Tuesday, 13 Jan 2026

Written Answers Nos. 2008-2027

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Departmental Legal Cases

Questions (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Grace Boland

Question:

2008. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department, or any body under its aegis, has funded, or is funding, other than where legal costs were awarded against the employer by a court or tribunal, the legal costs of any current or concluded litigation taken by an employee or former employee against that Department or body, in each of the past five years; if so, to provide details of the number of such cases, the bodies involved, and the total costs incurred in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2014/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

2009. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the basis on which her Department, or a body under its aegis, may fund the legal costs of an employee or former employee in litigation where that employee is in dispute with, or taking proceedings against, the same body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2032/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

2010. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the funding of employee legal costs in disputes against her Department, or a body under its aegis, is standard practice; if not, the circumstances in which such funding may be permitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2050/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

2011. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the guidance, codes, circulars or directions that govern the payment of legal costs by her Department, and bodies under its aegis, in employment-related disputes, including any requirements under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies or Departmental sanction arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2068/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

2012. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the funding of employee legal costs in litigation against the employing body could give rise to governance, accountability, or value for money concerns; whether her Department has issued any guidance in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2086/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

2013. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has reviewed, or intends to review, the practice of Departments, and bodies under their aegis, funding legal costs in employment disputes involving those same bodies; and if so, the outcome or timeline for such a review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2104/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

2014. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether arrangements to fund legal costs in employment disputes involving her Department, or bodies under its aegis, require the prior approval of her Department or the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2122/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 together.

The Deputy has raised several questions related to legal costs in employment related disputes which I will take together.

I can confirm to the Deputy that, other than where legal costs were awarded against the Department as employer by a court or tribunal, the Department has not funded the legal costs of an employee or former employee against the Department in the past five years.

I can confirm that it is not standard practice in the Department, or any aegis bodies of this Department to fund employee legal costs in disputes against the Department and there has been no review nor is there a planned review of the same.

Queries relating to guidance, codes, circulars or directions that govern the payment of legal costs by government departments should be directed to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

I can confirm that this department and aegis bodies ensure compliance with all relevant guidance produced by DPER and would seek sanction from that Department where required.

Any funding of legal costs of employees taking cases against the Department or aegis bodies would be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with relevant guidance and legal advice to ensure good governance, accountability and value for money.

The officials have consulted with Tusla, Oberstown, the Adoption Authority, IHREC, ODAIT and the National Disability Authority in relation to whether these aegis bodies funded the legal costs of any litigation taken by an employee or former employee in the past five years, and the costs of same, other than where legal costs were awarded against the employer by a court or tribunal.

Tusla advised that any current or resolved employment related disputes are subject to individual confidentiality agreements, and as such Tusla are not at liberty to disclose the details of any such settlement agreement that may have had an element of legal cost or part legal costs.

IHREC advised that if any employment related dispute arises, such disputes are treated in strict confidence; any legal settlement that may arise relating to such a dispute would be subject to a confidentiality agreement, so that neither party can disclose details of settlements that may have had some legal or part legal costs involved in the final legal settlement.

Oberstown, the Adoption Authority, and the National Disability Authority advised that they have not had any such instances in the past five years.

I would like to highlight that the Office of the Ombudsman for Children will reply to the Deputy directly.

Question No. 2009 answered with Question No. 2008.

Question No. 2010 answered with Question No. 2008.

Question No. 2011 answered with Question No. 2008.

Question No. 2012 answered with Question No. 2008.

Question No. 2013 answered with Question No. 2008.

Question No. 2014 answered with Question No. 2008.

Mother and Baby Homes

Questions (2015)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

2015. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there have been any private forensic reports undertaken at a site (details supplied); if she will provide this Deputy with reports relating to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2183/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

The Department is not aware of any private forensic reports undertaken at the Bessborough site.

The Department understands that reports relating to the archaeological and cultural heritage of the site have been prepared and submitted to planning authorities as part of planning applications. The Department is also aware that a historical and archaeological report on the site was commissioned by the congregation that owned and ran the former mother and baby institution there and that this report is available on the congregation’s website.

I am very conscious of the pain caused by the deaths of children who were resident in the former Mother and Baby institution in Bessborough. One of the most tragic aspects of what happened is the uncertainty regarding the burial place of many children who were resident there.

The investigation of burial arrangements in Mother and Baby institutions was an important part of the work of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. The Commission, which had specific powers, carried out cartographic and landscape assessments of possible unrecorded burial arrangements at the Bessborough site. It also carried out a site survey and followed up with people on responses to its appeal seeking information about burials. The Commission concluded that it is likely that some of the children who died at this institution are buried in the grounds but was unable to find any physical or documentary evidence of this. As no evidence of locations was found, the Commission did not consider it feasible to excavate the full available site, which amounts to 60 acres or indeed the former 200 acre estate, parts of which have now been built on.

