Written Answers Nos. 306-325
306. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of compensation paid to Irish farmers annually for cattle diagnosed with TB from 2010 to November 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64183/25]
View answerIreland’s TB Eradication Programme has a comprehensive compensation regime in place for herd-owners who are affected by bovine TB.
The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme is the principal compensation measure available to Herd-owners whose herds are affected by a bovine TB breakdown in their herd. The Scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the open market value of an animal as if they were not affected by disease, subject to ceilings.
The Income Supplement Scheme is a targeted scheme which assists farmers who lose 9.5% or more of their herd to disease due to a single TB breakdown. Income supplement is only payable in cases where the 9.5% threshold is met in one continuous restriction period and where Depopulation is not deemed an appropriate measure.
The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme aimed at assisting eligible herd-owners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown. The scheme runs each year for herds restricted between November 1st and April 30th.
Depopulation Grant is paid for each animal removed in the depopulation measure and for those herds that are partial or fully depopulated on foot of a veterinary decision made on analysis of the overall TB disease situation within a herd.
In the table below, please find total expenditure per year in respect of all compensation measures, based on my Departments SAP Accounts system and the Animal Health Computer System.
|
Year |
Total number of payments* |
Total Compensation Paid |
|
2010 |
6475 |
€15,816,665.78 |
|
2011 |
6002 |
€16,618,147.15 |
|
2012 |
5736 |
€16,659,692.96 |
|
2013 |
10,144 |
€12,688,025.12 |
|
2014 |
9,963 |
€15,226,852.97 |
|
2015 |
9,164 |
€13,398,976.55 |
|
2016 |
8,759 |
€13,992,519.73 |
|
2017 |
10,492 |
€14,045,075.15 |
|
2018 |
11,006 |
€18,086,953.64 |
|
2019 |
10,905 |
€17,721,595.75 |
|
2020 |
12,279 |
€20,700,106.80 |
|
2021 |
12,853 |
€26,096,406.63 |
|
2022 |
11,427 |
€26,521,430.38 |
|
2023 |
13,956 |
€39,287,057.71 |
|
2024 |
21,795 |
€62,543,636.03 |
|
To 14th Nov 2025 |
25,008 |
€60,531,353.37 |
*includes multiple payments across all schemes made to any single herd in the calendar year.
307. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid to vets annually by his Department through the TB eradication programmes from 2010 to November 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64184/25]
View answerThe table below shows the amount in testing fees paid to veterinary practitioners annually by my Department through the TB eradication programmes from 2010 to November 2025. The table shows an increase in expenditure since 2022 due to an increase in disease levels.
|
Year |
Testing Cost Department Paid €’000 |
|
2010 |
€9,502 |
|
2011 |
€9,310 |
|
2012 |
€7,789 |
|
2013 |
€7,115 |
|
2014 |
€7,889 |
|
2015 |
€6,461 |
|
2016 |
€6,307 |
|
2017 |
€7,048 |
|
2018 |
€7,330 |
|
2019 |
€8,541 |
|
2020 |
€9,898 |
|
2021 |
€9,856 |
|
2022 |
€13,578 |
|
2023 |
€13,262 |
|
2024 |
€14,623 |
|
2025 (up to 31 October 2025) |
€14,352 |
My Department recently published the “Bovine TB Action Plan, Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland” to move toward the eradication of the disease.
308. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to arrange a food-related trade mission to the United Arab Emirates early in 2026. [64297/25]
View answerMy Department, in conjunction with Bord Bia, are currently developing its 2026 schedule for Ministerial Trade Missions. The locations for these visits have not yet been finalised.
The Department has previously engaged in trade missions in this region. In February 2022, Minister McConalogue led a successful trade mission which included the United Arab Emirates. This visit included a number of Government to Government discussions and engagements with key Irish customers in dairy, meat, prepared foods, FDI and the horse racing sectors. It also encompassed the Gulf Food Trade fair, one of the world's largest food fairs, and the Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods week at EXPO 2020 in Dubai.
My Department and Bord Bia's Middle East/Gulf regional market team continue to support Irish agrifood businesses in engaging with these markets and to realise the opportunities identified during this trade mission.
309. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when each of the capital works projects, funded under the 2025 fisheries harbour centre and coastal infrastructure development programme, will commence at Dunmore East fisheries centre. [64302/25]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. It also has responsibility for Cape Clear, Cleggan and some Piers, Lights and Beacons.
In March I announced a capital investment package of €27.75 million for the 2025 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. The allocation included:
capital commitments for ongoing projects and the planned commencement of some new projects;
monies for safety and maintenance and disability access works; plant and machinery; Cape Clear and piers, lights and beacons; and
an allocation of funding for a Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme.
As part of this package, Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre was allocated €2.195 million for maintenance and capital projects.
All capital projects are subject to rigorous project management processes including design, tender action and implementation stages, and ongoing monitoring, evaluation and review in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Capital Works Management Framework and the Infrastructural Guidelines. Additionally, all contractual projects are subject to the applicable conditions of contract and, as such, it is necessary to follow due process in accordance with such conditions.
Where consents such as planning permissions or waste licences are required, the timeline for processing of such consents is a matter for the permitting authority. Therefore, it is not possible to advise with certainty either the commencement or completion dates of all specific projects at this time. However, I expect that the more minor works projects not requiring statutory consents will be substantially completed by year end.
The attached table lists the capital projects proposed for Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre in 2025 with estimated commencement and completion dates.
310. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the interest of public health and safety, if urgent improvement works to the new pier on Tarbert Island, County Kerry, will be carried out, and if the sinkhole can be addressed, as a matter of priority. [64316/25]
View answerThe responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. As such, Tarbert Island Pier is under the remit of Kerry County Council. The primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
However, as part of the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department has, in previous years, provided funding to assist coastal local authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership. These projects must support the core objective of my Department to support the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Applications are assessed by considering the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, the priority assigned to each project by the pertinent local authority, the funding available, and the necessity to guarantee a wide geographical distribution of projects.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on 21st May last, I announced an allocation of €4.33 million for 57 projects across 11 coastal local authorities under the 2025 Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme as part of this Programme. My Department will co-fund up to 75% of the eligible project costs (up to a maximum of €187,500 scheme funding per project) with the local authorities providing the balance.
Kerry County Council submitted applications for 6 projects, all of which were approved for funding to the combined value of €628,000.
My Department is administering this Scheme, and each local authority is responsible for the governance and delivery of its own projects.
Matters in relation to Tarbert Island Pier should be directed to Kerry County Council.
311. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will make a decision on the re-opening of the mussel seed fishery in the Long Bank for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64332/25]
View answerI wish to fully assure the Deputy that I understand the importance of the Irish Sea mussel seed fishery and of wild mussel seed as a raw material for the bottom grown mussel aquaculture sector. These primary producers, in turn, supply the downstream indigenous seafood processing and export industries and help to sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities. The importance of these primary and secondary seafood production activities is reflected in the Food Vision 2030 strategy.
The detection of the invasive alien species Crepidula fornicata (slipper limpet) and Sargassum Muticum (Japanese wireweed) at the Long Bank seedbed off Wexford earlier this year has proven to be exceptionally challenging. There are stringent controls in force on such species in accordance with the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 (Statutory Instrument No. 374 of 2024), under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This has mandated a cross-Departmental, cross-agency response to the matter which remains ongoing.
On 12th November, I opened the Rusk Channel mussel seedbed as no invasive alien species were found in this seedbed. The Seed Mussel Biomass Survey of the Rusk Channel, carried out by BIM, identified that this seed bed has the potential to yield approximately 1,600 tonnes of seed for the bottom grown mussel aquaculture sector.
My Department is continuing to seek advice on the implications of S.I. 374 of 2024 on the mussel seed fishery beyond the Rusk Channel. Every effort is being made by my Department, and the relevant agencies, to expedite this process and to address outstanding matters.
Any updates will be communicated promptly to industry via the Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum (BGMCF).
312. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications awaiting appropriate assessments at the Marine Institute; if there is a prioritisation system to deal with these applications in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64333/25]
View answer313. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination by his Department; the efforts being made to address delays in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64334/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 313 together.
My Department considers applications for aquaculture in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 as amended, the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations.
