Written Answers Nos. 852-871
852. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will report on the actions taken by her Department in response to recent failures within Tusla identified through HIQA inspections, internal reviews, and external reports; if she will confirm whether any disciplinary or corrective measures have been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3894/26]
View answerHIQA monitors services used by some of the most vulnerable children in the State. Monitoring provides assurance to the public that children are receiving a service that meets the national standards. This process also seeks to ensure that the wellbeing, welfare, and safety of children is promoted and protected. Monitoring also has an important role in driving continual improvement so that children have access to better, safer services.
HIQA is authorised by this Department under section 8(1)(c) of the Health Act 2007, to monitor the quality of service provided by the Child and Family Agency to protect children and to promote the welfare of children. The Authority monitors the performance of the Child and Family Agency against the National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children and advises the Minister and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
HIQA submits all its Inspection Reports to the Department and where necessary the Reports are analysed and escalated within the Department to Senior Management and for my attention. The Department engages with Tusla on the implementation of compliance plans when deemed necessary.
The Department is committed to supporting Tusla in improving performance and ensuring Tusla’s structures are robust, responsive and capable of safeguarding every child in need, and that Tusla are supported in recruiting and retaining vital frontline staff such as social workers and foster carers.
Following Budget 2026, Tusla’s overall funding now stands at €1.371bn, an increase of 14% over its budget in 2025. This money will ensure that Tusla can continue to manage over 100,000 referrals annually. This investment supports Tusla’s multi-pronged, sustained strategy to address the recruitment and retention of child protection staff. Some key actions include:
• International Recruitment: The Social Worker grade was added to the Critical Skills Occupation List in 2023.
• Expanding Domestic Supply: University College Cork introduced two new pathways into social work in 2024, expected to increase annual graduate output by 20%.
• Promoting the Profession: A national "Social Work Changes Lives" media campaign was launched in 2025.
• Career Development: A Health & Social Care Career Pathway scheme has been sanctioned in Tusla to support career progression.
• Enhanced Salaries: A new Special Care Worker grade with an enhanced salary has been created to attract and retain Social Care Workers in Tusla’s Special Care services.
• Continued coordination by Tusla occurs with relevant departments and employers through forums like the Social Work All Employers Forum.
• Budget 2026 includes funding for innovative “earn and learn” social work and social care work apprenticeship courses programmes and sponsorship. University College Cork introduced two new pathways into social work in 2024, which is expected to increase annual graduate output by 20%.
• In relating to the difficulties in recruiting additional social workers, there is a commitment in the programme for Government to double the number of college places for social workers. In June, the Government approved an expansion in training places for a range of health and social care professionals. This will provide up to 361 additional student places by 2028, including college places for social workers.
I have recently published a Bill updating and modernising the Child Care Act which provides the foundation for child protection and welfare services in the State. This will strengthen the child protection legal framework and the powers available to Tusla.
In 2026, Tusla is implementing its Integrated Reform Programme with the introduction of revised structures and systems which is going live this month. The aims/benefits of the reform programme are as follows and to promote equity in service availability, promote capacity and promote quality of services and some of the important measures are as follows:
• Tusla is moving from 17 Areas in 6 regions to 30 Areas/Networks in 6 Regions. This will lead to a far more equitable distribution of children across Areas/Networks
• Staff will work as part of multidisciplinary teams to ensure a range of professionals with different skills are available to respond to the needs of children, young people, and families in the right way at the right time.
• Tusla will have “one single front door” in each Area/Network, ensuring all referrals are screened by a multidisciplinary team and offered the right support from the first point of contact.
• Tusla is improving its case management system. Key to this is the creation of a single record for each child and young person which will support integrated working including more streamlined referral and allocation system for residential care, improved communications, accurate data to improve decision making on an individual level and resource allocation.
• Tusla is simplifying its standard business processes to reduce inefficiencies and maximise time with children and families facilitating more focus on direct contact and relationship building.
• Tusla is scaling up its alternative care placement capacity across emergency, mainstream and specialist services across the country to ensure more timely access to residential care for those that need it.
• Tusla is improving its engagement with community and voluntary services to ensure resources are being allocated in the most effective way to respond to the needs of the population in each Area.
As soon as Tusla became aware of the recent tragic cases, the Department was notified immediately through the agreed protocols and procedures in place. There has been ongoing engagement with Tusla relating to Tusla’s own internal reviews of each specific case and on any recommendations that have arisen to date as a result of these internal reviews.
