Written Answers Nos. 1964-1986
1964. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the projected percentage of her Department's €3.8 billion investment in disability for 2026 that will be spent on services provided by private-for-profit companies; the breakdown of what this will equate to in respect of placements, assessments of needs and the other categories of service that this figure encompasses. [75180/25]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
1965. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the salary scale that applies to the Secretary General in her Department and the head of each agency for which they are responsible; whether this scale has changed in the past two years or there are proposals to change this scale in the coming period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75189/25]
View answerThe following table shows the salary scale that applies to the Secretary General in my Department and the Head of each Agency under the Department's remit.
These scales have changed in the past two years, and will change, in line with the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, which applies to all public servants.
|
Department/Agency |
Sec Gen/Head of Agency |
Pay Scale/Comment |
|
Department of Children, Disability and Equality |
Secretary General |
Secretary General Level II Appointed On/After 1/6/11 |
|
Oberstown Children Detention Campus |
Director |
Principal Officer Higher |
|
Tusla Child and Family Agency |
CEO |
HSE National Director, Level 1 |
|
National Disability Authority |
Principal Officer Higher |
Principal Officer Higher |
|
Office Of the Ombudsman for Children |
Ombudsman |
Principal Officer Higher |
|
The Adoption Authority |
Director (CEO) |
Principal Officer Higher |
|
Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam |
Director |
Principal Officer Higher |
|
IHREC |
- |
While IHREC is under the remit of this Department, their staffing information is reported directly to DPER. |
|
HSE Specialist Community Based Disability Services |
CEO |
The Department assumed responsibility for HSE Specialist Community Based Disability Services under a transfer of functions in 2023. However, the Department of Health is the parent Department so would report on the HSE CEO salary. |
1966. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount expended on advertising and promotion in her Department, and within each agency for which she is responsible, for 2022 to 2024, by year and budgeted for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75207/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. Below, in tabular form, is the information requested.
|
2026 |
|
|
Campaign |
Planned Spend |
|
Disability Sector Recruitment Campaign |
€80,000 |
|
Gender Pay Gap Requirements -Public Information Campaign |
€400,000 |
|
Mother & Baby Homes - Memorialisation |
€16,000 |
|
National Action Plan for Childminding – Public Information Campaign |
€250,000 |
|
Mother & Baby Homes Payment Scheme |
€500,000 |
|
National Conversation on Education |
€50,000 |
|
UNCRC & Young Ireland – Public Information Campaign |
€68,000 |
|
2024 |
Spent |
|
Supporting Parents Initiative |
€39,832 |
|
National Childcare Scheme Awareness Raising |
€26,895 |
|
Ukraine Accommodation Policy Changes |
€3,582 |
|
National Childcare Scheme |
€1,300 |
|
Mother & Baby Redress Scheme – Public Information Campaign |
€765,757 |
|
Gender Pay Gap Reporting – Public Information Campaign |
€260,978 |
|
Early Years Division communications campaigns |
€121,805 |
|
2023 |
Spent |
|
International Protection Procurement Information Campaigns |
€26,335 |
|
Mother & Baby Homes Memorialisation |
€33,032 |
|
Mother & Baby Homes SEO campaign |
€4,555 |
|
UNCRPD – Public Information Campaign |
€1.8m |
|
Supporting Parents Initiative |
€5,652 |
|
2022 |
Spent |
|
Back to School Supports Awareness |
€48,149 |
|
Tender Publication |
€14,683 |
|
Gender Pay Gap Legislation – Public Information Campaign |
€266,271 |
|
Ukraine Response - Expression of Interest |
€31,111 |
|
Tender - International Protection |
€21,240 |
|
National Childcare Scheme – Public Awareness Measures |
€32,195 |
|
Early Years Communications Activity |
€27,398 |
|
Ukraine Modular Housing - Cork / Tipperary / Sligo |
€7,953 |
|
International Protection Procurement Information Campaigns |
€16,450 |
Please note that the above figures relate to budget managed directly by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. For detailed information on monies spent or budgeted by agencies under the Department's remit, members are advised to contact the agencies directly.
1967. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of press, media or communications staff currently employed in her Department and within each agency for which she is responsible; the cost of these staff for 2025 and the expected cost for 2026; whether there are proposals to increase the number of such staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75225/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. The Department’s communications unit works across multiple functional areas in line with our commitment to open, transparent, and accessible communications with the public, in accordance with our Statement of Strategy.
