Written Answers Nos. 1944-1963
1944. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently awaiting accommodation in secure care units pursuant to court orders; the arrangements which have been made for these children in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74951/25]
View answerSpecial care units are secure, residential facilities for children in care aged between 11 and 17 years. They are detained under a High Court care order for a short-term period of stabilisation when their behaviour poses a real and substantial risk of harm to their life, health, safety, development or welfare. In line with Article 37 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, such detention, which deprives a child of their liberty, is used only as a measure of last resort. The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) has statutory responsibility for the operation of Special Care in Ireland, and for the provision of Special Care beds.
As of 9 January 2026, there are five young people currently subject to a Special Care Order (in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991) who are awaiting placement in a Special Care Unit.
Officials in the Department have been advised by Tusla that young people awaiting a Special Care Order are already in Tusla’s care, either through a voluntary arrangement with parents or under an Interim or Full Care Order. They are subject to robust care planning and review processes, typically involving family members, an allocated Tusla social worker, a representative from Tusla’s Assessment, Consultation and Therapeutic Service (ACTS), the appointed Guardian ad Litem, and other relevant professionals . The care planning and review process continues whilst a child is in care and receives increased focus at times of high risk especially whilst a child is subject to a Special Care Order and awaiting a place in a Special Care facility. Safety planning for these young people is in place within individual regions and is subject to regular updates.
€26m has been allocated to special care in Budget 2026, an increase of over €6m on Budget 2025. This investment will facilitate an increase in capacity and enhanced provision by providing funding for new special care staff grades, staff well-being initiatives and additional therapeutic supports. It includes €1.3m to provide an enhanced multi-disciplinary therapeutic service to children on the edge of special care, in special care, and transitioning from a special care environment.
Officials in the Department and Tusla are fully aware of the significant challenges facing special care services. The primary limiting factor in relation to the availability of special care beds is the availability of adequate numbers of staff in Special Care Units.
Following extensive engagements between officials in the Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation a new grade and pay scale for Special Care has been sanctioned in an effort to increase staff numbers. The new grade provides additional opportunities and a higher career salary scale for both Social Care Workers and Social Care Leaders. As of September 2025, this new Tusla Special Care Worker grade offers approximately 20% higher pay at top-of-scale compared to the Social Care Worker grade.
While the overall operation of Special Care and the provision of Special Care beds is the statutory responsibility of Tusla, officials from the Department continue to actively engage with Tusla in relation to the issues impacting on Special Care and will continue to provide additional support to Tusla to address the current challenges.
1945. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of adoptions, both domestic and international, that have taken place in the State in each of the past 30 years, by year; the level of Exchequer funding allocated to the Adoption Authority of Ireland / adoption services in each of the past 30 years, by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74958/25]
View answerDepartment officials can provide statistics for both Domestic and Intercountry Adoptions for the full 30-year period as requested. Please see below.
|
Year |
Number of Domestic Adoptions completed |
Number of Intercountry Adoptions completed |
|
1995 |
490 |
86 |
|
1996 |
405 |
100 |
|
1997 |
422 |
139 |
|
1998 |
400 |
252 |
|
1999 |
317 |
284 |
|
2000 |
303 |
218 |
|
2001 |
293 |
163 |
|
2002 |
266 |
336 |
|
2003 |
263 |
341 |
|
2004 |
273 |
375 |
|
2005 |
253 |
338 |
|
2006 |
222 |
298 |
|
2007 |
187 |
374 |
|
2008 |
200 |
397 |
|
2009 |
190 |
307 |
|
2010 |
189 |
200 |
|
2011 |
39 |
188 |
|
2012 |
49 |
117 |
|
2013 |
116 |
72 |
|
2014 |
112 |
32 |
|
2015 |
94 |
83 |
|
2016 |
95 |
55 |
|
2017 |
72 |
53 |
|
2018 |
72 |
41 |
|
2019 |
79 |
33 |
|
2020 |
81 |
21 |
|
2021 |
101 |
16 |
|
2022 |
102 |
18 |
|
2023 |
90 |
25 |
|
2024 |
131 |
17 |
|
2025 |
101 |
15 |
In relation to Exchequer funding allocations, Department officials have complied data from 2015 to 2025, based on the information that is readily available. Please see below.
|
Year |
Budget in Euro (€) |
|
2025 |
8,747,000 |
|
2024 |
8,581,000 |
|
2023 |
7,372,000 |
|
2022 |
7,557,000 |
|
2021 |
5,626,000 |
|
2020 |
5,628,000 |
|
2019 |
4,462,000 |
|
2018 |
4,392,000 |
|
2017 |
3,800,000 |
|
2016 |
3,400,000 |
|
2015 |
2,885,000 |
The Department does not hold the relevant financial records for the full 30-year period requested by the Deputy, due to the evolution of departments and transfers of functions over the years. The financial records for the period from 1996 to 2014 are archived, most likely as Department of Health records and stored in the National Archives. Retrieving and collating this historical financial data would take significant time and resources.
