Emer Higgins
Dublin Mid-West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“With regard to the background, and as the Senator has touched on, this project was designed on the basis of a 30-year operational lease, with the primary objective of delivering value for money over the lifetime of that lease.”
“Regarding the specific situation in Castlebar that the Senator has raised, Tusla has indicated that following careful consideration, including extensive negotiations, which he referred to, and legal mediation with the developers, it was unable to reach an agreement.”
“They came forward, often at enormous personal cost, and continued to seek answers and accountability when the very systems that should have protected them had failed. For many survivors of child sexual abuse, the abuse does not end when it stops.”
“The strongest projects are those that invest in feasibility studies, site assessments, stakeholder engagement and detailed design from the outset, because decisions made at the earliest stage often have the greatest impact on cost, quality and operational performance.”
“As a result, it made a significant uplift on its original offer. The additional increase sought could not be justified, however, when benchmarked against comparable projects across both Tusla and the HSE. That comes back to the value-for-money argument.”
“Justice Michael White for their significant work and acknowledge how deeply distressing the findings are. They reveal repeated missed opportunities, ignored warning signs and systemic failures that allowed abuse to occur over many years. Children who should have been protected were instead left vulnerable.”
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“The number of children waiting over 12 months on CDNT waiting lists is also reducing. We are focusing on delivering much-needed therapies to children in Fingal and across the region.”
“In Balbriggan, 81% of posts are filled but the figure for Swords is only 52%. That is why we are doing so much work on our recruitment and retention strategies. I pay tribute to the staff in both CDNTs for the huge progress they have made. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the total number of CDNTs across the HSE Dublin and North East region, which includes north-west Dublin, north Dublin, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth. There has been a huge increase in the number of children on open caseloads, that is, the children being seen by our CDNTs. There also has been a reduction in the number of children on CDNT waiting lists. At the end of March, across the region, that number was down substantially from the previous year, from 3,672 to 1,908.”
“It is a fast-growing and young community. To drive further improvements, not just in Fingal but across the country, a dedicated disability workforce strategy is being worked on by the HSE and will be published this year. The strategy will help to meet growing service demands and address recruitment and retention challenges across specialist disability services, including CDNTs such as those in the Deputy's area.”
“Services in the Dublin north county integrated healthcare area, which is the Deputy's area, are delivered through the two CDNTs she mentioned, both of which are under the Central Remedial Clinic, CRC. To support service development and respond to increasing demand, additional staffing resources have been allocated by the HSE in recent years to the CRC. In 2026, the CRC received approval for development posts across both CDNTs, comprising 1.5 posts for Balbriggan and two posts for Swords. Two of those posts been allocated to behaviour support services, with the remaining posts allocated to speech and language therapy. The CRC was also allocated two full-time assistant therapy posts last year to support therapists and enhance service delivery across both teams. The Deputy consistently advocates for the Fingal area.”
“The Government is committed to ensuring that children with disabilities and their families who need early intervention and therapy input can access that support in a timely way. That commitment is reflected in the sizeable investment in disability services. In this year's budget alone, more than €3.8 billion has been allocated for disability services, which is an increase of €1.8 billion since 2020. As part of the budget process, funding was also secured for additional posts in children's disability network teams, with further investment to fund 150 posts for teams across the country. That investment builds on a 28% increase in staffing levels nationwide from October 2023 to October 2025.”
“I agree with much of what the Deputy says. This is an attempt to provide alternative means for assessments. There will be three tiers in this autism assessment and intervention pathway protocol. Tier 1 is for an assessment with clear presentations of autism, tier 2 is a more detailed assessment for unclear causes using structured tools and input from multiple professionals, and tier 3 is an assessment for more complex presentations involving additional specialists and further reports. I know the Deputy has a further parliamentary question. I think it is No. 19. The updated figure we have is that there are 21,782 applications overdue for completion. That was as at the end of March. The figures we have are on a quarterly basis, so that is the most up-to-date figure we have this quarter.”
“While it is not possible to quantify the exact impact at this stage in terms of assessments, it is anticipated that the successful implementation of the autism protocol will help to reduce demand for assessment of need, which the Deputy also mentioned. It will do that through the provision of a more direct and a clearer path to autism assessment for children and their families. To be clear, however, this does not in any way impact anybody's statutory right to an assessment of need. It is just a clearer access pathway through existing services such as primary care, our children's disability network teams and CAMHS, should people with an appropriate route to an assessment require one.”
