Written Answers Nos. 888-907
888. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he and his Department have conducted to address animal welfare concerns on Irish pig farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9604/26]
View answerThere is robust EU and Irish National legislation in place to protect the welfare of pigs. The legislation sets out detailed requirements on the housing, environmental conditions and management requirements for pigs that are kept for rearing or fattening. Officials from my Department carry out risk-based inspections on a selection of pig farms each year to check compliance with the legislation. Where non-compliances are identified, action is taken to address them.
My Department has also implemented specific actions to help improve the welfare of pigs which include:
• Over 1400 free Animal Welfare Risk Assessments have been carried out across approximately 400 pig farms to date with a view to improving pig welfare on farm.
• Significant grant aid funding is available to pig farmers under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), to build new, high-welfare pig housing, to include much more space for pigs, more comfortable flooring and more feeding space.
• Specific measures have also been taken to promote a move away from the use of sow farrowing crates and stalls as grant aided housing also requires bigger and well-designed farrowing pens where sows can only be kept in a crate for a few days around farrowing, the rest of the time they must be loose in the pen with their piglets.
The European Commission has committed to reviewing all of the existing EU animal welfare legislation, including the legislation on pig welfare. Work on that review and impact assessment is still ongoing at EU level and my Department continues to support this review provided the legislative proposals are based on the latest science, with reasonable transition periods and that supports are made available to farmers.
My Department strongly condemns any cruelty or mistreatment of animals. It is the policy of the Department to investigate all allegations of illegal behaviour or abuse and to take appropriate enforcement action where appropriate. If members of the public are aware of any cases of suspected abuse or neglect, they can contact my Department's animal welfare helpline on:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
889. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine he reason applications for TAMS 3 for solar PV grants that have an apparent poor success rate; if he can provide data showing the total number of applications; the total number of grants awarded; the total value of same in 2024 and 2025; the breakdown of grants, by percentage awarded to dairy, sheep, beef and tillage farms; if he will consider a review of the eligibility and scoring criteria to ensure more applications are successful, particularly from energy intensive dairy farms, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9650/26]
View answerThe Solar Capital Investment scheme (SCIS) is a measure under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), which provides support to farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy. Grant aid is provided to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology, together with battery storage.
The SCIS has been hugely popular with farmers, with 5,529 applications received under the first ten tranches of the Scheme. To date, a total of 3,167 approvals have issued, with payments of €22.8 million issuing to 1,232 applicants since payments commenced in 2024. A further breakdown of applications by sector are provided in the table below.
The Ranking and Selection System (RASS) under the Solar Capital Investment Scheme applies marks across a range of criteria, including the age of the applicant, the size of the holding, land in Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and Nitrates status.
Of the 3,167 approvals issued to date under SCIS, 55% have issued to dairy farmers. This achieves the objective of providing support to a sector with significant energy usage by encouraging investment in renewable energy, thereby reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. On that basis, I believe that the current ranking and selection scoring system is the best mechanism for ensuring that funding is targeted at the most appropriate enterprises. I will also ensure that the system continues to be reviewed on a regular basis.
TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme - Applications Received by Enterprise Type **
|
- |
2024 |
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
Type of Enterprise |
Applications |
% |
Claims Paid |
% |
Value |
Applications |
% |
Claims Paid |
% |
Value |
|
Milk |
969 |
54% |
142 |
51% |
€3,008,737 |
1573 |
62% |
474 |
50% |
€10,504,091 |
|
Other Grazing Livestock (excl. Milk) |
594 |
33% |
101 |
36% |
€1,000,509 |
776 |
30% |
312 |
33% |
€3,127,903 |
|
Pigs or Poultry (Granivores) |
111 |
6% |
18 |
6% |
€412,738 |
79 |
3% |
81 |
8% |
€2,478,968 |
|
Mixed (Crops and Livestock) |
64 |
4% |
10 |
3.5% |
€264,323 |
83 |
3% |
44 |
4.7% |
€754,757 |
|
Field Crops (Tillage) |
60 |
3% |
7 |
3% |
€157,640 |
45 |
2% |
39 |
4% |
€895,793 |
|
Horticulture |
4 |
0.22% |
1 |
0.5% |
€54,000 |
5 |
0.20% |
3 |
0.3% |
€120,300 |
|
Other Permanent Crops (Fruits) |
1 |
0.06% |
|
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Total |
1803 |
|
279 |
|
€4,897,947 |
2561 |
|
953 |
|
€17,881,812 |
** Enterprise type is self-declared on TAMS applications and categories declared do not include beef or sheep farmers, which are included under other grazing livestock.
890. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the enactment of the Protection of the Native Irish Honeybee Bill 2021 to ensure the protection of native species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9669/26]
View answerThe Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 which is a Private Members Bill is currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage. Progression of the Bill through Dáil Éireann is subject to the procedures of the Oireachtas.
891. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9794/26]
View answerThe events raised by the named person have been the subject of two separate internal reviews by senior management of my Department. Comprehensive formal written responses were issued on both occasions to the named person outlining my Department’s position. A further written response was issued by my Department on 4 February 2026 in relation to the named person’s recent correspondence dated 22 January 2026.
My Department investigates all complaints received in relation to animal health and welfare but is not at liberty to disclose investigative details and follow up actions with third parties.These constraints are necessary to maintain the integrity of our procedures and confidentiality obligations.
892. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a mussel seed fishery will be opened (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9826/26]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy that I fully recognise wild mussel seed as an important resource for the bottom-grown mussel sector.
As the Deputy may be aware, during routine surveying and screening work on the mussel seed beds off Wexford in 2025, a single juvenile Slipper Limpet (Crepidula Fornicata) was found, and several specimens of Japanese Wireweed (Sargassum Muticum) were identified at the Long Bank mussel seed bed. Both species are listed as being of national concern in the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 (Statutory Instrument No. 374 of 2024), which has been in place since July 2024, and are subject to very strict controls. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage holds primary responsibility for the implementation of this legislation.
I opened the 2025 mussel seed fishery in the Rusk Channel in November last, as no invasive alien species were found in this seedbed.
I wish to assure you that every effort continues to be made to resolve outstanding issues in relation to the Long Bank mussel seedbed as expeditiously as possible. Updates will continue to be communicated to industry through the Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum, with further information to be provided ahead of the next suitable tide on 25th February.
893. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 (details supplied); whether the review has concluded; his plans to publish the research and findings; whether his Department now considers that there exists a robust scientific and legal basis for legislative action; and whether the Government plans to progress or amend the Bill or bring forward an alternative legislative measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9887/26]
View answerThe Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 which is a Private Members Bill is currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage.
The Bill seeks to ban the importation of non native honey bees. When the Bill was proceeding through the Seanad my Department raised some concerns in relation to imposing a statutory ban on the importation of non-native honey bees as it could constitute a restriction on trade under EU Regulations.
Following advice received from the Office of the Attorney General, my Department procured independent scientific evidence and a 12 month contract was signed with the National University of Ireland, Galway in October 2023 for the provision of research services on the native Irish honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera).
The research work concluded in December 2024 and the research report was subsequently evaluated by an external expert. Following the completion of the evaluation the research service provider (NUIG) was afforded the opportunity to respond to the evaluator’s comments.
Progression of the Bill through Dáil Éireann is subject to the procedures of the Oireachtas at which stage consideration will be given to publication of this research and the outcome of the evaluation.
I wish to reiterate my support for the important work beekeepers and all the beekeeping associations in Ireland do regarding the promotion and protection of Apis mellifera mellifera.
894. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of all active interdepartmental, interagency, and department-agency working groups organised under his remit. [10147/26]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that details of all active interdepartmental, interagency, and department-agency working groups, organised under my Department's remit, is set out in the attached table.[<ahref="https:/data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2026-02-10_pq894-10-02-2026_en.docx">PQanswer</a>]
895. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details on the level of monitoring and inspections of the large EU registered pelagic freezer trawlers Dutch owned operating off the Irish coast before Christmas 2025, and targeting horse mackerel, which has taken place; and the landings made by these vessels including bycatches of boarfish. [10189/26]
View answerThe monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters are exclusively the responsibility of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.
Furthermore, the SFPA is the single legal competent authority responsible for the collection and reporting of fish landings into Ireland.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
896. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on his Departments research and analysis of the current closed period model for the restriction of slurry and chemical fertiliser; if issues have been highlighted by farmers to his Department in relation to this model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10190/26]
View answer897. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to the provision of a more flexible model of the closed period for the restriction of slurry and chemical fertiliser, in order that farmers can work with Ireland’s unpredictable weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10191/26]
View answer898. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to the provision of a condition based model on a computer or smart phone application in conjunction with Met Éireann rainfall reports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10192/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 896, 897 and 898 together.
The Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations, or the GAP Regulations, (S.I. 588 of 2025) sets out the periods when the application of manures to land is prohibited. These are often termed, the closed period, with these regulations signed into law by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Brown TD.
The GAP Regulations also set out the circumstances when soiled water, organic or chemical fertilisers must not be applied to land during the open spreading period. These include, when the land is waterlogged, flooded or likely to flood, or when Met Éireann forecasts heavy rain within 48 hours.
Underpinning the need for a closed period, there is clear research highlighting that the closed period aligns with periods of highest risk for nutrient loss from land. In 2016, Teagasc's Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) published the findings of a 4-year assessment of nutrient losses from five different intensively managed Irish agricultural catchments. This research validated the need for the closed periods. It identified that during the winter months there was a significantly greater proportion of nutrients being lost from agricultural land to water.
