Vol. 1084 No. 4
127. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications made to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme to date in 2026; the number processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28748/26]
In relation to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme, what is the number of applications made to that scheme to date this year and what is the number that have been processed?
The mother and baby institutions payment scheme opened for applications in March 2024. Over its full lifetime, the scheme had been tentatively estimated to benefit up to a maximum of 34,000 people who spent time in mother and baby and county home institutions. The scheme is open for five years, so there is ample time for survivors to apply. It is very important that they are aware of that. I believe they have until March 2029 to apply. It is difficult to predict at what stage across its five-year lifetime applications may materialise, although we do know that in some previous redress schemes, significant numbers of applications were made towards their end or closing dates. As of 12 April 2026, over 7,100 applications had been received, over 6,500 notices of determination had issued to applicants and almost 5,300 payments had been made, totalling over €78 million. Over 2,800 applicants have also qualified for health benefits.
All information on the scheme, including how to apply, can be found at the dedicated payment scheme website, which includes a booklet, questions and answers and short how-to videos on the application process. A helpline is also in existence. For clarity, I will give the helpline number, which is 00353 1 522 9992. Overall, we have received positive feedback that applicants are finding the application process straightforward and that the information, helpline and so forth are helpful.
The Department will continue to do all it can to promote and raise awareness of the scheme via a significant public awareness campaign. This is operating on a phased basis in Ireland and in jurisdictions overseas that have a significant Irish diaspora. The first phases across 2024 and 2025 included a mix of press releases, poster placement in public facilities such as libraries, social posts, leaflet distribution, webinars, meetings with representative bodies in Ireland and Britain and paid advertising campaigns. To date, some €1.8 million has been spent on raising awareness of the scheme across the world.
It is important to check the 6,500 notices of determination that have issued and the 5,200 of those that have been paid, as it means quite a number have not been paid. I do not have an issue with the system. It has actually worked quite well when people get into it and the application is processed. I have no issue there. However, that is a very significant gap and it could be checked. There has obviously been an issue raised as regards survivors who are living in England. Obviously, lots of people have lived in England and Ireland; it is very common. What level of communication has the Minister had in relation to ensuring those survivors living in England can access this compensation via the scheme without it impacting on other payments they receive, particularly pensions? More broadly, has this issue come up elsewhere, for example, in relation to the pensions and payments of survivors who are living in the US? Is this a wider issue beyond England?
Specifically on the 6,500 determinations and 5,200 payments, they will all have come at different times. The gap between the two figures is because the applications came at different times and are being processed at different times. However, if a notice of determination has been reached, it has been reached. It is absolutely our desire and intention to get the maximum number of people engaged in the process.
I acknowledge the work that has been done in the UK to have a disregard for people in the UK who are applying for benefits in the UK. We had a breakthrough in relation to that recently. The Deputy will be aware that as part of the UK-Ireland summit, the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Starmer announced that a disregard would be put in place. It is my understanding that in the short term, guidance has been issued to all local authorities and all state agencies that might have an investment here so that they would be aware of that. I want to specifically acknowledge the great work of the British MP, Liam Conlon, who I have met and who has done great work in this regard in putting it into the public domain.
I, too, welcome the statement making it very clear that there will not be an impact for those who receive money through this scheme in relation to their primary benefits, particularly pensions. Of course, the legislation has not been passed. There will be survivors who will be nervous and worried. There are also a number of survivors - I think about 700 - who have sought and received the payment and it is not clear if that has had an impact on their pensions and payments.
That needs to be checked as well.
Given the approximately 34,000 deemed to be eligible, and, unfortunately, there are seven exclusions, is it possible for the Minister to engage with other countries, such as America, to see if there is that same issue that has been experienced in England? We need to ensure that all survivors, no matter where they live, can access the support and it will not have an impact on their primary payments, particularly their pensions, in their older years.
Going back to the announcement in terms of the UK, I appreciate the point the Deputy raised on legislation. In that respect, we all accept that it takes some time to put legislation in place. In the interim, I particularly welcome, as I have referenced, the proactive step that has been taken in relation to guidelines.
I am aware that operational guidance has issued to Department for Work and Pensions staff on pensions, universal credit and housing benefit so that all deciding officers would be absolutely aware and would act in that respect. The Department for Work and Pensions as also issued guidance to local authorities, as they administer the housing benefits. I am hopeful that this will support increased numbers of applications from the United Kingdom.
I acknowledge that, whilst the legislation might be there, the guidelines are absolutely there. It should be a put through to encourage more to apply.