The functions include the Press office, Digital and Social, Internal communications, Publications, Campaigns and Events, Communications planning business partners for 6 divisions and the newly established Guardian Ad Litem service.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has the following staff allocated to the areas as indicated below. The costs for 2025 were €960,000 but there was a vacancy rate of 40 per cent in this year, meaning the full budget for salaries was not used.
Since then, a number of vacancies have been filled so the costs in 2026 are expected to be €1,452,000.
These are payroll costs which include employer PRSI. Please note that the 2025 Accounts are not finalised and the figure provided is subject to change, and the 2026 figure is an estimated full year cost for all staff and vacancies.
There are no plans to increase the number of staff employed in the unit beyond the current approved figure.
|
Function |
Number of staff, based on FTE |
|
Press office: responding to media queries and providing information to journalists and all press at local, regional, national, and international level. |
3.5 fte |
|
Digital and Social: Publishing documents including Government strategies and reports on department websites. Content creation and managing all social media accounts |
3 fte |
|
Internal communications, governance and reporting: to ensure compliance with all statutory Government reporting requirements. |
3.5 fte |
|
Publications: Rolling out a programme of Plain English across the Department and ensuring that all documents meet accessibility and transparency requirements. |
2.5 fte |
|
Campaigns and Events: Large-scale national public information campaigns, consultations, advertising and delivering events such as the launch of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. Keeping the public fully informed of Department Initiatives in line with our public duty. |
3 fte |
|
Communications planning business partners for 6 divisions: to identify important updates for the public on service delivery, as outlined in our statement of strategy |
1.5 fte |
Please note that the above figures relate to staff numbers and costs for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. For detailed information on staff numbers and costs for agencies under the Department's remit, members are advised to contact the agencies directly.
1968. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost to her Department and each agency for which they are responsible arising from Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; the line items or events for which a cost is expected to arise and the estimated cost for each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75243/25]
View answerThe Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026 will be an important opportunity for Ireland to shape Europe’s policy direction, lead important aspects of the EU’s work, and showcase Ireland’s engagement, expertise and values at the heart of the European Union.
The Government committed in the Programme for Government to resourcing and delivering a successful EU Presidency. Major planning has taken place to date to ensure that costs are managed across all expenditure headings and prudent financial planning will continue throughout to ensure value for money.
The funding being allocated for the Presidency is supporting delivery of the Presidency’s meeting programme in Ireland and to showcase the best of Ireland to our partners from all across Europe. It is also supporting additional temporary staffing needs in Brussels and in Ireland to deliver on the Council’s legislative and policy agenda.
The estimated cost 2025-2026 to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) relating to Ireland’s presidency of the European Council is €4 million.
In the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2026 the Department was allocated €3.5 million for EU Presidency costs. This comprises of €1.266 million in pay related costs and €2,234 million in non-pay related costs.
As noted in the Revised Estimates there may be other costs that will be met through reprioritising staff and funding.
An estimate of €0.5 million is provided for dedicated staff resources assigned to Presidency preparations in 2025-2026.
Ireland's full policy programme and details on events to be held in Ireland will be published, as is usual practice, shortly before the start of our Presidency term, in June 2026.
The Presidency will also provide an opportunity to spotlight issues where we have special expertise and interest. In the areas of child participation, disability and equality, it is anticipated that the Department will host a variety of meetings, including a series of High Level Conferences, Senior Officials Meetings and associated Presidency events in the second half of 2026. Additional costs will also be incurred in progressing the Council policy and legislative agenda. Specific funding allocations for each event will be determined in the coming months and will depend on the requirements for each meeting or event.
1969. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the priorities of her Department and each agency for which they are responsible for, in respect of Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75261/25]
View answerPreparations for Ireland’s Presidency are intensifying across Government. Two cross-departmental groups, chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are co-ordinating this preparatory work. Officials from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are actively engaged in these groups, which focus on the policy and operational aspects of Ireland's Presidency.
As the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Ireland will have the responsibility for progressing the EU agenda for the second half of 2026. Within the Department of Children, Disability and Equality’s remit this is expected to include appropriately progressing negotiations on active EU files.
The Department currently holds lead responsibility in Ireland for three active EU legislative proposals, which are currently being progressed by the Cypriot Presidency; where relevant, outstanding work on these will be progressed during the Irish Presidency. Those active files are:
2023/0169(COD) - EU legislative proposal on the protection of vulnerable adults: jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of measures and cooperation;
2008/0140 (CNS) - Proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation the equal treatment directive; and
2025/0550(COD) - The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) aspects of the proposal for a regulation establishing the 'AgoraEU' programme for the period 2028-2034.