“To be clear on the timelines, since the Deputy specifically asked, this is now launched. It will be rolled out in quarter 3 of this year. Right now, we are working with teams across the country to upskill and to train them on this new system of autism protocol and pathways. It is expected that when it is fully rolled out, each of the 20 integrated health areas will have one established inreach team. This year we will recruit 11 inreach teams. The final design and respective roles of the teams are being finalised. Recruitment for those inreach teams will commence in quarter 3 and quarter 4 of this year and they will be, as the Deputy referred to them in his remarks, the backup for the system.”
“These will consist of a psychologist, a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist and a case worker. These teams will work with the health areas to support and to build capacity within community services, including mental health and primary care teams as well as our CDNTs. Implementation planning for the protocol within the regions will commence in quarter 3 of this year and will include relative briefing and training within the regional healthcare areas. We are providing training in the meantime, until that point.”
“It will match the intensity of assessment to the complexity of the presentation, as decided by the assessing clinicians. It is a pathway designed specifically for autism assessment, and this includes differential assessment and diagnosis, as required, as well as the development of a formulation to provide clearer understanding of the person's lived experience and the services and supports they may require. The autism protocol has been developed over a period of five years, with input from people with lived experience, civil society and all clinical disciplines involved in assessments as well as managers and service leaders across disability, primary care and mental health services. To support the implementation of this, my Department secured funding in this year's budget for the development of inreach teams.”
“I thank the Deputy for this question. On 26 May, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Deputy Foley and I, along with the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and the HSE were pleased to launch the new autism assessment and intervention pathway protocol - the autism protocol. The new protocol represents an important step in ensuring that children and adults have access to appropriate and timely autism assessment processes. The new protocol will, for the very first time, provide a standardised assessment process across children's disability network teams, primary care and mental health services. Evidence tells us that some presentations of autism are easier to identify than others. Informed by this evidence, the HSE has designed a protocol that will introduce a three-tiered approach to autism assessment.”
“This level of record investment recognises both the growing demand for services and the complexity of the needs being met and that need to be met. It builds on significant year-on-year investment in recent years, with overall funding for disability services having increased by 91% since 2020. Alongside this funding there is also a strong focus on people, and building and sustaining a workforce that can deliver the supports that families rely on. That is why we are preparing this year’s workforce strategy for disability services.”
“I thank the Senator. Perhaps the Senator will follow up with me directly in relation to the hydrotherapy and the pool. I will seek an update from HSE as to where that is at. If, as the Senator said, a business case has been approved, I will ask where recruitment is on that particular issue. I reiterate that the Government’s commitment to strengthening services in order that adults and children with disabilities in Ireland are better supported is clear and is backed up by sustained investment in the disabilities sector. It remains a clear priority with €3.9 billion allocated to the HSE's disability services in this year’s budget. That was a €628 million increase, or a 20% increase, on funding from last year.”
“The HSE will also be developing a dedicated disability workforce strategy this year to help tackle ongoing recruitment and retention challenges such as those the Senator has described. While we recognise there is more to do, there is very clear momentum, not just across the HSE but also across the Government and the HSE's funded agencies to strengthen services, grow the workforce and improve access for the children who really need it.”
“More generally, there is a strong focus across Government on filling vacant posts across the 93 CDNTs as quickly as possible. Additional funding has been put in place to build capacity and to reduce wait times, including the €8 million in this budget to fund a further 150 posts. This is starting to have an impact, with the HSE reporting a 28% increase in staffing nationwide between October 2023 and October 2025. That would equate to an additional 448 whole-time equivalents, and 321 of those are additional health and social care professionals. Recruitment is continuing both at home and internationally alongside wider workforce initiatives to support the long-term growth of the children’s disability network teams.”