As part of the Government Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, in November 2022, the then Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage wrote to all City and County Councils requesting that Development Plan processes give adequate consideration to incorporating appropriate measures to ensure the protection of unrecorded burial sites associated with an institution.

Childcare Services

Questions (2016, 2020, 2021)

Naoise Ó Cearúil

Question:

2016. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the revised Early Learning and Childcare Planning Guidance will be issued; whether it will require childcare facilities to be fully fitted out and operational before a set proportion of dwellings are occupied, with reference to an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2215/26]

Naoise Ó Cearúil

Question:

2020. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she intends to introduce updated childcare planning guidance requiring childcare demand assessments for large residential schemes in Kildare north; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2219/26]

Naoise Ó Cearúil

Question:

2021. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the 2001 Childcare Facilities Guidelines will be updated; whether the revised guidance would include a modernised demand assessment for apartment developments, including one bed, studio and appropriate two bed units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2220/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2016, 2020 and 2021 together.

The 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The Guidelines are intended to ensure a consistent approach to the treatment of planning applications in respect to the land use planning aspects of early learning and childcare provision. The Statutory Instrument is overseen by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The Programme for Government commits to reviewing the 2001 Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities to ensure early learning and childcare spaces are provided and put into use. The 2024 Planning and Development Act and the publication of the National Planning Framework now provide a strong basis from which to pursue this work.

An Early Learning and Childcare Planning Matters Working Group, with officials from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality; the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage; and the Department of Education and Youth, was established in 2024 and has met on a number of occasions in 2024 and 2025.

Meetings have been held since summer 2025 with members of the working group with officials from different local authorities who were nominated by the City and County Managers Association Planning and Land Use Committee.

This engagement with nominated planners was effective in identifying a number of important considerations for the review and is now informing a wider engagement with local authorities. These issues include ensuring that buildings developed on foot of the guidelines meet the needs of the local population and are fit for purpose; and balancing the need to ensure sufficient provision for children and families, regardless of the size or housing type of the development, with ensuring that buildings are effectively operated as intended.

I have engaged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss how best to support and inform the drafting of revised guidelines under the new Planning and Development Act and will continue to engage with him.

Shaping the Future, the Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 Report, which I published recently, commits to continuing to work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage includes an action to continuing to work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review the Planning Guidelines and prepare for a new National Planning Statement to be agreed by Cabinet, with a timeframe of 2026. Officials in this Department will continue to engage with colleagues to progress this work.

Childcare Services

Questions (2017)

Naoise Ó Cearúil

Question:

2017. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the Building Blocks Capital Programme will be expanded to include crèche fit out costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2216/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched on 4th November 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January 2025 and a total of 78 applications were received from across the country. 50 of these applicants were approved to progress to the next stage of the process involving the finalisation of legal formalities associated with the scheme. Some services have completed the grant agreement and other documentation and others are working through that process.

A further Building Blocks scheme will open for applications in 2026, with this round focusing on funding extensions to existing premises to allow for increased numbers of children to be offered places on a full day basis.

As with the previous Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, eligible expenditure under the capital scheme includes fixtures and fittings to facilitate additional full-time places for the relevant cohort. I expect to announce details of the next Building Blocks scheme in the coming weeks.

Separately, the Department will be embarking on programme of capital investment in State-led early learning and childcare which will make investment in buildings to support the expansion of places, particularly for young children. This investment may constitute purchase and/or fit out of buildings depending on the specifics of particular projects. Details of this programme will also be made available shortly.

Childcare Services

Questions (2018)

Naoise Ó Cearúil

Question:

2018. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a county level operator pipeline for Kildare, including all allocations since 2022, will be published, in order to combat delays such as the continued non operation of a purpose built crèche in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2217/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

Improving 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. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by over a third between 2021 and 2025. 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.

In respect of the early learning and childcare sector, this is an entirely privately delivered sector with three quarters of operators established on a for-profit basis and one quarter of a not-for-profit basis. While the Department supports Early Learning and Childcare providers through a range of current funding schemes and other supports, it does not determine the use of all buildings delivered for the purposes of early learning and childcare or selecting buildings for private operators.

In addition to the substantial investment in current funding, and particularly the establishment and substantial growth of Core Funding since 2022, Government is supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding.

The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme which is currently underway 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, 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.

