Written Answers Nos. 258-278
258. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm for intra-EU trade to and from Ireland whether TRACES is the only system that is used to record animal and animal products exports from and imports to Ireland, or if there is any other system or database used for the purpose of recording such trade-related information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10513/26]
View answerRecording of intra-EU movement of animals is maintained on the EU TRACES database and is supervised in Ireland by my Department. Food of animal origin, placed on the market in compliance with EU food law, does not require TRACES notification, in line with the principle of free movement of goods within the EU. Certain animal by-products and germinal products require TRACES notification. Additional notifications are required for animal products moving from animal health restriction zones or where the Commission has imposed safeguard measures requiring extra traceability and prior notification.
Traceability in the food chain is provided for under Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 which requires that all food and feed businesses in the EU implement a traceability system based on the food business operator’s responsibility to maintain records of ‘one step forward and one step back’ which ensures that they can identify immediate suppliers and customers. This requirement is applicable to all stages of production with some exceptions (e.g. details of the final consumers are not normally maintained by retail establishments). The primary responsibility of maintaining records supporting traceability rests with the food business operator and these records must be made available on demand to authorised officers of the competent authorities who verify compliance.
Labelling of meat, as required by EU Regulation 2011/1169, EU Regulation 1760/2000 (beef traceability), EU Regulation 1337/2013 (origin of pigs, sheep, goats and poultry) also plays a central role in traceability. The location of meat products and the auditing of compliance with traceability recording and the labelling legislative requirements are conducted by my Department in the establishments under My Departments supervision at a frequency determined on a risk-basis.
The CSO publishes International Trade in Goods statistics for both Intra-EU and Extra-EU Trade data.
259. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the process that is in place and followed in Ireland to verify the accuracy of information recorded by those that export either live animals or animal products on TRACES, the European Commission's online platform for sanitary and phytosanitary certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10514/26]
View answerThorough identification checks are carried out on all exports of live animals and animal products on TRACES at the time of certification by the certifying officer. The IT systems that support official certification are TRACES, my own Department's Export Certification System and Dairy Produce Certification System. There are other systems used for recording a range of trade-related controls and information within my Department, including the Animal Identification and Movement system, and the Agriculture Field and Inspection Testing system.
My Department has detailed procedures, guidance and training in place for certifying officers and other officials carrying out regulatory controls along all stages of the food chain, from production and processing through to export, including the frequency of risk-based controls and specific conditions of individual certificates.
260. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm for intra-EU and EU trade to and from Ireland that is recorded on TRACES, if animal products such as meat from bovines, ovines or porcines that has not been processed beyond its raw state, either chilled or frozen, can be categorised as food on the system and thereby make it impossible to determine the species of animal it came from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10515/26]
View answerTRACES is the European Commission's online platform for animal and plant health certification required for the importation of animals, animal products, food and feed of non-animal origin and plants into the European Union, and the intra-EU trade and EU exports of animals and certain animal products. Food of animal origin, placed on the market in compliance with EU food law, does not require TRACES notification, in line with the principle of free movement of goods within the EU. Certain animal by-products and germinal products require TRACES notification. Additional notifications are required for animal products moving from animal health restriction zones or where the Commission has imposed safeguard measures requiring extra traceability and prior notification.
Therefore, while meat and meat products are required to have appropriate labelling and identification marks applied, and be accompanied by appropriate commercial documents for intra-EU trade trade which capture the traceability information and species, they are generally not subject to being recorded on TRACES.
261. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm for each of the past ten calendar years the total number of TRACES declarations for exports from Ireland to Intra-EU and EU exports of both live animals and animal products on which non-conformances were found; the predominant nature of the non-conformances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10516/26]
View answerTRACES is used for recording intracommunity movements of certain animals and animal by-products.
Reasons for non-conformances include non-compliance with health legislation and non-compliance with welfare legislation. Further detail on the nature of individual non-compliance is not mandatory on TRACES for export certificates and was not mandatory during the relevant period for intracommunity movements.
