Written Answers Nos. 1987-2007
1987. 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 action A15.4 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1421/26]
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.
1988. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the current progress in implementing the Transforming Lives/ Time to Move on from Congregated Settings strategy; the current number of individuals with a disability living in a congregated setting; the number of people with disabilities who have been transitioned to independent living from congregated settings annually since 1 January 2022 to date; the number of people with disabilities who have been admitted or housed in congregated settings annually since 1 January 2022 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1442/26]
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.
1989. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current number of individuals aged under 65 residing in nursing homes; the total number of individuals who have been transitioned to their own home annually since 1 Jan 2023 to date; the average time the discharge process takes; the measures in place to improve the quality of life and independence of people under 65 who continue to reside in nursing homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1443/26]
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.
1990. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of disabled people who are in receipt of intensive support packages currently; the number of people who are currently on assessment/waiting lists for these packages; and number of people the Minister plans to provide packages for next year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1444/26]
View answerThe HSE provides a range of assisted living services, including intensive home support packages, with the aim of facilitating people with disabilities to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.
While there is no centrally maintained waiting list for intensive home support packages, the Regional Health Areas (RHAs) would be aware of the need and requirements of their respective areas and would work with the local service providers with a view to responding to the level of presenting needs within the resources available.
According to the HSE, 686 intensive home support packages were in place at the end of September 2025. This represents an increase of approximately 239 packages since the end of 2023. It should be noted that the allocation of support hours can vary considerably between packages based off the needs of the individual.
Budget 2026 also allocates €3.4m to support the delivery of 103,822 additional home support hours this year. This includes hours to be delivered in the context of intensive home support packages.
1991. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide details on the progress made by working groups on personal assistance and home support to define personal assistance and home care services, develop policy, eligibility and prioritisation criteria, and examine the appropriate standards and form of regulatory oversight in the light of the work underway on regulating the statutory home care scheme, as outlined in the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1445/26]
View answerA key programme of reform is ongoing in the home support sector, encompassing both disability and older persons home support services.
The programme, termed the Statutory Home Support Scheme, is being led by the Department of Health and the HSE in conjunction with my Department. It aims to bolster the model of home support in Ireland with a vision at its centre of an equitable, person-centred, and enabling home support service that enhances service user and staff experience.
One key element of the reform programme is the development of a regulatory framework for home support service providers. The framework will encompass primary legislation for the licensing of public and private home support providers (Home Support Providers Bill 2025) as well as secondary legislation (regulations) which establishes a set of minimum criteria that providers will be required to meet. HIQA are also developing National Standards as part of the framework to promote progressive quality improvements in the home support sector.
My Department has been actively engaging with the Department of Health on elements of the regulatory framework that impact disability services. Regarding personal assistance (PA), my Department’s position to date has been to pursue an exemption of the service from the framework in the first instance. While there is no objection to the concept of regulating PA in the future, it is imperative that any approach to regulating PA services, if deemed appropriate, reflects and upholds the ethos of the service.
With regards to the working group on personal assistance, this is being led by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and, as such, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1992. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports in place for students in care who turn 18 in the period leading up to the leaving certificate; the supports available to such students while they continue their studies; and the supports available to them after completing the leaving certificate. [1493/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
1993. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm the time to first contact, assessment, and intervention in relation to Community Disability Network Team (CDNT) caseloads, per practitioner, by county, with regards to CDNT, vacancy rates and time-to-fill, by CDNT. [1525/26]
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.
1994. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently awaiting any service under community disability network teams, by county; the median and mean number of days from referral to first contact, first assessment, and first therapeutic intervention; the therapies delivered under the interdisciplinary model; the proportion of cases in which the first therapeutic intervention was delivered by speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, or social work; the number and whole-time equivalent of funded posts, filled posts, and unfilled posts within Community Disability Network Teams, with vacancy rates, by community healthcare organisation and by community disability network team; the definition used for initial contact and for intervention in the Health Service Executive reporting; the monthly inflow and outflow (entries and exits) to waiting lists for community disability network teams, by county, for each month in 2025; and if the Department or the Health Service Executive cannot provide discipline-specific waiting time data, the alternative access metrics that are used to ensure accountability for timely therapy delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1532/26]
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.
1995. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department is considering aligning the parental leave age limit of 12 years in the private sector as laid out in the parental leave acts with that of the public sector, where the limit is 16 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1648/26]
View answerThere have been significant developments in entitlements for parents of working families in recent years. The Government is committed to supporting workers, including by extending paid leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their child during their earliest years.
Under the Parental Leave (mendment) Act 2019, an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age 12 is entitled to 26 weeks’ unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting 'in loco parentis’.
It should be noted that the legislation only sets out the minimum entitlement to parental leave. Depending on an individual’s contract of employment, they may have more extensive rights to parental leave, as employers have the option to offer more than the entitlement set out in the legislation.
Both parents have an equal, separate entitlement to parental leave. Where both parents work for the same employer and the employer agrees, one parent can transfer 14 weeks of their parental leave entitlement to the other parent.
