4. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach to report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [7362/25]

Sentiment score: 0.04

Work and job quality is one of the dimensions to the well-being framework. My party would have liked to see stronger commitments on workers' rights in the programme for Government. I want to raise a number of concerns around workers' rights with the Taoiseach. We introduced a Labour Party Bill to provide for reproductive healthcare leave for women experiencing early pregnancy loss in the workplace. The Second Reading of our Bill was delayed until 18 January this year to allow the Government to develop its own proposals. Can the Taoiseach advise what the position is now? There is no commitment on this in the programme for Government but the previous Minister, Roderic O'Gorman, had commissioned research from the Department of equality to see if there was an evidence base for proceeding with the legislation. Does the Taoiseach propose to row back on remote and flexible working arrangements for public servants? Will he confirm that any such move would be subject to consultation and agreement with trade unions? Finally, can the Taoiseach confirm when the action plan for collective bargaining will be published?

Sentiment score: 0.18

18. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the way the new disability unit within his Department will function. [7612/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

The Taoiseach has acknowledged the system is not delivering for children with additional needs who require particular provision in the school system. Indeed, I joined a group of over 50 parents, and some children and grandparents, who resorted to a 24-hour sleepout last Friday in front of the Department of Education. I heard some harrowing stories there from parents and grandparents, including some who live in my constituency. I am so well aware that even where their children are able to access a suitable school place, they often have to be bussed out of their community, from Dublin 4 out to Dublin 15, for example, because there is simply so little provision of local places. When will the Taoiseach be able to say that any child who needs a particular school place or particular therapies will get access to that? What about the more than 14,000 children who are waiting for an assessment of need?

Sentiment score: 0.06

Yes.

Sentiment score: 0.40

27. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on children and education and disability will next meet. [5756/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

I wish to return to the issue of the recruitment of special needs assistants raised with the Taoiseach by my colleague, Deputy Eoghan Kenny, earlier. Budget 2024 provided for an extra 1,216 SNAs in the current school year. Are all those SNAs in place? Will the increase of 1,600 SNAs announced in the budget for this year in fact take effect? We are all still hearing of children who have a place in a school but cannot get access to the additional support they need in class because not enough SNAs have been provided. Will the situation improve this coming September in that any child who needs access to an SNA will have one?

Sentiment score: 0.33