Written Answers Nos. 840-860
840. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding avenues which are open for after school services for national schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5548/26]
View answerThe Department provides a range of supports for anybody that wishes to set up an early learning and childcare service (which includes school-age childcare services). Any provider interested in establishing a service can get support from their local County Childcare Committee (CCC). Details of the CCCs can be found on [gov.ie - City and County Childcare Committees (www.gov.ie)]?
The introduction of Core Funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259 million of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding. Core Funding is a supply-side grant to early learning and childcare providers towards their operating costs. It is designed to deliver sustainability for providers through increased funding to the sector, paid on a consistent and equitable basis.
The annual Core Funding allocation has increased each year since and has exceeded €390 million for year 4 of the Scheme, which started in September 2025. This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in three years
The Department announced further 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 over €480 million. That is an additional €87.6 million on the current full year allocation, or a 22% increase.
In order to increase provision, the Department of Education has also published Procedures on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours. This document assists schools in considering applications for use of their facilities. To encourage the greater use of such facilities, the Department of Education has committed to provide schools with a guarantee that any income from after-school use of their facilities will not affect their State grants, capitation fees or any other form of departmental funding. Schools may establish such a service themselves, or may provide premises to a Tusla registered provider to deliver after-school care on the school premises. It is important to note that schools are run by their Board of Management and so the decision on whether or not to facilitate school aged childcare on the premises ultimately lies with the Board of Management.
Another important project that I have initiated is the development of a forward planning model to develop a better understanding of the nature of supply and how it relates to demand and in order to support the delivery of more early learning and childcare places in the parts of the country where they are needed. The model will identify the quantum and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country, whether or not those places are occupied and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level.
841. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide details of the total number of reviews currently underway in respect of children known to Tusla who are now deceased.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5578/26]
View answer842. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline who conducts reviews relating to the deaths of children known to Tusla, including the structures or bodies responsible for initiating, overseeing, and completing such reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5579/26]
View answer843. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide details of the total number of reviews relating to the deaths of children known to Tusla that have been completed in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5580/26]
View answer844. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the key learnings identified from reviews completed in the past five years concerning the deaths of children known to Tusla; to detail how such learnings have been incorporated into practice improvements or policy changes within Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5581/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 841, 842, 843 and 844 together.
The National Review Panel (NRP) was established by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2010 to conduct reviews of child deaths and serious incidents, where the child is in care or is known to Tusla. The NRP is functionally independent, with an independent chair and panel members along with its own independent legal advisors. Its purpose is to conduct reviews of child deaths and serious incidents and produce reports that are factually based and identify points of learning with a view to improving the quality of services provided to children and families.
While the final decision to publish NRP reports ordinarily rests with Tusla, a number of factors are considered in this regard, including the professional judgment of the NRP members undertaking the review and the wishes of the family members of the child.
Tusla has advised that the NRP has completed and submitted 47 reviews in the last five years, 37 of which related to the deaths of children known to Tusla. Tusla has further advised that there were 36 recommendations arising out of these reports and 184 points of learning. Recommendations are directed at actions that are required at an Agency level, and the learning points are directed at the network area where the child death arose. Tusla has stated that all learning arising is disseminated at network and regional levels.
Of the 36 recommendations at an Agency level, Tusla has confirmed that 23 recommendations are now completed, and it is actively pursuing actions across the Agency and at an Inter-Agency/ Inter-departmental level in relation to the remaining 13 recommendations.
The recommendations broadly fall under:
Internal Recommendations:Actions to strengthen existing practice/ develop policy positions across the Agency response pathway relating to review of governance and management of risk: review and assessment of previous and early intervention responses; the assessment and intervention practice and timelines in responding to child protection and welfare reports, safety planning and child protection safety planning intervention practice processes; management of cases awaiting allocation and timelines for responses across the continuum of care. Assessment of needs in care planning and placement/staffing capacity to respond to the needs of children in care and young adults in aftercare.
