Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)

We have no apologies this evening so I expect full attendance of the select committee. The agenda item for consideration this evening is the Supplementary Estimates for public service - Vote 40. On 12 November 2025, the Dáil ordered that the Supplementary Estimates for public services in respect of the following vote be referred to committee for consideration: Vote 40 - Children, Disability and Equality. At today's meeting, the select committee will consider these Supplementary Estimates and report back to the Dáil once this meeting concludes. I remind members that only matters relevant to the Supplementary Estimates for 2025 can be discussed at this meeting. I welcome the Minister and all of her Department officials this evening and thank them for the briefing material provided. I advise that this material has been circulated to members in advance of the meeting.

While I acknowledge the Minister, Deputy Foley, has responsibility for children, disability and equality, and reference is made in the briefing provided by the Department to additional funding required for disability services, I must advise all present that the remit of this committee only permits for the consideration of the children and equality aspect of the Supplementary Estimates. Therefore, questions put by members should be focused on children and equality. I can confirm that the Select Committee on Disability Matters will consider the Supplementary Estimates tomorrow, 26 November. Following its consideration, it will report back to the Dáil separately. I am informed that officials within the Minister's Department were advised of the position regarding the remit of this committee and have made reference to the remit restrictions in the brief provided. The proposed format of this meeting is to invite the Minister to deliver an opening statement. Following her statement, I will open it up to members of the committee.

Before we begin, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through, as always. I do not think we have any members on MS Teams at the moment but just in case, I advise members the chat function should only be used to make the team on site aware of any technical issues or urgent matters that may arise during the meeting and should not be used to make general comments or statements. I also remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

Before we begin, I advise the members and the Minister about parliamentary privilege as follows. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

That completes our housekeeping matters so I will now proceed with the meeting. I invite the Minister to deliver her opening statement.