Written Answers Nos. 712-735
712. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update as of July 2025 on his ongoing engagement with other EU ministers in the same portfolio regarding Ireland’s opposition to the Mercosur deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37656/25]
View answerIreland has consistently highlighted that the EU trade agreement with Mercosur should include legally binding commitments on sustainability, including climate, biodiversity, and deforestation protections. As it stands, it is not clear that those legally binding assurances have been secured.
I am also conscious that Irish and EU farmers are subject to complex regulations requiring them to farm in a sustainable manner. Therefore, it is difficult to explain to them why preferential access is being given to Mercosur, if we are not satisfied that its farmers are subject to the same requirements.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to work with like-minded EU countries in opposing the Mercosur Agreement in its current form. Both I and the Tánaiste, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, are in ongoing engagement with our counterparts in the European Commission and in other Member States to voice our concerns in relation to the agreement.
As Minister, I have had the opportunity to raise concerns at Agri-Fish Council since my appointment earlier this year. I have also held bilateral meetings on the margins of the Council in recent months with French, Austrian and Latvian counterparts where we exchanged views on these concerns.
I will continue to raise these issues with the Agriculture Ministers from like-minded member states at the appropriate fora.
713. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update as of July 2025 in respect to the programme for Government commitment to place a specific focus on farmer mental health and well-being, recognising the unique challenges faced by the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37657/25]
View answerThis Government is delivering on its commitment in the Programme for Government to continue to prioritise improvements in farm safety, health and wellbeing through strengthened supports, with a specific focus on farmer mental health and wellbeing.
I secured dedicated funding of €2.5 million in Budget 2025 to enable my Department to deliver a range of initiatives, including initiatives focusing on farmer mental health and wellbeing this year.
My colleague, Michael Healy-Rae T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Farm Safety and I recently announced the allocation of €1.68 million in funding for 40 farm safety, health and wellbeing projects under an open call. Over half of these projects include a focus on farmer's mental health and wellbeing.
My Department, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the HSE, is continuing to co-fund ‘On Feirm Ground 2’, a farmers physical and mental health awareness programme.
Earlier this year, my Department partnered with the Health and Safety Authority to deliver a media campaign focusing on farmer fatigue. My Department also funded the printing and distribution of the HSA’s ‘Guidance on Managing Fatigue with Farm Work’ in the 2025 BISS packs.
As part of the recent Department Thematic Research Call 2025, I sought proposals that focus on farmer’s safety, health and wellbeing including proposals focusing on enhancing farmer resilience. Applications received in response to this thematic call are currently being evaluated. Funding was provided for the UCD-led study “Farming Minds: Developing evidence-based interventions to enhance farmer mental health” in a previous Research Call.
Farm safety, health and wellbeing is a priority for this government. My colleague Minister Healy-Rae and I will continue to deliver initiatives to support the mental health and wellbeing of farmers.
714. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update as of July 2025 on the Programme for Government commitment to update and introduce a new food strategy to succeed Food Vision 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37658/25]
View answerFood Vision 2030 is Ireland’s stakeholder-led agri-food strategy, developed for the sector by the sector, with a vision for Ireland as a “World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”. Working together, all the stakeholders have committed to transform our agriculture, food, forestry, and marine sectors to achieve environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Food Vision was designed using a food systems approach, recognising the requirement to have greater policy coherence across agriculture, food, and the environment. Food Vision 2030 has four high-level Missions:
• A Climate Smart, Environmentally Sustainable Agri-Food Sector.
• Viable and Resilient Primary Producers, with Enhanced Wellbeing.
• Food that is Safe, Nutritious and Appealing, Trusted and Valued at Home and Abroad.
• Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Agri-Food Sector, Driven by Technology and Talent.
I recently chaired the 14th meeting of a High-Level Implementation Committee, established to monitor delivery. In terms of progress, 172 actions (79%) are either complete or have substantial action undertaken and a further 46 actions (21%) have commenced and are progressing. The third Food Vision Annual Report will be published shortly, with the two previous annual reports available on my Department’s website.
A new Food Vision 2030 Dashboard has also been developed to monitor progress against a number of key performance indicators and is also available on my Department’s website.