In terms of what is happening in other instances, the chief issue arose in terms of the UK but we continue our engagements with all of the diaspora.
128. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Tusla has completed any monitoring visits to hotels used to provide separated children seeking international protection, SCSIP, accommodation in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28219/26]
I would like to ask the Minister whether Tusla has completed any monitoring visits to hotels or other accommodation, particularly special emergency accommodation settings, used to provide for separated children seeking international protection accommodation in 2026. Given the "RTÉ Investigates" programme, this relates to that whole sphere. I would be grateful if the Minister can give some sort of assurance that this is being dealt with and Tusla will move away from using special emergency accommodation because it is not suitable and not regulated.
I appreciate the Deputy raising the question.
We know that Tusla is facing significant and ongoing challenges in sourcing appropriate placements for children and young people. It is important to recognise that there has been a 500% increase in arrivals of separated children seeking international protection entering the State since 2022, with the vast majority of arrivals aged 16 or 17 years of age. This has significantly impacted on Tusla's ability to provide accommodation and supports to this vulnerable cohort.
Tusla has advised that, where there is an unexpected increase in arrivals of unaccompanied minors, its national out-of-hours service may place young people in a hotel setting, in recognition of the immediate need for a place of safety. Tusla has said that young people are then moved to registered centres as a matter of priority and no later than the next working day.
The out-of-hours service follows standard operating procedures in respect of securing an immediate place of safety for unaccompanied minors, and immediately notifies the area manager of a placement the next working day, so that further arrangements for the accommodation of the minor can be made.
A risk assessment is completed by Tusla and support is provided to the young person and the care provider for the duration of their short time in the accommodation. Further, I have been informed when hotel accommodation is used in these instances, the young person is accompanied by staff during their stay and is not left alone in hotels.
Tusla provides regular data to my Department on its operation of special emergency arrangements. I am pleased to share that, as of Friday, 17 April, Tusla reported that there were no separated children seeking international protection placed in an SEA. In relation to that, it has come to my attention today that, whilst, on Friday, there were no children seeking international protection in special emergency accommodation, as of this week there are three with disputed age who are in three special emergency accommodations because they cannot be placed with other young people.
I acknowledge the work that has been done there by Tusla over the last number of months.
What is the process as regards how the Minister deals with those separated children seeking international protection and a disputed age? It is necessary to deal with that as quickly as possible from a child protection point of view?
I accept Tusla is dealing with far more significant issues in relation to the complexity of issues that are in front of it and the increase in the number of those separated children, but all of us were impacted by what we watched last night on "RTÉ Investigates", in particular, the case of Max. The Minister talked of children who find themselves in these particular situations and facilities always being monitored but we heard how it looks like Max, who has his own issues and complexities, at some level was left alone, found himself in a scenario where he was abused and nobody noticed for something like two-and-a-half hours. There had been a huge issue in relation to those who have gone missing for a significant time. What we need to see is a framework, that appropriate accommodation is found and we stop using unregulated facilities that are not suitable in any way, shape or form.
I join with the Deputy in saying what all we saw and witnessed on the programme last night has been incredibly upsetting in terms of the young people who were part of it and the experiences that they shared. I want to acknowledge that.
I want to acknowledge also the staff that work with them every day. This past week, I met with social workers and social care workers. I am very conscious of the work of the foster care system and foster care families.
These are very complex situations. The vast majority of children and young people in State care are in foster care or residential care. Some 96% of children are either in foster care or residential care. Nine out of ten young people who are in foster care and residential care are in education, further training, apprenticeship or whatever the case might be.
I want to acknowledge too - I will not reference any specific individual case that arose last night - that in the main Tusla is working with young people in care coming from really difficult, traumatic and complex situations through no fault of their own.
I accept that. We have spoken on many occasions previously of the need for earlier intervention and family supports, and even in other cases where children need to be taken out of places that are not safe for multiple different reasons. We have spoken as well about the fact that we need more foster carers, social care workers and social workers to deliver the framework. However, I again ask what the process is in relation to those children with the disputed age. Is the Minister considering moving away from special emergency arrangements, which are not fit for purpose? What will the time frame be? There are huge dangers. Guardians ad litem and a number of others have given out about them.
Has the Minister the numbers in relation to those that are in SEAs at this point in time?
The disputed age has been flagged by Tusla. It is a concern of the agency.
In relation to these three individuals, it will be worked through with the Department of justice. It is important that if there is any question over appropriate age, these young people are not placed with other young people who are underage.