All of these cases have been referred to the National Review Panel who will make findings and recommendations, as deemed appropriate. The National Review Panel is independent and has remit to review serious incidents, in particular where there is suspected or confirmed abuse of a child in care. Forwarding of case files to the National Review Panel is normal practice by Tusla following its own internal reviews following the death or a serious case incident of a child known to Tusla.
The National Review Panel delivered its Report on the review of the Kyran Durnin case to the Department on the 29th October last. The Attorney General has determined that it would not be possible to publish the report at this time, given the potential to prejudice any potential prosecutions. It may be possible to publish the report in the future, depending on the advice of the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions. What has been agreed on foot of the advice of the Attorney General is that the recommendations in the report would be published in full, and they were published on 3rd December, 2025.
The Department is engaging with the relevant Government Departments and Agencies, including Tusla, on the implementation of the recommendations which are relevant to them. Tusla has already commenced the process on the implementation of the recommendations which come under its remit. I am clear that the implementation of the recommendations should be completed as soon as possible.
854. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will outline the mandate given to the newly appointed chairperson of Tusla regarding cultural reform within the agency; if she will confirm whether the chairperson has been tasked with addressing systemic issues relating to accountability, communication, and organisational culture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3896/26]
View answerThank you, Deputy, for your question related to the newly appointed chairperson of Tusla.
The role of the Chairperson and the Board are set out in the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. The expectations of the Chairperson are also framed by the Code of Practice of the Governance of State Bodies 2016. The Code outlines how the Chairperson must, inter alia, display high standards of integrity and probity, show strong leadership, oversee the application of appropriate controls set the tone regarding the organisations culture, values, and behaviours.
The Tusla Chairperson and its Board members are required to act on behalf of the citizen in overseeing the effective operation of the organisation. They perform an important stewardship role ensuring that Tusla serves the interests of the taxpayer, pursue value for money (including managing risk appropriately), and act transparently.
The Board of Tusla and its Chairperson play a vital role in ensuring that Tusla fulfils its mandate, is accountable to me as Minister, the Government, the Oireachtas and acts in the public interest. This extends to ensuring efficient and effective operations, the application of high standards of transparency and leading a positive organisational culture.
The Department will work with and support the new Chairperson and all members of the Board in these endeavours.
I trust that the above information has been useful.
855. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will seek an earlier implementation of the new EU disability card to ensure those unable to access a blue disability parking badge because they are mobile can access one and acknowledge their disability, especially those with autism and flight risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3934/26]
View answerThe European Disability Card and Enhanced European Parking Card Directive was published on 14 November 2024. Member States have until 5 June 2027 to transpose the Directive into national law and until 5 June 2028 to introduce the Cards. Transposition and implementation of the Directive within the deadlines is a priority for me.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is leading on the transposition of the Directive. As the Directive is broad in its scope, covering areas including transport, arts, culture and sport, officials will be engaging with all relevant departments throughout the transposition process, as well as with Disabled Persons Organisations.
It should be noted that the Directive establishes two separate Cards; a European Disability Card and an enhanced European Parking Card. While the Department of Children, Disability and Equality is leading on the transposition of the Directive, policy responsibility for the enhanced European Parking Card remains with the Department of Transport. The European Parking Card will ensure that Irish citizens who are holders of the Card will be able to use accessible parking spaces both domestically and when travelling to other Member States.
The European Disability Card will also make travel easier for disabled Irish citizens by ensuring that when they travel to another EU Member State for a short stay, and use transport or avail of culture, arts, leisure or sport services, they will be able to easily access any special conditions or preferential treatment available to a disabled citizen of that country. This could include, for example, reduced entry fees when visiting a museum or priority entry or access to dedicated seating areas when attending a sporting event or concert.
856. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the proposal to provide a new healthcare facility will progress to the next stage (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3937/26]
View answerHSE-funded day programmes for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, or complex physical disabilities include a range of centre-based and community-based activities. Access to services is based on an individual’s needs rather than on their diagnosis. The focus is on supporting people to participate in the mainstream activities and in the life of their community, in line with their wishes and needs.
Day services are a vital support for adult with disabilities to participate in the life of their community and to realise their own ambitions. The majority of young people due to leave school in a given year that require a HSE funded day service have been profiled by the end of the previous year to establish their support needs. Once needs are identified, referrals are made to the service provider of choice, funding is committed and negotiations are concluded with providers by end of May to confirm placements to young people and their families. In many instances young people due to leave school at end of June are introduced to their day services for trialling purposes during April, May and June so there is a natural transition into day services in September.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
857. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the rationale for refusing to allow foster parents (details supplied) pay privately for speech and language therapy for their foster child, who has already built a relationship with an existing speech and language therapist, and acknowledging that change is particularly traumatic for the child; if this particular case can be investigated with a view to permitting therapy that has been effective to recommence and continue with the original therapist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3949/26]
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.
858. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a detailed account of all expenditure incurred by Tusla, in appointing a company (details supplied) as an independent body to examine and/or investigate protected disclosures in Cork in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, including professional fees, associated legal costs, VAT and any other related expenses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4000/26]
View answerThank you Deputy, for your question. As this matter relates to an operational matter and procedure within Tusla I have referred your question to Tusla for a direct response.
859. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently waiting for assessment of needs in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4013/26]
View answer860. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently waiting for assessment of needs in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4014/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 859 and 860 together.
The delivery of an effective, efficient Assessment of Need system is a priority for the Government. There has been intensive work by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the HSE to address delays in the provision of Assessments of Need.
Under the Disability Act, an Assessment of Need is an assessment process carried out by the HSE where a person is of the opinion that he/she may have a disability, for anyone born after 1st June 2002. It first establishes whether the person has a disability (as defined within the Act). It then identifies the health and education needs of the person with a disability and the services required to meet those needs.
It is important to note that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.
However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and the number of families exploring all options to access services for their child. The impact of this increased demand has contributed to there being over 18,000 applications overdue for completion nationwide at the end of September 2025, according to the most recently available HSE data.
More positively, there has been continued improvement in the number of completed assessment of need reports. Over 4,500 reports were completed in the first nine months of 2025 – a 57% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The HSE provides Assessment of Need data on a quarterly basis but has advised this data is not available on a county level. However, data is available at Local Health Office (LHO) level. As Carlow and Kilkenny are part of the same LHO (Carlow/Kilkenny LHO), I will respond to both PQs together.
The most recent available HSE data shows that 145 Assessment of Need applications were overdue for completion in the Carlow/Kilkenny LHO at the end of September 2025. This number includes all assessment reports that were not completed within 6 months of receipt of an application for AON.
Applications for Assessment of Need have increased in the LHO compared to the same period in 2024, with 184 applications in the first nine months of 2025 compared to 143 applications for the whole of 2024. However, there has also been a notable increase in the number of completed AON reports with 148 reports completed by the end of September 2025, compared to 68 over the full year in 2024.
In December 2025, Government announced a series of reforms to the Assessment of Need process which will make the process more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment.
This reform includes changes to Part 2 of the Disability Act, 2005, which provides for Assessments of Need. The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025 which outlines these proposed changes was approved by Government on 9 December and will be published on the Department’s website shortly.
Any proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child, nor will they alter the statutory six-month timeline set out in the Disability Act.
Other aspects of the reform include:
• The development of statutory guidelines to ensure that Assessments of Need focus on identifying a child’s needs, engaging in more intensive assessments only where required to identify need. This should help reduce delays and allow therapists to spend more time delivering services.
• The establishment by the HSE of eleven new teams, initially, to support HSE assessment processes, including Assessments of Need. Each team will include a psychologist, a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist, and an administrator, providing clinical guidance throughout the process.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
861. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children aged zero to 18 years in each of the integrated healthcare areas (IHA) by individual area, awaiting first-time intervention in all areas of early intervention; the number on the public list; the number on the children's disability network team list in each IHA; and the length of time awaiting intervention by age, as of year-end 2025, in tabular form (details supplied). [4017/26]
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.
862. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of WTE health and social care professionals working in the children's disability network teams in the north inner city CDNT and Cabra CDNT at the end of 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4036/26]
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.
863. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a resource centre (details supplied) can apply to the building blocks scheme to fund/part-fund a new-build to replace an older, not-fit-for-purpose premises; if so, the application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4157/26]
View answerThe 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. An application for funding was received from Deansrath Family Resource Centre. This application was deemed ineligible as the total project value was considerably in excess of that allowed under the scheme.
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.
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 these programmes will be made available shortly.
864. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children awaiting an initial appointment with Cabra CDNT, Finglas CDNT and North Inner City CDNT; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4163/26]
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.
865. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a mechanism will be introduced to allow funding under the AIM, NCS and sponsored childcare schemes to be backdated in cases where administrative issues prevent applications from being submitted immediately, in order that providers are not financially disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4167/26]
View answerThere is no backdating of financial support under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
While the question does not detail what form of administrative issue might prevent an application from being submitted, payment of a subsidy requires the following steps: a parent must first complete an NCS application, be provided with a CHICK and bring that CHICK to their provider. At this point the provider will register a claim on the system. From that point on, the claim is payable, once two further steps happen: the parent confirms the details of the claim are correct, and the provider submits a weekly return. It is not possible for payment to issue for the period before the provider has registered a claim on the system.
