Written Answers Nos. 491-511
491. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a recent statement by a farmer representative organisation (details supplied); if he will engage with processors to ensure farmers receive a fair return that reflects market fundamentals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13918/26]
View answerNeither I nor my Department have any function in determining market prices for any commodity.
To ensure transparency for supply chain stakeholders, my Department publishes a weekly Meat Market Report which shows trends in cattle prices, factory throughput and live trade. This data is additional to other cattle statistics published by my Department, Bord Bia and the CSO. All this information is used to assess market conditions and developments and informs policy-making for relevant sectors.
My Department provides a range of schemes to support beef farmers. In Budget 2026, I secured €28m for the continuation of the National Beef Welfare Scheme. Similarly, budget funding of €4m has been allocated for another iteration of the National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme which will support farmers rearing progeny from the dairy herd.
Strengthening farm incomes for our 130,000 family farms is an absolute priority for this Government. I am fully committed to supporting the suckler, beef and other sectors with vital farm schemes and my Department will continue to provide schemes with straightforward measures to ensure farmer participation.
492. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the latest weekly and year-to-date cattle slaughter figures for 2026; his assessment of the 30,000+ head shortfall in the first six weeks of the year; the steps his Department is taking to safeguard both farmer incomes and processing capacity in the beef sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13919/26]
View answerThe latest data published by my Department shows that the number of cattle being presented for slaughter at high throughput beef plants is 175,500 animals processed to the end of week 6. While cattle slaughter levels have decreased by almost 31,000 head (or 15%) year-on-year, approximately a third of that decline can be attributed to lower cull cow numbers which are not included in the prime cattle categories.
While Teagasc has forecast that Irish domestic prime cattle production will fall by 4% in 2026, it noted that the number of cattle in key EU export destinations was significantly lower in June 2025 relative to June 2024. In the UK, there have been notable declines in the size of the breeding herd, particularly for non-dairy cows. This trend points to some further contraction in UK beef production in the medium-term.
Consistent with the Programme for Government, I have secured budget allocations for the continuation of two-exchequer-funded schemes to support beef producers in 2026, which will bolster the supply base, and I will announce details of those measures in due course. As outlined in Food Vision 2030, I will continue to work with sectoral stakeholders to ensure that interdependent supply chains function in a manner that optimises returns for all actors dependent on them.
Data on the beef market situation is published weekly on my Department’s website and can be accessed at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/collections/meat-market-reports/
493. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to reports of potential redundancies in beef processing facilities amid declining cattle throughput; the contingency measures in place to protect rural employment in counties such as County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13920/26]
View answerI am aware that some meat processors have commenced reviews of their operations. Notification of redundancies and contingency plans to deal with them fall within the remit of my colleague, the Minister of Enterprise, Tourism & Employment.
494. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the findings of the government-funded PigTail Project; his Department’s position on the widespread concerns expressed by Irish pig farmers regarding the risks and costs of ceasing tail docking; the financial or practical supports he intends to provide should regulatory changes be pursued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13921/26]
View answer495. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will rule out any unilateral move to ban or restrict tail docking in the Irish pig sector without full compensation, revised housing standards and market premiums for producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13922/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 495 together.
The continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for my Department, given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context.
My Department continues to engage with industry stakeholders through the Food Vision Pig Group on a wide range of issues affecting the pig sector, including financial resilience and long term sustainability. By addressing challenges collaboratively and capitalising on opportunities, the sector can continue to thrive and contribute significantly to Ireland's agricultural and economic landscape.
There is EU legislation in place to protect the welfare of pigs which sets out detailed provisions on the housing, environmental conditions and management requirements for pigs that are kept for rearing or fattening. In addition, the legislation does not permit the routine docking of pigs tails; tail docking can only be carried out when there is evidence of tail biting and when other measures are taken on-farm to deal with tail biting risks.
My Department has implemented specific measures to help farmers manage tail biting risks on their farms. These include providing over 1400 free Animal Welfare Risk Assessments which have been carried out across approximately 400 pig farms to date. These assessments, which are overseen by Animal Health Ireland, focus on tail biting risk factors and allow farmers to work with their veterinarian to create a farm specific action plan to address these risks.
Improving infrastructure on pig farms is important and significant funding has been made 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. Under this scheme grant aid is paid at the rate of 40 percent up to the maximum investment ceiling of 500,000 euro.