The Programme for Government 'Securing Ireland's Future' sets out a commitment to examine the possible extension of parent's leave and benefit and additional flexibilities. The new National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was launched 18 November 2025 and the first Action Plan to oversee the monitoring and implementation of this Strategy is currently in development and due to be launched early 2026. Any changes to supports available to working families will be considered within this context.
1996. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to conduct an analysis on the impact of the 2024 fee adjustments on families who receive income assessed subsidies through the national childcare scheme based on their income of €26,000 and below; the number of families that were out of pocket by the fee increases as they did not receive an increase in subsidies in September 2024, by amount, and whether phase one of the action plan will address their fee increases. [1694/26]
View answerThe information required to give an accurate figure on the number of families on enhanced National Childcare Scheme subsidies that were negatively affected by the fee adjustment process in 2024 is not currently available to the Department.
1145 applications to the Fee Increase Assessment process were received by the Department, of which 898 (78.48%) were granted permission to increase at least one fee up to an approved level.
Only services with fees below the average in their county were eligible to apply, and approval to increase was subject to clear demonstration of need through Departmental evaluation of key financial and operational information relating to each business. Most of these services had seen their fees frozen at September 2021 levels, as per the effective fee freeze which has been in place since the launch of Core Funding, with many others having had their fees frozen for even longer periods. It’s vital that the Department support the viability of these services with the lowest fees to ensure fairness and balance in the market.
At the same time, the Department remains committed to the goal of actively promoting affordability for parents through the phased progression of the Core Funding fee management system, and I am confident that the introduction of maximum fee caps for all Partner Services in year 4 of Core Funding has been of great benefit to families who are facing the highest fees across the country.
Under the new fee caps, the highest possible fees will be no more than €295 per week for a full-day place of 40-50 hours per week. Once the National Childcare Scheme subsidy is taken into account, the maximum fee for a parent in this situation will be less than €200 per week.
This latest measure builds on a range of supports already in place.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme provides two years of pre-school without charge and has participation rates of 96%. Over 70% of families on low income report they could not send their child to pre-school without it.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) complements ECCE, giving universal and targeted subsidies to reduce costs to parents. Recent improvements include the extension of the universal subsidy to children under 15 and two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy, now worth €96.30 per week for 45 hours.
Almost 220,000 children benefited from a subsidy in 2024. Since last September, children in childminding settings can also benefit from National Childcare Scheme subsidies.
In addition, the fee management system introduced through Core Funding has made sure the investment in affordability is not absorbed by unnecessary fee increases. Core Funding has enjoyed high participation rates to date, with 93 per cent of services taking part.
Core Funding has seen consistent increased State investment to the sector year on year. An allocation of over €420 million was secured in Budget 2026 for Core Funding – representing an 18% year-on-year increase on the 2025 allocation, and a 62% increase over the initial Core Funding allocation of €259 million secured in 2022. Within the 2026 allocation, €20.6 million in brand new full-year funding will go toward supporting Partner Services in meeting fee management conditions in year 5, including further reductions to the maximum fee caps.
The recent publication of Shaping the Future, the Early Years Action Plan Phase 1 Report sets out the next steps for building an affordable, high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare system, informed by stakeholder consultation. 2026 actions on affordability will include further reduction in some of the highest fees paid by parents through Core Funding; and reduced fees for lower-income families through the National Childcare Scheme, to ensure that families with incomes below the relative income poverty line receive the maximum subsidies.
The base income threshold for the NCS will be increased from €26,000 to €34,000 from September 2026. This will mean that applicants with a base reckonable income of €34,000 or below will qualify for the maximum subsidy rate. This change will improve the affordability of childcare for up to 47,000 children from lower income families.
Additionally, the upper income threshold will increase from €60,000 to €68,000.
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.
During 2026, work will be undertaken to inform the development of Phase 2 actions including affordability measures. Phase 2 actions will be published later in 2026 and which will relate to the period 2027 to 2029. This includes the long-term goal of reducing the cost of early learning and childcare further to €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government.
1997. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of times the national childcare scheme subsidies for families on incomes of €26,000 or less have been increased since it launched in 2019. [1695/26]
View answerSince the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) launched in 2019, the base reckonable family income to qualify for the maximum targeted subsidy has been €26,000. This means that applicants with a reckonable income at, or below, this amount qualify for the highest level of income-assessed subsidy.
Under the Government’s ‘Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan’, the base income threshold for the NCS will be increased from €26,000 to €34,000 from September 2026. This will mean that applicants with a base reckonable income of €34,000 or below will qualify for the maximum subsidy rate. This change will improve the affordability of childcare for up to 47,000 children from lower income families. Additionally, the upper income threshold will increase from €60,000 to €68,000.
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.
1998. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if flexibility can be built into the Core Funding contract when new childcare rooms are opened after the Core Funding submission deadline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1769/26]
View answerCore Funding remains open year-round to applicants, and services are welcome to apply throughout the year.
The majority of Core Funding is distributed to services via the base rate, which is based on a service’s staffed capacity.