In terms of the reliance on special emergency accommodation, I want to be clear that we are doing all that we can to move away from that, to minimise it and, eventually, to eradicate a reliance on special emergency accommodation. Last year, there were 170 special emergency accommodations. This year, there are 70. We are working to bring that down even further.
There will be for the first time a new policy on children in State care. That has been subject to public consultation. We hope that framework document will be available before the Dáil recess or in the coming months.
In the meantime, staffing is an issue. There is a new training college for special care.
Three step-down facilities are being put in place, two before the end of the year and one in January. Thirty-eight new residential places were opened last year, with a further 47 due to be opened this year. By the start of May, our reliance on special emergency accommodation will have reduced by 50%. We need to and will do more to reduce that reliance.
129. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child through the national childcare scheme, as set out in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29145/26]
I have always been clear in communicating that the €200 per month commitment over the lifetime of the Government is hugely important. While the phase 1 report of Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan sets out the next steps towards this long-term ambition, I have not waited until now to take action. In September 2025, maximum fee caps were extended to all partner services in core funding. Budget 2026 also enables core funding to continue to support fee-control measures. It will ensure fees remain at 2021 levels for a majority of providers.
A central objective of Shaping the Future is to reduce parental fees to an upper limit of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government. However, this objective cannot be achieved through the national childcare scheme alone. The fee freeze and maximum fee caps required for core funding have been key to the progress in recent years in making early learning and care and school-age childcare services more affordable. The phase 1 report of Shaping the Future sets out actions that will be carried out in 2026 using existing policy tools. The 2026 actions on affordability will include further reductions in some of the highest fees paid by parents by lowering the maximum fees core funding partner services can charge. In addition, from autumn 2026 we will reduce fees for lower income families through the national childcare scheme.
Specifically on the national childcare scheme, phase 1 of Shaping the Future commits to an increase to the lower or base income threshold of the income-assessed subsidy from €26,000 to €34,000 to ensure families with incomes below the relative income poverty line receive the maximum subsidies, a measure that came out of the recent budget; an increase to the upper income threshold of the income-assessed subsidy from €60,000 to €68,000 to extend income-assessed subsidies to more families - again, that came from the budget and we were happy to secure it; and an increase to the multiple-child deduction component of the income-assessed subsidy for families with two children under the age of 15 from €4,300 to €5,500, and for families with three or more children under the age of 15 from €8,600 to €11,000.
My children are now 14 and 16 and while that makes me feel old, it is remarkable to see the investment we have made in childcare over the period. We paid nearly €1,500 per month with no subsidy of any sort from the Government. As the Minister said, the national childcare scheme supports families. However, we need to be careful. A commitment was made. I am saying this not only to the Minister, Deputy Foley, but also to the Department of public expenditure. It is a key commitment over the lifetime of the Government and each year we need to be working towards delivering it so that, at the end of the Government's term, we will have followed through on it.
Many positive things will come out of delivering it. It is important. On the issue, there is always a tension between the provider, the childcare worker and the parent and the needs of all three. While we have to balance that, I return to the point that we made a commitment and I hope we will do everything we can in the remaining years of the Government to deliver it.
I absolutely agree with the Deputy. There is, in many respects, a balancing act in this. We have to ensure it is affordable for parents and that enough places are made available. We spoke earlier about State-led initiatives and the building blocks extension, which will be launched this week for providers. We also have to ensure that enough staff are available and that we are supporting them. I acknowledge that €45 million was put on the table last year to support staff and another €45 million is being put on the table this year to do so.
We are currently working on phase 2 of the action plan for early years. The Deputy will be aware there has been a strong consultation element to that, working through the issues and the perspectives of parents, providers and staff, to bring us to the point where we are delivering on all three aspects, the affordability for parents, a sufficiency of places and support for staff. We need to make progress quickly, but the actions we take in this second phase of the action plan will have to be sustainable and underpinned by the support and public consultation on the three different elements.
Along with the national childcare scheme, the commitment to a public childcare model is also important. That is why building blocks phase 1 was important. I welcomed the fact the Minister came to our nursery in Ballymun and saw at first hand the work being done.
On the balancing act between childcare workers, providers and parents, I am concerned that the €45 million that was set aside last year is still the subject of some negotiation. I would like to see, as quickly as possible, that money landing in the pockets of childcare workers because it is important we deliver for all three stakeholders.