It would be helpful if the Deputy could confirm whether or not the information collated to date is sufficient for his purposes.
1946. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason budget 2026 prioritises long-term structural investment in disability services over immediate income supports, despite evidence that disabled people face the highest poverty rates in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75013/25]
View answer1947. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her response to concerns from disability organisations that the €600 million increase in disability service funding will not benefit the majority of disabled people, who rely on income supports rather than HSE-delivered services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75016/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1946 and 1947 together.
Budget 2026 is the first budget year of the five-year Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland's Future. It includes a significant increase in funding for HSE Specialist Disability Services of €628m. It is important to note that this is just one aspect of the broader budget. The programme for government aims to improve the services, lives and opportunities of disabled people. This programme, in conjunction with the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, will form the basis of the Government's work towards this goal.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality, through the HSE, provides funding support to statutory and voluntary organisations who provide specialist community-based disability services, across the country to those with complex needs. The range of disability services include residential placements, respite, home support, personal assistance, day services and multi-disciplinary therapies which are largely associated with children's services. It is important to note that the majority of people with disabilities have their needs met through mainstream services across a range of Government departments and agencies.
The Department has been allocated an increase of €628 million on the budget 2025 allocation bringing 2026's allocation to a historic €3.9 billion. This increase is a direct response to historic underfunding within the sector, increased service provision costs and increased service demand which is reflected in feedback from key stakeholders. These cost pressures have resulted in multiple supplementary estimates in recent years including €194 million in 2022, €112 million in 2023, €162 million in 2024 and €267 million in 2025.
The key focus in 2026 is on ensuring the budget meets the real cost of service, ensuring a stable base upon which to plan and expand services now and into the future. The financial pressures and instability experienced by the sector and by service providers must be addressed. The aim is to provide stability for a sector which has seen significant cost increases in recent years on top of a rising demand for services. Funding will also be provided to expand services in 2026 in residential care, respite, personal assistance and home support hours. The full breakdown of funding and service allocations are available in the HSE's recently published National Service Plan 2026.
While this Department primarily manages HSE Specialist Disability Services support and provision, my officials have reached out to the Department of Social Protection regarding the changes to social protection measures included in budget 2026 which are relevant to disabled people. They have provided the below update:
Budget 2026, provided for a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures. These measures, which include supports for people with disabilities are set out below:
• A €10 increase in the weekly rates of payment, bringing the personal rates of payment to €254 per week from this month.
• A Christmas bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment, paid in December 2025.
• The highest ever increases in the Child Support Payment – an increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 or over, and of €8 to €58 for children under 12 from this month.
• A €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance, bring it to €38 per week from this month.
• People moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work will be able to retain their Fuel Allowance payment for five years.
• People getting Disability Allowance or Blind Pension who have children will be eligible for Back to Work Family Dividend when taking up employment and moving off those payments.
• Expansion of the Wage Subsidy Scheme to people who acquire a disability while in employment and to those who transfer from Invalidity Pension to Partial Capacity Benefit, and increasing the rates paid from April.
• €20 increase in the monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance payment bringing the monthly payment to €380 from this month.
These measures clearly demonstrate the Government’s commitment to support disabled people by introducing permanent changes rather than relying on once-off measures.
I trust this information is of use and I would like to thank the staff and volunteers in all service providers for the key work they do in improving people's lives.
1948. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the expected timeline for the delivery of the additional disability services funded in Budget 2026, including residential places, respite, day services and assessments of need; her views on whether these timelines leave disabled people worse off in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75017/25]
View answerA total of €3.8 billion has been allocated for Specialist Disability Services in Budget 2026, representing a €618 million or 20% increase year on year.
Of this additional €618 million, €468 million is provided to maintain existing levels of service, a significant provision which recognises the challenges prevailing in the sector including the increased cost of service provision, increasing demand, pay cost pressures and service provider sustainability. It will also provide for the full year cost of new service activity in 2025.
A further €150 million is allocated to build on the service expansion achieved in 2025. This will deliver the following impacts for people with a disability:
• Support over 9,000 people in need of a residential response including an additional 250 placements and supports in 2026.
• Deliver 1,400 Day Service places for a further cohort of young people who will leave school in 2026 and a further 50 places for older adults.
• Enable the procurement of around 6,500 private assessments of need for long waiting families.
• Enable people to live independently in their own homes through the provision of over 150,000 home support hours and personal assistance hours.
• Provide in the region of 10,000 overnight and 15,000 day respite sessions. Alternative respite packages will also be provided
The specific quantities of service to be provided through this additional allocation is set out in more detail in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026.
2026 will also see continued strong recruitment of in the region of 1,000 staff in line with trends in 2025. In addition, there will be investment in pay and pay related costs like those associated with recent pay deals to retain the existing disability workforce and attract new people into the sector. Funding is provided to meet the costs of the pay deal agreed with workers in section 39 funded services in the voluntary sector.