In the context of the Programme for Government commitment, options for Food Vision 2030 and future strategic direction are being considered and I will make an announcement in this regard in due course.
715. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans for an action plan to succeed the Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37659/25]
View answerMy Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner.
In 2021, my Department launched the Animal Welfare Strategy (2021-2025), which created a framework for engagement and collaboration with stakeholders to improve animal welfare, as well as establishing a dedicated Animal Welfare Division. This strategy is due for renewal this year and work is progressing on its replacement.
716. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who a person should contact regarding horses being held in poor conditions. [37708/25]
View answerUnder the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licences and the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act. These powers can be used in respect of straying horses, which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. My Department provides financial support to help local authorities with the operation of the Act. Local authorities may also prosecute offenders.
The welfare of equines is protected by legislation. Where breaches or shortcomings are identified, appropriate enforcement action is undertaken by my Department and authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, authorised officers appointed by local authorities, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA). Any reports of welfare issues received by my Department, including breaches of the animal welfare legislation, are acted upon and investigated.
Should a member of the public have any concerns regarding horses being held in poor conditions, they can contact their local authority, An Garda Síochána or the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) . If a member of the public wishes to report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation, my Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline, which can be contacted through:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
717. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 762 of 8 April 2025, if the Statutory Instrument mentioned in his response, to allow sharing of data between third party agri-loan providers and his Department has been finalised; and if so, when it was finalised. [37788/25]
View answerThe Statutory Instrument mentioned in response to Parliamentary Question No. 762 of 8 April 2025 to allow sharing of data between third party agri-loan providers and my Department has been finalised. S.I. No. 120/2025 - European Union (de minimis aid in the agriculture sector) Regulations 2025, was signed into law on 4 April, 2025, and notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in the “Iris Oifigiúil” of 11 April, 2025.
Administrative arrangements with Microfinance Ireland to allow them to recommence lending are currently being finalised.
718. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality how the transfer of integration and immigration functions to her Department has impacted the residual budget allocations and responsibilities of the Department, particularly in the context of early learning and childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37740/25]
View answerFollowing the formation of the new Government, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has been the subject of two transfer of functions orders in 2025. This has seen the transfer out of migration functions and their associated financial allocations (€2.046 billion, 24.8% of the 2025 gross voted allocation) to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and the transfer out of youth affairs functions and their associated financial allocations (€90.4 million, 1.1% of the 2025 gross voted allocation) to the Department of Education and Youth respectively.
Budgetary allocations for the Department following the transfers of functions are laid out at assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Revised_and_Further_Revised_Estimates_Presidents_Establishment_Department_of_the_Taois.pdf, which was agreed by Government on 21 May 2025.
The 2025 FREV provides a gross funding allocation of €6.128 billion for the provision of programmes and services under the Department's Vote- Vote 40. The allocation consists of €6.028 billion current expenditure and €99.5 million capital expenditure. The net funding for the Department amounts to €6.102 billion when Appropriations-in-Aid (A-in-A) receipts of €26 million are taken into account.
The Department’s responsibilities in the context of Early Learning and Childcare remain unchanged following the transfer of functions. Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare funding for 2025 stands at €1.385 billion and accounts for 23% of the Vote’s allocation. This represents an increase of €218m (19%) over the 2024 Supplementary Estimate allocation.
The increase in funding will support the full year cost of the 2024 National Childcare Scheme rate increase. In 2025, the families of more than 200,000 children will benefit from the changes to the minimum hourly subsidy rate (from €1.40 to €2.14). It also reflects an increase in Core Funding for the 2025/26 programme year (from September 2025) and an increased Capital allocation of €26.4 million.
This 2025 allocation provides for the continuation of the ECCE programme which will benefit over 100,000 children this year.
It provides additional funding for an increasing cohort of children with a disability availing of targeted AIM supports, numbering over 7,000 in 2025; as well as additional funding for the extension of the these supports beyond time spent in the ECCE programme, both in term and out of term.
Early Learning and Childcare received contingency funding of €10.6m to continue to provide its services in respect to children seeking international protection and children arriving from Ukraine as beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs).
Tusla, Child and family Agency also received contingency funding of €102.0m in relation to its services with respect of separated children seeking international protection (SCSIPs), and unaccompanied minors from Ukraine.