I reiterate how important the building blocks programme is. I should be putting my question to the Minister for public expenditure. However, I compare it to the equal opportunities childcare programme of the early 2000s. The investment it made in youth centres and childcare was invaluable. We live with its legacy and I have no doubt we will live with the legacy of what the Minister is doing in decades to come.
I acknowledge the great work happening in the Deputy's constituency. It was a pleasure to visit Ballymun and see at first hand the excellent work that happens there. I am aware of the Deputy's personal commitment to advancing early years childcare provision in his constituency.
Specifically, it is hugely important that we support providers and parents from an affordability point of view, but that we also support staff. I acknowledge that the €45 million is subject to an independent joint labour committee. I do not interfere with that, but the Government makes the money available. It is for the purpose of supporting staff and that is how it will be used. However, the decision around it is independent of the Department and I respect that.
All voices are important in this area. As a country and nation, we need to acknowledge the importance of early years education. We also need to have a pathway forward. That is the purpose of phase 2 of the action plan. In that regard, there are 50 consultation processes taking place on the ground across the country at the moment. Some have started, more are ongoing. I invite as many people as possible, including parents, workers and providers, to engage in that forum.
131. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is considering additional funding for disability organisations, particularly those in the voluntary sector, to help them cope with increasing costs of operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29004/26]
Many organisations that deal with disability and vulnerable sectors of our society are voluntary organisations. That is in itself a problem, but I will set that aside and ask about proper funding for those organisations to be able to look after the most vulnerable in our society. The Before We Die campaign was in the Houses yesterday to highlight the lack of funding to deal with the need for proper housing and residential care for older people with intellectual disabilities when their parents die, get sick and so on. It is an example of the need for extra funding for these organisations to be able to do their jobs properly.
The Government acknowledges the essential role voluntary organisations have in delivering a range of disability services. The Department has provided substantial additional funding to HSE specialist disability services since the transfer of functions in 2023. In this year's budget, €3.9 billion is provided for. In budget 2025, it amounted to €3.2 billion, so there was quite a substantial increase of almost 20% in that one year alone. These substantial additional investments demonstrate the Government’s commitment to supporting disability services, along with the provision of significant year-on-year Supplementary Estimates.
Through the annual budgetary process, the Department has helped the disability sector to meet the increased costs associated with existing service provision while also incrementally expanding service provision to meet demand. Every year, the Estimates process allows the HSE to request funding for the full cost of service provision, including cost increases experienced during that year.
In this year's budget, the Department provided €3.9 billion for HSE specialist disability services. As I said, that was a substantial increase of €628 million, or almost 20% above 2025, the largest ever increase in funding for disability services. It also follows significant year-on-year funding increases in recent years. In fact, there has been an overall increase of €1.85 billion, or 91%, since 2020. The additional funding sought for this year includes a significant uplift to the existing level of service provision of €478 million to address sectoral funding pressures such as the increased cost of service provision, pay cost pressures, capacity limitations and service provider sustainability. In addition to that €478 million for the uplift to the existing level of provision, a sum of €150 million has been provided to fund service expansion in residential and respite services, day service provision, home support, personal assistance and children’s services. The Department is also providing €43 million in disability capital funding for this year, a significant increase of €16 million on last year's provision.
To be honest, bandying around figures will mean very little to those who are concerned about their loved ones being let down. The Before We Die campaign's characterisation of the situation facing parents of children with intellectual disabilities was pretty grim. A lot of it revolved around the lack of planning and related funding for voluntary organisations. The description was fairly stark. They talked about a systemic failure in the State's provision of housing and care for adults with intellectual disabilities and about overreliance on emergency placements, where parents were living in a perpetual state of near or actual crisis. They said that the system was broken and that families were terrified that their loved ones would be placed in cost-effective, for-profit settings. They argued that their sons and daughters had a right to be heard, to be planned for and to be housed. Centrally, they said this means funded plans for children with intellectual disabilities when their parents pass on and proper, ring-fenced funding for section 38 and section 39 organisations. How does the Minister of State respond to campaigns like Before We Die and the concerns they are raising?
I respond by meeting them and listening to them. I have met with the Before We Die campaign twice now and the Minister, Deputy Foley, has too. The first time was at their request and I was absolutely happy to do that. The second time was at my request because I wanted to meet them, together with the HSE, to ensure that we had the right people around the table to be able to make progress. I would also like to take this opportunity to mention a group who are not part of that campaign but who are facing similar situations, Remember Us. I met with a group of parents and adults with intellectual disabilities last month and I met with a young advocate and his parents yesterday. I have another meeting with two parents later today.