Finally, the capital allocation for Disability Services will increase by €16 million (from €27 million in 2025 to €43 million in 2026) supporting infrastructure development across respite, day services, children’s services and residential services (including decongregation) in line with the raised National Development Plan funding ceilings.
As the projected timeline for service delivery is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1949. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has met with an organisation (details supplied) and other advocacy groups regarding their concerns that Budget 2026 represents a “devastating setback” for disabled people; and what actions she intends to take in response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75018/25]
View answerThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality, through the HSE, provides funding support to statutory and voluntary organisations who provide specialist community-based disability services across the country to those with complex needs. The range of disability services include residential placements, respite, home support, personal assistance, day services and multi-disciplinary therapies which are largely associated with children's services. It is important to note that the majority of people with disabilities have their needs met through mainstream services across a range of Government departments and agencies.
In relation to the services coming under the remit of this Department, in 2026, the Department will provide an overall allocation of €3.9 billion to the HSE (an increase of €628m or almost 20% over 2025). This is the largest single year increase in funding allocated to Specialist Disability Services. It follows significant year on year increases in recent years and an overall increase of €1.85bn or 91% since 2020.
This 2026 increase is in response to historic underfunding and increased costs combined with increased demand in the sector leading to multiple supplementary estimates (e.g. €194m in 2022, €112m in 2023, €162m in 2024 and €267m in 2025).
A key focus in 2026 will be on ensuring the budget meets the real cost of service, ensuring a stable base upon which to plan and expand services now and into the future. The aim is to provide stability for a sector which has seen significant cost increases in recent years on top of a rising demand for services. Funding will also be provided to expand services in 2026 in residential care, respite, personal assistance and home support hours. The full breakdown of funding and service allocations are available in the HSE's recently published National Service Plan 2026.
While this Department does not administer social protection measures related to disabilities, my officials have liaised with colleagues within the Department of Social Protection for an update, included below.
Budget 2026, provided for a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures. These measures, which include supports for people with disabilities are set out below:
• A €10 increase in the weekly rates of payment, bringing the personal rates of payment to €254 per week from this month.
• A Christmas bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment, paid in December 2025.
• The highest ever increases in the Child Support Payment – an increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 or over, and of €8 to €58 for children under 12 from this month.
• A €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance, bring it to €38 per week from this month.
• People moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work will be able to retain their Fuel Allowance payment for five years.
• People getting Disability Allowance or Blind Pension who have children will be eligible for Back to Work Family Dividend when taking up employment and moving off those payments.
• Expansion of the Wage Subsidy Scheme to people who acquire a disability while in employment and to those who transfer from Invalidity Pension to Partial Capacity Benefit, and increasing the rates paid from April.
• €20 increase in the monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance payment bringing the monthly payment to €380 from this month.
These measures above clearly demonstrate the Government's commitment to supporting disabled people by introducing permanent changes rather than relying on once-off measures.
Lastly, the Department continues to work with key stakeholders to identify, assess and address constraints; to create a more effective, and sustainable disability sector. As part of its ongoing engagement with sectoral stakeholders, the Department held a pre-budget stakeholder forum in May of 2025 in order to help inform budget decisions. It also met with the Disability Stakeholder Strategic Advisory Group in the days following the Budget to provide a detailed brief on the budget allocation in relation to the supports and services funded through this Department. These engagements included representation from the named organisation, whose work in the sector is valued and appreciated.
I trust this information is of use and I would like to thank the staff and volunteers in all service providers for the key work they do in improving people's lives.
1950. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the process by which books are selected for inclusion in the My Little Library initiative; if there is a formal mechanism for Irish authors or publishers to submit titles for consideration; the way such information is communicated publicly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75019/25]
View answerEach year, every child finishing pre-school and starting primary school is invited to visit their local library to pick up a free book bag and take the opportunity to join the library as part of the My Little Library Initiative funded by my Department.
This initiative is a collaboration with Libraries Ireland through the Local Government Management Agency and the Department of Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. The book selection is made by the National Book Selection Committee within Libraries Ireland. This group is made up of senior librarians, suitably qualified for this role.
Books are selected in English and Irish on the themes of friendship and starting school. Care is taken to select Irish authors where books are available through Irish publishers.
1951. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if it has been brought to her attention that two brothers suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (details supplied) have had to share carers over the past year; the measures she will take to ensure they are receiving adequate care and support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75020/25]
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.
1953. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of ELC services in each county division; the number of SAC services in each county division for 2023/2024 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75040/25]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to Tusla for a direct reply.