This said, where the Scheme Administrator, Pobal, are aware that an administrative error has occurred on their behalf, such as an IT issue, applicants will not be disadvantaged. Should any gap in subsidy occur as a result of such issues, a review will be conducted by Pobal to rectify same. Further information on the review process is available in Section 12 of the National Childcare Scheme Policy Guidelines.
Specific to NCS Sponsorship and for the purposes of the question, ‘administrative issues’ will be taken to include scenarios where:
• There is a delay on behalf of the NCS Sponsorship Body in submitting a referral for a child, and;
• A child has already started in an early learning and childcare service, where it is understood a CHICK is imminent.
In scenarios such as the above, early learning and childcare providers may initiate a review process with the Scheme Administrator, Pobal. Upon submission of relevant documentation, Pobal (at its discretion) may issue an ad hoc payment in order to cover the affected period. However, the time limit for such reviews is six months. It should be noted that this process only exists for Sponsored children.
If an early learning and childcare provider requires support specific to Sponsored CHICKs, they should contact the Service Provider Centre at 01 511 7222 or email [eypc@pobal.ie].
More broadly, it may be useful to note that an evaluation of the NCS is due to start in early 2026. This evaluation will review how the Scheme has performed to date and identify any potential enhancements that could be made to better support families. The process will include extensive stakeholder consultation with parents, providers, and representative groups, as well as a comprehensive review of national and international research and best practice.
Lastly, with regards to the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), per the programme rules for AIM, AIM level 7 year two, AIM Plus, AIM Non-term and Aim level 1 applications are eligible for back payment with AIM year two and AIM level 1 applications having a cut-off date to be eligible for back payments. Aim Level 7 initial claims are not eligible for back pay.
The Department currently does not have any plans to expand on the backdating rules that are in place for AIM at this time.
866. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of vacancies at each grade of Higher executive officer and above within her Department as of 12 January 2026, in tabular form. [4184/26]
View answerAs per the below table, as of the 12th January, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality had 10 general service vacancies from HEO grade and above.
|
Grade |
HEO |
AP |
Total |
|
Number of Vacancies |
2 |
8 |
10
|
The Department is also recruiting for a number of positions ahead of the establishment of the Guardian Ad Litem National Service, as well as specialist positions at AP grade in ICT and Communications.
867. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the supports available for children diagnosed with chromosome deletion disorder 16p11.2, specifically those who are awaiting an assessment of need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4233/26]
View answerUnder the Disability Act, an Assessment of Need is a formal assessment process carried out by the HSE where a person is of the opinion that he/she may have a disability, for anyone born after 1st June 2002. It first establishes whether the person has a disability (as defined within the Disability Act). It then identifies the health and education needs of the person with a disability and the health services required to meet those needs.
Children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including HSE Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services. A family can, and should, apply directly for these services for their child outside of the Assessment of Need process. While most children are supported through the Primary Care system, children with complex needs may require supports from their local Children’s Disability Network Team.
As the supports available to children diagnosed with chromosome deletion disorder 16p11.2 is an operational matter, we have referred this aspect of the question to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
868. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she can investigate the facts surrounding an adopted child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4290/26]
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.
869. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will clarify whether personal data held by her Department and its customer facing sections is subject to processing by artificial intelligence tools (details supplied). [4305/26]
View answerThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
870. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she and or her officials have conducted a data protection impact assessment with regards to the use of artificial intelligence tools, and, if so, the dates on which this assessment was conducted. [4310/26]
View answerThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
871. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 2015 of 13 January 2026, if considering information (details supplied), he will furnish the funds for an independent investigation into the matter. [4316/26]
View answerI am very conscious of the hurt that continues to be felt because of the uncertainty regarding the burial place of children who died while they were resident at the former Mother and Baby institution in Bessborough.
As detailed in reply to PQ 2183/26, the independent Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes investigated burials arrangements at the former institution in Bessborough. Despite extensive efforts, including carrying out cartographic and landscape assessments as well as a site survey, the Commission was unable to find any evidence of burials of the children who died at Bessborough in the grounds of the institution.
The Commission concluded that the only way that it can be established if burials took place in the grounds is by an excavation of the entire property, including the areas that are now built on.
While I understand that there have been calls for further investigations, I am also aware that there are differing views among survivors how the site should be treated.