Externally focused recommendations:relating to strengthening multi-agency working protocols and integrated responses to the complex needs of vulnerable children and young adults. The following stakeholders have been identified by Tusla as significant to this work:
• The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the wider health system, in particular Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services,
• The Department of Education and Skills,
• The Department of Justice,
• Tusla-funded services, particularly in partnership with the HSE,
• An Garda Síochána.
The NRP has advised that it is currently processing 21 reviews relating to 35 children or young people who have died and were either in care or known to Tusla. Additional there are 18 cases of children who are deceased which have been notified to the NRP and are awaiting a decision regarding review. Decisions to review are made upon receipt of Tusla's own internal review reports.
Officials from this Department regularly review NRP reports from the context of analysing the quality of services provided directly or indirectly by Tusla to the child or young person concerned. In some instances, follow-up with Tusla may be required. Where this is deemed necessary it can include requests for a written response from Tusla, or a meeting with Tusla officials. Additionally, I can inform the Deputy that NRP reports are reviewed by my officials in the context of driving change and identifying learning and good practice across both Alternative Care and Child Protection and Welfare services.
Where the NRP makes recommendations which fall outside the remit of both this Department and Tusla, officials ensure that these recommendations are brought to the attention of the appropriate departments or agencies across Government for their attention.
Finally, I want to reiterate that the death of a child in any circumstances is a tragedy, and is deeply felt by families, friends, and communities, as well as professionals who worked with the child. The work of the NRP is vitally important to provide answers for those closest to the children who have died, and to recommend improvements in how services are delivered to the most vulnerable children in the State.
845. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the allocation of apartments (details supplied) which were provided free of charge to a therapeutic body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5604/26]
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.
846. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications refused redress to the mother and baby home redress scheme which opened twenty two months ago; the reasons given for such refusals; the number of those refusals being appealed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5605/26]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened for applications in March 2024. As at 18th January 2026 over 7,000 applications have been received.
Almost 6,400 Notices of Determination have issued to applicants, some 1,100 of which do not contain an offer of benefits under the Scheme. All applicants who receive a notice of determination are entitled to a review and thereafter an appeal. To date, 85 appeals have been requested with 61 decisions issued.
There are a number of reasons why an applicant may not be eligible for the Payment Scheme. The majority relate to applicants having spent less than 180 days in an institution as a child. Other reasons include the application relating to an institution which falls outside the Scheme or the date of death of an applicant being before the date of the Taoiseach's apology of 13 January 2021.
All information on the Scheme, including how to apply, can be found at the dedicated Payment Scheme website which includes a booklet, questions and answers, and short 'how to' videos on the application process. A Helpline is also available at +353 1 522 9992.
The Department also publishes summary statistics on the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme every month on its website, available here - [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/mother-and-baby-institutions-payment-scheme/#payment-scheme-statistics-summary]
847. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the response her Department plans to make to the intervention of the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights regarding the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5608/26]
View answer848. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department is undertaking an SME impact analysis on the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; what this analysis entails; when will it be finished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5609/26]
View answer863. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason for the omission of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 from the Spring Legislative Programme; and when it will be progressed. [5906/26]
View answer888. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the plans to bring forward the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 to introduce socio-economic disadvantage as a ground for discrimination in equality legislation; the reason this bill was not included in the Spring Legislative Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6255/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 847, 848, 863 and 888 together.
In November 2024, Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which includes a number of legislative provisions arising from a review of Ireland’s equality legislation.
At the same time, approval was granted, in principle, for the introduction of a new equality ground of socio-economic disadvantage in Ireland’s equality legislation, subject to the completion of an assessment of the potential costs for the Exchequer and of the Enhanced SME test examining the potential impact on SMEs of the introduction of such an equality ground.
Detailed work has already been undertaken on assessing these and other impacts, including through consultation with relevant stakeholders, and drawing on
• academic studies from Ireland and abroad,
• submissions relating to this topic received as part of the Review of the Equality Acts,
• recent Private Member’s Bills, and
• the legislation of other jurisdictions, and rulings made in these jurisdictions on equality cases.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme and issued its report in October 2025. Officials in this Department are considering the recommendations of the report, including those relating to the introduction of a socio-economic disadvantage ground, before finalising this work.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights has welcomed the proposed introduction of this ground and has requested an update on this. I will be happy to provide this as work continues.