This budget, for the first time every, provides for planned residential placements so that we are not always operating on a crisis management basis but are funding beds for the future. That is the situation we want to get to. That is why this year we are investing in that and expect that to be a success. We expect to be able to bring those places on board and to fill those positions and we want to grow on that next year. We are capacity building through our service providers and through the capital plan that I mentioned earlier. We are also investing in better collaboration between the HSE and the Department of housing because local authorities have a role to play here also in terms of providing and building houses and homes that can become respite and residential day care services. We have six positions within the HSE, four of which are now filled, dedicated solely to that collaboration to bring more buildings on stream to provide for those children and young adults with disabilities.
That sounds good and I hope it is the case but if we look at the additional funding in the last budget, it was an extra €40 million. That amounts to about 80 to 100 new homes but there are more than 2,000 adults with intellectual disabilities living with parents over the age of 70. Around 500 of those are with parents who are over the age of 80. They characterise the situation as one where basically, unless somebody dies or gets severely ill, there is no help available. It is a crisis management situation and the allocation of funding to the relevant organisations is way short of what is necessary. I reiterate the point about section 38 and section 39 organisations that it does not help that we have a second-class tier of people working in the health and care services who are on lesser pay and conditions than the people working directly for the HSE. The lack of funding, the lack of proper payment for staff in this area and the lack of planned funding and so on is leading to a crisis management situation for very vulnerable people and their parents.
On the Deputy's last point, the WRC pay agreement reached in 2025 between Government Departments and unions includes funding for a phased 9.25% pay increase that will benefit workers in section 39 voluntary organisations. The agreement also includes an automatic linkage to future public sector pay agreements for those workers to match all future pay increases. In delivering on the 9.25% pay increase, the Government is improving the ability of service providers to actively recruit and retain staff and supporting the overall sustainability of the sector.
The Taoiseach has convened a meeting of the Cabinet committee on disability for Monday. That meeting will be attended by me and the Minister, Deputy Foley, and our officials, as well as the Minister for housing and officials from his Department. We will discuss future planning when it comes to the buildings we need to increase capacity to deliver more residential and respite care across Ireland.
134. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to open special care beds that are closed in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28749/26]
I again want to ask the Minister about the special care beds in the State that are closed. When I raised this issue with her here last month, she advised that 15 of the 26 beds were open. This issue was to the fore in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last night. What more can and will the Minister do to ensure that the 26 beds that are there and that are needed will open?
I thank Deputy Kerrane for the question. Tusla has statutory responsibility for the operation of special care and the provision of special care beds. The Department recognises the significant challenges facing special care and is actively engaging with Tusla to address these challenges. Tusla has indicated that difficulties in the recruitment and retention of staff are the primary limiting factors in operating special care beds. The complex needs of children require high staffing ratios, as there is a need for at least one staff member per child throughout the day, in addition to supervisory staff, and the units must be covered on a 24-7 basis, albeit with reduced staffing at night. That means seven individuals for every one young person. Children with particularly complex needs may require up to twice that level of staffing resources, or 14 staff to one individual child or young person.
Department officials continue to work with Tusla to support it in addressing the staffing shortages in special care provision. A new grade and pay scale for special care has been introduced in an effort to increase staff numbers. This new Tusla special care worker grade offers an improved salary scale, with pay at the top of the scale 20.3% higher when compared with the social care worker grade used across services more broadly. A total of €26 million was allocated for special care in budget 2026. This represents an increase of over €6 million on budget 2025 and this investment will increase capacity and enhance provision, including funding for the new special care staff grade, staff well-being initiatives and additional therapeutic supports. As part of these therapeutic supports, Tusla has commenced recruitment for psychiatric nurses in special care.
Tusla has been allocated €188 million in capital funding for 2026 to 2030. In line with the national development plan, €17 million is the indicative allocation for special care. This funding will support Tusla in upgrading, renovating or purchasing special care and step-down units. Two new step-down units are scheduled to open in December 2026 and a third in January 2027. Tusla has commenced a project to repurpose a facility in Cork into a special care centre. This is expected to assist in recruitment outside of the Dublin area.
Tusla is fully focused on increasing staffing levels in special care and has taken significant steps to address the current challenges, with a dedicated recruitment team undertaking targeted campaigns across a range of media, including international recruitment.
I thank the Minister and acknowledge that there are real difficulties in hiring, recruiting and retaining professionals in these special care settings.