This published research by Shore et al. can be accessed at: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969716302959
Where there are unseasonably wet periods this ACP research also identified higher than normal nutrient losses. This validates the requirement for farmers to also adhere to the GAP Regulations' requirements regarding circumstances when nutrients must not be applied during the open spreading period.
From an agricultural perspective we need to all work together to reduce the loss of nutrients to water. Full compliance with the GAP Regulations during the closed and open periods for nutrient application must be a key element of this. Ensuring application of fertiliser and organic manure at appropriate times and conditions is a key action under Teagasc's current 'Better Farming for Water – 8 Actions for Change’ campaign. This multi-actor advisory campaign commenced in 2024 at my Department's request to support farmers to make the right decisions in terms of applying nutrient, be it slurry or chemical fertiliser. thereby reducing nutrient losses to water.
The GAP regulations were recently reviewed and updated in December 2025 and there are no plans at this time to further review.
899. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the greyhound track attendance statistics for 2025, covering both Greyhound Racing Ireland tracks and private tracks; and the breakdown of the figures, by attendance at each track, type of entry, that is, paid entry, free entry, entry by adults, children, staff, owners and trainers, bookmakers, press, and so on, and type of event, that is, racing, trials, sales, and non-racing events, in tabular form. [10200/26]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to that body for direct reply.
900. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of reported incidents of inappropriate slurry spreading over the past year in each county; the outcome of investigations, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10266/26]
View answerThe spreading of slurry and all organic fertiliser must be carried out in compliance with the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations (S.I. 588 of 2025) in order to protect water quality through the avoidance of nutrient loss.
This includes adhering to the prohibited land spreading periods, to the appropriate buffer zones near different waterbodies, using Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment where it applies in certain circumstances, such as holdings with a grassland stocking rate >100 Kg Nitrogen per hectare before Nitrogen exports. LESS equipment must also be used for the application of pig slurry to all lands and slurry to arable land.
Organic fertiliser is a valuable resource on farms and spreading when conditions are suitable, early in the growing season and at recommended rates is valuable for the uptake of nutrients by crops.
Below is the table of the number of reported incidents of inappropriate slurry spreading, by county, in 2025.
|
County |
Number of Holdings with Reported Incidents of Inappropriate Slurry Spreading in 2025 (n = 69) |
|
Cavan |
10 |
|
Clare |
2 |
|
Cork |
4 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Galway |
1 |
|
Kerry |
8 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
|
Laois |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
|
Longford |
3 |
|
Louth |
6 |
|
Meath |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
The above is a combination of complaints from the public, cross reports from external bodies e.g. local authorities, internal cross reports and on-farm inspections in 2025.
In relation to the outcome of the above incidents all the farmers were notified of the non-compliance(s) detected and a financial sanction was imposed on their area based payments e.g. BISS/CRISS, ACRES etc. in 68 of the 69 cases.
901. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the recent animal cruelty reports due to illegal harness racing and sulky racing that is currently happening on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10441/26]
View answerI am aware of the reports to which the Deputy refers.
Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. My Department strongly condemns the mistreatment of any animal and takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously. Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society.
My Department is committed to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare. In this regard, my Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, local authorities and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified.
The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. It must be emphasised that primary responsibility for the health and welfare of equines lies with the owner or keeper.
In December 2025, my Department provided funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grants programme. Of that figure, just over €4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses.
The use of sulkies on public roads, as with the use of all vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, is governed by the relevant provisions of the Roads and Road Traffic Acts. Matters in connection with this legislation are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. In addition, the drivers of all vehicles used on public roads, including horse-drawn carriages, are required to comply with road traffic legislation and to behave in a safe manner paying due care to other road users. The enforcement of such road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.
902. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the percentage and number of women, who availed of their full entitlement of parents leave in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9595/26]
View answer903. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the percentage and number of men that availed of their full entitlement of parents leave in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9596/26]
View answer904. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the percentage and number of men that availed of their full entitlement of paternity leave in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9597/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 902, 903 and 904 together.
There have been significant developments in entitlements for parents of working families in recent years. The Government is committed to supporting workers, including by extending paid leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their child during their earliest years.
The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides the relevant parent (other than the mother of the child) with 2 weeks paid paternity leave. S.6(5) of the Act limits this entitlement in the case of multiple births to a single period of leave.
