Gary Gannon
Ceist:121. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of the following situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2812/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFamily Reunification
Ceisteanna (121)
Freagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that the Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) visa applications referred to were created on 08 March 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Abu Dhabi Visa Office on 17 July 2024 where they await examination and processing.
My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service and some applications can take longer than others. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing; it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these applications will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-offices/.
I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland, and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.
The people concerned can now directly check the status of their visa applications on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing accounts, at:
portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
Replies to Questions Nos. 122 to 129, inclusive, not received from the Department.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (130)
Mark Wall
Ceist:130. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of people on a waiting list for disability home support hours at the end of 2024 and at the end of 2025; the number on a waiting list for personal assistance hours at the end of 2024 and at the end of 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2522/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (131)
Mark Wall
Ceist:131. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she or her Department will advise on an ECCE placement being withdrawn (details supplied). [2613/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal free two-year programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The ECCE Programme is provided for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week over 38 weeks per programme year.
Early learning and care and school aged childcare services are provided by private enterprises, either privately owned or operated by community organisations. While service providers are contracted with this Department to provide ECCE at a subsidised rate to parents, they are free to set their own admission policies.
Under the ECCE rules, service providers must offer free ECCE only sessions for the ECCE programme year. However, while not a condition of enrolment, part-time and full-time services may prioritise places for those who wish to avail of extra hours over those availing of ECCE only.
The Department funds a national network of County Childcare Committees (CCCs) who provide support and advice to parents and childcare providers and can also mediate issues of concern. I would urge your constituent to contact their local CCC as soon as possible, details of which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/.
Separately, the Equal Status Acts prohibit discrimination and harassment on specified grounds in the access to and supply of goods and services. Your constituent may wish to consult the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission for information on the procedures for submission of complaints under these Acts. The Commission's ‘Your Rights’ information service is available at Your Rights, IHREC, 16–22 Green Street, Dublin 7, D07 CR20 or by phone at 01-8589601, or by email at info@ihrec.ie.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the independent, statutory body established to hear complaints in relation to employment, equality, and equal status legislation. For information on how to refer a complaint to the WRC, your constituent may contact the Information & Customer Service, Workplace Relations Commission, O'Brien Road, Carlow, R93 E920 in writing, or by phone at 059 9178990 / Lo Call 0818 808090.
Please note time limits in relation to making complaints may apply and if your constituent is thinking of making a complaint, if they have not already done so, the service provider must be notified first within 2 months of the alleged act of discrimination, stating the nature of the allegation and the intention.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (132)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:132. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2644/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The higher scales process in my Department for administrative grades below the grade of Assistant Principal is on the basis of 50% seniority/suitability and 50% merit based application process. The merit based application process includes an agreed upon application structure.
Once a higher scale is awarded to an officer in a grade, the officer will remain on the higher scale until they vacate the grade (e.g. promotion). The officer will remain on the higher scale if transferred to another department on the same grade regardless of the higher scales process in operating in the receiving department.
After-School Support Services
Ceisteanna (133)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:133. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether plans are in place to increase the number of after-school care places in north Kildare by September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2693/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
In relation to school-going children, the supply of places has grown substantially in recent years. The number of school-age enrolments in Kildare increased from 2,483 in 2021/2022 to 3,742 in 2024/2025, an increase of 51%.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the third programme year (2024/25), the allocation for Core Funding allowed for a 6% increase in capacity. Budget 2025 secured funding for the fourth programme year (2025/6) to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year (2026/7) for a further expansion in supply of 4.2%.
This increased investment will allow increases in the natural growth of the sector driven both by new services joining the sector and existing services offering more places and/or longer hours to families.
The Programme for Government commits for the first time to provide capital investment to build or purchase state-owned early learning and childcare facilities, to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. State ownership of facilities is a very substantial and significant development and offers the potential for much greater scope to influence the nature and volume of provision available and to ensure better alignment with estimated demand. This work will be supported through capital investment under the revised National Development Plan.
The Department also funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance. Contact details for the Kildare County Childcare Committee may be found at www.kccc.ie.
Equality Issues
Ceisteanna (134, 135, 136, 137)
Emer Currie
Ceist:134. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will clarify the policy rationale for the proposed provision in the Equality and Family Leaves (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 that would transfer discrimination cases relating to licensed premises from the District Court to the Workplace Relations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2738/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmer Currie
Ceist:135. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the consultation that has taken place with representative bodies for licensed premises regarding the proposed transfer of jurisdiction for discrimination cases to the WRC; and if she will provide details of such engagement. [2739/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmer Currie
Ceist:136. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether an impact assessment has been conducted on the potential legal, financial and operational implications for licensed premises arising from the proposed change in forum for discrimination cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2740/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmer Currie
Ceist:137. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she will consider introducing safeguards, exemptions or a review mechanism within the Equality and Family Leaves (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 to address concerns raised by licensed premises regarding the proposed jurisdictional change. [2741/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 to 137, inclusive, together.
In November 2024, Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024, which includes a number of legislative provisions arising from a review of Ireland’s equality legislation. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme and issued its report in October 2025. Officials in this Department are considering the recommendations of the report.
As part of the review, the Department invited written submissions to a public consultation. A report summarising the key issues raised was published in July 2023 and is available at assets.gov.ie/static/documents/equality-acts-review_-summary-of-submissions.pdf. As noted in that report, a significant number of submissions commented on section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003.
The General Scheme has been informed by the submissions received in the review process, by additional stakeholder consultations on some of the complex issues arising, as well as by recent Private Members’ Bills, academic research, and requirements under EU Equality Directives.
Section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 provides that where a person considers that they have been discriminated against on or at the point of entry to a licensed premises, they must apply to the District Court (rather than the Workplace Relations Commission) for redress. The decision to transfer such claims to the District Court introduced inconsistency in how discrimination claims are treated in Ireland. Concerns have been raised by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance regarding the barriers that this inconsistency creates.
The General Scheme proposes to repeal section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003. Work is ongoing on drafting of the bill. Department officials will continue to examine key policy proposals and potential additions such as review clauses. The regulatory impact assessment will be updated as work continues.
Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 134.
Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 134.
Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 134.
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (138)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:138. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children under 12 years in care in each social work area, broken down by local area office, in tabular form. [2756/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (139)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:139. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in care aged out in the last three years in each social work area, broken down by local area office, in tabular form. [2757/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (140)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:140. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of young people receiving an aftercare allowance in each social work area, broken down by local area office, in tabular form. [2758/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.