Under the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, for Partner Services who submitted their 2025/2026 Core Funding Application on or before 31 August 2025, their base rate will cap at their approved August Review and Confirm (i.e. the process, which occurs four times throughout the programme year including August of the preceding summer, whereby the Partner Service must review their Service Profile and Core Funding Application on the Hive).
For Partner Services who submitted their Core Funding Application from 1 September 2025 onwards for 2025/2026 programme year, they will not be required to complete the August Review and Confirm window, and their base rate value will cap on the approval of their Core Funding Application.
A Partner Service’s base rate may fluctuate throughout the programme year, but no Partner Service will be able to increase their base rate funding allocations above this highest capped value amount.
However, Partner Services, except childminders, cannot fall below the minimum base rate allocation of €14,400. All Partner Services delivering centre-based provision, regardless of the size of their service, will receive at least this minimum base rate allocation. This minimum base rate does not apply to the Graduate Premiums or Staff Funding Additional Contribution, which may still increase a Partner Service’s total allocation beyond this minimum base rate allocation and will not impact on whether a Partner Service qualifies for the minimum allocation.
The Graduate Premiums and the Staff Funding Additional Contribution provide additional avenues of Core Funding income on top of the base rate. The values of these payments may increase (unlike the base rate) or decrease throughout the year, to reflect changes to a Partner Service’s staffed capacity.
The Graduate Premiums support graduates to be Lead Educators across early learning and care (ELC) settings and as Managers in ELC or combined ELC and school aged childcare (SAC) services. Graduate Premium values allocated to a Partner Service can increase under a number of circumstances, such as where a Partner Service hires a new staff member who is eligible to attract a Graduate Premium, or where eligible Lead Educators are assigned to eligible rooms for longer hours per week and/or more weeks per year.
The Staff Funding Additional Contribution was introduced in the current programme year and is an additional contribution that is allocated to Partner Services to support staff pay and conditions. Any update to the Core Funding Application in respect of minimum staffed capacity, hours per day, days per week, or weeks per year that a room operates in a Partner Service may result in an increase, or decrease, to the allocation of the Staff Funding Additional Contribution payable to the Partner Service throughout the year. A Partner Service’s Staff Funding Additional Contribution allocation can increase under several conditions, including where a Partner Service increases their staffed capacity or where a Partner Service increases the annual hours that the staffed capacity is available for their service.
Furthermore, Partner Services can see increased income through increases to State funding, specifically increases to Core Funding which have been achieved in successive budgets since the introduction of the scheme. Another avenue for Partner Services to see increased income is the fee management rules around proportionality, whereby changes in provision must result in proportionate changes in fees charged, e.g. where a Partner Service increases the level of services offered, a higher fee can be charged for this, but the higher fee must be in direct proportion to the increase. Services’ incomes may also increase if they experience increased demand for their existing service which would give rise to both increased income from parents and subsidies as appropriate. The current guidelines on Fee Management under Core Funding can be found on the funding model website.
In addition to financial support, participation in Core Funding unlocks additional supports for services to access, including opportunities to apply for capital grants through the Department. The Building Blocks Capital Programme is designed to support ELC services to expand their existing facilities by creating additional, full time, early learning and care spaces.
The most recent scheme, the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, aims to deliver additional capacity in the sector by supporting existing early learning and childcare services to undertake physical extensions to existing premises, or to purchase or construct new premises. The scheme was open to Core Funding Partner Services only. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched in late 2024 and the closing date for applications was 30th January 2025. Whilst this scheme is now underway, 2026 will see the launch of a further iteration of Building Blocks. Officials in the Department are currently examining options and detailed specifications for this scheme, and I expect to announce details in the coming months.
I was delighted to announce increased investment in Core Funding in Budget 2026. The additional funding being made available in 2026 will see the allocation for Core Funding in the next programme year which begins in September 2026 increase to €480 million. That is an additional €87.6 million on the current full year allocation, or a 22% increase.
The Budget 2026 allocation will facilitate:
- Natural capacity growth of 4.2% across the sector.
- Additional capacity growth created by the new Building Blocks grants.
- Support for providers in adhering to the fee management conditions including the continued fee freeze and reductions to the maximum fee caps in the 2026/2027 programme year.
- Support for improved pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners with implementation of new 2025 Employment Regulation Orders, with further increases in pay to be supported through enhancement in year 5 of the scheme.
Full details of Core Funding 2026/2027 will be made available to the sector in 2026.
1999. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the level of direct engagement she has had with groups representing childcare providers since she took office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1770/26]
View answerThe Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF) is the main consultation mechanism between the Early Years Division of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and stakeholders in the early learning and care and school age childcare sector. The Forum met on two occasions in 2025, in February and again in October in relation to Budget 2026.
In relation to First 5: Ireland’s whole-of-government Strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families, I engaged with groups representing childcare providers and other stakeholders at the First 5 Open Policy Debate in June 2025. The meeting was held to inform the development of the First 5 Implementation Plan 2026-2028.