“As the Senator said, it includes engaging private providers in crisis cases where there are vacancies in disciplines and making temporary staffing adjustments, such as in senior or staff grade and therapy assistant roles, to maintain capacity. I am concerned to hear the Senator describe what sounds like inefficiencies. I ask that the Senator follow up with me directly in relation to the particular example she gave. I will seek some information and clarity on that. As the Senator said in her contribution, staffing levels have improved over the past year, allowing the team to begin to work through the longest waiters now. Recruitment remains ongoing. Agencies and local advertising are being used where needed. There are plans to re-establish student placements as capacity allows.”
“At the end of May, 226 children were waitlisted for services from the CDNT, with 394 children on an open caseload. Some 264 children, and in many instances their families, received an intervention during May, with 1,003 direct and indirect supports provided to children and their families during the month. The Senator mentioned that in some cases, people were going through a course they had been on previously. I have received that feedback and I am taking it on board. Using the available funding, the Cavan CDNT has put a number of measures in place to help manage waiting lists. That includes outsourcing assessments, where possible.”
“At the moment, many children registered with children’s disability network teams, including those on waiting lists and on open caseloads, are still waiting for some aspects of the support or services they need. As with other areas, disability services within the Cavan-Monaghan integrated health area, IHA, are continuing to experience significant recruitment challenges, as the Senator said. We have a clear need for more qualified healthcare staff nationally and internationally. There are two CDNTs in the Cavan-Monaghan IHA. In Cavan, the HSE is the lead agency, while Enable Ireland leads the CDNT in Monaghan. At the end of May, the team in Cavan had a vacancy rate of 32%, with a total number of staff of 19.35 whole-time equivalents.”
“At the end of March 2026, 45,472 children with complex needs were receiving supports from the children’s disability network teams. This progress is also reflected in reductions in waiting lists, which fell by 28% in 2025. While this shows movement in the right direction, it is important to acknowledge that significant work remains to address waiting times and unmet needs. In the national service plan for this year, the HSE has committed to a further 25% reduction in waiting times because at the centre of this remains a clear goal, which is to ensure that no child will wait longer than 12 months for the service they need, while also recognising that, over time, we must go even further.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important issue, for all of her advocacy on this issue and for her determination to ensure that things improve. I assure her that this is also my determination. The Government fully recognises the importance of providing adequate supports at the right time for children with disabilities throughout the country, including those in County Cavan. As she said, parents are exhausted and need support. That is why the HSE children’s disability services have undergone significant reform and restructuring over the past few years to provide more accessible, family-centred services for children with complex needs. Progress is being made, although I appreciate it is not being made fast enough.”
“Those who support the passage of the Bill will point to the significant burdens enforced delays can cause, while those who oppose it will argue that the waiting period is not a barrier but a protection against rushing into a choice a person may later regret. The key challenge now in coming to a decision on the Bill is to find the appropriate balance between protective measures and compassionate, timely access to healthcare. I would like to conclude my remarks by making it clear that should this Private Members' Bill pass Second Stage, there will be full access to appropriate legal and drafting expertise to ensure there are no unintended consequences and that the legislation will be as robust as possible if it passes. I look forward to a constructive engagement.”
“In addition, while reflection periods were a feature of the legislative regimes in many European countries at the time of the introduction of the 2018 Act, a number of jurisdictions, including Spain, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, have since removed them, reflecting a broader trend towards reliance on standard informed consent processes. In conclusion, I would like to once again thank Sinn Féin for introducing this Private Members' Bill. It is important that we as legislators provide a forum to debate important issues. The requirement for a mandatory waiting period is primarily a policy choice, and we need to consistently look at our policies. This Bill provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the operation of the three-day wait.”
“Internationally, the landscape has also shifted somewhat away from mandatory waiting periods. Health bodies such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization, WHO, take a clear and evidence-based position on mandatory waiting periods for termination of pregnancy. The WHO, in its 2022 abortion care guideline, explicitly recommends against mandatory waiting periods, arguing that research shows that such delays offer no medical benefit and instead only restrict access to care and undermine service provision. These concerns are echoed by human rights bodies within the United Nations.”
“The unplanned abortion care study, commissioned as part of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, explored the experiences of individuals accessing abortion services under section 12 of the Act. The findings indicate that the mandatory three-day waiting period was a recurring feature of discussions across the majority of interviews conducted. Participants expressed a range of views regarding its value and impact. While some regarded it as a procedural requirement that had to be navigated, others viewed it as a barrier or deterrent to accessing care. Very few participants considered the waiting period to have been beneficial to their own decision-making process, although some acknowledged that other women might value additional time for reflection.”
