Written Answers Nos. 122-141
122. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the plans in place for outreach centres for the National Rehabilitation Hospital to help those recovering from serious injury and stroke; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34626/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
123. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health her Department’s plans to increase home support services for older people in Cork county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34991/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the action she will take to ensure that financial motives do not compromise children’s healthcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34935/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have moved to strengthen governance and oversight structures at CHI in response to a series of reviews which raised corporate and clinical governance concerns. This was done by appointing two members of the HSE Board to the Board of CHI on 28 May.
The Service Level Agreement between CHI and the HSE has also been strengthened, and there is increased involvement from the Dublin Midlands Regional Executive Officer. Recognising the need to co-ordinate oversight of the range of matters of focus in CHI in a cohesive fashion, the HSE CEO has established the HSE CHI Improvement Steering Group.
These actions are designed to support the new CEO in CHI and enable her to continue with the transformation programme she has started.
The HSE CEO has also commissioned an audit of governance and equity in patient access and waiting list management at CHI. The audit aims to assess governance and equity in access to care within CHI, especially regarding the balance between public and private patient management. The outcome of this audit is expected in the coming months.
132. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to explore a mandatory under-16s ban on social media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34635/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOnline safety for children is a Government priority and a top priority for me as Minister. It’s essential that we make sure children do not see illegal, harmful or inappropriate content while being able to safely avail of all the benefits of the online world.
It is my view that robust age verification is essential for keeping children safe online. Last week, I met the main social media companies and reiterated this point to them. I am committed to working across Government and with all stakeholders to ensure children and young people can be safe from harmful or illegal content online, in particular, through robust age verification.
We have all seen how pointless self declaration of age is in terms of keeping children safe from harmful content. Coimisiún na Meán’s Online Safety Code, which applies to video-sharing platforms established in Ireland, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X, makes it clear that simply requiring self-declaration of age is no longer sufficient for platforms to meet their legal obligations. Part B of the Code, which will apply from next month, obliges them to implement effective age assurance measures to ensure that, for example, adult-only video content cannot normally be seen by children.
In addition to the Online Safety Code, Coimisiún na Meán also has powers under the Digital Services Act, which requires platforms to address the risk of children and young people being exposed to illegal online content including by means of age-verification or age-assurance, setting children’s accounts as private by default, adjusting recommender systems and allowing children to block or mute users.
We must build on this to make sure there are trustworthy systems in place for verifying age that respects users’ rights, including data protection. In my view, it is the only way to provide real assurance that children are the age they claim to be and to ensure they are not exposed to harmful or illegal content. I will be including a commitment to this effect in the Government’s updated National Digital Strategy which will be published later this year and my officials are already working with Government’s Chief Information Officer and his Office to look at practical technical solutions in this regard.
Age verification is essential in terms of enforcing existing minimum age requirements for opening a social media account or accessing adult content. But it is equally an essential first step if the current minimum age threshold were to be adjusted.
In terms of restricting access to social media for particular age groups at national level, any such measures must comply with the DSA because it is an EU Regulation that requires maximum harmonisation for all EU Member States, including Ireland. In that context, I asked my officials to examine international initiatives that are underway or currently being considered elsewhere to protect the safety of children, including in relation to limiting access to social media platforms for children under the age of 16. They have prepared a report on the matter which I am currently considering.
I am determined to make progress on this key issue and will work with other EU member states, including in the context of Ireland's Presidency of the EU next year, on effective and practical solutions that respect the provisions of the DSA and have regard to the rights of children, while protecting them from harm.
140. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the recent positive report from Sport Ireland highlighting that active sports participation has reached its highest level ever; the way in which he will continue to support the take-up of sport in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34756/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncreasing participation levels in sport among all cohorts is a key objective of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and is a priority for me in my role as Minister for Sport. I therefore welcome the results of the Irish Sports Monitor 2024 survey which revealed that active sports participation has reached record levels, with 49% of the population now taking part in sport on a weekly basis.
The increase means that Ireland is on track to achieve the target set out in the National Sports Policy that 50% of adults actively participate in sport by 2027. The data gathered by Sport Ireland via the Sports Monitory survey is an essential tool that provides an evidence base for the policy decisions that are made by Government to improve the take up of sport in Ireland.
Despite the significant progress made to date and the growth in participation rates among both men and women, the Sports Monitor results indicate that the gender participation gap remains at just under 3%. This month I announced investment of €4 million under the Women in Sports Programme for 2025. The funding will support the participation of women and girls in sport as part of Government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the gender participation gap by 2027 as outlined in the National Sports Policy.
The survey results showed that more work needs to be done with regards to active sport participation among persons living with a disability in Ireland as the participation rate among this cohort currently stands at 32%.
Increased funding secured for sport in Budget 2025 enabled Sport Ireland to appoint a Disability in Sport Lead in February of this year. The creation of the post was an action set out in both the Sport Action Plan 2024-2027 and the Sport Ireland Statement and Commitment to Action in Disability Sport. This was in turn reflected in the Programme for Government.
The role has the potential to be transformational and will allow for focused leadership and directed investment to address the National Sports Policy targets for increased participation among those with a long-term illness or disability.
