Written Answers Nos. 913-932
914. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are community-run services; and of these, the number of services that are not in core funding. [63144/25]
View answerEach year, Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Early Years Sector Profile. This data is sourced from both the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey (AEYSP) and the Early Years Platform (EYP). The most recent published data available on Service Providers is for the 2023/2024 programme year.
These data show that as of the week beginning 03 June 2024, there were 1,150 community service providers nationwide, that were eligible for Core Funding. Of those, 1,125 were contracted as partner services and a total of 25 were not participating in Core Funding, representing 2% of eligible community service providers.
915. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are in core funding; and of these, and the number of services that are sessional services. [63145/25]
View answerWhile the Department cannot mandate providers to participate in the Scheme, every effort has been made to carefully design Core Funding to meet the policy objectives including to achieve high levels of participation by providers.
The fourth programme year of Core Funding began on 1 September. As of 12 November 2025, 4,539 services have signed up to participate in the fourth year of the Scheme. This represents 92% of all eligible services and this number continues to grow.
Of these 4,539 services, 1,448 (32%) providers are sessional only services. A further 1,446 Core Funding Partner Services include sessional services within their overall service offering. In total therefore, some 65% of all Core Funding Partner Services include some component of sessional services within their service offering. Participation in Core Funding is optional, but it remains open throughout the year to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the Scheme.
A list of Core Funding Partner Services is updated regularly on the website, under How to Find a Partner Service www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/how-to-find-a-partner-service/. The NCS childcare search can also be used to identify if a service is a Core Funding Partner Service www.ncs.gov.ie/en/childcare-search/.
916. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if funding will be considered for SNAs in an afterschool setting for type 1 diabetic children (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63184/25]
View answerIn line with the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations, 2018, those wishing to operate a school-age childcare service are required to register with the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate.
The Department is currently reviewing the legislation underpinning school-age childcare services and developing comprehensive school-age childcare regulations. As part of this work, the Department recently concluded a public survey on the regulation of school-age childcare and early learning and care services.
Also related to this question the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) was introduced in 2016 to ensure that children with disabilities can fully access and participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The ECCE Programme is a universal two year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible. A child must not reach 5 years and 6 months on or before June 30th of each programme year.
AIM provides a suite of universal and targeted supports across seven levels, tailored to meet the needs of children and pre-school settings. Importantly, access to AIM support does not require a formal diagnosis.
AIM does not operate a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) model. Instead, AIM Level 7 support provides additional funding to pre-schools where a child requires extra assistance. This funding enables providers to reduce the child-to-adult ratio in the pre-school room or to fund an extra staff member as a shared resource with other children in the ECCE setting. In recognition of best practice in this area, this support is designed to improve inclusion and ensure meaningful participation of all children in the room.
In line with commitments under First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, an independent evaluation of AIM has been completed. The findings are informing the extension of AIM beyond the ECCE programme and identifying potential enhancements to the model.
The first phase of this expansion commenced in September 2024, extending AIM supports for ECCE-age children for up to three additional hours per day during term time, and up to six additional hours outside of term time.
Work is now underway on a tailored model to extend AIM to children under three years of age, ensuring it meets the specific needs of this younger cohort.
Consideration will also be given, at a later stage, to extending AIM to children attending school-age childcare.
It is critical that any extension of AIM supports to this age cohort is evidence-based and reflective of need. This will require a specific tailoring of AIM and differentiation from the current approach.
Parents and carers experiencing challenges in accessing early learning and childcare supports are encouraged to contact their local City or County Childcare Committee, who can provide advice and guidance on available options in their area. Contact details are available at: www.gov.ie/childcarecommittees.
917. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to concerns raised by members of a representative group (details supplied), specifically in relation to centres that operate out of family homes; the actions she will take to engage with this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63193/25]
View answerIn a survey recently published by Childminding Ireland, 393 childminders responded to a question about their intentions for when registration becomes mandatory: 44% said they were "undecided", 32% said they intend to stop childminding, and 24% said they intend to register with Tusla.
While those who responded to the survey and answered the question represent a small proportion of childminders, I fully understand the sense of uncertainty and anxiety childminders may be experiencing in this period of transition.