“My Options is staffed by professionally trained counsellors who are experienced in providing support to women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. The ethos of the service is client centred and counsellors take their lead from the person contacting them for information and support. More fundamentally, we must acknowledge the difficulties that the mandatory waiting period can present for some women. It may in some circumstances create an unnecessary delay once a clear and informed decision has been made. Some women have said that it creates practical challenges relating to travel, childcare, employment and other personal circumstances. Moreover, the additional appointments and administrative processes can push patients past gestational limits. These can pose particular difficulties for vulnerable groups and individuals.”
“It would be important to ensure that any proposed amendment to the current legislation makes provision for the retention of a reflection period should a woman wish to avail of it. It is important to emphasise that women can continue to change their minds if they so wish. The lack of a mandatory reflection period would not mean a woman could not change her mind. She is perfectly at liberty, after discussing the matter with her doctor, to decide not to proceed with the termination. The decision is hers and hers alone. Moreover, there are supports available to assist her in making that decision, should she wish to avail of them. The HSE-funded My Options service offers non-directive counselling and information for people experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.”
“It is worth mentioning that the figures quoted in this respect are not collated for, or a reflection of, evaluating the effectiveness of the three-day wait. They are simply claims for payment from community providers, which are subject to review and change. There are many reasons a woman may not return for a second appointment with a community provider. First, she may be over nine weeks pregnant and therefore be transferred into the hospital system. She may not have been pregnant at all. She may miscarry, or she may travel abroad for care. Undoubtedly, there is a proportion of women who are changing their minds, although many studies, such as that of the Irish Family Planning Association, IFPA, would suggest that the figure is quite small.”
“On the other hand, it is necessary to recognise that mandatory waiting periods represent a departure from the norm when it comes to health. In most areas of healthcare, informed consent is based on a patient's capacity, understanding and voluntary decision-making rather than a prescribed waiting period. This debate provides us with the opportunity to reflect on whether it is necessary or, indeed, appropriate to retain such a requirement here in Ireland. I am aware that there are many who continue to view it as a necessary protection that provides women with a valued opportunity for reflection and consideration before treatment proceeds. Some will point to the gap in the numbers between those presenting for a first appointment and those proceeding to terminate the pregnancy. They will argue that the provision is saving lives.”
“Consideration would also need to be given to the potential impact on service demand and capacity, particularly if there is an increase in requests for treatment on the day of assessment. As I have said, these are not insurmountable. It is also important to point out that some of the logistical difficulties or burdens associated with the three-day wait have been alleviated by the introduction of the blended model of care for termination of pregnancy services in the community. This model, as Members may be aware, was first introduced in response to the Covid pandemic and has been approved as the enduring model of care. Under this approach, it is possible for one of the two consultations required for termination in early pregnancy, usually the first, to take place remotely.”
“The removal of the statutory waiting period would have implications for the current model of care, the national clinical guidelines, service configuration and public information materials, as I have said. Clarification would be required regarding whether assessment and treatment could occur during the same visit, whether same-day treatment would be expected or simply permitted, and whether any reflection period would remain available at the request of the service user. The existing service model is based on separate stages of assessment, certification and treatment. Any move towards a more flexible or same-day pathway would necessitate changes to clinic scheduling, workforce deployment, patient flow arrangements and administrative processes.”
“It allows individuals to consider their decision carefully and avoid feeling rushed or pressured. It was intended to act as a legal safeguard demonstrating the serious and irreversible nature of the decision. From an operational perspective, the waiting period provides a structured and predictable pathway for service users and providers. The HSE advises that the current model of care is safe and effective and that, as it stands, the model of care for termination of pregnancy services, the national clinical guidelines, service configuration and public information materials all centre around the requirement for a three-day wait. The provision of services would, therefore, have to be fundamentally reconfigured if this Bill were to pass. It would, therefore, require careful consideration and planning.”