Paternity Benefit claims registered and awarded, by year, can be seen in the following table:
|
Year |
Registered |
Awarded |
|
2020 |
24,884 |
24,076 |
|
2021 |
28,832 |
26,539 |
|
2022 |
28,246 |
27,375 |
|
2023 |
29,177 |
27,111 |
|
2024 |
29,751 |
27,729 |
|
2025 |
30,198 |
29,955 |
The publication “Employment Analysis of Maternity and Paternity Benefits” was first published in June 2020 with a follow up release in May 2023 as part of the CSO’s Frontier Series Outputs. CSO Frontier Series may use new methods which are under development and / or data sources which may be incomplete, for example new administrative data sources. Details on this release can be found on the CSO website. The most recent publication covers the period 2019 to 2022 and relates to those who received a benefit payment from the Department of Social Protection in the reference year. This release is currently being updated, incorporating the latest data available. The exact release date will be added to the CSO release calendar prior to publication.
905. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of group homes and residential disability services operating in the Cavan–Monaghan area, by those catering primarily for people with intellectual disabilities; people with physical and/or sensory disabilities; the number of residents supported in each category; the service providers responsible for these homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9798/26]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
906. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a breakdown, by county of HIQA-registered group homes by disability type, including intellectual, physical, sensory, and mixed-disability services, to ensure transparency and support evidence-based disability service planning. [9799/26]
View answerAccording to HSE data, as of December 2025, approximately 90 service providers are delivering 8,911 residential places to people with disabilities. Between 2020 and 2025, 955 new residential places have been provided to people with disabilities, including 246 additional places in 2025.
The Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is legally responsible for the monitoring, inspection and registration of designated centres for adults and children with a disability.
HIQA advises that it does not collect the information required to provide a breakdown of residential centres by disability type, however is in a position to the following information:
As of 6 February 2026, there are 1749 registered centres for people with disabilities.
The table below shows the breakdown by county:
|
County |
No. of registered centres for people with disabilities |
|
Carlow |
22 |
|
Cavan |
16 |
|
Clare |
56 |
|
Cork |
132 |
|
Donegal |
49 |
|
Dublin |
288 |
|
Galway |
86 |
|
Kerry |
41 |
|
Kildare |
132 |
|
Kilkenny |
61 |
|
Laois |
47 |
|
Leitrim |
12 |
|
Limerick |
78 |
|
Longford |
23 |
|
Louth |
93 |
|
Mayo |
71 |
|
Meath |
88 |
|
Monaghan |
30 |
|
Offaly |
40 |
|
Roscommon |
28 |
|
Sligo |
62 |
|
Tipperary |
71 |
|
Waterford |
42 |
|
Westmeath |
70 |
|
Wexford |
42 |
|
Wicklow |
69 |
|
Total |
1749 |
907. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will introduce the option to share/transfer parent's leave between parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9871/26]
View answerThere have been significant developments in entitlements for parents of working families in recent years.
As of August 2024, under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, working parents are entitled to nine weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
It is important to note that the entitlement under the 2019 Act is for each parent in their own right and is not an allocation per family. The Act was drafted to take account of the broad complexion of family life. However, the leave is non-transferable to ensure that fathers as well as mothers are supported in their caring roles and to support women's equal labour market participation. The principle of non-transferability is also required by the EU Work-Life Balance Directive because of the importance of ensuring that the provision of family leave does not serve to disadvantage mothers participating in the labour market.
Under the Parental Leave Acts, 26 weeks unpaid leave can be taken by an employee who is a relevant parent to take care of a child. The upper age limit of the eligible child has been increased in 2019 to the age of 12 or of 16, where the child has a disability or long-term illness which allows a parent more time in which to avail of the extended leave entitlement. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting in ‘loco parentis’.
It should be noted that the legislation only sets out the minimum entitlement to parental leave. Depending on an individual’s contract of employment, they may have more extensive rights to parental leave, as employers have the option to offer more than the entitlement set out in the legislation.
Both parents have an equal, separate entitlement to parental leave. Where both parents work for the same employer and the employer agrees, one parent can transfer 14 weeks of their parental leave entitlement to the other parent.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was enacted on 4 April 2023, and also introduces important entitlements for workers, including leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12, and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers. It transposes the Work-Life Balance Directive which specifically prevents the transfer of paid leave between parents in the interests of gender equality and of encouraging fathers as well as mothers to take such leave. Otherwise, there is a risk that only mothers would take the leave, potentially creating labour market disadvantages for them and that fathers would not be encouraged to take a greater share of their caring responsibilities.
The Programme for Government - Securing Ireland's future commits to examining the extension of Parents Leave and Benefit and additional flexibilities. The new National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was published on the 18th of November 2025, and sets out a broad range of objectives aimed at reducing inequalities between men and women, including the disparities in caring responsibilities. The first Action Plan under the new Strategy is currently being developed and will include actions to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work. The first Action Plan is due to be published in the coming months. Any further changes to supports and family leave entitlements will be considered within this context.