1954. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review the joint protocol between the HSE and Tusla to ensure that children and young adults leaving care, particularly those with complex needs such as foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, are prioritised for housing and support services; if she will address the situation where local authorities do not prioritise care leavers for housing, leaving vulnerable individuals homeless; and the measures that will be introduced to guarantee that care leavers with lifelong support needs are provided with sustainable housing and wraparound supports. [75046/25]
View answerUpon reaching the age of 18, a young person is deemed to have left State care. All eligible care leavers are supported through aftercare services provided by Tusla. The Child Care Act 1991, as amended, sets out the basis by which Tusla may provide assistance to a care leave, including the development of an aftercare plan.
Aftercare services are provided to eligible care leavers from 18 years up to 21 years. This can be extended until the completion of a course of education in which the young person is engaged, up until the age of 23 years. Aftercare drop-in services are available to all care leavers.
The Child Care Act sets out that the aftercare assessment of need will include the young person’s needs in relation to accommodation. The primary responsibility for housing in respect of care leavers however lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and local authorities.
Care-leavers who are at risk of homeless are assisted by the Child and Family Agency, in partnership with other Government Departments or agencies. Since 2017, care-leavers have also been included as a separate category for funding under the Department of Housing’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). This scheme provides targeted assistance to the most vulnerable care leavers by enabling Approved Housing Bodies to acquire residential units to accommodate them.
Additionally, the Youth Homelessness Strategy, which launched in 2022, adopted a whole-of-Government approach, identifying care-leavers as a cohort who are particularly at risk of becoming homeless, and setting out specific actions for identified vulnerable cohorts.
Following successful engagement between officials in this Department and the Department of Housing, the Protocol on Young People Leaving Care was revised and published last year. The revised Protocol ensures consistent housing and support for young people leaving State care. The Protocol also outlines clearly defined procedures for Housing Authorities and Tusla in managing the assessment of these young people and their housing needs.
In respect of those young people in the care of the State with a complex disability, the Joint Protocol for Interagency Collaboration Between the Health Service Executive and Tusla – Child and Family Agency to Promote the Best Interests of Children and Families (2020) outlines how the HSE and Tusla will work together to provide a person centred pathway to meet the needs of these children.
I have been informed that the current iteration of the Joint Protocol is presently under review by both the HSE and Tusla and that this review is nearing completion. I have been advised that as part of this review, placement continuity and stability, when a young person with a complex disability ages out of care is being considered.
I can further advise that range of measures available to support those leaving care is also being considered within the context of the National Policy Framework on Alternative Care, which is currently under development.
1955. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the vacant childcare places in ELC and SAC services for the years 2020- 2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2024-2025; and the overall national average from 2020 to 2025, by county, in tabular form. [75082/25]