The Minister will be well aware of the restructuring that is being undertaken by Tusla. Part of that restructuring is impacting the special care services. Is the Minister aware that front-line staff and managers within special care services have raised serious concerns in relation to the impact the restructuring will have on the special care services themselves? Based on what we saw last night, would the Minister seek a pause in the restructuring in special care, given the concerns that have been raised by people who work in special care? Again based on what we saw last night, they are the people we need to be listening to. They have said that they are extremely concerned that what is being done in terms of the restructuring in special care will lead to a collapse of special care. Those people need to be heard by the Minister. Has she met the professionals in the special care services specifically?
I acknowledge that there is an issue in terms of staffing levels for special care. We are very conscious of that. As I said, you can be dealing with very complex cases at a minimum. It is a staff requirement of seven people to one young person. In many instances, 14 staff could be required for one young person. Tusla is proactive on the ground, ensuring that there will be newer avenues or streams to bring in staff and make staff available. I have already referenced the new special care category, which is a 20% increase in wage. I also acknowledge that Tusla has recently launched a new special care training college. National and international recruitment campaigns have been undertaken, along with graduate sponsorship schemes, which is important. Tusla has also engaged with higher education institutions to establish a work-based learning programme which leads to a BA in social care. This programme is currently laying the foundation for formal establishment of a national apprenticeship scheme. Alongside these steps to improve capacity in special care and residential care, actions are being taken to improve foster care capacity, which is hugely important.
We saw the need for special care beds in last night's programme. We saw the consequences of what happens when children in State care do not get the support they need. They enter a world of crime and drugs. They are abused and assaulted. They end up homeless. Those working in the special care services, who are highly trained and highly professional, are raising serious concerns in relation to the restructuring that is under way. I ask the Minister to please hear these concerns. I ask that there would be a pause on the restructuring of special care. Yes, there are issues in terms of recruitment and retention but we need to listen to those people. I am speaking about management level within those who are raising serious concerns for special care and for the restructuring and the impact that will have. I also know the director of special care has been removed from his position. That is deeply concerning based on what we saw last night. Will the Minister engage with these workers in special care services? Will she pause the restructuring until their issues are heard and addressed?
I cannot comment on HR matters for Tusla and how staff are moved or otherwise. It would be inappropriate. It is directly a matter for Tusla in relation to the management of its staff. Concerted efforts are being made, notwithstanding the challenges that are there. I have already referenced how upsetting it was to watch the experiences of and learn from young people their experiences, as we witnessed last night. It is so important that Tusla continues to be proactive in the space, particularly in the area of special care, recognising that a huge volume of staff are required in the area of special care and recognising that special care is a particular area where young people, for the protection of themselves, are denied their liberty. We are currently investing €26 million in special care from budget 2026, €17 million in capital funding for 2026 to 2030, renovating and purchasing new residential elements. There are three step-down facilities in special care being brought on stream this year, two at the end of December and one in January. As I have already referenced, we have the training centre. Over €1 million is being made available for therapeutic supports for those who might be in special care, leaving special care or on the verges of special care. There is every opportunity to do more in this space. More must be done in this space. It is being done and we will continue to be proactive in this space.
145. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the caseload management system at Tusla has been paused; the protocols in place to ensure that Tusla social workers are not overwhelmed by caseloads; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28218/26]
I want to ask the Minister about the reason the caseload management system at Tusla has been paused and the protocols in place to ensure Tusla's social workers are not overwhelmed by caseloads. We have just heard from Deputy Kerrane in relation to the issues that exist for special care facilities, and the fact there are issues that need to be addressed there that have been made far worse by the show we saw - "RTÉ Investigates". Those most vulnerable children not in appropriate accommodation. While we need more staff as regards social workers and social care workers, we need to ensure they are looked after and that we do not see the huge level of burnout that is happening within the sector at the minute.
Tusla has informed me that it has not paused its case management system. That is the confirmation that I have received from Tusla. Tusla's case management system provides a single integrated case management system that, over time, will be implemented across all Tusla services. This case management system provides a single view of each child, young person, family, care provider and others who are engaged with Tusla. Tusla is improving its case management system. Key to this is the creation of a single record for each child and young person, which supports integrated working, including more streamlined referral and allocation systems for residential care, improved communications, accurate data to improve decision-making on an individual level and resource allocation. In effect, Tusla is building an integrated data environment centred around TCM that will enable the agency to deliver improved integrated reporting by the end of the Tusla's management and digital transformation strategy 2024 to 2026. This strategy was reviewed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and is aligned with the overall public sector data strategy. Tusla has simplified its standard business processes to reduce inefficiencies and to maximise time with children and families, facilitating more focus on direct contact and relationship building.
