The Committee considers and reports to the Houses of the Oireachtas on the expenditure, administration and policy of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the State bodies within the responsibility of the Department.
The Committee was renamed during the Dáil term (24 May 2021) and was previously the Committee on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration.
Challenges facing the early childhood care and education sector
The Committee notes that during consultation, stakeholders have flagged insufficient investment, fee freezes, low wages, recruitment and retention issues and poor long-term planning as among the challenges facing the sector.
Report
Refugees and integration
In examining Ireland's moral and legal obligation to offer protection to people coming to our State, the Committee notes the concerns of some people regarding provision of housing, health, transport and education services while arguing that much more may be achieved by coming together than by blaming such issues on minorities.
Press releases
22 Apr 2024, 13:55
Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth meets to discuss Ireland’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child & the emerging issues for children
15 Apr 2024, 13:54
Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth meets to resume engagement with stakeholders on the “Protection of Children in the use of Artificial Intelligence”
5 Mar 2024, 15:02
Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth publishes its Report on the challenges facing the Early Childhood Care and Education Sector
Recent videos
Tue, 23 Apr 2024
Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Topic: Discussion on the views of Children on Ireland’s international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the R...
Tue, 16 Apr 2024
Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Topic: Engagement with stakeholders regarding “Protection of Children in the use of Artificial Intelligence” (resumed)
Tue, 20 Feb 2024
Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Topic: Engagement with stakeholders regarding “Protection of Children in the use of Artificial Intelligence” (resumed)
Recent documents
Wed, 24 Apr 2024
Submission, Stephen Douthart, Chief Executive Officer, Middletown Centre for Autism
Wed, 24 Apr 2024
Submission, Tara Matthews, Deputy Executive Director, Irish Society for Autism
Wed, 24 Apr 2024
Submission, Miriam Jennings, Special Needs Schools and Classes Parents Group
Recent reports
Wed, 24 Apr 2024
Report on Pre-committee stage Detailed Scrutiny of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017 [PMB]
Report on Pre-committee stage Detailed Scrutiny of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017 [PMB], April 2024
Tue, 5 Mar 2024
Report on challenges facing the Early Childhood Care and Education Sector
Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Report on challenges facing the Early Childhood Care and Education Sector, March 2024
Thu, 15 Feb 2024
Annual Report 2023
Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Annual Report 2023, February 2024
Select committee
The select committee comprises only Dáil Members. It meets to consider legislation and Estimates relating to the relevant Department.
EU scrutiny
All proposed EU legislation in the area of children and youth affairs is scrutinized by the committee and decisions are made regarding such proposals.