View answerEach year Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Annual Early Years Sector Profile (AEYSP). While ELC and SAC offerings vary across service providers and the allocation of ELC or SAC places is flexible, the published capacity data provides an estimate of the number of children enrolled in ELC and SAC and the percentage of services with at least one vacant place at a given time. This information is provided by county for the programme years 2020 – 2025.
In the tables below, ELC* refers to all children aged zero to four years and non-school going children aged between four and six years. SAC** refers to school going children aged between four and six years and all children over six years of age. ***The number of enrolments during 2020/21 were impacted considerably by Covid-related restrictions.
2020/2021 ***
|
County division |
ELC Estimated enrolments |
% of ELC services with at least one vacant place |
SAC Estimated enrolments |
% of SAC services with at least one vacant place |
|
Carlow |
1,645 |
45% |
665 |
35% |
|
Cavan |
2,572 |
64% |
967 |
46% |
|
Clare |
3,331 |
48% |
871 |
45% |
|
Cork City |
3,215 |
63% |
612 |
74% |
|
Cork County |
12,015 |
50% |
3,099 |
52% |
|
Donegal |
4,916 |
53% |
1,658 |
43% |
|
Dublin - Dublin City |
13,611 |
44% |
3,463 |
46% |
|
Dublin - Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
6,703 |
34% |
2,153 |
51% |
|
Dublin - Fingal |
9,847 |
45% |
3,076 |
56% |
|
Dublin - South Dublin |
7,947 |
42% |
2,339 |
57% |
|
Galway |
7,897 |
56% |
3,957 |
54% |
|
Kerry |
3,857 |
62% |
1,449 |
49% |
|
Kildare |
6,312 |
49% |
2,145 |
46% |
|
Kilkenny |
2,920 |
58% |
908 |
68% |
|
Laois |
2,509 |
57% |
1,423 |
52% |
|
Leitrim |
933 |
41% |
660 |
73% |
|
Limerick |
5,613 |
52% |
1,993 |
61% |
|
Longford |
1,334 |
60% |
380 |
44% |
|
Louth |
3,361 |
45% |
1,136 |
47% |
|
Mayo |
3,145 |
60% |
1,106 |
63% |
|
Meath |
6,303 |
46% |
1,459 |
51% |
|
Monaghan |
2,090 |
43% |
1,389 |
40% |
|
Offaly |
2,053 |
60% |
428 |
47% |
|
Roscommon |
1,770 |
54% |
650 |
58% |
|
Sligo |
2,087 |
34% |
874 |
48% |
|
Tipperary |
4,997 |
57% |
2,063 |
43% |
|
Waterford |
3,368 |
48% |
1,204 |
51% |
|
Westmeath |
2,734 |
57% |
708 |
75% |
|
Wexford |
4,494 |
52% |
1,184 |
50% |
|
Wicklow |
4,353 |
43% |
965 |
31% |
|
Total |
137,933 |
50% |
44,984 |
51% |
2021/2022
|
County division |
ELC Estimated enrolments |
% of ELC services with at least one vacant place |
SAC Estimated enrolments |
% of SAC services with at least one vacant place |
|
Carlow |
1,663 |
41% |
853 |
26% |
|
Cavan |
2,723 |
50% |
1,231 |
39% |
|
Clare |
3,710 |
55% |
1,013 |
39% |
|
Cork City |
5,869 |
56% |
1,261 |
40% |
|
Cork County |
10,351 |
56% |
3,386 |
48% |
|
Donegal |
5,150 |
63% |
2,160 |
48% |
|
Dublin - Dublin City |
14,127 |
50% |
3,441 |
46% |
|
Dublin - Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
6,871 |
39% |
1,627 |
33% |
|
Dublin - Fingal |
9,878 |
44% |
2,996 |
41% |
|
Dublin - South Dublin |
8,091 |
39% |
2,436 |
30% |
|
Galway |
8,771 |
54% |
4,276 |
43% |
|
Kerry |
4,274 |
55% |
1,681 |
45% |
|
Kildare |
7,076 |
48% |
2,483 |
35% |
|
Kilkenny |
3,108 |
49% |
1,089 |
41% |
|
Laois |
2,988 |
53% |
1,334 |
48% |
|
Leitrim |
914 |
61% |
629 |
67% |
|
Limerick |
6,067 |
54% |
2,458 |
41% |
|
Longford |
1,331 |
54% |
424 |
44% |
|
Louth |
3,725 |
47% |
1,234 |
54% |
|
Mayo |
3,478 |
56% |
1,456 |
56% |
|
Meath |
6,372 |
49% |
2,018 |
34% |
|
Monaghan |
2,441 |
57% |
1,408 |
33% |
|
Offaly |
2,137 |
55% |
538 |
53% |
|
Roscommon |
1,740 |
55% |
801 |
46% |
|
Sligo |
2,197 |
45% |
1,270 |
36% |
|
Tipperary |
5,459 |
55% |
2,250 |
35% |
|
Waterford |
3,458 |
61% |
1,276 |
51% |
|
Westmeath |
3,353 |
64% |
989 |
61% |
|
Wexford |
4,703 |
48% |
1,225 |
45% |
|
Wicklow |
4,312 |
44% |
1,601 |
40% |
|
Total |
146,337 |
51% |
50,844 |
43% |
2022/2023
|
County division |
ELC Estimated enrolments |
% of ELC services with at least one vacant place |
SAC Estimated enrolments |
% of SAC services with at least one vacant place |
|
Carlow |
1,607 |
32% |
826 |
24% |
|
Cavan |
2,655 |
40% |
1,466 |
24% |
|
Clare |
3,733 |
46% |
1,121 |
40% |
|
Cork City |
5,856 |
48% |
1,913 |
49% |
|
Cork County |
10,279 |
43% |
4,019 |
47% |
|
Donegal |
5,573 |
52% |
2,636 |
47% |
|
Dublin - Dublin City |
14,538 |
47% |
5,274 |
36% |
|
Dublin - Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
6,757 |
39% |
2,895 |
32% |
|