Since 2012, determinations have been made in respect of over 1300 licence applications. There are a number of long-standing applications where significant issues have arisen and the Department continues to work closely with the relevant applicants and our scientific and technical advisers with a view to finding solutions and progressing these applications. However, the majority of currently pending applications have been submitted since 2021.
Every effort is being made by my Department to expedite the determination of all outstanding applications having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to fully comply with all relevant national and EU legislation. The Marine Institute (MI), as my Department’s scientific adviser, is requested to undertake appropriate assessments in relation to aquaculture licence applications.
As of the 14th of November 2025, there were 569 aquaculture licence applications on hand in my Department. Of these, 353 licence applications are currently undergoing appropriate assessment by the MI, including AA Screenings, preparation of Natura Impact Statements in the case of shellfish applications and Stage 2 full Appropriate assessments.
Progressing applications for renewals of marine finfish aquaculture licence applications is a priority for my Department in the context of the Ministerial policy decision to phase out the operation of Section 19A(4) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997. In addition, given the notable increase in the number of new and renewal shellfish applications in recent years, significant work is ongoing within my Department and the MI to progress these.
314. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grant eligibility for the sustainable aquaculture scheme will be revised given the unreasonable delays in the aquaculture licensing system which is impacting aquaculture producers awaiting licensing renewals and wish to make improvements in their business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64335/25]
View answerMy Department supports the development of the Irish aquaculture sector under Ireland's €258 Million Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the Irish government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). The Sustainable Aquaculture scheme is administered by BIM on behalf of my Department.
To be eligible for aid under this scheme the applicant must have a statutory consent to engage in aquaculture, and must also have a consent under the Foreshore Acts. The terms of this scheme provide that operators who are operating in a Natura 2000 site and are awaiting a determination of an aquaculture licence application/renewal made under Section 10 of the Fisheries Amendment Act 1997 are not eligible for aid under this scheme.
My Department, as the managing authority for the Seafood Development Programme 2021-2027, is obligated to implement the EMFAF Regulation and in particular, Article 12(1)(c), which stipulates that Member States may only select operations that are in compliance with applicable Union law – in this case the relevant Union law being the Birds and/or Habitats Directives. Therefore only operators who hold a licence that is in compliance with these Directives may receive funding.
It is possible for aquaculture business to operate lawfully in this State while awaiting licence renewal determinations that have been fully assessed to be in compliance with the Birds and Habitats Directives. This is currently made possible by section 19A(4) of the 1997 Act. Consequently, aquaculture businesses operating lawfully but not pursuant to up to date licenses that are in compliance with the Birds and Habitats Directives are necessarily excluded from receiving funding under the scheme.
My Department has been working very closely with BIM to identify what funding supports can be put in place for the aquaculture sector, within the parameters of the EU State Aid Regulations governing aid in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
315. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a funding mechanism to assist aquaculture producers when difficulties arise that is, storm damage, stock losses and biological challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64336/25]
View answerMy Department supports the development of the Irish aquaculture sector under Ireland's €258 Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the Irish government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
I am aware of the challenges facing aquaculture producers where damage or stock mortality arises due to environmental, climate or biological events. Where possible aquaculture operators should ensure they have adequate insurance cover in place for these types of events, as would be the norm for any business.
I am equally aware however of difficulties being experienced by industry in obtaining insurance cover for certain types of risks, and I have asked Department officials to identify what supports could be developed in respect of uninsurable risks, whether under our Seafood Development Programme or any other alternative mechanism. Work is underway in relation to this.
It is important to note that having robust baseline data available on stocking levels and normal levels of mortality will be required in respect of any scheme that may be possible to develop to compensate aquaculture operators for losses arising from stock mortality due to external events. At present aquaculture operators are not required to report all stock mortality, only those related to notifiable diseases or where the cause cannot be determined.
In the event that a possible funding mechanism can be identified, it is important to note that the Department and relevant agencies will need engagement and support from industry in relation to ensuring the necessary baseline data is available for all aquaculture sectors.
316. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the efforts her Department is making to address the fact that childcare is a barrier for women taking up apprenticeships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64042/25]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable early learning and 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. 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.
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%.
This increased investment will allow increases in growth of the sector driven both by new services joining the sector and existing services offering more places and/or longer hours to families.