In December 2025, I engaged with groups representing childcare providers at the launch of two action plans for the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector; Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan and Simplify and Support – the Action Plan for Simplification.[]
I have also established an Early Learning and Childcare Provider Consultative Forum, to build on the Department’s strong commitment to, and track record in, engaging with stakeholders in the sector through the Department’s advisory, oversight, consultation and research processes. Under the Terms of Reference the Early Learning and Childcare Provider Consultative Forum discusses policy and operational issues relating to the provision of early learning and childcare services. The Forum informs members of early learning and childcare developments and invites the views, concerns and suggestions from providers, as appropriate. Meetings were held 17 Sept 2025 and 5 November 2025.
I have also had direct engagement with a number of other provider representative organisations including Childcare Services Ireland, Early Childhood Ireland, Seas Suas and the Federation of Childcare Service Providers.
2000. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the date on which a supplementary estimate or supplementary estimates was sought in respect of her Department’s Vote for each of the past ten years, and to the date in 2026; the gross and net amount involved in each case; and the Vote subheads to which each supplementary estimate related. [1786/26]
View answerIn the past ten years, Vote 40 received Supplementary Estimates in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Details of each year can be found below.
2018
A Supplementary Estimate (SE) was sought on the 28th of November 2018. The table below outlines the level of Supplementary funding, and the subheads impacted. The variance column shows the gross and net amount involved.
|
|
REV 2018 |
SE 2018 Variance |
|
Subhead |
Total €000s |
Total €000sTotal €000s |
|
Pay |
15,396 |
14,146-1,250 |
|
Non Pay |
2,678 |
2,478-200 |
|
A3: Tusla Child and Family Agency |
753,526 |
753,5260 |
|
A4: Youth Justice-Children Detention Schools |
27,893 |
27,293-600 |
|
B3: ECCE Pre-School Year Programme |
348,800 |
334,136-14,664 |
|
B4: General Childcare Programmes |
129,593 |
176,82647,233 |
|
B5: Childcare Initiatives |
6,365 |
4,497-1,868 |
|
B6: Youth Organisations and Services (Nat Lottery) |
61,895 |
60,230-1,665 |
|
B7: Area Based Childhood Programme |
8,500 |
6,348-2,152 |
|
B8: Intervention Prog Children & Young People (dormant a/cs) |
6,166 |
4,082-2,084 |
|
B9: Programme for Peace and Reconciliation |
1,598 |
889-709 |
|
B10:Creative Ireland |
100 |
1000 |
|
C3: Miscellaneous Legal Fees and Settlements |
889 |
8890 |
|
C4: National Longitudinal Study & Other Research Programmes |
4,102 |
3,620-482 |
|
C5: Children and Young People's Policy Framework |
5,328 |
4,383-945 |
|
C6: Adoption Authority of Ireland |
4,392 |
4,192-200 |
|
C7: Office of the Ombudsman for Children |
2,733 |
2,633-100 |
|
C8: Commission of Investigation |
3,357 |
3,257-100 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Gross expenditure |
1,383,311 |
1,403,52520,214 |
|
A-in-A |
-27,301 |
-24,5152,786 |
|
Total Net expenditure |
1,356,010 |
1,379,01023,000 |
2019
A Supplementary Estimate (SE) was sought on the 19th of November 2019. The table below outlines the level of Supplementary funding, and the subheads impacted. The variance column shows the gross and net amount involved.
|
|
REV 2019 |
SE 2019Variance |
|
Subhead |
Total €000s |
Total €000s Total €000s |
|
Pay |
16,233 |
15,359-874 |
|
Non Pay |
2,848 |
2,348-500 |
|
A3: Tusla Child and Family Agency |
784,619 |
808,25423,635 |
|
A4: Youth Justice-Children Detention Schools |
25,860 |
24,560-1,300 |
|
B3: ECCE and AIM Pre-School Programmes |
329,676 |
328,300-1,376 |
|
B4: Affordable Childcare Scheme & Other Childcare Programmes |
166,350 |
166,3500 |
|
B5: Childcare Programmes: Delivery Supports and Other Initiatives |
78,417 |
76,304-2,113 |
|
B6: Youth Organisations and Services (Nat Lottery) |
63,595 |
63,245-350 |
|
B7: Prevention & Early Intervention Programmes |
9,500 |
9,5000 |
|
B8: Intervention Prog Children & Young People (dormant a/cs) |
7,166 |
7,1660 |
|
B9: Programme for Peace and Reconciliation |
2,098 |
2,0980 |
|
B10:Creative Ireland |
100 |
1000 |
|
C3: Miscellaneous Legal Fees and Settlements |
889 |
417-472 |
|
C4: National Longitudinal Study & Other Research Programmes |
2,796 |
2,7960 |
|
C5: Children and Young People's Policy Framework |
8,634 |
7,645-989 |
|
C6: Adoption Authority of Ireland |
4,913 |
4,9130 |
|
C7: Office of the Ombudsman for Children |
2,747 |
2,7470 |
|
C8: Commission of Investigation |
3,872 |
3,211-661 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Gross expenditure |
1,510,313 |
1,525,313 15,000 |
|
A-in-A |
-27,637 |
-27,6370 |
|
Total Net expenditure |
1,482,676 |
1,497,676 15,000 |
2022
A Supplementary Estimate (SE) was sought on the 12th of October 2022. The table below outlines the level of Supplementary funding, and the subheads impacted. The variance column shows the gross and net amount involved.