Research is also key to moving forward in the area of pig welfare. My Department has funded research projects in conjunction with Teagasc, that focus on important pig welfare topics.
Pig welfare like all animal welfare is a priority for my Department and we will continue to strive to improve pig welfare through research, by providing supports to pig farmers as well as through effective oversight and regulation.
496. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of the €193.8 million in BISS and CRISS payments made to pension-age farmers in 2025; his views on the fact that almost 40% of applications came from or on behalf of those over 65; the specific actions being taken to improve land access and CAP support for young and new-entrant farmers in Offaly and nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13923/26]
View answerIn 2025 my Department received 124,238 applications for Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area based schemes. 119,080 of these applicants currently hold BISS payment entitlements.
Applications for BISS and other area based schemes can be made by individuals, joint ventures (e.g. partnerships) or companies. In 2025, 104,423 applications were received from individuals of which 38,337 were from individuals greater than 65 years of age and they were paid €193.8m under BISS and the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS).
The current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cites generational renewal as one of its nine key objectives. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 reaffirms our commitment to generational renewal, reflecting the need for skilled and innovative young farmers to respond to societal demands for quality food and environmental public goods.
• Under the CSP, Ireland is implementing a Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers Scheme.
• The National Reserve 2023-2027 provides support to two priority categories of Young Farmer and New Farmer.
• Additionally, under the TAMS capital investment measure, a higher grant rate of 60% for qualified young farmers will also continue to be available.
• The CSP also includes a Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme to provide financial support to encourage farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers.
• The Succession Planning Advice Grant provides financial support towards the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice for older farmers about succession planning.
Nationally, there are strong taxation measures to facilitate succession and assist land mobility.
In Budget 2026, it was agreed that Agricultural Relief will remain available in the current forms to farm families to facilitate succession and the intergenerational transfer of farms. It was also agreed to renew the 100% Young Trained Farmer Stamp Duty Relief. To bring more certainty to succession planning, the relief will be extended by four years instead of the normal three years for such measures. Agricultural Relief and stamp duty exemptions were worth some €325 million to farm families in 2024.
On access to finance, in September 2023, the €500 million Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme for long-term investment, with terms of up to 10 years, launched. To date there has been approximately 710 loans to the value of €92.7m sanctioned to farmers, foresters, fishers and food businesses. This Scheme is a viable source of finance for young and new entrant farmers, especially the cohort who do not have high levels of security with one of the unique characteristics of the Scheme is that loans up to €500,000 are unsecured.
497. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the current statutory framework governing Garda vetting requires mandatory re-vetting at defined intervals for individuals working in regulated child-care or early years settings; if so, to specify the legislative provision underpinning such requirement; and if not, whether legislative amendment has been considered [13461/26]
View answerGarda vetting is an essential part of ensuring the safeguarding of children and it is the legal responsibility of the registered provider to ensure statutory vetting obligations are complied with and maintained at all times. A regulatory rechecking system for Garda vetting is in place in the early years sector. Garda vetting must be renewed every three years, in line with the Tusla Regulatory Notice on the renewal of vetting from September 2023. The Regulatory Notice states:
'All adults in early years settings working directly with children are required to have a vetting disclosure dated within the previous 3 years'.
The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 provide a statutory basis for the vetting of persons carrying out relevant work with children or vulnerable persons. The Act stipulates that a relevant organisation shall not permit any person to undertake relevant work or activities on behalf of the organisation, unless the organisation receives a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau in respect of that person. All early years services are considered to undertake relevant work or activities for the purposes of this Act.
The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate is the independent statutory regulator for the early years sector and is responsible for the implementation of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. In line with the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, the registered provider, all employees, unpaid workers and contractors in an pre-school service are required to have Garda vetting (as well as police checks for all countries they resided in for longer than six months) prior to being allowed access to children. Similar requirements are also in place for the school age childcare sector and for the childminding sector under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018 and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024 respectively.
A Garda vetting disclosure is non-transferrable between organisations. This means a service is required to make a new vetting application in respect of a new employee even if they have Garda vetting from a previous organisation.
498. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to address staff shortages and recruitment challenges in Irish-language preschools, including measures to attract and retain qualified Irish-speaking staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13811/26]
View answer499. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the plans in place to improve the availability of Irish-medium training programs and qualifications for staff in Irish-language early childhood services, including the reinstatement of discontinued QQI modules and the development of Level 8 qualifications with parity to primary teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13812/26]
View answer503. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the proposals to improve pay rates and employment conditions for staff in Irish-language early childhood services, including the introduction of fixed salaries, language premiums, permanent contracts, and benefits such as maternity top-ups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13816/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 498, 499 and 503 together.
The role of all educators and practitioners are valuable ones, and they play an important part in supporting children's development, learning and care. It is acknowledged that those working in the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector do not receive the recognition they deserve.
In a very competitive labour market and with low levels of unemployment, recruitment and retention is a challenge for many sectors.
It is acknowledged many early learning and childcare services report recruitment and retention challenges. In general, these challenges are not caused by insufficient supply of staff, but by high levels of turnover which is invariably linked to pay.
Although the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot directly set wages or conditions for any staff in the sector.
The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders, and is independent in its functions.
The latest ERO came into effect in October 2025 which saw an increase in minimum pay rates of, on average, 10% and will increase pay for over 67% of staff in the sector.
Outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. In this programme year 2025/26 Core Funding has increased by 6% to approximately €350 million with an additional €45 million in ring-fenced Core Funding provided to support services in meeting the increased cost of minimum pay rates in the sector.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment to continue to support Employment Regulation orders, I recently announced, as part of launch of Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan in December, another allocation of up to €15m of ring-fenced funding from September 2026, which amounts up to €45m for the full programme year, to support service providers with costs associated with possible increases in minimum rates of pay negotiated via the independent Joint Labour Committee process.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) has responsibility for the Irish language. DRCDG provides additional supports for Irish-medium ELC services in the Gaeltacht through its agencies and organisations.
In June 2024, DRCDG announced five-year funding to provide a comprehensive support and development service to naíonraí outside of the Gaeltacht, to be administered by Gaeloideachas.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has provided funding to Gaeloideachas in 2025 and 2026 to support Irish-medium ELC settings.
Arising from the 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language, the Department is working with other relevant Departments and Agencies to develop a national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in the ELC and SAC sector.
The national plan is expected to support the delivery of two commitments in First 5 (the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families): “Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision” and “Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish”.
The plan is also expected to support the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Government to: “Support naíonraí and creches to ensure early education access in Gaeltacht communities and beyond” and “Plan the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including Irish-medium naíonraí”.
The Department continues to deliver on the workforce plan for the sector, Nurturing Skills (www.gov.ie/nurturingskills). Nurturing Skills aims to support the professional development of the workforce and sets out plans to raise the profile of careers in the sector, establish role profiles, career pathways, qualification requirements, along with leadership development opportunities.
The Nurturing Skills Implementation Plan 2022-2024 sets out actions to support educators and practitioners develop Irish language skills and proficiency at all levels. The current actions being delivered include:
Support the development of initial professional education programmes or modules that are conducted through the medium of Irish for Early Years Educators working in naíonraí within and outside the Gaeltacht.
The Department continues to explore options around the provision of initial professional education programmes and modules through Irish. Currently, planning is underway to re-engage the process of developing Irish-language modules/programmes.
Decisions in relation to module inclusion do not rest solely with the Department as curriculum design is a matter for the educational institutions in adherence to the quality standards. However currently Early Learning and Childcare qualification must meet qualification award standards which set out learning outcomes that require graduates to understand children’s language acquisition and to apply pedagogical approaches that effectively support language learning and the development of proficiency across languages.
The Department continues to explore options around the provision of initial professional education programmes and modules through Irish. Currently, planning is underway to re-engage the process of developing Irish-language modules/programmes.
Decisions in relation to module inclusion do not rest solely with the Department as curriculum design is a matter for the educational institutions in adherence to the quality standards. However currently Early Learning and Childcare qualification must met Qualification award standards which set out learning outcomes that require graduates to understand children’s language acquisition and to apply pedagogical approaches that effectively support language learning and the development of proficiency across languages.
500. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of additional funding and investment proposed for Irish-language preschools, including increases to annual grants, capital funding for buildings, and support for operational sustainability in rural and island areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13813/26]
View answer501. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions being taken to upgrade infrastructure and facilities in Irish-language early childhood services to address limitations leading to waiting lists, including support for co-location with schools or community buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13814/26]
View answer502. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures her Department will implement to meet the growing demand for Irish-language preschools, particularly in Gaeltacht areas with long waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13815/26]
View answer504. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to ensure the expansion and sustainability of Irish-language early childhood services outside Gaeltacht areas, including in areas such as County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13817/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 500 to 502, inclusive, and 504 together.
€135 million will be made available between 2026 and 2030 for the State-led Early Learning and Childcare capital programme, providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare.
The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements. The Department will work with not-for-profit providers to design, open and operate services.
The language of provision in State-led services will depend on the operator and project selected. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects. The Department intends to work with not-for-profit operators in the sector in order to operationalise State-led services, with a particular focus on increasing the delivery of full day places for children aged 1 to 3, with provision for these children to continue in the service until they start school.
Separately, the 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 coming weeks.
Core Funding is a supply-side grant to providers designed to support quality, sustainability, and affordability for parents through associated conditions in relation to fee control and cost transparency.
Core Funding operates alongside the National Childcare Scheme, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme and Equal Start and constitutes additional income for providers on top of funding for these schemes, as well as income from parental fees.
Core Funding has seen an increase in investment of 50% since it began in 2022, rising from €259 million in its first year to over €390 million in the current programme year, and will increase to over €480 million in the next programme year (September 2026 – August 2027). This represents an increase of over 85% in four years – an unprecedented level of State investment.
This increased allocation will allow us to maintain fees at 2021 levels in Year 5, support further improvements in pay for staff, and support services in adhering to reduced maximum fee caps from September 2026 – ensuring sustainability and stability for the sector.
In addition to increased funding, the Department has also made changes to improve the sustainability of providers through, for example, targeted measures for small and sessional services, and a fee increase assessment and approval process for services with fees frozen at unsustainably low rates.
Participation in Core Funding also unlocks additional supports for services, including access to support for services caring for concentrated numbers of children facing disadvantage through Equal Start, and opportunities to apply for capital grants through the Department.
Core Funding funds services based on the number of places available, not on child registrations and attendance levels. Places do not have to be filled in order to be allocated Core Funding. This provides stability and sustainability to services by focusing on the services to be delivered by the settings, rather than individual child attendance.
There are sustainability challenges for some rural and Gaeltacht services due to the natural fluctuations in a small local population. As a part of the Case Management process, financial assistance under sustainability funding may be granted in respect of the ongoing operational expenditure and liabilities of a service facing and unable to deal with these challenges.
This funding is designed to support the continued provision of ELC/SAC Services Providers in rural communities and encourage efficiency by providing governance and business model supports to support the long-term sustainability and safeguard exchequer investment.
City or County Childcare Committees assist services with issues and difficulties that arise as a part of the Case Management process. This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting and analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, financial support, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
Any childcare service experiencing financial difficulty and who would like support can contact their County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Contact details for the County Childcare Committee can be found online at the Department’s gov.ie website.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) has responsibility for the Irish language. DRCDG provides additional supports for Irish-medium ELC services in the Gaeltacht through its agencies and organisations such as Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta.
In addition, in June 2024, DRCDG announced five-year funding to provide a comprehensive support and development service to naíonraí outside of the Gaeltacht, to be administered by Gaeloideachas. Furthermore, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has provided funding to Gaeloideachas in 2025 and 2026 to support Irish-medium ELC settings.
The Department is working in collaboration with other relevant Departments and Agencies to develop a national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector. The development of such a plan is a commitment in the 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language.
The national plan is expected to support the delivery of two commitments in First 5 (the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families): “Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision” and “Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish”.
The plan is also expected to support the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Government to: “Support naíonraí and creches to ensure early education access in Gaeltacht communities and beyond” and “Plan the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including Irish-medium naíonraí”.
In addition to the focus on the provision of Irish-medium ELC and SAC services, it is anticipated that the new national plan will also include measures to support English-medium ELC services to work within the updated Aistear early childhood curriculum framework, which was published in December 2024. The updated Aistear includes an aim of supporting young children to have an awareness and appreciation of Gaeilge and our cultural and linguistic heritage.
It is intended that the Plan and associated consultation reports will be published in the coming months.
505. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the initiatives to enhance integration between Irish-language early childhood services and the broader education system, including collaborations with primary schools via programs like Mo Scéal and support for children with additional needs through schemes like AIM or Better Start; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13818/26]
View answerThe Department is working in collaboration with other relevant Departments and Agencies to develop a national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector. The development of such a plan is a commitment in the 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language.
The national plan is expected to support the delivery of two commitments in First 5 (the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families): “Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision” and “Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish”.
The plan is also expected to support the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Government to: “Support naíonraí and creches to ensure early education access in Gaeltacht communities and beyond” and “Plan the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including Irish-medium naíonraí”.
In addition to the focus on the provision of Irish-medium ELC and SAC services, it is anticipated that the new national plan will also include measures to support English-medium ELC services to work within the updated Aistear early childhood curriculum framework, which was published in December 2024. The updated Aistear includes an aim of supporting young children to have an awareness and appreciation of Gaeilge and our cultural and linguistic heritage.
It is intended that the Plan and associated consultation reports will be published in the coming months.
The Department also sits on relevant advisory groups with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Education and Youth and will use these to ensure opportunities are used to create synergies between the forthcoming national plan and other Departments' policies and action plans to support the promotion of the Irish language across government.
The Department of Education and Youth's Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 aims to strengthen early years educational provision and to consolidate the supports provided for early years settings in the Gaeltacht. A key action arising from that Policy was the publication in 2021 of a Guide for Gaeltacht Primary Schools: Strengthening Links between Primary Schools and Early Learning and Care (ELC) Settings - A Collaborative Approach to Promoting the Use of Irish.
The Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme was introduced to support schools in achieving language-based criteria for immersion education. One of the main criteria is to establish useful and mutually beneficial language and cultural links with local Irish-medium early learning and care settings (naíonraí). The purpose of the link is also to facilitate a positive transition for children from the naíonra to the primary school.
The Department of Education and Youth published the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht and the Action Plan for Irish in English-Medium Schools in November 2025. The actions that will be implemented under DCDE’s national plan and these policies will support the continuity of children’s acquisition of Irish from the early years onwards.
The Department supports the inclusion of children through the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). AIM is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the pre-school setting. A core feature and strength of AIM is that it does not require a diagnosis. Instead, resources are allocated based on a child’s individual needs.
Better Start has a number of early years specialists employed who are proficient in Irish as a first or bi-lingual language and a number of others can converse with children in Irish-Medium settings through Irish at a more basic level. In addition, as part of commitments in the 5 Year Action Plan for the Irish Language, the Department have funded an Irish language Early Years Specialist and an Irish language Team Leader in Better Start.
Better Start are currently running a number of online webinars for Irish-medium ELC settings and for English-medium settings to support introducing Irish into their daily routine. There is currently an expression for interest open for Content Language and Integrated Learning (CLIL) support in relation to Irish within English-medium ELC settings.
506. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of strategic planning and future goals for Irish-language early childhood education, key performance indicators for growth, and efforts to preserve the Irish language through these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13819/26]
View answerThe Department's funding for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services is provided on the same basis to both Irish-medium and English-medium services, whether inside or outside Gaeltacht areas.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) has responsibility for the Irish language. DRCDG provides additional supports for Irish-medium ELC services in the Gaeltacht through its agencies and organisations such as Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta.
In addition, in June 2024, that Department's predecessor with responsibility for the Irish language announced five-year funding to provide a comprehensive support and development service to naíonraí outside of the Gaeltacht, to be administered by Gaeloideachas. Furthermore, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has provided funding to Gaeloideachas in 2025 and 2026 to support Irish-medium ELC settings.
The growth and performance of the Irish-medium sector are monitored through the Pobal annual early years sector profile which provides national data on the ELC and SAC sector, including the number and distribution of Irish-medium services that receive funding from the Department. Pobal also provide the Department with administrative data collected through national funding programmes.
This Department is committed to supporting the growth of the Irish language in ELC and SAC services, including childminding. In line with commitments in the 5-year Action Plan for the Irish language, the Department has provided funding since 2023 to Better Start to recruit an Irish Language Early Years Specialist to support mentoring and advice to Irish-medium ELC settings and further funding in 2025 to recruit an Irish Language Team Leader.
The Department is currently working in collaboration with other relevant Departments and agencies to develop a national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in the ELC and SAC sector.