In addition to progressing the EU agenda, the Presidency will also provide an opportunity to spotlight issues where we have special expertise and interest. It is anticipated that the Department will host a variety of meetings, including a series of High Level Conferences, Senior Officials Meetings and associated Presidency events in the second half of 2026. These events will bring particular emphasis on disabled people, marginalised groups and the participation of children and young people.
Ireland's full policy programme will be published, as is usual practice, shortly before the start of our Presidency term, in June 2026.
1970. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated number of people aged under 65 who entered nursing home care for each of the years 2021 to 2025, respectively; and for the estimated number of people in the same age group who transitioned out of nursing home care in each of those years, in tabular form. [75280/25]
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.
1971. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality , further to Parliamentary Question No.14 of 8 December 2025, and the publication of the National Services Plan 2026, if she can provide assurances that a service (details supplied) will be operational until the opening of a permanent service; that sufficient funding has been made available for 2026; if she has reviewed the potential to retain the service following the opening of the permanent centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75281/25]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
1972. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a child who is under the care of a local children’s disability network team (CDNT), but unable to access occupational therapy through that team due to staffing shortages or prolonged waiting lists, may access occupational therapy through primary care without losing their place or ongoing eligibility with the CDNT; if there is a national HSE policy governing this situation; if parents are being advised, formally or informally, that accessing primary care services may result in discharge from CDNT services; the way in which consistency is being ensured across community healthcare organisations, CHOs, in the application of this policy; and the steps that are being taken to ensure that families are not penalised for seeking timely therapeutic supports for their children where CDNT capacity is limited. [1000/26]
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.
1973. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to urgently address the shortfall in respite beds across County Kerry for adults with profound disabilities; the number of additional respite beds that will be required in 2026 to adequately care for all clients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1031/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
1974. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to urgently address the shortfall in respite beds across County Kerry for children with profound disabilities; the number of additional respite beds that will be required in 2026 to adequately care for all clients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1032/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
1975. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a capacity assessment will be given to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1058/26]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question regarding the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) and functional assessments of capacity under that Act.
As part of the process for putting in place any decision-making arrangement, adults must undergo a ‘functional capacity assessment’ performed by a medical practitioner or other specified healthcare professional, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis. In that regard a person may lack capacity to make one decision but have capacity to make another decision. A functional capacity assessment is, therefore, not a global assessment of capacity.
This capacity assessment ensures that, where there is concern about a person’s ability to make a specific decision, for example in relation to their personal welfare and/or their property and affairs, the adult retains as much autonomy as is possible and that the decision support arrangement is tailored to the adult’s decision-making needs.
Where an individual who is in receipt of HSE services (including section 38/39 organisations) requires a functional capacity assessment under the 2015 Act, the HSE can provide that at no cost to the family. Where an individual is not in receipt of HSE services or where an independent capacity assessment is sought, this is not funded by the HSE.
For those seeking an independent capacity assessment, it may be useful to contact the following for information:
Irish Association of Social Workers – a list of independent social workers and the type of work that they undertake is available at: www.iasw.ie/independent_social_workers
Independent Speech and Language Therapists Ireland – a list of independent speech and language therapists is available at: isti.ie/find-a-speech-therapist/
Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland – a list of independent occupational therapists and the services they provide is available at: www.aoti.ie/ot-directory
In relation to the points you have raised regarding respite, as the concerns relate to service matters, I have contacted the Health Service Executive on your behalf.
1976. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children with profound disabilities awaiting respite in County Kerry; the length of time they have been waiting; and the number of additional respite beds required in 2026 to adequately care for all clients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1105/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
1977. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of adults with profound disabilities awaiting respite in County Kerry; the length of time they have been waiting; and the number of additional respite beds that will be required in 2026 to adequately care for all clients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1106/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
1978. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the delivery of 199 residential placements, 58 decongregation transitions and 45 transitions from nursing homes for people under 65 is expected, as outlined in the HSE National Service Plan 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1149/26]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
1979. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding Tusla applications (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1196/26]
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.
1980. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to address the serious and ongoing concern regarding the lack of physical and therapeutic supports available through the CDNT based in east Limerick (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1370/26]
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.
1981. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review the practice within CDNTs (details supplied) of assessing children strictly on a chronological basis without triage according to level of clinical need; if she will outline plans to introduce needs-based prioritisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1371/26]
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.