|
|
REV 2022 |
SE 22Variance |
|
Subhead |
Total €000 |
Total €000 Total €000 |
|
Pay |
40,819 |
36,359-4,460 |
|
Non Pay |
8,286 |
6,726-1,560 |
|
A3: Tusla Child and Family Agency |
898,453 |
914,64016,187 |
|
A4: Youth Justice-Children Detention Schools |
26,820 |
27,218398 |
|
A5: Guardian Ad Litem Executive Office |
845 |
0-845 |
|
A6: Child and Family Agency Covid Related Supports |
1 |
0-1 |
|
B3: ECCE and AIM Pre-School Programmes |
316,600 |
329,26712,667 |
|
B4: National Childcare Scheme and Other Childcare Programmes |
208,726 |
217,0758,349 |
|
B5: Childcare Programmes: Delivery Supports and Other Initiatives |
153,610 |
159,8716,261 |
|
B6: Youth Organisations and Services (Nat Lottery) |
73,289 |
72,795-494 |
|
B7: Creative Ireland |
150 |
51-99 |
|
B8: Intervention Prog Children & Young People (dormant a/cs) |
12,008 |
12,0080 |
|
B9: Programme for Peace and Reconciliation |
1,700 |
982-718 |
|
B10:ELC & SAC Covid related Supports |
37,000 |
22,676-14,324 |
|
C3: Miscellaneous Legal Fees and Settlements |
539 |
5390 |
|
C4: NLSI |
3,639 |
3,540-99 |
|
C5: Children and Young People's Policy Framework |
8,048 |
6,339-1,709 |
|
C6: Adoption Authority of Ireland |
6,966 |
7,557591 |
|
C7: Office of the Ombudsman for Children |
3,312 |
3,495183 |
|
C8: Response to Legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions |
7,359 |
2,325-5,034 |
|
C9: Mother & Baby Institution Payment Scheme |
0 |
00 |
|
C10: Magdalen Fund |
300 |
600300 |
|
D3: National Disability Authority |
5,453 |
5,51461 |
|
D4: Refugee and Migrant Integration |
9,128 |
6,867-2,261 |
|
D5: Grants to National Women's Organisations |
611 |
6110 |
|
D6: Traveller and Roma Initiatives |
5,659 |
5,6590 |
|
D7: Positive Action for Gender Equality |
5,865 |
4,164-1,701 |
|
D8: Equality and LGBTI initiatives |
1,025 |
1,0250 |
|
D9: Decision Support Service |
7,300 |
6,519-781 |
|
D10: Disability Equality |
1,800 |
1,8000 |
|
E3: Asylum Migration Integration Fund |
2,930 |
1,843-1,087 |
|
E4: International Protection Accommodation Seekers |
258,936 |
361,825102,889 |
|
E5: Ukraine |
0 |
593,200593,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Gross expenditure |
2,107,177 |
2,813,090705,913 |
|
A-in-A |
-48,160 |
-34,660-34,660 |
|
Total Net expenditure |
2,059,017 |
2,778,430671,253 |
When considering expenditure relating to 2022, it should be noted that, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In this context, the Department's responsibilities expanded to include the provision of temporary accommodation to Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.
2023
Two Supplementary Estimates (SE) were sought in 2023. The first, on the 27th of September 2023 and the second on the 21st of November 2023. The table below outlines the level of Supplementary funding, and the subheads impacted. The 'Variance FREV to SE1' column shows the gross and net amount involved in the first Supplementary Estimate. The 'Variance SE1 to SE2' column shows the gross and net amount involved in the second Supplementary Estimate in 2023.
