Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has voiced his support for measures considered by Cabinet that aim to improve online safety for children.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan briefed the Government this morning on plans to roll out an age-verification system, reports RTE.
This age-based mechanism will be trialled through a digital wallet early next year.
It is intended to ensure that only adults can view material that is unsuitable for younger users, reports RTE.
Minister O’Donovan told ministers that attention must now turn from legislation to practical solutions that families can rely on.
Speaking this afternoon, Mr O’Gorman said he welcomed “any proposals to make the online space safer for young people”, noting that today’s suggestion “deserves serious consideration”, reports RTE.
However, Mr O’Gorman questioned whether the proposal is “actually workable”, expressing concern that young people “are particularly creative when it comes to technology”.
“I’ve no doubt that a cottage industry will develop very quickly with people trying to find ways around this particular legisaltion,” he said, reports RTE.
He said that running a pilot scheme to trial the system is “really valuable”.
Mr O’Gorman said there remains a “question mark” over relying on the MyGov ID process to confirm a person’s age, reports RTE.
The Green Party leader said he has “no doubt” that major social media companies will challenge the proposal.
Speaking as he arrived at Government Buildings this morning, Minister O’Donovan said the Government is not pursuing an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s at this stage, reports RTE.
He said any such measure would need examination at an EU level, while noting that Ireland plans to use its EU presidency next year to advance discussions on online child safety.
Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton also issued an update on funding allocated for mobile phone storage facilities in schools, reports RTE.
The bulk of the €9 million available for the initiative has now been allocated.
More than 470 of the 672 eligible schools have received funding amounting to €6.4 million, reports RTE.
Schools are required to enforce a ban on mobile phones at primary level and to limit phone use in secondary schools.
Minister Naughton is also expected to shortly publish a report on the Action Plan on Bullying, including measures to tackle online cyberbullying, reports RTE.
Legal right for people to be cared in their own home will go before Cabinet
Landmark legislation that will establish a legal entitlement for people to receive care in their own home was also presented to Cabinet, reports RTE.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill outlined proposals on behalf of Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell to create a statutory homecare scheme allowing people to remain at home for as long as possible.
Under the plan, HIQA will be funded to carry out statutory oversight of the homecare sector, ensuring providers are fully licensed and registered, reports RTE.
The Government was asked to approve a national policy framework on adult safeguarding.
The new framework aims to reinforce protections so that vulnerable adults are safeguarded from mistreatment and harm, reports RTE.
It will cover public, private, and voluntary health and social care settings.
Safeguarding teams will be granted entry powers and the ability to seek court orders, reports RTE.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, alongside Minister of State for Disability Emer Higgins, presented a memo to Cabinet seeking to improve the Assessment of Need process for children and families.
The move coincides with campaigner Cara Darmody beginning another protest outside Leinster House ahead of a Sinn Féin motion on the matter in the Dáil this evening, reports RTE.
Under the Disability Act, an Assessment of Need (AON) is carried out by the HSE to evaluate the requirements of individuals with disabilities.
The assessment identifies health and educational needs and determines which services are required to support them, reports RTE.
New guidance will instruct assessment officers to prioritise identifying a child’s health and education needs, rather than producing extensive diagnostic reports.
Additional training and supports will also be provided, reports RTE.
These reforms will be introduced by amending the 2005 Disability Act, which established the AON system.
However, they will not affect parents’ rights to apply for an AON for their child, nor will they alter the six-month statutory timeframe set by the Act, reports RTE.
The minister hopes the revision will speed up the completion of Assessment of Needs reports.
Children currently do not require an AON report to access services.
In some cases, children may already be receiving supports while awaiting their statutory assessment, reports RTE.
Further operational improvements are being introduced to reduce pressure on the AON system, including a new autism assessment model and a single entry point for families accessing HSE services.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee presented several memos to Cabinet, including updates to her Department’s National Development Plan, which will see up to €1.7 billion invested in defence equipment and infrastructure by 2030, reports RTE.
This figure includes approximately €300 million allocated for next year.
Investment is likely to prioritise advanced radar systems, and up to €15 million may be used for anti-drone technology in 2025, reports RTE.
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary also provided an update on the forthcoming auto-enrolment pension scheme.
Participants will pay an administrative charge of €0.55 per week.
This fee will apply only to contributions, meaning those who opt out or pause participation will not incur the cost, reports RTE.
The minister, who also oversees Gaeltacht affairs, highlighted several projects set to receive funding under the National Development Plan.
These include the ongoing development of Inis OÃrr pier, the enhancement of Coláiste Lurgan in Conamara, and the establishment of an Irish-language cultural centre at No 6 Harcourt Street, reports RTE.
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