1982. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding issues relating to the locking away of files connected with mother and baby homes; the status of this matter, particularly over any outstanding legal matters that were required to be resolved at the time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1384/26]
View answerThe arrangements for preserving the records compiled by a Commission of Investigation in the course of its work are prescribed in Section 43(2) of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. This provides that, prior to its dissolution, a Commission must deposit all records with the prescribed Minister. On the expiry of a 30-year period thereafter, such records will be transferred to the National Archives and access is regulated in accordance with the National Archives Act, 1986.
In 2020, the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes informed the department that it had created a database in relation to the mothers and children who passed through 15 of the 18 institutions under investigation. The Commission indicated it believed it would be a valuable resource to assist information and tracing services for mothers and children, but it also felt it was compelled by law to redact much valuable information within.
To ensure that this database information could be preserved and be available to survivors directly, the Government brought forward legislation - the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Act 2020. This Act provided for the deposit of the Commission's database with Tusla, in addition to transferring a copy of this database, together with the Commission's entire archive of records, to the Minister for Children.
Legislation enables the department to process subject access requests from people who wish to seek access to personal information that may be contained within the database and these records.
Following engagement with the Office of the Attorney General, the Data Protection Commissioner and independent experts in the area of GDPR, the Department published information for individuals including its privacy notice indicating what personal data the Department holds and how it processes it, and a guide on how to request access to personal information (Subject Access Request (SAR)). A dedicated phone line (01-2376001) provides information for callers on the SAR process, and information on this is also regularly communicated to survivors and former residents via quarterly updates pursuant to the Action Plan. More information on how to access personal data which may be held in the records of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation can be found here - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/organisation-information/transfer-of-records-from-the-mother-and-baby-homes-commission-of-investigation/
For the avoidance of any doubt, it is important to clarify that the Commission was not in possession of original records and, therefore, no original records were impacted by the provisions in the 2004 legislation. State records remain in the possession of the relevant statutory body and appropriate access is regulated in accordance with relevant statute.
One of the seven major commitments in the Government's Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions was access to identity information. The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 provides a full and clear right of access to birth certificates and birth and early life information for all persons who were adopted, boarded out, nursed out or the subject of an illegal birth registration, or who otherwise have questions in relation to their origins. The 2022 Act enables Tusla to process the Commission database for the purpose of responding to requests from relevant persons for personal information. To date, under the Birth Information and Tracing Act, Tusla and the AAI have responded to over 17,200 requests for identity information.
1983. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of the progress made in addressing the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 so the action that seeks the development of a "formal policy on respite, including agreed access and prioritisation criteria"; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1417/26]
View answerIn order to gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges that currently exists in respite provision, the Department has been working with the HSE to enhance data in this area.
In 2025 , the Department produced a short working paper on respite provision. This paper contained feedback from a stakeholder event on respite held in late 2024 as well as providing a general overview of this service area.
The HSE also undertook an audit of respite services in late 2025. On completion, this initiative will provide further insight into how respite services are allocated and managed, allowing efforts to be focused where needed and informing further work in this area.
It is intended that learning from these two pieces of work will provide a starting point for policy development in the respite area in 2026.
1984. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of the progress made in addressing the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 in terms of action A6.1 "Complete Personalised Budgets pilot and its evaluation, in line with recommendation of Task Force on Personalised Budgets"; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1418/26]
View answerPersonalised budgets represent a significant innovation in how disabled people can access and manage their support services. Rooted in the principles of self-determination and autonomy, the personalised budgets approach enables disabled people to exercise greater control over their funding by tailoring services to meet their specific needs and life goals.
On foot of the recommendation of the Task Force on Personalised Budgets, a Personalised Budget Demonstrator Pilot was established in 2019 to assess the impact and understand what is required for the sustainability of the personalised budget approach within the Irish context. As part of the Pilot, eligible adults were able to utilise a personalised budget to acquire or purchase HSE-funded specialist disability services such as home support, personal assistance, and respite.
302 individuals engaged with the Pilot at various stages. This includes individuals who withdrew or had insufficient funding for a meaningful personalised budget. Of that 302, more than 50 people participated in the final stage of the Pilot, the ‘Living Life Phase’, and were allocated a personalised budget.
The evaluation phase of the Pilot commenced in 2025 and is expected to be completed shortly. Led by the National Disability Authority, the evaluation will highlight learnings from the Pilot and provide insights into some of the barriers and facilitators to rolling out personalised budgets on a larger scale.
1985. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of the progress made in addressing the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 in terms of action A9.2 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1419/26]
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.
1986. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of the progress made in addressing the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 in terms of action A9.4 (details supplied); and to make the aggregated data on account scale publicly available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1420/26]
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.