|
|
FREV 2023 |
SE1 2023 |
Variance FREV to SE1 |
SE2 2023Variance SE1 to SE2 |
|
Subhead |
Total €000s |
Total €000s |
Total €000s |
Total €000s Total €000s |
|
Pay |
55,871 |
55,871 |
0 |
44,504-11,367 |
|
Non Pay |
8,899 |
8,899 |
0 |
7,899-1,000 |
|
A3: Tusla Child and Family Agency |
917,082 |
917,082 |
0 |
1,001,15184,069 |
|
A4: Youth Justice-Children Detention Schools |
28,544 |
28,544 |
0 |
28,054-490 |
|
A5: Guardian Ad Litem Executive Office |
100 |
100 |
0 |
50-50 |
|
A6: Child and Family Agency Covid Related Supports |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0-1 |
|
A.7 - Services To Support Victims Of Domestic, Sexual And Gender Based Violence |
38,534 |
38,534 |
0 |
38,5340 |
|
B3: ECCE and AIM Pre-School Programmes |
308,200 |
308,200 |
0 |
315,5197,319 |
|
B4: National Childcare Scheme and Other Childcare Programmes |
357,626 |
357,626 |
0 |
342,613-15,013 |
|
B5: Childcare Programmes: Delivery Supports and Other Initiatives |
359,664 |
359,664 |
0 |
346,481-13,183 |
|
B6: Youth Organisations and Services (Nat Lottery) |
75,648 |
75,648 |
0 |
75,6480 |
|
B7: Creative Ireland |
150 |
150 |
0 |
1500 |
|
B8: Intervention Prog Children & Young People (dormant a/cs) |
8,157 |
8,157 |
0 |
8,1570 |
|
B9: Programme for Peace and Reconciliation |
741 |
741 |
0 |
484-257 |
|
B10:ELC & SAC Covid related Supports |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0-1 |
|
C3: Miscellaneous Legal Fees and Settlements |
539 |
539 |
0 |
5390 |
|
C4: NLSI |
2,589 |
2,589 |
0 |
1,479-1,110 |
|
C5: Children and Young People's Policy Framework |
12,293 |
12,293 |
0 |
11,726-567 |
|
C6: Adoption Authority of Ireland |
7,213 |
7,213 |
0 |
7,613400 |
|
C7: Office of the Ombudsman for Children |
3,900 |
3,900 |
0 |
3,9000 |
|
C8: Response to Legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions |
9,169 |
9,169 |
0 |
2,221-6,948 |
|
C9: Mother & Baby Institution Payment Scheme |
10,000 |
10,000 |
0 |
2,712-7,288 |
|
C10: Magdalen Fund |
300 |
300 |
0 |
3000 |
|
D3: National Disability Authority |
5,788 |
5,788 |
0 |
5,7880 |
|
D4: Refugee and Migrant Integration |
8,928 |
8,928 |
0 |
8,9280 |
|
D5: Grants to National Women's Organisations |
642 |
642 |
0 |
6420 |
|
D6: Traveller and Roma Initiatives |
5,942 |
5,942 |
0 |
5,9420 |
|
D7: Positive Action for Gender Equality |
5,865 |
5,865 |
0 |
3,710-2,155 |
|
D8: Equality and LGBTI initiatives |
1,055 |
1,055 |
0 |
1,0550 |
|
D9: Decision Support Service |
8,464 |
8,464 |
0 |
8,4640 |
|
D10: Disability Equality |
1,650 |
1,650 |
0 |
1,6500 |
|
D.11 - Specialist Community Based Disability Services |
2,590,305 |
2,590,305 |
0 |
2,702,823112,518 |
|
D.12 - SCBDS Covid 19 |
39,000 |
39,000 |
0 |
39,0000 |
|
D.13 - Farrelly Commission of Investigation |
1,400 |
1,400 |
0 |
1,4000 |
|
D.14 Disability Programmes & Regulatory Bodies |
10,412 |
10,412 |
0 |
10,4120 |
|
D.15 Payments in Respect of Thalidomide |
370 |
370 |
0 |
3700 |
|
E3: Asylum Migration Integration Fund |
2,786 |
2,786 |
0 |
3,022236 |
|
E4: International Protection Accommodation Seekers |
394,936 |
613,936 |
219,000 |
631,38917,453 |
|
E5: Ukraine |
640,800 |
1,511,800 |
871,000 |
1,520,1748,374 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Gross expenditure |
5,923,564 |
7,013,564 |
1,090,000 |
7,184,503170,939 |
|
A-in-A |
-31,959 |
-31,959 |
0 |
-31,959-31,959 |
|
Total Net expenditure |
5,891,605 |
6,981,605 |
1,090,000 |
7,152,544138,980 |
• When reviewing expenditure relating to 2023, it may be noted that responsibility for specialist disability services transferred to this Department on 1 March 2023.
2024
A Supplementary Estimate (SE) was sought on the 15th of October 2024. The table below outlines the level of Supplementary funding, and the subheads impacted. The variance column shows the gross and net amount involved.
2001. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the value of expenditure originally allocated in the Estimates to specific programmes or staffing measures that could not be spent as planned within the year for each of the past five years; and whether such underspends were surrendered, carried forward, or reallocated to other areas within the Vote. [1807/26]
View answerIn relation to the above question, please find summary tables showing the original allocation as set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV), Supplementary Estimate (SE) allocation, where applicable, and final expenditure per the Appropriation Account for the Programme Areas within Vote 40 for the Period of 2021 to 2025. Please note final expenditure information is not yet available for 2025 and therefore the figures included below are a forecast only.