Significantly, those childminders who answered the same survey and who had already gone through the process of registration reported very positively on their experiences - only 4% described their experience as negative - while less than 1 in 8 of those who had been previously registered and now operate under the new regulations were dissatisfied.
I therefore believe that communications will be essential to addressing many childminders' concerns. A national communications strategy is a key element in phase 2 of the National Action Plan for Childminding during the transition period which lasts until September 2027. Work on this strategy has begun, aiming to inform childminders and parents about the changes, the supports available, and what to expect.
The childminding-specific Regulations, which came into effect in September 2024, are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.
Childminders were consulted on and involved in all aspects of the development of the regulations. Both the Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, and the various Advisory Groups that have supported it, have included childminders as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland.
In addition, an independent external review of the draft Childminding Regulations was carried out by Dr Bill Maxwell, the former CEO of Education Scotland, former Chief Inspector in both Scotland and Wales, and OECD consultant, which confirmed that the approach was proportionate for childminding in Ireland.
We are now in a 3-year transition period during which childminders are being encouraged and supported to register, but registration is not yet mandatory. This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
The Department has committed to undertake a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations during the transition period. The review will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders.
Supports are available for childminders at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including a short pre-registration training course.
The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes. In 2025, the Department has paid €413,338 to childminders through the Childminding Development Grant. A further round of the Grant will open in early 2026.
918. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the level of transportation support provided for school leavers to access a service (details supplied); if transport services are provided for new service users or if the service has ceased offering transportation for new services users; if transportation supports are not provided, the reason, given that services being after the conventional workday has already begun; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63282/25]
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.
919. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the adequacy of the aspect of the core funding childcare scheme, related to the time thresholds for each band (details supplied); the actions she will take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63355/25]
View answerCore Funding is a supply-side payment to early learning and childcare services to support them with their operating costs, and is designed to support affordability, quality and sustainability in the sector. Core Funding has brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259 million of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding.
An allocation of over €405 million for the Scheme was secured in Budget 2026. This is an increase of €52 million on the 2025 allocation of €353 million – representing a 15% year-on-year increase and a 56% increase over the 2022 allocation of €259 million.
A key feature of Core Funding is the introduction of a system of fee management, to ensure that affordability measures and increased investment are passed on to parents/guardians. This began with an effective fee freeze from September 2022. In return for significant funding through the scheme, Partner Services agree not to raise their fees above what was charged to parents as on 30 September 2021. Maximum fee caps were then introduced for new entrants beginning in Year 3 of the Scheme. The maximum fee caps have since been reduced and extended to all new and existing Partner Services in Year 4.
The Department is aware that there has been some confusion in relation to the new maximum fee caps regarding the fee bands. In the press release issued on 5 June 2025, it was announced that the new maximum fee caps are facilitated by the Common Fee Structure, which organises Service Types by weekly hours into six Fee Bands, from Band A (less than 10 hours) up to Band F (50 hours or more).
Each Fee Band in the structure has a corresponding maximum allowable fee under Core Funding. This is reflected in the quote above as “a full day place of between 40-50 hours per week” when using Band E as an example of a typical full day care place. Statutory regulations categorise full-time provision as anything more than five hours per day, or 25 hours per week. Most full-day services fall into Band E and this is why Band E was used as the reference point in this instance.
As demonstrated in the Fee Cap Table included in the press release, and featured below, full day care consisting of 50 or more hours per week is capped at €354, or €257.70 when NCS subsidies are applied.
|
Fee Band |
Hours per week |
Maximum weekly fee for ALL Partner Services in 2025/2026 |
|
Band A |
Less than 10 hours |
€59 |
|
Band B |
Between 10 hours and 19 hours 59 minutes |
€118 |
|
Band C |
Between 20 hours and 29 hours 59 minutes |
€177 |
|
Band D |
Between 30 hours and 39 hours 59 minutes |
€236 |
|
Band E |
Between 40 hours and 49 hours 59 minutes |
€295 |
|
Band F |
50 or more hours |
€354 |
The new maximum fee caps place a limit on the maximum fees that can be charged across all types of provision.