The total allocation for Core Funding in 2026/2027 programme year will increase to at least €436.54 million, an additional €43.90 million on the current full year allocation.
Capital funding allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the National Development Plan has enabled significant investment in early learning and childcare. This allows existing Core Funding Partner Services to extend their existing premises or, in the case of community services, to construct or purchase new premises.
The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched in late 2024 with a closing date in January 2025. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received with 50 applicants approved to progress to the next stage of the grant process. The scheme will deliver up to 1,500 places from next year.
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 NCS establishes an equitable and progressive system of universal and income-assessed subsidies for children up to the age of 15.
The universal subsidy is set at a rate of €2.14 per hour and is available for up to 45 hours per week, for a child aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. Higher rates may be available through an income-assessed award however this depends on the family’s individual circumstances.
Where both the applicant and the applicant’s partner (if applicable) are engaged in work or study, or meet certain other enhanced hours criteria, an “enhanced hours subsidy” of up to 45 hours per week may be awarded. Where either the applicant or the applicant’s partner (if applicable) are not engaged in work or study (and do not qualify under other enhanced hours criteria), a “standard hours subsidy” of up to 20 hours per week may be awarded.
The definition of work is extremely broad, covering all forms of work arrangement, including apprenticeships. The study rule is also a generous one and allows parents to access 45 hours of childcare when completing any NFQ qualification, from level 1, for even a small number of hours per week.
317. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide the latest assessment of needs waiting list figures, by region and nationally. [64025/25]
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.
318. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in CDNT 11 (south Kildare and west Wicklow) waiting over one year for engagement with children's disability network team, CDNT; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64026/25]
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.
319. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current staff vacancy rate for the west Wicklow and Kildare south children's disability network teams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64078/25]
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.
320. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding or supports available to enable a resource centre (details supplied) to secure a permanent building; if she will consider prioritising funding for centres that currently operate in temporary or rented premises to improve stability and service delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64111/25]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that neither this Department nor Tusla currently have capital funding to support the building of new or refurbishment or extension of existing Family Resource Centres. Tusla does not have a dedicated budget for capital or building works for third party organisations such as Family Resource Centres.
The Family Resource Centre Programme is a community development programme that is financially supported by many State agencies in a partnership approach. Centres may draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources.
In relation to any immediate or urgent requirements, I would suggest that the local County or City Council be considered as a starting point in the context of any capital funding requests.
321. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current locations under consideration for a pilot public childcare scheme to begin in 2026; the number of childcare places that may become available at these locations; an exact timeframe when these pilot schemes will be up and running; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64129/25]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.
The total capital allocation for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality under the revised National Development Plan for the period 2026-30 is €795 million. As announced in the context of Budget 2026, €36 million of this 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 and investment in expansion of existing early learning and childcare operators through the Building Blocks scheme as well as other quality initiatives.
The focus in the State-led services will be on services to meet demand for affordable, accessible, high quality early learning and childcare that is not otherwise being delivered, including on full day provision particularly for younger children. Up to eight new services will be acquired over the course of 2026 resulting in approximately 700 new places being delivered.
Preparatory work for this programme of capital investment is underway, with the multi-year programme planned to commence from 2026 onwards. As such, no decisions on prioritisation or selection of certain locations have yet been made.
As the locations of the planned childcare facilities have not yet been selected, it not yet possible to provide a precise estimate of the number of places that will be created upon delivery of the facilities, or of the time estimates for delivery. The number of places provided at each facility, and the time that they will be available from, will vary depending on a number of site-specific factors.
322. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria for selecting locations for the forthcoming public childcare pilot scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64130/25]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.
The total capital allocation for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality under the revised National Development Plan for the period 2026-30 is €795 million. As announced in the context of Budget 2026, €36 million of this 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 and investment in expansion of existing early learning and childcare operators through the Building Blocks scheme as well as investment in other quality initiatives.
The development of a forward planning model is currently underway using the expertise of statisticians on secondment from the Central Statistics Office and other specialists. The model seeks to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level. An extensive data analysis and cleaning exercise is currently being undertaken to map available publicly subsidised supply. This involves combining data from multiple administrative sources, including child population data, using GIS (Geographical Information System) mapping tools.