“At the outset, one very important thing to do is to point out that the current model of care, which includes the three-day wait, is safe and effective. There are some very practical and operational considerations and challenges involved in abolishing the three-day wait. These are not insurmountable. However, I do have a responsibility to the House to be frank and to set them out. It is critical that when we are required to vote, we do so on the basis that we are making an informed choice, so I will now set out some of the implications of the Bill. I understand the reasons behind the three-day wait and the reluctance and concerns of those who oppose its removal. I am aware it was included in the 2018 Act, the outline of which was published as part of the information campaign on the referendum itself.”
“Their honesty and their feedback are so appreciated and so valued. The Minister has also heard the views of clinicians and medical practitioners. I recognise that there is a broad spectrum of sincerely held opinion on the issue of termination of pregnancy, and on the removal of the three-day wait. This House needs to facilitate an open and respectful debate to reflect both sides of the argument and all views. It is important that all voices are heard and that we respect and listen to each other. The Government is committed to ensuring that there is safe and equitable access to termination of pregnancy services. I assure the House that this remains an ongoing priority. I am also aware that the arguments for and against the removal of the mandatory three-day waiting period have been well aired in the public domain.”
“I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who unfortunately is unable to be here this evening as she is attending a meeting of EU heath ministers in Luxembourg. I assure the House she would have been here otherwise and I am sure that Members will appreciate that it just was not possible for her to be here this evening. I have spoken to the Minister and I will seek to reflect her views and the views of the Department in the information provided in the debate on the Bill. I thank Sinn Féin and Deputy Cullinane for their work on this Bill. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Like the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and many of us here in the House, I have heard the experiences of women who have availed of termination of pregnancy services.”
“I thank all of the volunteers and community support workers up and down the country who have given so much of their time to organise events that will be happening throughout the weekend in many counties. I wish them the very best of luck, every success and hopefully a little bit of sunshine for their events.”
“Senator Cosgrove is right. There are wonderful supports available through MS Ireland in her region. It provides a range of supports in the community for people with MS, but also for their families, which is really important too. MS Ireland plays an important role when it comes to supporting, educating and advising persons with MS and their families from diagnosis right throughout their journey. Specifically on the north west and Sligo and Leitrim in particular, I confirm that the HSE does remain committed to working with stakeholders, including MS Ireland, to explore opportunities that would enhance service provision for people in the region with MS. That is subject to the availability of resources. I will just take a moment to wish people a very happy World MS Day on Saturday.”
“It delivers a comprehensive range of supports, including individual physiotherapy; telehealth consultations; exercise and rehabilitation programmes, including online classes; equipment assessments; psychological and well-being supports, including counselling and meditation; alternative therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and reflexology; and peer support and foot care services. In addition, individuals may access a range of HSE community services, including occupational therapy and orthotics, as required.”
“Notwithstanding this, a range of supports are currently in place for individuals with multiple sclerosis in the Sligo-Leitrim area. The HSE physical and sensory disability service provides case co-ordination and social work support. While the case co-ordinator has been on statutory leave, it is anticipated that this leave will be ending shortly. Full case co-ordination service should resume from July. The HSE physical and sensory disability service also provides for the delivery of home support and personal assistant services, based on assessed individual need. The MS North West Therapy Centre is funded annually by the HSE through a service arrangement.”
“I thank Senator Cosgrove for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to respond. I met MS Ireland recently and we discussed the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Sligo and Leitrim. The Senator is correct that an updated business case was submitted by MS Ireland for the recruitment of a multiple sclerosis community worker for the Sligo-Leitrim region. This was received and reviewed by local disability services management on 10 October 2025. The proposal was subsequently escalated to the head of service for disability services for consideration. At present, however, there is still no specific funding allocation within the HSE disability services’ budget to support the establishment of this post. It has not, therefore, been possible to progress recruitment at this stage.”
“I reiterate the importance of ensuring we continue to support people with disabilities to live meaningful and fulfilling lives, with a person-centred approach right across all our services. The ambition of Government is to bring about a step change in services for people with a disability in Ireland, and we are committed to the expansion and reform of disability services to maximise people's independence, to help support them to live ordinary lives in ordinary places. The bottom line is the Government is aware of the challenges, which present across all regional health areas. The Department is actively engaging with the Department of housing and the HSE to explore new and existing ways of responding to demand, while appropriately managing the significant levels of funding provided to residential services.”