While this legislation has not been included as a priority for the spring legislative programme, policy work is ongoing, and officials are continuing to engage with the drafter assigned to this Bill.
849. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a breakdown of expenditure by her Department and bodies, agencies or organisations under her remit on paid verification services on a platform (details supplied) or any other verified account products, for each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of verified accounts held under each category; the annual cost per account; the total annual cost incurred; the procurement basis under which these services were purchased, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5623/26]
View answerThis Department has no expenditure on paid verification services or any other verified account products on this platform for any of the years indicated.
This Department does not hold such data on expenditure by bodies, agencies or organisations under its aegis. For detailed information on expenditure by agencies under the Department's remit, members are advised to contact the agencies directly.
850. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she is taking to ensure that the independence of guardians ad litem is fully protected under the proposed new Guardian ad Litem National Service; the rationale for the proposed governance structure; the extent of consultation undertaken with practising guardians ad litem and their representative organisations; the measures being put in place to prevent the emergence of waiting lists for guardian ad litem appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5648/26]
View answerThe Guardian ad litem National Service will a nationally organised and managed service established to ensure that children’s voices are heard, and their best interests are independently presented, by an appointed Guardian ad litem, in child care proceedings. The Guardian ad litem National Service, as provided for under the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022, will come into effect mid-2026, following Ministerial approval.
This Department established the Executive Office, Guardian ad litem National Service in January 2025. It's mandate is to establish the National Service and prepare for commencement of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022, ensuring the Act achieves its intended government policy objectives.
The independence of Guardians ad litem in the performance of their functions is a legislative requirement and a core value of the role. The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022 clearly states that Guardians ad litem must act independently in their professional judgment and function.
Ongoing engagements with stakeholders have taken place and continue to be part of the Department strategy in the preparation for the establishment of the National Service. Since January 2025, the Executive Office has had extensive engagement the Guardians ad litem and their representative Association. This process is ongoing and further engagements are scheduled to take place in the coming months. Other stakeholders include the Executive Office are engaged with include; Courts Services, Judiciary, Law Society, Children Rights Alliance (CRA), Empowering Children in Care (EPIC), Tusla, Irish Foster Care Association (IFCA), Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (PER) and others.
Under the Guardian ad litem National Service, Guardians ad litem will be appointed from an authorised panel by the Minister, following a court order arising from child care proceedings. Following commencement there will be a transitional period where existing Guardians ad litem, who have followed the necessary procedures, may continue to work with children they have been appointed to under Section 26 of the Child Care Act 1991. Children, and their best interests, are at the centre of the Guardian ad litem National Service. The Service is committed to working with all stakeholders to prevent disruption for children before, during, and after commencement.
851. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average parental fee for full-day childcare in 2025 under the national childcare scheme, by county. [5677/26]
View answerEach year Pobal compiles data on fees from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Annual Early Years Sector Profile (AEYSP). As part of the AEYSP survey, service providers are asked to indicate the fee charged for each care type before deductions for subsidies, such as the National Childcare Scheme, are applied. As the distribution of fees is skewed, with most data points having low values and a few very high values influencing the mean, the median value is reported below as it is considered more representative of the mid-point of the data.
The most recently published fee data for the 2024/25 programme year indicates that the average (median) weekly fee per child (before subsidies) was €200.00 for full day care ELC.
To note, the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides subsidies – both universal and targeted - to reduce the costs to parents for children to participate in ELC. The NCS has been substantially expanded in recent years to further reduce the cost of ELC for families. This includes the extension of the universal subsidy to all children under 15 and two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy, which is now worth a minimum of €96.30 per week for 45 hours.
The fee data are available at www.pobal.ie/childcare/fees. Data collection for the 2024/25 survey took place between 06 May and 03 June 2025. In total, 4,225 services completed the survey during the data collection window, with a response rate of 87%.