The tables below provides information from TRACES relating to intracommunity movements from Ireland.
Live Animal Exports from Ireland on Traces 2016 - 2025
|
Certificate Type |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Total Certs |
|
EU Exports Valid |
1 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
11,185 |
9,995 |
10,340 |
10,807 |
9,230 |
51,572 |
|
Rejected |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
29 |
11 |
11 |
16 |
68 |
|
EU Intra Exports |
0 |
15,927 |
15,238 |
16,597 |
19,686 |
19,442 |
13,947 |
13,528 |
15,086 |
15,728 |
145,179 |
|
Rejected |
0 |
8 |
5 |
2 |
7 |
63 |
93 |
16 |
29 |
16 |
239 |
|
Total Certificates |
1 |
15,940 |
15,247 |
16,604 |
19,693 |
30,691 |
24,064 |
23,895 |
25,933 |
24,990 |
197,058 |
Germinal Product Exports from Ireland on Traces 2016 - 2025
|
Certificate Type |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Total Certs |
|
|
EU Exports |
3 |
4 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
63 |
65 |
76 |
65 |
69 |
364 |
|
|
Rejected |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
EU Intra Exports |
0 |
3,015 |
3,423 |
3,327 |
3,533 |
3,197 |
3,393 |
3,524 |
3,266 |
3,023 |
29,701 |
|
|
Rejected |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
|
|
Total Certificates |
3 |
3,019 |
3,432 |
3,332 |
3,538 |
3,263 |
3,461 |
3,601 |
3,333 |
3,093 |
30,075 |
|
262. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm for the past ten calendar years the total number of TRACES declarations for exports from Ireland of Intra-EU and EU exports for both live animals and animal products; the number of individual verification checks that were completed on these TRACES declarations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10517/26]
View answerThe Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) is the European Commission's online platform for sanitary and phytosanitary certification required for the importation of animals, animal products, food and feed of non-animal origin and plants into the European Union, and the Intra-EU trade and EU exports of animals and certain animal products. It should be noted that not all Third Country exports are recorded on TRACES.
The total number of TRACES declarations (certificates) for exports from Ireland of Intra-EU and EU exports for both live animals and animal (germinal) products are outlined in the tables below:
Traces Certificates for Live Animals and Germinal Products 2016 to 2025
|
Live Animals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certificate type |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Total |
|
EU Intra-Ireland to EU |
N/A |
15,927 |
15,238 |
16,597 |
19,686 |
19,442 |
13,947 |
13,528 |
15,086 |
15,728 |
145,179 |
|
EU Export – Ireland to 3rd Countries |
1 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
11,185 |
9,995 |
10,340 |
10,807 |
9,230 |
51,571 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
196,750 |
|
Germinal Products |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certificate type |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Total |
|
EU Intra-Ireland to EU |
N/A |
3,015 |
3,423 |
3,327 |
3,533 |
3,197 |
3,393 |
3,524 |
3,266 |
3,023 |
29,701 |
|
EU Export – Ireland to 3rd Countries |
3 |
4 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
63 |
65 |
76 |
65 |
69 |
364 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,065 |
It should be noted that Part 2 of each certificate includes mandatory verification checks, therefore all valid certificates have been verified.
263. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of peat, in tonnes, imported into Ireland from 2016 to 2026, broken down by country, in tabular form. [10531/26]
View answerDeputy, I have provided a table of import figures from January 2016 until November 2025, which are provided by the Central Statistics Office and refer to - Peat, including peat litter, whether or not agglomerated (CN code 27030000). This description includes all types of peat and does not differentiate between peat used for horticulture or that used for heating. This description also includes briquettes. Peat agglomerates also includes peat substrates where peat is mixed with other materials such as fertiliser, perlite, sand, lime, wood fibre, bark. By way of example a peat reduced substrate mix of 30% Wood Fibre, 30% Bark and 40% Peat is still classed under the CN code 27030000.
264. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of food items, by type, weight and country of origin seized at ports of entry in the State in 2024, 2025 and to-date in 2026. [10706/26]
View answerPlease find attached file with details.
265. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify if non-stun slaughter is permitted in Ireland; and if so, the circumstances; and his plans to ban non-stun slaughter outright in Ireland. [10893/26]
View answerThe legislative protection of animals at the time of slaughter is provided for under EU Regulation 1099/2009. Article 4 of that regulation specifies that animals shall only be killed after stunning in accordance with the methods and specific requirements detailed in the annexes to the regulation. However, non-stun slaughter is permitted in the EU, and in Ireland, by a derogation provided for in the same Article 4 of the Regulation in the case of animals subject to particular methods of slaughter prescribed by religious rites provided that the slaughter takes place in a slaughterhouse.
My Department continues to keep all animal welfare legislation under review.
266. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined, or plans to examine, whether dredging or other marine related works in the vicinity of the Clontarf Baths could reduce wave overtopping and coastal flooding impacting nearby businesses; whether such works fall within the remit of his Department; whether any assessment is planned; the indicative timeline for same; the funding mechanisms that may be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10955/26]
View answer267. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether dredging or other marine works in the corner area of the Clontarf Baths, following flooding and wave overtopping on 5 February 2026 that impacted local businesses, fall within the functions of his Department; whether any assessment has been undertaken or is planned; the indicative timeline for any such assessment or works; whether funding has been allocated or may be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10959/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.
My Department operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute.
In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.
The responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance and their parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter. Therefore, it would be the responsibility of Dublin City Council to assess any possible marine works, studies, or assessments in the vicinity of the Clontarf Baths.
The assessment and funding of coastal flooding prevention is not within the functions of my Department.
However, my Department, as part of its annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, provides limited discretionary funding to coastal local authorities for the implementation of small-scale projects focused on the development and repair of piers, harbours, and slipways under their ownership.
Local authorities are encouraged to assess the coastal and marine infrastructure they oversee on an annual basis, identifying those that may need repair, modernisation, enhancement, or upgrading, and to recognise projects that could be deemed eligible for funding under the Programme each year.
268. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the number of farmers that have submitted applications for TB reactor compensation; the number that are still under consideration; those refused; those accepted; the timeframe of those waiting for payment 0- three weeks, three-six weeks, six-nine weeks, nine-12 weeks, 12 + weeks, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10992/26]
View answerIreland’s TB Eradication Programme has a comprehensive compensation regime in place for herd-owners who are affected by bovine TB.
The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme (OFMV) is the principal compensation measure available to Herd-owners whose herds are affected by a bovine TB breakdown in their herd. The Scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the open market value of an animal as if they were not affected by disease, subject to ceilings.
The Income Supplement Scheme is a targeted scheme which assists farmers who lose 9.5% or more of their herd to disease due to a single TB breakdown. Income supplement is only payable in cases where the 9.5% threshold is met in one continuous restriction period and where Depopulation is not deemed an appropriate measure.
The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme aimed at assisting eligible herd-owners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown. The scheme runs each year for herds restricted between November 1st and April 30th.
Depopulation Grant is paid for each animal removed in the depopulation measure and for those herds that are partial or fully depopulated on foot of a veterinary decision made on analysis of the overall TB disease situation within a herd.
All OFMV payments are based on reactors disclosed. If a herdowner has reactors, they are paid for those reactors subject to compliance with the terms and conditions for payment as provided in my Department's TB Compensation Arrangements, Information Booklet for Herdowners which is issued to all herdowners at the time of a bTB breakdown. For Income Supplement and Hardship payments there is no application required, Regional offices assess eligibility for all herds in breakdown and herds that meet the conditions of the scheme are paid automatically.