Fee caps are stepped down on a pro rata basis, meaning there is a maximum amount a service can charge at each Fee Band, from Band A (less than 10 hours per week) up to Band F (50 hours or more per week). The hours per week and associated maximum fee at each Fee Band refer to the care purchased by a parent for their child on a weekly basis.
For example, if a child is enrolled in a childcare afterschool session within a Core Funding Partner Service that runs for anywhere between 20 hours and 29 hours 59 minutes per week, then this falls under Band C as per the above. The maximum fee that could be charged for care under Band C is €177 per week. The out-of-pocket cost, or copayment, is dependent on the number of National Childcare Scheme (NCS) subsidy hours availed of. This subsidy is available at a rate of €2.14 per hour, up to 45 hours per week.
The Government is committed to ensuring access to affordable, quality early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC), with an investment of €1.48bn in the 2026 budget. This funding will allow the Department to build on recent progress in the gradual reduction of fees for parents, while also supporting supply and the quality of provision. New caps on maximum fees came into effect in September 2025 for all services in Core Funding, building on a range of enhancements to the National Childcare Scheme and Core Funding in recent years, reducing fees to parents.
Fee caps on all Partner Services represent the latest progression in the phased development of the Core Funding fee management system, with further improvements planned for the years ahead.
The landmark investment through Budget 2026 includes €20.6 million in brand new funding for a full programme year to support providers in adhering to the fee management conditions, including reductions in the maximum fee caps in Year 5.
More broadly, the Government has committed to reduce monthly fees to €200 over its lifetime. The steps in achieving this ambition over the coming years will be set out in the Action Plan on Accessible, High Quality, Affordable Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, which the Department is continuing to develop. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Action Plan will be informed by a broad consultation process.
920. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address concerns regarding the escalating cost of childcare, raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63356/25]
View answerThe Government has committed to reduce monthly fees to €200 over its lifetime. The steps in achieving this ambition over the coming years will be set out in the Action Plan on Accessible, High Quality, Affordable Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, which the Department is continuing to develop. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Action Plan will be informed by a broad consultation process.
While work on developing the Action Plan is ongoing, we are not waiting until its publication to deliver on key commitments in the Programme for Government. The investment of €1.48bn secured in the 2026 budget for early learning and care and school-age childcare will allow the Department to build on recent progress in the gradual reduction of fees for parents, while also supporting supply and the quality of provision.
Budget 2026 enables Core Funding to continue to support fee-control measures and will also allow for growth in the sector. The allocation for Core Funding in 2026 will ensure fees remain at 2021 levels for a majority of providers. As well as this, there will be a new maximum fee cap set to reduce costs for families paying the highest fees across the country. Further details of the new, lower maximum fee caps will be announced in the coming months.
The 2026 allocation for Core Funding will also support implementation of the recently announced Employment Regulation Orders, which led to a 10% increase in the minimum rate of pay for educators from 13 October.
Further steps will be detailed in the Action Plan, which will look at affordability, access and quality of the early learning and care and school-age childcare system.
One of the main vehicles for delivering the Programme for Government’s affordability commitments is the Core Funding scheme. Core Funding is a supply-side payment to early learning and childcare services to support them with their operating costs, and is designed to support affordability, quality, and sustainability in the sector.
A key feature of Core Funding is the introduction of a system of fee management, to ensure that affordability measures and increased investment are passed on to parents/guardians. This began with an effective fee freeze from September 2022. In return for significant funding through the scheme, Partner Services agree not to raise their fees above what was charged to parents as on 30 September 2021. Maximum fee caps were then introduced for new entrants beginning in Year 3 of the Scheme. The maximum fee caps have since been reduced and extended to all new and existing Partner Services in Year 4.
|
Fee Band |
Hours per week |
Maximum weekly fee for ALL Partner Services in 2025/2026 |
|
Band A |
Less than 10 hours |
€59 |
|
Band B |
Between 10 hours and 19 hours 59 minutes |
€118 |
|
Band C |
Between 20 hours and 29 hours 59 minutes |
€177 |
|
Band D |
Between 30 hours and 39 hours 59 minutes |
€236 |
|
Band E |
Between 40 hours and 49 hours 59 minutes |
€295 |
|
Band F |
50 or more hours |
€354 |
In Budget 2026, €20.6 million in brand new funding for a full programme year has been secured to support providers in adhering to the fee management conditions including reductions in the maximum fee caps in the Year 5. This will guarantee that Core Funding’s monetary protections will continue to be passed on to families while ensuring sustainability and stability for the sector.