Dublin - Fingal |
9,784 |
39% |
3,768 |
29% |
|
Dublin - South Dublin |
8,519 |
36% |
3,051 |
38% |
|
Galway |
8,756 |
46% |
5,332 |
38% |
|
Kerry |
4,427 |
54% |
2,225 |
31% |
|
Kildare |
7,346 |
42% |
3,036 |
27% |
|
Kilkenny |
3,073 |
46% |
1,386 |
50% |
|
Laois |
2,961 |
48% |
1,655 |
36% |
|
Leitrim |
1,024 |
50% |
658 |
39% |
|
Limerick |
6,102 |
48% |
3,068 |
40% |
|
Longford |
1,382 |
41% |
551 |
27% |
|
Louth |
3,781 |
32% |
1,497 |
30% |
|
Mayo |
3,539 |
47% |
1,827 |
47% |
|
Meath |
6,617 |
51% |
2,163 |
39% |
|
Monaghan |
2,670 |
48% |
1,653 |
22% |
|
Offaly |
2,195 |
54% |
614 |
45% |
|
Roscommon |
1,843 |
52% |
968 |
35% |
|
Sligo |
2,277 |
38% |
1,293 |
30% |
|
Tipperary |
5,376 |
54% |
2,597 |
36% |
|
Waterford |
3,592 |
46% |
1,664 |
23% |
|
Westmeath |
3,357 |
51% |
1,257 |
34% |
|
Wexford |
4,770 |
41% |
2,075 |
32% |
|
Wicklow |
4,606 |
53% |
1,668 |
38% |
|
Total |
148,995 |
45% |
64,156 |
37% |
2023/2024
|
County division |
ELC Estimated enrolments |
% of ELC services with at least one vacant place |
SAC Estimated enrolments |
% of SAC services with at least one vacant place |
|
Carlow |
1,711 |
42% |
1,019 |
32% |
|
Cavan |
2,825 |
31% |
1,678 |
27% |
|
Clare |
3,674 |
42% |
1,654 |
21% |
|
Cork City |
5,854 |
36% |
3,317 |
48% |
|
Cork County |
10,908 |
38% |
6,754 |
42% |
|
Donegal |
6,041 |
42% |
2,872 |
36% |
|
Dublin - Dublin City |
14,856 |
33% |
6,214 |
35% |
|
Dublin - Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
6,956 |
28% |
3,139 |
19% |
|
Dublin - Fingal |
10,801 |
32% |
3,933 |
25% |
|
Dublin - South Dublin |
8,604 |
23% |
3,894 |
29% |
|
Galway |
9,281 |
42% |
6,159 |
28% |
|
Kerry |
4,523 |
53% |
3,062 |
26% |
|
Kildare |
8,271 |
41% |
3,363 |
18% |
|
Kilkenny |
3,129 |
39% |
1,488 |
23% |
|
Laois |
3,117 |
38% |
1,768 |
38% |
|
Leitrim |
992 |
45% |
944 |
48% |
|
Limerick |
6,296 |
43% |
3,867 |
31% |
|
Longford |
1,402 |
32% |
724 |
24% |
|
Louth |
4,007 |
22% |
1,728 |
22% |
|
Mayo |
3,754 |
47% |
2,208 |
31% |
|
Meath |
6,826 |
44% |
2,535 |
37% |
|
Monaghan |
2,708 |
23% |
2,008 |
16% |
|
Offaly |
2,197 |
47% |
835 |
36% |
|
Roscommon |
1,951 |
36% |
1,077 |
36% |
|
Sligo |
2,289 |
37% |
1,668 |
27% |
|
Tipperary |
5,463 |
51% |
3,737 |
37% |
|
Waterford |
3,487 |
41% |
1,914 |
24% |
|
Westmeath |
3,398 |
37% |
1,604 |
24% |
|
Wexford |
5,159 |
32% |
2,268 |
20% |
|
Wicklow |
4,934 |
37% |
1,752 |
38% |
|
Total |
155,414 |
38% |
79,183 |
30% |
2024/2025
|
County division |
ELC Estimated enrolments |
% of ELC services with at least one vacant place |
SAC Estimated enrolments |
% of SAC services with at least one vacant place |
|
Carlow |
1,713 |
41% |
1,126 |
13% |
|
Cavan |
2,845 |
25% |
1,972 |
29% |
|
Clare |
3,474 |
41% |
2,359 |
30% |
|
Cork City |
5,805 |
37% |
2,808 |
37% |
|
Cork County |
11,033 |
39% |
5,991 |
38% |
|
Donegal |
5,886 |
44% |
3,321 |
41% |
|
Dublin - Dublin City |
15,692 |
34% |
6,797 |
32% |
|
Dublin - Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
7,097 |
26% |
3,587 |
37% |
|
Dublin - Fingal |
10,777 |
33% |
4,674 |
24% |
|
Dublin - South Dublin |
9,026 |
25% |
4,250 |
36% |
|
Galway |
8,836 |
43% |
7,880 |
28% |
|
Kerry |
4,558 |
47% |
3,488 |
27% |
|
Kildare |
8,345 |
38% |
3,742 |
27% |
|
Kilkenny |
3,242 |
24% |
1,634 |
21% |
|
Laois |
3,375 |
30% |
1,836 |
24% |
|
Leitrim |
982 |
50% |
1,101 |
32% |
|
Limerick |
6,214 |
44% |
4,792 |
28% |
|
Longford |
1,309 |
38% |
822 |
36% |
|
Louth |
4,024 |
31% |
1,793 |
27% |
|
Mayo |
3,738 |
47% |
2,714 |
30% |
|
Meath |
7,207 |
38% |
3,570 |
37% |
|
Monaghan |
2,570 |
24% |
2,224 |
8% |
|
Offaly |
2,192 |
41% |
929 |
41% |
|
Roscommon |
1,851 |
40% |
1,428 |
35% |
|
Sligo |
2,429 |
35% |
1,754 |
25% |
|
Tipperary |
5,350 |
46% |
4,856 |
28% |
|
Waterford |
3,585 |
33% |
2,047 |
18% |
|
Westmeath |
3,486 |
37% |
1,699 |
21% |
|
Wexford |
5,267 |
27% |
2,939 |
28% |
|
Wicklow |
5,184 |
46% |
1,784 |
42% |
|
Total |
157,092 |
37% |
89,917 |
30% |
Further information can be found on the Early Learning and Childcare data website. The Capacity Section of the website provides information on the number of children enrolled, services with vacant places, and services with a waiting list.