In the table below, total number of Compensation payments made under the TB Eradication Programme this year to 09/02/2026, based on my Department's Animal Health Computer System (AHCS) figures.
|
COUNTY |
NO OF APPLICATIONS* |
PAID WITHIN 3 WEEKS |
PAID WITHIN 3 TO 8 WEEKS |
PAID WITHIN 8 TO 13 WEEKS |
PAID OVER 13 WEEKS |
|
Carlow Rvo |
25 |
6 |
19 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan Rvo |
96 |
87 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
|
Clare Rvo |
127 |
127 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork North Rvo |
181 |
139 |
38 |
0 |
4 |
|
Cork South Rvo |
171 |
118 |
52 |
0 |
1 |
|
Donegal Rvo |
77 |
48 |
26 |
1 |
2 |
|
Dublin Rvo |
27 |
27 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway Rvo |
222 |
162 |
27 |
7 |
26 |
|
Kerry Rvo |
350 |
233 |
102 |
0 |
15 |
|
Kildare Rvo |
63 |
61 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny Rvo |
124 |
43 |
80 |
0 |
1 |
|
Laois Rvo |
92 |
89 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
Leitrim Rvo |
34 |
32 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick Rvo |
97 |
92 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford Rvo |
62 |
59 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
Louth Rvo |
15 |
14 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo Rvo |
122 |
91 |
26 |
5 |
0 |
|
Meath Rvo |
130 |
99 |
25 |
2 |
4 |
|
Monaghan Rvo |
163 |
116 |
47 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly Rvo |
90 |
88 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Roscommon Rvo |
80 |
78 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo Rvo |
49 |
42 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
|
Tipperary North Rvo |
135 |
67 |
67 |
1 |
0 |
|
Tipperary South Rvo |
115 |
68 |
41 |
4 |
2 |
|
Waterford Rvo |
77 |
22 |
49 |
2 |
4 |
|
Westmeath Rvo |
71 |
67 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Wexford Rvo |
64 |
21 |
37 |
2 |
4 |
|
Wicklow East Rvo |
114 |
37 |
72 |
1 |
4 |
|
Wicklow West Rvo |
38 |
38 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
3011 |
2171 |
729 |
25 |
86 |
*includes multiple payments across all schemes made to any single herd in the calendar year.
269. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 709 of 25 November 2025 if he will stand over a statement (details supplied) that was put on the record of the house; to confirm that all outstanding payments were made in the last week of November; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10994/26]
View answerBovine TB is an ongoing challenge for Irish farmers. I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts of bovine TB on farmers, their families and rural Ireland. The continued increase in bTB disease levels in recent years resulted in significant additional work in the administration of the bTB programme for my Department.
The temporary backlog to payments that occurred in November 2025 was cleared and during the period 17th to 28th November 2025 outstanding compensation payments totalling €14,847m were issued to herdowners.
All bTB compensation payments are paid subject to compliance with the terms and conditions for payment as provided in my Department's TB Compensation Arrangements, Information Booklet for Herdowners which is issued to all herdowners at the time of a bTB breakdown. Non compliance with the terms and conditions of payment may result in the delay of the issuing of a payment to a farmer.
There may also be other circumstances that cause a delay of payment issuing to a herdowner. Factors such as tax compliance documentation, incomplete banking information, or unresolved probate matters can prevent a payment from issuing. In those cases, although payments are approved, they may remain unpaid due to administrative or compliance requirements. It is essential that herdowners ensure they meet all conditions of the compensation schemes and provide accurate details to enable timely payment.
I welcome the increased budget allocation for bTB in Budget 2026 which will be vital in addressing this disease and I am confident it will help drive down the incidences of bovine TB levels for future years. This investment in the bTB programme will support additional targeted testing, additional resources for the wildlife programme and supporting on farm biosecurity through both direct support to farmers for improving biosecurity infrastructure on their farms and facilitating more engagement between farmers and their private veterinary practitioners through Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) visits.
I am confident that this increased budget will allow the revamped bTB programme to focus on tackling disease levels through the implementation of the measures laid out in the new bTB Action Plan and will support and enable farm families who are currently dealing with the stress of a TB outbreak to navigate a way out of a TB restriction and protect those herds currently free from TB from the stress of a TB outbreak.
270. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on when live exports to the North of Ireland will resume for cattle and sheep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11000/26]
View answerThe current position is that, following the detection of BTV3 in Co Wexford, the agreed animal health certification conditions under which cattle and sheep can move to Northern Ireland can facilitate the movement of BTV susceptible animals for direct slaughter. However, the agreed certification conditions for movements to Northern Ireland for breeding and production can no longer be met. In addition, the conditions to meet certification requirements for movement to Great Britain cannot current be met either.
Some EU Member States have chosen to apply derogations to these standard conditions, thereby allowing the inward movement of cattle and sheep from countries with BTV3 (such as Ireland) subject to certain additional requirements decided by those Member States.
No such derogations are in place in respect of Northern Ireland, and so the movement of cattle and sheep for breeding and production from Ireland to Northern Ireland cannot take place, as the animal health certification requirements can no longer be met. The same is true for Great Britain.
271. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount his Department has spent on making promotional videos for forestry with a person (details supplied); and the cost of sending these videos and other message to farmers through mobile phone communication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11001/26]
View answerIn 2025, as part of the Communications and Engagement Strategy, my Department produced a series of videos in-house, featuring farmers who had participated in forestry from around the country, promoting the benefits of forestry as part of their farm enterprise. Minister Healy-Rae met these farmers and interviewed them to give them the opportunity to tell their story.
Some of these ‘Flagship Forestry’ videos were published on our social media platforms in the second half of 2025, and the balance will be published in the first quarter of 2026. Two of these videos were shared directly via SMS to farmers who had signed up to our information service, ensuring that these messages were targeted to those who may be interested in the opportunity.
Minister Healy-Rae also featured in another video, which was produced in-house after he took up the role of Minister with responsibility for Forestry in early 2025 and talked about his own experience in forestry and the very positive opportunities it offers. This video was also shared via SMS.
In total, there were three videos shared with farmers, and the Department spent €19,406 to issue 525,914 messages to the over 183,000 subscribers of this information service at a maximum cost of €0.04 per message.
All promotional videos used, support clear and accessible engagement with farmers by explaining the practical aspects of forestry, demonstrating how it can integrate with existing farming enterprises, and highlighting the economic, environmental and climate benefits it can deliver.
They provide trusted, real-world information to assist informed decision-making and promote awareness and uptake of the supports available under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027.
272. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in County Louth waiting for an assessment of need at the latest available point in 2024 and 2025; the number of assessments conducted in 2024 and year-to-date in 2026; and the number of applications received in those periods, in tabular form. [10597/26]
View answer273. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children waiting for Children’s Disability Network Team services in County Louth, at the latest available point in 2025, by team and service type, in tabular form. [10598/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 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 (CDNT) or Mental Health Services. They can be referred by a healthcare professional, parent/carer to a CDNT for children with complex needs, or to Primary Care for children with less complex needs.
The 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. Applications for Assessment of Need have risen from 4,700 applications in 2020 to over 13,000 applications received in 2025. The impact of this increased demand has contributed to there being over 20,200 applications overdue for completion nationwide at the end of 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 5,900 reports were completed in 2025 – a 43% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The HSE do not provide data on a county basis, however data is provided by Regional Health Area (RHA) and Local Health Office (LHO). While we do not yet have data for 2026, the data requested for the Louth LHO is as follows:
|
No. of AON applications received 2025 |
659 |
|
No. of AON applications received 2024 |
635 |
|
Total completed 2025 |
219 |
|
Total completed 2024 |
131 |
|
Total overdue of Q4 2025 |
1043 |
|
Total overdue of Q4 2024 |
617 |
There has been a noted improvement in the number of Assessment of Need reports completed in Louth LHO in 2025 compared to 2024, with a 67% increase on the previous year.
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 2026 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.