“I thank the Senator for that, and for everything he does to raise these very important issues. I reiterate this is a priority for this Government. The Government recognises there is more to do to improve the lived experience of people with disabilities, and that is ultimately what this boils down to. The Senator set out in his own contribution that people are at the heart of this, and that is why we need to ensure we are doubling down on our efforts. The increase in the disability budget for this year, which is 20%, demonstrates the multiple commitments made in the programme for Government to improving the lives of people with disabilities and making a difference. We need to ensure that funding translates into improved outcomes and expanded services.”
“I visited a service yesterday in Celbridge called Dara, which has a fantastic work-ready programme. Unfortunately, the level of disabled people in our workforce is currently at only 17%, but Dara has translated that 17% to 74% in its service. There are very positive things happening around the country, and it is important we also shine a light on those.”
“As the Senator said, if we do not have targets in place, it will be hard to motivate people to reach them. It is also very hard to measure the progress. I am a big believer in them and welcome them. The Senator might also be interested to know that the HSE has established new housing co-ordinator roles and new residential planning and review teams. These are currently being hired for and will be in place this year to co-ordinate and oversee the delivery and planning of new residential placements and future placements, many of which will be delivered by local authority homes. At present, this is very much a crisis response, and we are very aware that we want to move towards a more sustained, planned response. The Senator mentioned disabled people and work in his comments.”
“As the Senator mentioned, the Ministers, Deputies Foley and Browne, along with their officials, have made significant progress, through the implementation structures established under the national housing strategy for disabled people, in improving co-ordination with the local authorities and disability service providers at local, regional and national level. This includes establishing the levels of unmet need for specialist disability residential services in each county or local authority area. This will inform the setting of targets in the local authority housing development action plans for two cohorts of disabled people, namely those living more independently in the community, and those with greater support needs, who will receive specialist disability residential services.”
“The remaining €25 million will support in the region of 40 residential packages for children in care with complex needs, the enhancement of existing residential placements, decongregation transitions, which the Senator mentioned, and the under 65s programme. Other key supports that people with disabilities may need to live in local authority homes include home support and personal assistance services. The budget this year also provided €5 million to support the delivery of over 100,000 additional home support and 50,000 additional personal assistance hours, enabling approximately 7,000 people to receive disability home support services and almost 3,000 adults to receive personal assistance to maintain their independence.”
“The overall budget increase from €1.7 billion at the close of 2017 to close to €3.9 billion this year for specialist disability services reflects the programme for Government commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities, signalling to those with a disability that this Government is committed to making a difference in their lives. Specialist disability services that people with disabilities may need to live in local authority homes include disability residential services, personal assistance and home support. That is where the dovetailing the Senator spoke about comes in. In 2026, €65 million has been allocated to disability residential services for new developments, which includes €40 million that will provide in the region of 199 residential responses, and will also cover the 152 new residential placements.”
“I would like to thank Senator Boyhan for raising this important issue and for giving me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the both the Minister, Deputy Foley, and me. We are both in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. As the Senator mentioned, the national housing strategy for disabled people provides the framework for the delivery of housing for people with all levels of disability. While the housing response itself falls within the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as the Senator has said, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality funds the provision of supports for community living, as well as supports for more complex specialist disability residential services, with the services provided either directly by the HSE or on behalf of the HSE by service providers.”
“I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of 5th February, 2025, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, Questions for oral answer following those next set down to the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Minister for Social Protection Minister for Transport Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whereupon the sequence established by the Order of 5th February, 2025, shall continue with Questions to the Minister for Health.”
“The third is the roll-out of Equal Start, which as I referenced earlier, is a key policy model which focuses on inclusion. Equal Start is a funding model and set of associated universal and targeted measures to support access and meaningful participation, including for school-age childcare, of children and their families who experience disadvantage.”
“That will require the tailoring of AIM and the differentiation of approaches to each of the two separate age cohorts. An action plan is under way in the Department to address many key improvements. Three notable steps already achieved may be of interest to the Senator. The first is the publication of introductory guidelines for the inclusion of autistic children in early learning, school-age childcare and childminding settings. That is happening in collaboration with AsIAm. The second is the recent launch of the updated leadership for inclusion in the early years, LINC, co-ordinator programme with a focus on the needs of autistic children and the development of supplementary continuous professional development materials.”