The allocation under this area is a clear demonstration of Government’s commitment to continue to grow investment in early learning and childcare given the benefits it confers on children and their families, society and the economy.
719. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is giving consideration to extending the length and scope of parental leave; if she will respond to matters raised in a correspondence (details supplied) and set out current rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37765/25]
View answerThere have been significant developments in the entitlements to family leaves for working families in recent years.
Under the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019, an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age 12 is entitled to 26 weeks’ unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting in ‘loco parentis’.
The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 also raised the maximum age limit of the eligible child for which parental leave can be taken from 8 years to 12 years. There are no current plans to raise the age limit further. Both parents have an equal, separate entitlement to parental leave.
Where both parents work for the same employer and the employer agrees, one parent can transfer 14 weeks of their parental leave entitlement to the other parent.
It should be noted that the legislation only sets out the minimum entitlement to parental leave. Depending on an individual’s contract of employment, they may have more extensive rights to parental leave, as employers have the option to offer more than the entitlement set out in the legislation.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 introduced further important entitlements for workers, including the right to request flexible working for parents and carers, and leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12.
Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families. Family leave entitlements are also mindful of the impact of the leaves on workplaces.
Considering the recent significant increase in family leave entitlements through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, the Government has no plans to make further amendments to parental leave entitlements.
720. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will respond to matters raised in a correspondence (details supplied) from the family of a child in Dublin 17 awaiting an assessment of need; if she will advise as to when this assessment of need may be carried out and the other supports being made available to the child and their family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36977/25]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
721. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her Department’s expenditure on hairstyling, make-up, personal grooming and general cosmetic expenses, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [36987/25]
View answer722. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her Department’s expenditure on beauticians, make-up artists or hairdressing professionals, stylists or personal shoppers, specifying if such expenditure was on a contract or retainer fee basis, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [37007/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 721 and 722 together.
I can confirm that my Department has not had any expenditure on the services specified in the years 2015 to 2025.
723. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her expenditure on advertising detailing the objective, duration, media platforms, advertising agency or agencies, and cost of each advertising campaign in each of the years 2015 to 2025. [37025/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. Below, in tabular form, is the information requested.
2025
|
Campaign |
Duration |
Total Spend |
Objective |
Platforms |
Agency |
|
Social Work Recruitment Campaign |
April - May |
€83,000 |
This Campaign is to support various Agencies under the aegis of the Department that employ social care professionals to encourage consideration of social work as a career |
Search / Social |
Spark Foundry - Media Buy / Javelin Creative |
2024
|
Campaign |
Duration |
Total Spend |
Objective |
Platforms |
Agency |
|
Supporting Parents |
Jan |
€39,832 |
Promoting Supporting Parents - an initiative that connects parents with local resources |
Search / Social / Native Articles |
Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
National Childcare Scheme |
March |
€26,895 |
Promoting Supports available to parents to assist Childcare fees |
Search / Social / Native Articles |
Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Accommodation Policy Changes |
March - April |
€3,582 |
An international search campaign informing those considering coming to Ireland to flee the conflict in Ukraine of changes to accommodation policy |
Search |
Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
National Childcare Scheme |
April |
€1,300 |
Promote the National Childcare Scheme |
Social |
Andrea Roche Agency |
|
Mother & Baby Redress Scheme |
April - June |
€765,757 |
An international public awareness campaign (UK, USA) announcing the opening and availability of the Redress Scheme to those impacted and eligible to apply |
Press / Search/Radio/Social /VOD / OOH / Digital |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Gender Pay Gap Reporting |
April - July |
€260,978 |
The campaign targeted employers in organisations of over 150 staff, encouraging them to begin the process of reporting on their hourly gender pay gap, in line with the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021. |