In 2025, Tusla experienced the largest ever demand for its services, receiving over 106,000 referrals, up 10% compared to 2024, with 96,666 referrals in 2024. Tusla areas prioritise social work resources to children where their knowledge and skill is most required, and then maximising the knowledge and skill of other professions where they can competently respond to children's needs. All of this work continues to be overseen by social work managers.
Tusla teams are constantly reviewing their caseloads to ensure that children with the highest priority are allocated as soon as a worker becomes available, while ensuring that children in urgent need of safety are prioritised for allocation. Each referral is screened. Based on the information presented, the referral is prioritised. As new information is received, the referral is reprioritised as required. Measures to reduce caseload pressure in Tusla have focused on recruitment of social work and social care staff at home and abroad, and increasing training places for social work and social care staff.
I ask that the Minister comes back to me in writing in relation to the caseload management system. My information is it has been paused. I accept the answer that the Minister got. In relation to the overall answer she gave, that sounds like a proper operating system. That is how things should operate. We have spoken before about the fact there are not enough social workers. The last figure I had was 1,728 or 1,754, including outsourced agency staff. Gerry Hone from Tusla told us we are 300 short in relation to that. There are 1,422 social care workers, of which we are at least 100 short. We need at least 500 foster carers for the overall system.
Not only does the Minister have to look at the issue in relation to special care facilities and those particular issues that are impacting it at the minute that will make it difficult to get away from special emergency accommodation or arrangements but we need to look at the operational situations for social workers and social care workers, ensuring the supports are also given to them so they can they provide the supports because we are losing, at times, some of our best to burnout. In some cases, they are just leaving because it is too difficult.
I am just providing Deputy Ó Murchú the information that was given to me from Tusla. I will ask Tusla to respond directly to his concern. I want there to be 100% clarity on the issue the Deputy raised, and I thank him for raising it. That is the information I have received from Tusla. I will ask Tusla to engage directly with Deputy Ó Murchú on the matter if there is any kind of question or concern around it.
I acknowledge that Tusla teams are constantly reviewing their caseloads to ensure that children with the highest priority are allocated as soon as work becomes available, while ensuring that children in urgent need of safety are prioritised for allocation. Each referral is screened and based on the information provided. As I said, the referral is prioritised. Measures to reduce caseload pressure in Tusla have focused on recruitment of social work and social care staff at home and abroad. We have seen an increase of over 3% in the number of social workers and we want more. We are looking at a variety of schemes, whether they are apprenticeship-style schemes or whatever else, to ensure we have sufficient social workers available.
I appreciate the Minister's answer and that she will come back to me in writing in relation to the case management system. We definitely need to ensure we have a system that works. I also acknowledge the work being done in relation to training and recruitment. I ask for information on how many social workers have been recruited, how many we have and what the deficit is at this point. The information provided to the committee is that for social workers the deficit is approximately 300 and for social care workers it is 100. I also ask for information on the supports provided to those on the front line who are doing huge work.
We need to deal with the issue of special care facilities so we can move away from special emergency arrangements. Those who are the first port of call need to be given protections that will enable them to deal with their caseload and triage properly. As I nearly always say, we need to get early intervention in place. We have to give it a steroid injection or something because we are not where we should be in relation to the supports required by individuals and families.
The Tusla staffing level is 5,661, which is an increase of 343 staff on the previous year. There has been a 3.6% increase in the number of social workers.
Could I have a breakdown?
Yes. I will ask Tusla to make available to the Deputy a more specific breakdown on the different types of staff. I want to mention the training places for social workers because these have proven to be impactful. The number of training places has doubled over the past five years. At the end of 2025, there were 340 placements in Tusla, with further expansion planned. A social work apprenticeship has been introduced, with 34 apprenticeships starting in 2024 and 71 in 2025. The plans envisage that in 2026, we will have 100 or more apprentices in those training places.
A similar approach is planned for social care. Tusla continues to provide retention supports and management teamwork training for workers in order that caseloads are managed effectively and equitably. Tusla has also provided additional resources for more supports, including community and voluntary programmes to help assess and support cases more effectively.
I thank the Minister. We will now go back to Question No. 137 in the name of Deputy Barry Heneghan.
137. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken by her Department and the HSE to ensure continuity of care for young people with disabilities transitioning from child to adult services, particularly in CHO areas serving north Dublin; whether additional residential, respite and personal assistance capacity is planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17676/26]
This issue has been raised and it is represented in a large part of my constituency. I speak of the Before We Die campaign. Its representatives were in the committee yesterday and I met the parents involved. I welcome the statement from the Minister of State in response to other Deputies who raised this matter today that it is being reviewed. I hope it will be examined. It is a very simple and profound issue. I understand, having spoken to the Minister of State, that she is going to work on it. This is about dignity and choice. Having spoken to the parents, they need and deserve to know before they die what will happen to their children.
I thank Deputy Heneghan. This question relates to the continuity of care and day services.
The HSE advises that disability services integrated service area, Dublin North County, and integrated service area, Dublin North City and West, in the Dublin north-east region provides a range of supports for adults with disabilities, their families and carers, including home support, personal assistance services, respite services, day services and registered residential services, subject to assessed need and service availability.
The Deputy asked about people with disabilities transitioning from child to adult services. I point to the HSE day opportunities team which works closely with CDNTs to support transfer to HSE-funded adult services, where appropriate. Referrals for transition planning may be made from the age of 16 and families are invited to information sessions to meet local service providers, including those offering rehabilitative training. That gives people the opportunity to engage with those day services up to two years before the person takes up a place. It is really about supporting people through that transition.
The HSE national day services team is reviewing the transition process and information that young people and their families require when transitioning from services to school. This includes working with the multidisciplinary young adult teams in place for rehabilitative training and school leavers to standardise referral pathways. The national day services teams are also liaising with the Department of education with a view to co-ordinating the information and supports provided to them.
The Department of education has undertaken a transitions pilot with 41 special schools where information and support are provided to students to make informed decisions on post-school options and pathways. More generally, the HSE is supporting a day services deferrals process where individuals can avail of a deferral if they wish.
I welcome the working day services, especially the service for north Dublin. It is much needed but the area needs more investment. We need more respite centres and we need to give parents and children with disabilities support.
On the Before We Die campaign, the parents are in absolute fear. We must focus on solutions. I welcome the Minister of State's comment to other Deputies on giving consideration to cross-departmental plans for disability housing and health to specifically address these cases.
Many parents have emailed my office. Bernadette, Caroline, Lynn, Candy, Tony, Susan, J.J., Mary and Helen all represent parents who are worried about what will happen to their children after they pass. I welcome that the Minister of State is working on this. I know it is one of here main priorities, as she said to other Deputies. I would love for this to be fast-tracked so those parents could have reassurances.
I would too. I have met members of the Before We Die campaign twice, as has the Minister, Deputy Foley, and, I believe, many other members of the Government. I first met them at their request and the second time was at my request because I wanted to have a follow-up meeting with senior officials from the HSE to sit down together and work out a plan of action. I also acknowledge parents whose adult children attend the day services at Remember Us in Balbriggan, who I met on this issue as well. I met a young advocate yesterday on this and I will meet with two parents who are in a similar situation this afternoon.
I am very glad we have moved to a situation where we are funding planned placements, rather than constantly responding to emerging crises. It is important we can provide that certainty for both the adults and the parents. This year, for the first time, we are moving towards a strategy of planned placements. The numbers are small but we expect to be able to fill them. We will be in a good position to then ask for the Department of public expenditure and reform to fill more.
I welcome the fact that the Minister of State has visited Remember Us. It is an exemplary example of what can be done. The increase in the budget for disability services was welcomed but fast-tracking personal assistance hours in these critical cases needs to be examined. Right now, these families feel like they are in the system. We need to move by making it planned for with centred supports. I welcome that the Minister of State has met parents at her request and at their request. I also acknowledge those who have contacted my office. Is there any timeline for delivering these kinds of co-ordinated supports for north Dublin and across Ireland? They are much needed. The data shows the northside has been neglected for too long.
I agree with the Deputy that we need timelines and we do have some timelines in place. This year's budget will fund the planned places that will happen this year. In terms of capacity building, we have targets and deadlines outlined in our disability capital plan, in which there was also an uplift this year.
This year, we are hiring for six new additional roles within the HSE. Those postholders will liaise with, for example, local authorities, approved housing bodies and developers and work with them to ensure we are providing capacity at all levels, whether through private or public means.
I was in County Donegal last week where I met the access officer in Letterkenny, who informed me that, as part of the Donegal development plan, 30% of all new homes being built by local authorities or AHBs in the county will have to be accessible. That is really good. We need more local authorities to follow that example. That would help us to plan for the future.
That concludes oral questions to the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