The county breakdown is as follows:
|
County |
Full-day weekly fee |
|
Carlow |
€163.80 |
|
Cavan |
€178.30 |
|
Clare |
€180.00 |
|
Cork City |
€228.21 |
|
Cork County |
€211.20 |
|
Donegal |
€187.50 |
|
Dublin – Dublin City |
€230.87 |
|
Dublin – Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
€265.83 |
|
Dublin – Fingal |
€247.90 |
|
Dublin – South Dublin |
€230.00 |
|
Galway |
€186.00 |
|
Kerry |
€188.88 |
|
Kildare |
€235.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
€183.30 |
|
Laois |
€180.00 |
|
Leitrim |
€160.00 |
|
Limerick |
€180.00 |
|
Longford |
€172.50 |
|
Louth |
€210.00 |
|
Mayo |
€181.96 |
|
Meath |
€211.76 |
|
Monaghan |
€165.00 |
|
Offaly |
€200.00 |
|
Roscommon |
€177.02 |
|
Sligo |
€178.30 |
|
Tipperary |
€170.00 |
|
Waterford |
€180.00 |
|
Westmeath |
€191.65 |
|
Wexford |
€185.00 |
|
Wicklow |
€253.58 |
|
National |
€200.00 |
*Average is calculated as the median value for all services.
852. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of persons in receipt of personal assistance services in each CHO area as of 31 December 2025 or latest date available; and the number awaiting commencement of services, in tabular form. [5692/26]
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.
853. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children waiting for an assessment of need at the assessment of need office in Merlin Park in Galway; the expected waiting time for the assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5763/26]
View answerThe 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 HSE 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. This data is not available for a specific AON office but is available at Local Health Office (LHO) level. Data is also not available for the expected waiting time for assessment.
The most recent available data shows that, in Galway LHO, 374 Assessment of Need applications were overdue for completion at the end of September 2025. This number includes all assessment reports that were not completed within 6 months of receipt of an application.
These numbers may reflect the notable increase in applications for Assessment of Need in Galway LHO with 344 applications in the first nine months of 2025 compared to 113 applications for the whole of 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 of need.
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.
854. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the additional capital funding supports can be availed of for a naíonra and after school service (details supplied) who need to expand capacity very quickly.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5773/26]
View answerThe Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is currently in operation. Successful applicants are in the process of finalising the legal formalities associated with the scheme, with some services already actively delivering their projects.
Following on from the success of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, a further Building Blocks scheme will open for applications in 2026. This round of capital funding will focus on funding extensions to existing premises to allow for increased numbers of children to be offered places on a full-time basis. Community and private providers who are currently Core Funding partner services will be eligible to apply for this scheme.
I expect to announce details of the next Building Blocks scheme in the next month.
Separately, the Department is embarking on programme of capital investment in State-led early learning and childcare which will make investment in buildings to support the expansion of full day places, particularly for young children. This investment will constitute purchase and/or fit out of buildings depending on the specifics of particular projects. Details of this programme were announced by the Department on 21st January.
855. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has any plans to address an issue where delays in processing assessments of needs have impacted parents’ ability to apply for related social welfare support within the required timeframes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5826/26]
View answerThe 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 HSE Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.
Additionally, an Assessment of Need report should not be used as a supporting document for any service, grant, payment or other supports provided by a Government department or its aegis bodies. There is no provision within the Disability Act, 2005 for Assessment of Need reports to be used for this purpose.
In recent years the Assessment of Need system has come under significant strain with the demand for assessment of need reports outstripping the capacity of the HSE to deliver. This demand has a direct impact on the delivery of services by the HSE to children with a disability.
As part of the work to address this complex issue, Department officials have examined the drivers of demand, one of which is the possible use of Assessment of Need reports by families to inform applications for supports, services and grants across a range of government departments.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is engaging with other Departments, including the Department of Social Protection, to ensure that references to an Assessment of Need report, as a supporting or ancillary document, has been removed from any benefits or supports application process.