2021
|
Vote 40 - 2021 €m |
REV 2021 €m |
Appropriation Account 2021 €m |
Variance €m |
|
Programme Areas excluding Administration Overheads |
|
|
|
|
Programme A - Children and Family Support Programme |
€887 |
€883 |
-€3 |
|
Programme B - Sectoral Programmes For Children and Young People |
€721 |
€673 |
-€48 |
|
Programme C - Policy & Legislation Programme |
€25 |
€20 |
-€5 |
|
Programme D - An Equal and Inclusive Society |
€29 |
€25 |
-€3 |
|
Programme E- A Fair and Efficient Support System for International Protection Seekers |
€219 |
€192 |
-€27 |
|
Subtotal |
€1,880 |
€1,794 |
-€86 |
|
Administration Pay & Non-Pay |
€38 |
€30 |
-€8 |
|
Total Gross Expenditure Vote 40 |
€1,919 |
€1,824 |
-€94 |
At the end of 2021 there was agreement to carryover a total of €3.2m in unspent capital (€1.25m Prog A and €1.95m Prog B). The balance of the underspend was surrendered.
2022
|
Vote 40 - 2022 €m |
REV 2022 €m |
SE 2022 €m |
Variance REV to SE €m |
Appropriation Account 2022 €m |
Variance Appropriation Account V SE €m |
|
Programme Areas excluding Administration Overheads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programme A - Children and Family Support Programme |
€926 |
€942 |
€16 |
€942 |
€0 |
|
Programme B - Sectoral Programmes For Children and Young People |
€803 |
€815 |
€12 |
€816 |
€1 |
|
Programme C - Policy & Legislation Programme |
€30 |
€24 |
-€6 |
€22 |
-€2 |
|
Programme D - An Equal and Inclusive Society |
€37 |
€32 |
-€5 |
€28 |
-€4 |
|
Programme E- A Fair and Efficient Support System for International Protection Seekers |
€262 |
€957 |
€695 |
€883 |
-€74 |
|
Subtotal |
€2,058 |
€2,770 |
€712 |
€2,691 |
-€79 |
|
Administration Pay & Non-Pay |
€49 |
€43 |
-€6 |
€39 |
-€5 |
|
Total Gross Expenditure Vote 40 |
€2,107 |
€2,813 |
€706 |
€2,730 |
-€83 |
In the first instance in 2022, savings identified at the time of the Supplementary Estimate (SE) were surrendered against the increases required in other areas within the Vote. At the end of the year the underspend against SE was surrendered.
When considering expenditure relating to 2022, it should be noted that, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In this context, the Department's responsibilities expanded to include the provision of temporary accommodation to Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.
2023
|
Vote 40 - 2023 €m |
Further REV 2023 €m |
SE 2023 €m |
Variance REV to SE €m |
Appropriation Account 2023 €m |
Variance Appropriation Account V SE €m |
|
Programme Areas excluding Administration Overheads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programme A - Children and Family Support Programme |
€984 |
€1,068 |
€84 |
€1,065 |
-€2 |
|
Programme B - Sectoral Programmes For Children and Young People |
€1,110 |
€1,089 |
-€21 |
€1,086 |
-€3 |
|
Programme C - Policy & Legislation Programme |
€46 |
€30 |
-€16 |
€26 |
-€4 |
|
Programme D - An Equal and Inclusive Society |
€2,680 |
€2,790 |
€110 |
€2,771 |
-€19 |
|
Programme E- A Fair and Efficient Support System for International Protection Seekers |
€1,039 |
€2,155 |
€1,116 |
€2,147 |
-€8 |
|
Subtotal |
€5,859 |
€7,132 |
€1,273 |
€7,095 |
-€37 |
|
Administration Pay & Non-Pay |
€65 |
€52 |
-€12 |
€50 |
-€3 |
|
Total Gross Expenditure Vote 40 |
€5,924 |
€7,185 |
€1,261 |
€7,145 |
-€40 |
In the first instance in 2023, savings identified at the time of the Supplementary Estimate (SE) were surrendered against the increases required in other areas within the Vote. At the end of the year the underspend against SE was surrendered.
When reviewing expenditure relating to 2023, it may be noted that responsibility for specialist disability services transferred to this Department on 1 March 2023.
2024
|
Vote 40 - 2024 €m |
REV 2024 €m |
SE 2024 €m |
Variance REV to SE €m |
Appropriation Account 2024 €m |
Variance Appropriation Account V SE €m |
|
Programme Areas excluding Administration Overheads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programme A - Children and Family Support Programme |
€1,042 |
€1,094 |
€52 |
€1,093 |
-€1 |
|
Programme B - Sectoral Programmes For Children and Young People |
€1,195 |
€1,245 |
€50 |
€1,225 |
-€20 |
|
Programme C - Policy & Legislation Programme |
€262 |
€100 |
-€162 |
€91 |
-€8 |
|
Programme D - An Equal and Inclusive Society |
€2,958 |
€3,121 |
€162 |
€3,111 |
-€10 |
|
Programme E- A Fair and Efficient Support System for International Protection Seekers |
€1,902 |
€2,359 |
€456 |
€2,280 |
-€78 |
|
Subtotal |
€7,359 |
€7,918 |
€559 |
€7,800 |
-€118 |
|
Administration Pay & Non-Pay |
€69 |
€70 |
€1 |
€66 |
-€4 |
|
Total Gross Expenditure Vote 40 |
€7,428 |
€7,988 |
€560 |
€7,866 |
-€122 |
In the first instance in 2024, savings identified at the time of the Supplementary Estimate (SE) were surrendered against the increases required in other areas within the Vote. At the end of the year the underspend against SE was surrendered.