Looking at the Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs), these teams provide therapeutic services to children with complex needs arising from their disability.
There are two CDNT teams operating in County Louth: CDNT 1 (Dundalk North Louth) and CDNT 3 (Drogheda South Louth).
In line with best practice guidelines, CDNTs use an interdisciplinary service model for assessment and intervention and therefore, do not collect activity data by individual discipline (such as SLT, OT and Physiotherapy).
The most recent data provided by the HSE at individual CDNT level to the end of November 2025 shows that there were 716 children being supported by the Dundalk CDNT with 37 children on the waiting list and 913 children being supported by the Drogheda CDNT with 266 on the waiting list. It should be noted that, in some areas, supports may be provided to children and families who are on CDNT waiting lists. These supports can include provision of universal and targeted webinars, workshops, handouts and online materials for commonly identified topics.
274. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of persons in County Louth waiting for disability services outside CDNTs, by service type, at the latest available point in 2025, in tabular form. [10599/26]
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.
275. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has engaged with the Minister for Finance during this Dáil term regarding the primary medical certificate scheme; if so, the substance of such engagements; if she has raised concerns with the HSE regarding tight application of guidelines; if she has sought a review of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10729/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are supported to live independent lives of their choosing on an equal basis with all others, including by ensuring that they have access to the personal mobility options they need. This has been reiterated in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.
The Strategy contains two directly relevant priority actions; the development of a new vehicle adaptation scheme, led by the Department of Transport, and a commitment to review the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS), led by the Department of Finance.
In the course of finalising this Strategy, and the commitments contained in it, I engaged with my Government colleagues including the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Transport. I share concerns that the current DDS, and the operation of the Primary Medical Certificate process, is no longer fit for purpose and I support the work ongoing in both Departments to ensure that disabled people have access to a needs-based, grant-led system which can provide them with the vehicle adaptation supports they need.
276. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the current social worker vacancy in CDNT9 will be filled; the stage this is currently at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10734/26]
View answerAs this question refers to the service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
277. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of the Programme for Government commitment to advance legislation to ban conversion practices; the timeline she is working towards; if she will commit to publishing the general scheme in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10838/26]
View answerThe 2025 Programme for Government, ‘Securing Ireland’s Future’, contains a commitment to advance legislation to ban conversion practices.
The proposed legislation to ban conversion practices raises both complex and sensitive policy and legal questions. The Department is carefully working through the key policy and legal principles that will underpin the legislation to ensure that individuals are protected from harmful conversion practices while the necessary and appropriate services for those with concerns in areas of sexual orientation and gender identity are not affected. Officials are continuing to engage with the Office of the Attorney General on the matter.
278. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the multi-annual funding will be allocated, via the Health Service Executive, to section 38 and section 39 disability services providers, to enable forward planning of services to children and adults with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10908/26]
View answerOver the past five years, significant resources have been invested in disability services, with core funding increasing from €2.2bn in 2021 to €3.9bn in 2026.
The increase in 2026 represents a €628m or 20% increase on 2025 funding levels and reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening the funding provided for the disability sector and to addressing the shortfalls identified in the Disability Capacity Review.
Unlike the position for capital expenditure, where multi-annual commitments are made within the National Development Plan, the Estimates process for current expenditure allocates funding on an annual (single- year) basis and no formal mechanism currently exists to provide funding on a multi-annual basis to providers.
The Government is committed to the improvement of disability services across Ireland and the programme for government clearly reflects this. The recent publication of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, also provides a guideline for service improvement and strategic goals for the coming years.
The Department is also currently working on an updated Disability Capacity review to allow more informed planning and investment in future years. This will inform the strategy which will come into effect upon the conclusion of the Disability Action Plan 2024-2026, which is currently in its final year.
The Action Plan has informed budget deliberations and the prioritisation of areas for development in previous years. It is expected that similarly to the Action Plan, the new plan will be a living document and will inform the investment into the disability sector, the HSE and its Section 38 and Section 39 organisations.