1956. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of projects in her Department that were delayed in 2023 and 2024 due to the change of document from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75103/25]
View answerThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
1957. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average national childcare fee in 2025 encompassing the NCS subsidy and parent contribution. [75124/25]
View answerEach year Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Annual Early Years Sector Profile (AEYSP). As part of the AEYSP survey, service providers are asked to indicate the fee charged for each care type before deductions for subsidies are applied. As the distribution of fees is skewed, with most data points having low values and a few very high values influencing the mean, the median value is reported below as it is considered more representative of the mid-point of the data.
The most recently published fee data for the 2024/25 programme year indicates that the average (median) weekly fee per child was €200.00 for full day care ELC. The average weekly fee for part time ELC was €114.50 and for sessional ELC the average stood at €75.00.
This data also indicates that the average (median) hourly fee for in term school age care was €5.00, while the weekly fee per child for out of term school age care was €175.00.
The fee data are available at www.pobal.ie/childcare/fees. Data collection for the 2024/25 survey took place between 06 May and 03 June 2025. In total, 4,225 services completed the survey during the data collection window, with a response rate of 87%.
This Department provides subsidies to offset childcare fees charged to parents, as well as two free years of preschool to all eligible children through the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides universal and income-assessed subsidies to help parents to meet the cost of early learning and childcare. All families can receive a universal subsidy, but higher subsides are provided to families with the lowest levels of income through the income-assessed subsidy.
The NCS has undergone a number of enhancements in recent years, including the extension of the upper age eligibility for the Universal subsidy from 3 years of age to 15 years of age in August 2022. There have also been two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy rate, from €0.50 to €1.40 in January 2023 followed by a further increase in September 2024 to the current rate of €2.14.
Additionally, in 2026 the income-assessed thresholds and multiple child discount for the NCS will increase, improving the affordability of childcare for up to 47,000 children from lower income families. This investment will support lower income households to access higher subsidies to offset the cost of early learning and childcare.
Through increasing the NCS Income-Assessed thresholds, families whose reckonable income falls within the new thresholds will receive a higher subsidy, as they will move to a higher income-assessed rate, according to their individual circumstances. Increasing the Multiple Child Discount will further reduce the reckonable income for families with 2 or more children, allowing them to receive a higher subsidy, thereby reducing the cumulative burden of cost.
Most families currently receiving an income-assessed subsidy will see an increase in their rate, due to these changes. This investment will also support additional families to move from their existing universal rate to an income-assessed subsidy.
1958. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the payment to early years provider by the State in respect of a sponsored child. [75125/25]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) sponsorship arrangement allows designated bodies to refer children for free access to early learning and childcare on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds.
As of September 2024, the hourly rates for NCS Sponsorship have been increased. Sponsored children now receive a rate of €5.30, or €5.87, depending on their age and educational stage. Rates according to age of child are outlined below:
|
Age of Child |
Hourly Rate |
|
24-52 Weeks |
€5.87 |
|
1-2 Years |
€5.30 |
|
3+ Years |
€5.30 |
|
School-Age |
€5.30 |
1959. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to account for the difference, if any, between the combined parent contribution and NCS relative the payment made in respect of a sponsored child. [75126/25]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) Sponsorship arrangement allows designated bodies to refer children to the Scheme where childcare is needed on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds.
Where a referral is made by a Sponsor body, the family will automatically qualify for a subsidy without having to satisfy the Scheme’s eligibility, income or enhanced hours requirements. Sponsorship rates are fixed depending on the age and educational stage of the child – see below:
|
Age of Child |
Hourly Rate |
|
24-52 Weeks |
€5.87 |
|
1-2 Years |
€5.30 |
|
3+ Years |
€5.30 |
|
School-Age |
€5.30 |
Unlike universal or income-assessed awards, families referred for Sponsorship do not pay a contribution and cannot be charged any fee towards the cost of childcare. Similarly, there can be no charge or payment for optional extras, meals, transport, registration fees etc.
The parent contribution, known as the co-payment, is the amount that families contribute towards the cost of their childcare.
Generally, NCS subsidies are awarded on either a universal or income-assessed basis. For the latter, rates awarded will vary depending on the family’s individual circumstances, including the family’s level of reckonable income, the child’s age and their educational stage. In both cases, families will be given an hourly rate and will select a childcare provider based on their own needs. This childcare provider will have their own session types and fees. The co-payment paid by the parent will be the difference between the fee charged by the provider for the session type they are on, and their NCS award.