2025
|
Vote 40 - 2025 €m |
FREV 2025 €m |
SE 2025 €m |
Variance REV to SE €m |
Forecast Outturn €m |
Variance Forecast Outturn V SE €m |
|
Programme Areas excluding Administration Overheads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programme A - Children and Family Support Programme |
€1,231 |
€1,291 |
€60 |
€1,291 |
€0 |
|
Programme B - Sectoral Programmes For Children and Young People |
€1,391 |
€1,365 |
-€26 |
€1,335 |
-€30 |
|
Programme C - Policy & Legislation Programme |
€156 |
€78 |
-€78 |
€71 |
-€7 |
|
Programme D - An Equal and Inclusive Society |
€3,289 |
€3,555 |
€265 |
€3,551 |
-€4 |
|
Programme E- A Fair and Efficient Support System for International Protection Seekers |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Subtotal |
€6,068 |
€6,288 |
€220 |
€6,248 |
-€40 |
|
Administration Pay & Non-Pay |
€60 |
€54 |
-€7 |
€51 |
-€3 |
|
Total Gross Expenditure Vote 40 |
€6,128 |
€6,342 |
€214 |
€6,299 |
-€43 |
|
Net underspend less capital carryover |
|
|
|
|
-€34 |
Final accounts for 2025 are not yet available. In relation to underspend in 2025, in the first instance, savings identified at the time of the Supplementary Estimate (SE) were surrendered against the increases required in other areas within the Vote. A €9m capital carryover in relation to Programme B was agreed. Any remaining underspend against SE will be surrendered.
2002. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an overview of the capacity of creches in County Clare (most especially the Shannon / Newmarket-on-Fergus / Bunratty / Sixmilebridge locality) to meet the needs of local families; her plans to increase creche places in the aforementioned areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1855/26]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. 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.
Each year, Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Early Years Sector Profile. The most recently published capacity data for the 2024/25 programme year estimated that there were 5,833 children enrolled in ELC and SAC services in County Clare. This has grown from a figure of 4,723 in 2021/22, an increase of 24%.
This data also indicated that 42% of services had at least one vacant place and 39% had a waiting list. While waiting list data should not be used as a measure of overall demand for ELC and SAC places, it can be used to give an indication of demand for places for a given age group or service type. However, not all services operate a waiting list and any individual child may be on multiple waiting lists in different services, with some children remaining on waiting lists after they have secured childcare elsewhere.
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.
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the third programme year (2024/25), the allocation for Core Funding allowed for a 6% increase in capacity. 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 the natural 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 Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner Services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises.
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 Scheme will deliver up to 1,500 full-day care places for 1- to 3-year-olds. Four applicants from Clare were approved for funding under the scheme creating up to 85 additional places for 0-3 year olds, with one of those services based in Newmarket-on-Fergus.
The Programme for Government commits for the first time to provide capital investment to build or purchase state-owned early learning and childcare facilities, to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. State ownership of facilities is a very substantial and significant development and offers the potential for much greater scope to influence the nature and volume of provision available and to ensure better alignment with estimated demand. This work will be supported through capital investment under the revised National Development Plan.
As announced in the context of Budget 2026, €197 million will be available between 2026 and 2030 for early learning and childcare capital programmes. This will include investment in new buildings through the State-led early learning and childcare programme, investment in expansion of existing early learning and childcare operators through the Building Blocks scheme and a number of quality initiatives including supports to childminders.
The Department also funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance. Contact details for the Clare County Childcare Committee may be found at www.clarechildcare.ie
2003. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if funding awarded to organisations through the Children’s Disability Grant Fund has been received by the organisations; if the amounts received in 2025 will be provided; if not when all successful applicants will be awarded, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1939/26]
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.
2004. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the scheme or funding stream available for the provision of guide dogs for a visually impaired person living in a rural area who is no longer working but who still wants to be able to leave the house and cannot do so safely without the assistance of a guide dog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1963/26]
View answerMy Department does not have a specific funding scheme for the provision of guide dogs.
My Department provides funding support, through the HSE, to those statutory and voluntary organisations who provide specialist community-based disability services in residential, respite and day settings, as well as additional services such as personal assistance, home support, multi-disciplinary supports and other community supports.
While my Department sets the strategy, policy direction and the overall allocation for the disability sector, funding allocations to individual service providers is an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority.
2005. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any product or service purchased from Israel or the Occupied Territories by her Department in 2025, broken down by description and amount paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1974/26]
View answerI have been informed that this Department has no suppliers based in Israel or an Occupied Palestinian Territory and that, therefore, this Department has not directly purchased any product or service from Israel or an Occupied Palestinian Territory in 2025.
Officials within this Department will continue to act in line with the law and Government policy when considering direct purchases of any kind.
2006. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for occupational therapy or psychologist support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2011/26]
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.
2007. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a person (details supplied) will receive an occupational therapy or an appointment with a psychologist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2012/26]
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.