Fifty applicants were approved to progress to the next stage of the process involving the finalisation of legal formalities associated with the scheme. Some services have completed the grant agreement and other documentation and others are working through that process, including two in County Kildare.

The Programme for Government also 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.

Through the revised National Development Plan, €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. Preparatory work for this programme of capital investment well advanced, with the multi-year programme planned to commence from 2026 onwards. Further details of this programme will be announced shortly.

Childcare Services

Questions (2019)

Naoise Ó Cearúil

Question:

2019. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to publish quarterly county level dashboards detailing new childcare capacity, waiting lists by age band, and the number of estate crèches opened versus those permitted, with reference to County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2218/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

Each 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). AEYSP, which has been conducted annually for the last 21 years plays a central role in informing policy development, assessing the impact of policy change and provides a comprehensive national analysis of ELC and SAC services throughout Ireland.

As part of the AEYSP survey, service providers are asked to report data for their service on capacity and waiting lists by age group which is published annually. The Department has no plans to move to surveying providers quarterly to collect this material.

Any questions about creches in new estates should be directed to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as they relate to residential planning which is under the remit of that Department.

Question No. 2020 answered with Question No. 2016.

Question No. 2021 answered with Question No. 2016.

Artificial Intelligence

Questions (2022)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

2022. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department is using artificial intelligence tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers; and if so, to outline which projects or units of the Department are affected. [2240/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.

Artificial Tools

Artificial Intelligence

Questions (2023)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

2023. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any agencies or other bodies under her remit are using artificial intelligence tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers; and if so, to outline which projects or units of the organisation are affected. [2258/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (2024)

John Clendennen

Question:

2024. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a list of the top ten capital or programme projects delivered by her Department or its agencies over the past three years which were completed on time and within the originally approved budget; the project name, location, delivery timeframe, original approved budget, final outturn cost, and delivery body, for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2422/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.

"https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2026-01-13_pq-20…

Departmental Contracts

Questions (2025)

John Clendennen

Question:

2025. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to detail the annual spend on external consultants by her Department and its agencies in each of the past three years; the number of consultancy contracts, the largest individual consultancy engagements by value, and whether internal capacity-building or cost-benefit assessments were undertaken prior to engaging external consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2440/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.

[https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/caighdeanOifigiul/2026/2026-04-08_pq-2440-12-03-2026_en.pdf]

Departmental Projects

Questions (2026)

John Clendennen

Question:

2026. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a list, for each of the past three years of the top ten projects per annum delivered by her Department or its agencies which were completed late and over the originally approved budget; the project name, location, original approved completion date, actual completion date, original approved budget, final outturn cost, cost overrun expressed in euro and percentage terms, and the delivery body for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2458/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.

2024

Project name	Location	Delivery timeframe	Original approved budget €	Final Outturn Cost €	Cost overrun €	Cost overrun percentage	Delivery timeframe overrun	Delivery Body
Energy upgrade – LED	Oberstown units	March 2024 – May 2024	481,000	547,929.65	66,929.65	13.91%	Delivered on time	Oberstown

Guardians Ad Litem

Questions (2027)

Maeve O'Connell

Question:

2027. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the concerns of an organisation (details supplied) in relation to changes to the role of guardians ad litem; and if she will engage with the organisation in relation to these concerns. [2476/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

I acknowledge the concerns held by The Independent Guardian ad litem Agency (TIGALA) around the changes to the role of Guardians ad litem. I would like to confirm that the Department is working to ensure the best possible outcome from this reform. TIGALA is a private agency who provides administrative support to approximately 40 independent Guardians ad litem.

As TIGALA is one of several key stakeholders in the reform programme, I am confident that the Executive Office has engaged—and will continue to engage—constructively with them in relation to the establishment of the Guardian ad Litem National Service, with a shared commitment to delivering the highest standard of service for children.

The Department has developed a project implementation plan and detailed operational policies are being finalised in consultation with stakeholders. The recruitment process for Guardians ad litem is being phased to ensure the continuity of the service and to avoid disruption to the current service provided for children. Updates will be published on the Department’s website, and engagement with the Association of Guardians ad litem Ireland, who also represent The Independent Guardians ad litem Agency members, will continue.

This Department remains committed to ensuring the independence of the Guardian ad litem as set out in the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022. This will be done through statutory safeguards, ensuring legal representation for Guardians ad litem where necessary, publishing operational policies and maintaining transparency, preventing waiting lists and safeguarding workforce stability.

I can confirm that the Guardian ad litem National Service have continuous engagement with the Association of Guardians ad litem Ireland, in preparation for the commencement of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022.

• Written Answers Nos. 1987-2007
• Written Answers Nos. 2028-2047