and explore options to cap costs for larger families, as per the Programme for Government; the timeline for this reduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11968/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvestment in early learning and childcare is now at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.37 billion in 2025, clearly demonstrating Government commitment to this area.
As well as addressing affordability this investment has served to improve accessibility, availability and the quality of provision.
The ECCE programme, which provides two years of pre-school without charge, enjoys participation rates of 96% each year. Over 70% of families on low income report that they would not be able to send their child to pre-school without this programme.The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) complements the ECCE programme, providing subsidies – both universal and targeted - to reduce the costs to parents for children to participate in ELC and SAC.The minimum NCS subsidy has steadily risen from €0.50 in 2022 to €2.14 per hour in September 2024 alongside extensions to eligibility. Additionally, families using a childminder can now avail of an NCS subsidy towards their childcare costs.
Record numbers of children and their families are now benefiting from the NCS. Almost 220,000 unique children benefited from an NCS subsidy in 2024.
This year, my Department will begin an evaluation of the NCS to examine how the Scheme currently operates, its impact and determine potential enhancements to the scheme.
The Government of Ireland is committed to continuing to improve affordability and reach the €200 per month cap within the lifetime of the Government including exploring options to cap costs for larger families. However, further progress on affordability cannot be made in isolation and must be integrated with our efforts to improve access, availability and quality.
1409. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to list the organisations funded by the HSE and her Department that work with sufferers of acquired brain injury; the supports available to them for each year from 2019 to 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12000/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1410. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions her Department has taken to act on the “Wasted Lives” report and to end the practice of people under 65 years living inappropriately in nursing homes designed for care of older people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12002/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
1411. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be made available to make a facility (details supplied) in Kerry a wraparound service. [12040/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1412. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the support services available to children and young people with autism and their families in Dublin Mid-West, excluding services provided by the CDNT; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12076/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1413. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if endometriosis will be recognised as a disability. [12085/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecific issues relating to endometriosis and associated policy lie outside of my Department’s remit and fall instead under the remit of the Department of Health.
In broad terms we do not define disability by way of reference to individualised impairments or medicalised diagnoses. The Disability Act 2005 instead interprets disability as meaning a “substantial restriction in the capacity of the person to carry on a profession, business or occupation in the State or to participate in social or cultural life in the State by reason of an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability”.
This definition takes a broadly functional approach to disability, recognising that an individual's specific circumstances, societal barriers, and medical history will all have an impact on the extent to which a person is or is not "disabled". This is in line with the social model approach to disability set out in the UNCRPD. It also provides a more flexible definition to practitioners where specialised health needs arise that is not tied to a prescriptive list of conditions - which runs the risk of inadvertently excluding people from recognition or supports.