Radio / Press / Social / Native Articles / Digital / Social / Search |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Early Years |
October 2023 – to July 2024 |
€121,805 |
Campaigns include:Childminding regulations and registration |
Print, Online media/social media |
Drury |
2023
|
Campaign |
Duration |
Total Spend |
Message & Goal |
Platforms |
Agency |
|
Mother & Baby Homes Memorialisation |
Aug - Oct |
€33,032 |
A public information campaign creating awareness on a consultation process for the creation of a centre of remembrance |
Press / Search/Radio/Social |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Mother & Baby Homes |
Aug - Dec |
€4,555 |
A campaign to rank Mother and Baby Homes high on Google to assist in public search |
Search |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
UNCRPD |
Oct/Nov |
€1.8m |
A public information campaign creating awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities |
Social media / Digital Audio / Radio / TV / OOH / Cinema / Search |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Supporting Parents |
October |
€5,652 |
Promoting Supporting Parents - an initiative that connects parents with local resources |
Search |
Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
International Protection Procurement Information Campaigns |
Jan/Feb July/Aug Oct |
€26,335 |
Expression of Interest and Procurement notices to inform stakeholders and potential Agency of upcoming tenders |
Print media |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
2022
|
Campaign |
Duration |
Total Spend |
Objective |
Platforms |
Agency |
|
Back to School |
Jan |
€48,149 |
A public information campaign creating awareness on supports available to parents with children going back to school after the Xmas Holidays |
Radio / Social / Digital |
Kick - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Tender Publication |
Jan - Feb |
€14,683 |
Public Notice highlighting a tender opportunity to potential Agency |
Print media |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Gender Pay Gap |
May - Dec |
€266,271 |
A public information campaign creating awareness on organisations obligations under the Employment Equality Act 1998 - Regulations 2022 |
Social media / Digital / Radio / Search |
Kick - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Expression of Interest |
July - Aug |
€31,111 |
Public Notice in relation to Ukraine Response |
Print media |
Kick - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Tender - International Protection |
July - Aug |
€21,240 |
Public Notice highlighting a tender opportunity to potential Agency to IPAS |
Print media |
Kick - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
National Childcare Scheme |
Aug - Dec |
€32,195 |
A public information campaign creating awareness of and encouraging sign ups to the NCS |
Vod / Search / Social |
Kick - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Early Years |
Oct - Dec |
€27,398 |
A public information campaign creating awareness of the Early Years Initiative |
Search / Social |
Kick - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Modular Housing - Cork / Tipperary / Sligo |
Oct |
€7,953 |
Public Notice highlighting Modular Housing Projects |
Regional print media |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
International Protection Procurement Information Campaigns |
Jan/Feb July/Aug Oct |
€16,450 |
Expression of Interest and Procurement notices to inform stakeholders and potential Agency of upcoming tenders |
Print media |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
2021
|
Campaign |
Duration |
Total Spend |
Objective |
Platforms |
Agency |
|
Mother and Baby Institutions Redress Scheme |
May-Jul |
€158,946 |
Public Notice inviting submissions to the mother and Baby Institutions Redress Scheme Consultation Process |
Print Media |
Kick - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
*Pre-2020 data not readily accessible
724. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her Department's expenditure on media consultancy in each of the years 2015 to 2025; and the consultancy firms involved; and the nature of each contract, in tabular form. [37060/25]
View answerBelow, in tabular form, is the information requested. There was no relevant expenditure in the years prior to 2017.
|
Year |
Supplier |
Contract Nature |
Amount |
|
2017 |
Persuasion Republic |
Social Marketing consultancy |
€66,075.59 |
|
2019 |
Inventive Marketing |
Marketing support for a campaign |
€2,558.40 |
|
2020 |
Drury |
Strategic communications consultancy |
€4,999.99 |
|
2021 |
Drury |
Strategic communications consultancy |
€4,584.78 |
|
Hanover Communications (contracted through Foróige) |
Support for the Dail na NOg event |
€11,193.00 |
|
|
2022 |
Murray Consultants |
Media relations consultancy |
€56,066.08 |
|
2023 |
Drury |
Strategic communications consultancy |
€69,175.50 |
|
Drury |
Strategic communications consultancy |
€58,030.61 |
|
|
2024 |
Hanover Communications (contracted through Foróige) |
Support for the Dáil na nÓg event |
€9,840.00 |
|
2025 |
We the People |
Strategic communications consultancy |
€6,666.00 |
725. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the case of a person will be examined (details supplied); if they can remain with the same service provider; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37135/25]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, a soon as possible.
726. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average waiting time in each health region for the completion of the preliminary team assessment under the standard opening procedure for AON, specifically for children suspected of having autism or an intellectual disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37174/25]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
727. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of purchase orders processed by her Department in 2023 that were not included in the published reports of purchase orders over €20,000; the number of purchase orders excluded due to their value falling below the €20,000 threshold, and the total combined value of those purchase orders; and the number of purchase orders excluded because they related to transactions other than for goods or services, for example, grants-in-aid or reimbursements, in line with reporting conventions. [37225/25]
View answerWe will need some time to pull this information together and will contact the Deputy with a full response in the near future.
728. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review the qualifying thresholds for the NCS scheme, given that families earning just over €60,000 are entitled to the same discount as the highest earners on €100,000 and above; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37294/25]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme provides financial support to help parents to meet the cost of childcare and allow children to access Early Learning and School Age Childcare. The subsidies are progressive in nature. All families can receive a universal subsidy, but the highest subsides are provided to families with the lowest levels of income through an income assessment process.
Also, the NCS sponsorship subsidy allows designated bodies to refer children to early learning and childcare on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. This childcare place is funded by the Department without charge to the family.
Significant investment has been made in the NCS in recent years with over €529m allocated in Budget 2025. This investment has allowed my Department to further improve affordability for parents through the Scheme. Enhancements have included the extension of the universal subsidy to all children under 15 years of age, and two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy, which is now worth a minimum of €96.30 per week for 45 hours. The sponsorship subsidy was also increased to €5.30 per hour for children over 1.
In addition, since September 2024 childminders have been able to register with Tusla and take part in the National Childcare Scheme, and families who use childminders are therefore also now able to benefit from National Childcare Scheme subsidies.
An evaluation of the NCS is due to start this year. This evaluation will review how the Scheme has performed to date and identify potential enhancements that could be made to better support families. The income assessed subsidy will be examined as part of this evaluation. Any changes to the NCS will be informed by a thorough review of international literature and comprehensive stakeholder engagement.
729. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of respite services in County Meath available for adults aged 18, with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities; and if there are plans to increase respite services in County Meath. [37355/25]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
730. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 362 of 28 May 2025, the number of people currently in prison that have previously been in State care as children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37362/25]
View answerIt is not be possible for my Department, or Tusla, to answer this question. Neither my Department nor Tusla holds information on current prisoners in the State, therefore it is not possible to establish whether a specific prisoner was previously in the care of the State or not, as the case may be. To facilitate the answering of this question, a significant data sharing exercise between the Irish Prison Service and Tusla would be required, which would have particular data sharing sensitivities to be considered.
731. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that some people using disability day services are being charged daily transport fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37442/25]
View answer732. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a list of day services for people with disabilities that charge people for their transport to and from their service. [37443/25]
View answer733. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied). [37444/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 731 to 733, inclusive, together.
The HSE provides specialist disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, to people with disabilities who require such services, and people with intellectual disabilities would form the majority of service users who are supported by these services. While day service funding does not include transport, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and taxis, and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.
In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.
The HSE have been working with the National Transport Authority on this issue of transport to day services, through the ‘Open Routes’ project. Open Routes is based on the idea that transport to HSE services such as day services would be best served by accessible local public transport such as the Local Link, transporting people to their day services, but also serving the wider local community as well with enhanced public transport provision.
The approach is being piloted in Leitrim. The NTA advise that the Integrated Pilot Project was developed in close collaboration with the HSE, with a revised network that is designed to meet the needs of mainstream public transport users as well as the transport needs of passengers with disabilities and those accessing health care services in the county.
To date all feedback with regard to the pilot from stakeholders such as HSE, day service providers, external stakeholders and passengers has been very positive. In addition to the positive feedback, passenger numbers on Regular Rural Services has grown considerably since the introduction of the revised TFI Local Link network for County Leitrim. This is a model that could be applied in other parts of the country, with the NTA leading on this and working closely with local partners such as the HSE.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport. To develop proposals for better coordination of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities, a Transport Working Group was established to make progress under Action 104 of the NDIS. The Group’s final report has been published and it contains valuable proposals to inform future policy and action. It will be incumbent on all Government departments and agencies with responsibility for transport and mobility supports to consider the proposals in coordinating on next steps.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
734. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there are plans to expand the access and inclusion model to include children attending afterschool provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37463/25]
View answerThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a programme of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Its goal is to empower early learning and care providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early learning and care in any mainstream service participating in ECCE.