Work is under way in the Department to design new fee management measures for Year 5. Full details of Core Funding 2026/27 will be made available to the sector in 2026.
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. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
A forward planning model is in development which will be central to the 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.
As announced in the context of Budget 2026, €36 million will be available in 2026 for early learning and childcare capital programmes. This will include acquisitions of new buildings through the State-led early learning and childcare programme, investment in expansion of existing early learning and childcare operators through the Building Blocks scheme and a number of quality initiatives including supports to childminders.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.
Budget 2025 secured funding for the fourth programme year (2025/6) to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year (2026/7) for a further expansion in supply of 4.2%.
The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched in late 2024 with a closing date in January 2025. A total of seventy-eight applications were received with fifty applicants approved to progress to the next stage of the grant process. The scheme will deliver up to 1,500 places from next year.
With reference to your constituent’s query on The National Childcare Scheme (NCS), an evaluation of the Scheme 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 help parents with their childcare costs. The findings from this evaluation will also inform the work of the Department in working towards the Programme for Government commitment to monthly childcare fees over the lifetime of this Government.
921. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review the system of age verification used by Tusla for separated children seeking international protection to ensure it is sufficiently robust to address child protection concerns and the potential risks associated with placing adults in accommodation designated for minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63491/25]
View answer922. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the discussions she has had with Tusla regarding age verification processes for separated children seeking international protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63492/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 921 and 922 together.
Tusla makes every effort to ensure that unaccompanied minors seeking International Protection are kept safe.
As the Deputy may be aware, there has been a 500% increase in arrivals of Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) entering the State since 2022, with the vast majority of arrivals aged 16 or 17 years of age. Due to this exponential year on year rise, Tusla is facing significant and ongoing challenges in sourcing appropriate accommodation.
The legal basis for undertaking age assessments for unaccompanied minors claiming international protection is set out under the International Protection Act 2015, and such assessments falls under the remit of the Minister for Justice and the International Protection Office.
Section 14 of the International Protection Act 2015 is the main legislative provision underpinning referrals by immigration authorities to Tulsa for unaccompanied minors. When Tusla receives a notification under the International Protection Act 2015, there is a presumption that the international protection applicant is a child. This presumption has a statutory basis and carries significant legal weight and informs Tusla and other agencies such as An Garda Síochána in their dealings with the person.
Section 3 of the Child Care Act 1991 provides that it shall be the function of the Child and Family Agency to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. In order to fulfil its statutory responsibility to children in need of care and protection, Tusla has a role in undertaking an intake eligibility assessment for unaccompanied minors to determine if they require services from the separated children’s team.
Where a determination is made that an unaccompanied minor requires the services from the separated children’s team, Tusla arranges for the delivery of such services, including the accommodation of the child in an appropriate setting.
I can inform the Deputy that trilateral discussions are ongoing between officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and Tusla on the matter of age assessments for Separated Children Seeking International Protection. Both Departments are working closely with Tusla regarding the International Protection Bill under the EU Migration Pact as it relates to unaccompanied minors, including work on provisions relating to age assessments. The draft bill will be published by the Department of Justice in the near future.
923. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of those initially classified as separated children seeking international protection who were subsequently determined to be over the age of 18, who were initially placed in Tusla accommodation, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63493/25]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
924. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of those initially classified as juveniles who were subsequently determined to be over the age of 18 who were initially placed in Oberstown Children’s Detention Centre, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63494/25]
View answerThe numbers are as follows:
|
Year |
No. initially classified as juveniles who were subsequently determined to be over the age of 18 |
|
2025 |
Nil to date * |
|
2024 |
Nil |
|
2023 |
Nil |
|
2022 |
Nil |
|
2021 |
One |
|
2020 |
Two |
Cases of young people being initially classified as juveniles who were subsequently determined to be over the age of 18 are very rare and have happened only three times in the past five years.
*A case before the courts is currently under review.
925. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the age profile of CDNT service users in Cavan and Monaghan, in written and tabular form. [63517/25]
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.
926. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the strategy regarding recruitment and retention in the CDNT team within the HSE, in line with projected caseload numbers. [63519/25]
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.
927. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of beds or placements provided by Tusla for unaccompanied minors and other children in the care of the State who are seeking international protection or are beneficiaries of temporary protection in each of the years from 2015 to 2024 and to date in 2025, and by placement type, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63538/25]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
928. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total gross expenditure by Tusla on accommodation and related services for unaccompanied minors and other children in State care who are seeking international protection or are beneficiaries of temporary protection in the years 2020 to 2025, by programme or subhead, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63539/25]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
929. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of whole-time equivalent Tusla staff assigned to work with separated children seeking international protection, including any staff engaged in age-assessment work, in each of the years from 2020 to 2025, by grade and function, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63540/25]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
930. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the existing protocols and memoranda of understanding between his Department, Tusla and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in respect of age assessment for persons claiming to be minors in the international protection or temporary protection systems; whether these arrangements are currently under review; whether the adoption of models such as the Danish system or any novel testing methods, including qPCR or droplet digital PCR-based age-estimation techniques is being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63541/25]
View answerTusla makes every effort to ensure that unaccompanied minors seeking International Protection are kept safe.
As the Deputy may be aware, there has been a 500% increase in arrivals of Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) entering the State since 2022, with the vast majority of arrivals aged 16 or 17 years of age. Due to this exponential year on year rise, Tusla is facing significant and ongoing challenges in sourcing appropriate accommodation.
The legal basis for undertaking age assessments for unaccompanied minors claiming international protection is set out under the International Protection Act 2015, and such assessments falls under the remit of the Minister for Justice and the International Protection Office.
Section 14 of the International Protection Act 2015 is the main legislative provision underpinning referrals by immigration authorities to Tulsa for unaccompanied minors. When Tusla receives a notification under the International Protection Act 2015, there is a presumption that the international protection applicant is a child. This presumption has a statutory basis and carries significant legal weight and informs Tusla and other agencies such as An Garda Síochána in their dealings with the person.
Section 3 of the Child Care Act 1991 provides that it shall be the function of the Child and Family Agency to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. In order to fulfil its statutory responsibility to children in need of care and protection, Tusla has a role in undertaking an intake eligibility assessment for unaccompanied minors to determine if they require services from the separated children’s team.
Where a determination is made that an unaccompanied minor requires the services from the separated children’s team, Tusla arranges for the delivery of such services, including the accommodation of the child in an appropriate setting.
I can inform the Deputy that trilateral discussions are ongoing between officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and Tusla on the matter of age assessments for Separated Children Seeking International Protection. Both Departments are working closely with Tusla regarding the International Protection Bill under the EU Migration Pact as it relates to unaccompanied minors, including work on provisions relating to age assessments. The draft bill will be published by the Department of Justice in the near future.
931. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children who are currently on the waiting list for respite in County Donegal, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63562/25]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
932. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the National Plan for Provision of Irish in Early Years Childcare; the likely publication date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63576/25]
View answerThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality is working in collaboration with other relevant Departments and Agencies to develop a national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector. The development of such a plan is a commitment in the 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language.
The national plan is expected to support the delivery of two commitments in First 5 (the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families): “Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision” and “Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish”.
The plan is also expected to support the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Government to: “Support naíonraí and creches to ensure early education access in Gaeltacht communities and beyond” and “Plan the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including Irish-medium naíonraí”.
A survey of Irish-medium ELC and SAC settings including childminders was undertaken in 2022-2023 to obtain a baseline of the current level of Irish-medium provision in the sector.
A public consultation and a programme of research, including a literature review, took place in 2024. A consultation with children has also recently been completed.
In addition to the focus on the provision of Irish-medium ELC and SAC services, it is anticipated that the new national plan will also include measures to support English-medium ELC services to work within the updated Aistear early childhood curriculum framework, which was published in December 2024. The updated Aistear includes an aim of supporting young children to have an awareness and appreciation of Gaeilge and our cultural and linguistic heritage.
It is intended that the Plan and associated consultation reports will be published in early 2026.