For example, Child A may attend an after-school for an hour Monday to Friday which charges €25 for those five hours care. Child A has an Income Assessed award that grants them the maximum rate for a school aged child of €4.35. Therefore, the co-payment amount the family will pay in relation to Child A is €3.25 a week. Child B, a two-year-old in full-time care, is in a creche place that charges €275 a week for 50 hours of care. Child B is on the universal rate and claims the maximum of 45 hours at €2.14. Child B’s co-payment amount would therefore be €178.70 a week.
It is between the parent and provider to agree on the hours of childcare based on the family's requirements and what sessions the provider can offer.
1960. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider legislation to allow people dealing with severe menstrual symptoms to apply for paid time-off without the need for a doctors note; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75154/25]
View answerThis Government is committed to supporting women in the workplace and recognises that menstruation can be a key health concern for some women.
The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was launched on 18 November 2025 and the first Action Plan to oversee monitoring and implementation is currently in development. The Strategy is a whole of Government roadmap to closing gender gaps, including in the workplace, in education and in healthcare.
As part of the first Action Plan, my Department will be commissioning research with a view to providing a range of advice to employers to better support employees suffering from severe menstrual symptoms or going through menopause. It will focus on understanding employees experiences of menstruation and menopause in the workplace and how symptoms limit their daily activities. It is planned that this study will begin later this year.
1961. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide details of the process to be undertaken in the new educational assessments (details supplied); the person or body which will be undertaking these educational assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75169/25]
View answerUnder the Disability Act, an Assessment of Need is an assessment process carried out by the HSE where a person is of the opinion that he/she may have a disability, for anyone born after 1st June 2002. It first establishes whether the person has a disability (as defined within the Act). It then identifies the health and education needs of the person with a disability and the services required to meet those needs.
On 9 December 2025, Government announced a series of reforms to the Assessment of Need process which will make the process more effective and efficient for children and families. These reforms include changes to Part 2 of the Disability Act, 2005, which provides for Assessments of Need. The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025 was approved by Government on 9 December 2025 and will be published on the Department’s website shortly.
These changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child, nor will they alter the statutory six-month timeline set out in the Disability Act.
As part of the Assessment of Need process, an education needs assessment can be requested for a person who has a disability. Section 8(3) of the Disability Act sets out that the National Council for Special Education must, at the request of the HSE, in writing nominate a person with appropriate expertise to assist in the carrying out of the assessment under this section. This process will remain unchanged under the proposed reforms to the Assessment of Need system.
It is important to note that the provision of an education needs assessment as part of the Assessment of Need process is entirely separate from the processes in place within the education system for the provision of specialist supports to children with special education needs.
While a diagnosis is currently required to access a special class or a special school, this does not have to be in the form of an Assessment of Need report. The Department of Education and Youth is developing a process intended to remove the need for a diagnosis to access specialist supports in the school system. This will remove the last remaining requirement for a diagnosis in the education system.
While the implementation of any reforms to the education system is a matter of the Department of Education and Youth, it is my understanding that Department will bring forward a proposal early in 2026 to agree a process which is intended to result in the removal of the requirement for professional reports, such as Assessment of Need reports, from entry requirements for special schools and special classes and the adoption of a needs-based approach, subject to the availability of necessary resources. There will be a comprehensive consultation process with the full range of education stakeholders and advocacy groups in respect of this proposed measure.
1962. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total spend by her Department on private for-profit companies for each of the years 2021 to 2025 ; and the breakdown of this spend on the different types of services being contracted. [75178/25]
View answerThe Department publishes quarterly reports of purchase orders over €20,000 in line with the Public Service Reform Plan 2011 commitment number 9.4 ("Every Purchase Order by a Government Department or Agency for €20,000 or over should be published online"). Reports on my Department's purchase orders over €20,000 - including for the period between Q1 2021 and Q3 2025 - are published quarterly here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/collections/department-of-children-equality-disability-integration-and-youth-purchase-orders-for-20000-or-above/
The Department’s quarterly reports are in line with current obligations and are based on a template commonly used by other civil service bodies. Information about the type of goods/service purchased in each case is provided within the template.
1963. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of residential placements being provided by for-profit companies for young people aged under 18, for each of the years 2021 to 2025; and the breakdown of the costs for each year (details supplied), in tabular form. [75179/25]
View answerAs of November 2025, approximately 90 service providers provided 8,887 disability residential beds. 281 of these beds are currently being provided to children with Disabilities. The below table outlines the number of residential beds being provided for children with disabilities from 2022 to 2025.
|
2022 |
80 |
|
2023 |
111 |
|
2024 |
184 |
|
2025 |
228 |
Number of Private Residential placements being provided to children with a disability who require specialist services:
*Most recent figure from 2025 year to date - November 2025.
Please note that the requested information was not available from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in time for inclusion in this response. Once the information has been received from the Agency, it will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