In line with a commitment in First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028, an independent evaluation of AIM was undertaken in order to inform an extension of AIM beyond the ECCE programme as well as any potential enhancements to the model.
The findings from the evaluation were published in January 2024 and have informed the phased extension of AIM. Since September 2024, AIM has expanded beyond time spent in the ECCE programme for ECCE-aged children. This allows children to access early learning and childcare for up to an additional 3 hours in term and 6 hours out of term.
It is intended that over time, all children with additional needs registered in early learning and care services will have access to supports under AIM. To this end, a tailored model is under design which would enable the extension of AIM to children under three. It is also intended to give consideration at a later date to an extension of AIM for children attending school-age childcare.
735. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on actions already taken or commenced to improve the critical accessibility issue as set out in the programme for Government (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37546/25]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2023/24 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 19% from the 2021/22 programme year. Core Funding application data shows that between Year 1 and Year 3 of the scheme, annual place hours increased by over 15%. The Tusla register of services demonstrates a net increase in the numbers of registered early learning and childcare services in 2024. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply, particularly for younger children and in certain parts of the country.
The Programme for Government commits to resourcing and transforming the Supply Management Unit into a Forward Planning and Delivery Unit within the Department to identify areas of need, forecast demand and deliver public supply within the childcare sector where required.
The Forward Planning and Delivery Unit within my Department has been allocated additional resources and staff and is pursuing an ambitious programme of work. A forward planning model, under the remit of this unit, is in development which will be central to my Department's plans to achieve the policy goals set out in the Programme for Government to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system, with State-led facilities adding capacity.
This unit also supports the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner Services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises.
I was delighted to announce in 50 applications which will be progressing to the next stage of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme. These 50 applications come from a mix of Community Extension (24), Private Extension (7), Community Purchasing (4) and Community Construction (15) projects, which, when completed, will deliver 1,500 additional full time childcare places for 1-3 year olds across the country. I look forward to seeing how these projects progress over the coming months.
The Programme for Government also commits to providing capital investment to build or purchase state-owned childcare facilities, to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists.
State ownership of facilities is a very substantial and significant development and offers the potential to influence the nature and volume of provision available and to ensure better alignment with estimated demand.
Early scoping work has been carried out to explore options to introduce a segment of state-led provision. Detailed policy development and design is ongoing in order to progress to implementation stage, having regard to the wider emerging policy context as set out in the Programme for Government, including in relation to affordability commitments.
Allocation of capital investment to build or purchase state-owned early learning and childcare facilities is being considered within the context of the revision to the National Development Plan which is ongoing.
In relation to the commitment to plan the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including Irish medium naíonraí, officials have met a number of times with officials from the Department of Education’s Planning and Building Unit with a view to sharing expertise and information between the Departments and identify opportunities for future developments. In addition to specific meetings, the relevant officials have also engaged a number of times on related matters, particularly through the Early Learning and Childcare Planning Matters Working Group and in relation to existing services' use of school buildings.
The potential for development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme will be considered as part of the wider capital plans to develop State-led services.
This work also relates to the Programme for Government commitment to working with schools to host before and after-school care, and examine start-up supports for groups involved in after-school activities. Last year, the Department of Education published Procedures on the use of school property and school sports facilities outside of school hours. This document provides encouragement and guidance to schools to make available facilities for early learning and childcare and other community purposes when not required by the school.
Finally, the Programme for Government commits to reviewing the 2001 Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities to ensure childcare spaces are provided and put into use.
The Department is currently engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine and review the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings with a view to updating them. A Working Group is in place between these Departments, as well as the Department of Education and Youth, to progress this project.
An important step in preparation for revising the guidelines is to engage with Local Authorities with experience of applying the guidelines to understand their impact and issues arising. The findings of this process will inform the scale and content of revisions to the guidelines.
An inception meeting took place earlier last month involving members of the Working Group and officials from different local authorities who were nominated by the CCMA Planning and Land Use Committee. Further information about the application of the guidelines will now be sought to progress this work.