The analysis of the forward planning model will provide a key input into the approach to the multi-year capital programme to be resourced through the allocation in the revised National Development Plan 2026-2030. It will be one of a number of factors considered when selecting and prioritising projects.
Other factors will reflect the policy goals of the Department to support a quality, inclusive and accessible early learning and childcare system and to ensure value for money.
323. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of money allocated to the building blocks childcare scheme; the locations and amount allocated to each location over the past two years; the number of childcare places provided by this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64131/25]
View answerThe Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched in late 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January 2025. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received with 50 applicants approved to progress to the next stage of the grant process as outlined in an announcement in May available here:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/press-releases/minister-foley-announces-25-million-in-funding-to-deliver-1500-additional-early-learning-and-childcare-places/.
Following approval, applicants were required to finalise the legal formalities of the scheme. This remains ongoing for some projects and other projects are now commencing. It is expected that the scheme will deliver up to 1,500 full time early learning childcare places across the country coming on stream from 2026.
The Building Blocks Expansion Grant Scheme operated in 2024. Some €1.362 million was allocated across 13 counties, broken down by the below table. This grant funding allowed for a combined capacity increase of 290 full time early learning childcare places.
|
Location |
Amount Allocated (€) |
Capacity Increase |
|
Co. Cork |
25,008 |
6 |
|
Co. Clare |
99,998 |
6 |
|
Co. Donegal |
144,239 |
35 |
|
Co. Dublin |
308,750 |
79 |
|
Co. Kerry |
29,432 |
11 |
|
Co. Louth |
99,915 |
10 |
|
Co. Limerick |
201,018 |
36 |
|
Co. Laois |
84,776 |
13 |
|
Co. Offaly |
98,500 |
22 |
|
Co. Cavan |
82,897 |
28 |
|
Co. Meath |
88,972 |
18 |
|
Co. Galway |
48,816 |
15 |
|
Co. Kilkenny |
49,984 |
11 |
|
|
1,362,305 |
290 |
As part of the NDP review, the allocation for this Department has increased to €795 million over the next five years. This increased funding will be used in part to provide additional early learning and childcare places through future capital programmes, including operating a further scheme similar to Building Blocks to support the expansion of provision by existing operators, as well as implementing Government's commitment to capital investment in State-led early learning and childcare facilities.
Officials in the Department are currently examining options and detailed specifications for future Building Blocks schemes, and I expect to announce details in early 2026.
324. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if daycare and pre-school service providers who give notices of closure to Tusla and Pobal could still be registered and still receive their AIMS support payments (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64140/25]
View answerIn line with the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations, 2016, all registered providers are required to notify Tusla in writing of the closure of a service not later than 28 days after the closure takes place. There is no requirement to notify Tusla in advance of a service closure. Where a service does notify Tusla in advance, they will remain on the register until the date of closure.
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. The goal of AIM is to empower Early Learning and Care (ELC) providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of high-quality early learning and care through universal and targeted supports.
AIM funding is provided up to the child’s ECCE leaver date or the last day on which the support was delivered. AIM Standard funding is contingent on ECCE registrations, while AIM Plus and non-term applications have an additional dependency to confirmed NCS claims. Where an application continues to meet the programme requirements and the ECCE end date aligns with the last date of service, AIM funding should remain in place.
325. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the scope of the new round of the building blocks grant 2026 fund; if the funding will include new builds; if the funding will allow for the purchase and renovation of an existing property for conversion into a preschool and-or childcare facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64168/25]
View answerThe Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched in late 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January 2025. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received with 50 applicants approved to progress to the next stage of the grant process. Following approval, applicants were required to finalise the legal formalities of the scheme and projects are now commencing.
As part of the NDP review, the allocation for this Department has increased to €795 million over the next five years. This increased funding will be used in part to provide additional early learning and childcare places through future capital programmes, including operating a further scheme similar to Building Blocks to support the expansion of provision by existing operators, as well as implementing this Department's commitment to capital investment in State-led early learning and childcare facilities.
Officials in the Department are currently examining options and detailed specifications for future Building Blocks schemes, and I expect to announce details in early 2026.
