Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 13, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on children and education and disability oversees programme for Government commitments relating to children, education and disability and receives detailed reports on identified policy areas such as child poverty and well-being, education and the reform of disability services. Disability services are a key focus for the Government, and that is why I established this Cabinet committee.

The membership of the Cabinet committee comprises me, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and for Transport, the Minister for Health, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Minister for Education, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Social Protection and for Rural and Community Development, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The Minister of State with special responsibility for special education and inclusion and the Minister of State with responsibility for disability also participate in all of the Cabinet committee meetings.

Other Ministers or Ministers of State are invited to participate as required. To date, since I established the committee in May, four meetings of it have taken place.

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