If there is a specific instance where an individual has experienced delays in accessing a payment, they should raise this matter with the Department of Social Protection.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
856. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of WTE social worker practitioner and senior social worker practitioner posts filled at south Kildare children's disability network team as of 16 January 2026; and the same figures as of 31 January 2023, in tabular form. [5841/26]
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.
857. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to review an application by a group (details supplied); if this application is still live to be considered for the next round of funding to be announced this year; if not, if re-application on behalf of the group is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5848/26]
View answerThe commissioning of new Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla, which is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Family Resource Centre Programme.
Following on from the comprehensive national application and assessment process undertaken in 2025, independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick, all the unsuccessful applicants were informed that their application will remain under active consideration should additional funding be secured for further expansion of the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2026. This remains the position.
The securing of additional funding in Budget 2026 will allow Tusla to increase Programme membership to 136 members, which is a very welcome development for an additional ten communities in need of the comprehensive range of services offered by Family Resource Centres. It is expected that an announcement of a decision on the ten new Family Resource Centres will be made in the very near future.
858. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason a pre-school (details supplied) operating under the ECCE scheme has received a commercial rates bill; whether this is now the standard for all ECCE pre-schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5886/26]
View answerCommercial rates payments for early learning and childcare providers do not fall under the remit of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department has no role in determining which properties are rateable.
The making of valuations for rating purposes is the sole responsibility of Tailte Éireann, formerly the Commissioner of Valuation. Tailte Éireann falls under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH).
I recently met with my cabinet colleague, Minister Browne, in order to discuss this issue. Additionally, officials in the Department are engaging with their colleagues in DHLGH and in Tailte Éireann.
I can update the Deputy once clarification on the matter is received.
859. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress being made in relation to the announcement of new family resource centres in 2026; whether Ballybunion, County Kerry, will be considered for designation as a family resource centre given the growing population and demand for family and community supports in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5892/26]
View answerThe commissioning of new Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla, which is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Family Resource Centre Programme.
Following on from the comprehensive national application and assessment process undertaken in 2025, independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick, all the unsuccessful applicants were informed that their application will remain under active consideration should additional funding be secured for further expansion of the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2026. This remains the position.
The securing of additional funding in Budget 2026 will allow Tusla to increase Programme membership to 136 members, which is a very welcome development for an additional ten communities in need of the comprehensive range of services offered by Family Resource Centres. It is expected that an announcement of a decision on the ten new Family Resource Centres will be made in the very near future.
860. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans for broad consultation with civil society in advance of submitting a report to the Universal Periodic Review working group at the UN Human Rights Council in July 2026. [5902/26]
View answerThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for coordinating the State’s engagement with the current cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. Work is currently underway on the preparation of the State report, which is due to be submitted to the United Nations in the summer of 2026.
The Department is continuing to actively support the effective engagement of civil society and children and young people in the State’s UPR process. As part of this, a stakeholder consultation was convened by the Department on 8 October 2025 to provide an opportunity for participants to highlight key priorities and to inform the development of the State’s UPR Report. The consultation brought together civil society organisations, national human rights institutions, and representatives from across Government Departments. Stakeholders noted progress achieved since the previous UPR cycle, while also highlighting ongoing challenges and key concerns requiring further attention.
The Department is currently finalising the report of this consultation. This report will be published as a standalone document in due course, and it will directly inform the preparation of the State UPR report.
In addition, to ensure that the voice of children and young people are heard, in line with article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Department is undertaking a series of targeted consultations with children and young people through the National Participation Office. These include consultations within the context of a school completion programme, a children’s detention centre, a special school and an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre. A review of recent relevant consultations with children and young people is also being carried out to help highlight issues relevant to the UPR process.
Separately, the UN Human Rights Council provides a direct mechanism for civil society input into the UPR process. The Department participated in a capacity-building event for civil society on Ireland's UPR hosted by IHREC on 14 January 2026. Stakeholder submissions are due to the UN on 10 April 2026.