The development of such a plan is a commitment in the 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language. The national plan is expected to support the delivery of two commitments in First 5: the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families: “Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision” and “Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish”.
The plan is also expected to support the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Government to: “Support naíonraí and creches to ensure early education access in Gaeltacht communities and beyond” and “Plan the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including Irish-medium naíonraí”.
In addition to the focus on the provision of Irish-medium ELC and SAC services, it is anticipated that the new national plan will also include measures to support English-medium ELC services to work within the updated Aistear early childhood curriculum framework, which was published in December 2024. The updated Aistear includes an aim of supporting young children to have an awareness and appreciation of Gaeilge and our cultural and linguistic heritage.
A survey of Irish-medium ELC and SAC settings including childminders was undertaken in 2022-2023 to obtain a baseline of the current level of Irish-medium provision in the sector.
A public consultation and a programme of research, including a literature review, took place in 2024. A consultation with children was completed in 2025.
It is intended that the Plan and associated consultation reports will be published in the coming months.
507. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of a potential Judicial Review of the 2025 ERO for the childcare sector being brought before the courts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13265/26]
View answerThe Department has been made aware of the providers intention to seek a Judicial Review of the Employment Regulation Orders formulated by the Early Years Joint Labour Committee but have not had any formal confirmation that proceedings will take place.
Although the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot determine pay or conditions of staff.
It is the function of the Early Years Joint Labour Committee, to negotiate pay and conditions, with outcomes from their negotiations formalised via Employment Regulation Orders.
In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the Joint Labour Committee is independent in its functions and neither I nor the Department have a statutory role in its processes.
The statutory framework established under the Industrial Relations Act, together with the procedures arising from it, falls within the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. Any proceedings or matters associated with these processes are therefore the responsibility of that Department.
In any event, I would not, nor would it be appropriate for me, to comment on any legal proceedings within another Department .
However, I firmly believe the level of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners do not currently reflect the value of their work for children, families, society and the economy.
In October last year, new Employment Regulation Orders for Early Years Educators and School-Age Practitioners commenced which provided for, on average, a 10% increase to minimum hourly rates of pay for roles in the sector.
It is estimated that 67% of those working in the sector saw their wages increase as a result of these new minimum pay rates.
This represents a much-needed improvement in pay and conditions for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners.
Outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. In this programme year, Core Funding increased by 6% to €350 million with an additional €45 million in ring-fenced funding provided to support early learning and care services in meeting the increased cost of new minimum pay rates in the sector.
Both I and the Government remain committed to ‘continue to implement Employment Regulation Orders to attract and retain early years educators’ as outlined in the Programme for Government.
To support this commitment, I recently announced , as part of launch of Shaping the Future action plan in December, up to €15m of ring-fenced funding from September 2026, which amounts up to €45m for the full programme year, to support service providers with costs associated with possible future increases in minimum rates of pay that may be negotiated via the independent Joint Labour Committee process.
508. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality regarding the impact of the change to guardians ad litem via the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022 on the role and function of guardians ad litem in court proceedings; if she has any concerns regarding the effect of these legislative changes on the protection and representation of children’s best interests before the courts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5960/26]
View answerThe Guardian ad litem National Service is 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, subject to Ministerial approval.
The Executive Office, Guardian ad litem National Service, was established in January 2025 with the appointment of a Director. Its 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 Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022 introduces a national framework, including a new “Part VA”, which includes standardised authorisation, appointment, and regulation mechanisms.
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.
The provision of legal advice and representation will be available to Guardians ad litem through an in-house legal team and or procured legal services. The Child Care (Amendment Act) 2022 sets out the grounds on which legal representation is provided to Guardian ad litem. The Guardian ad litem National Service has developed operational procedures for the request and provision of legal representation by a Guardian ad litem and the grounds on which a request will be considered and approved.
Engagement with the Office of the Attorney General on the independence and legal representation for Guardian ad litem was undertaken in 2025. The advice of the Attorney General’ Office reaffirms the independence of the Guardian ad litem in their functions as set out in the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022. These include sharing the views of the child in the court proceedings and providing recommendations to the Courts on the best interest of the child. The Guardian ad litem is required to provide this independent view while ensuring they adhere to standards, code of conduct and operational procedures as set down by the Guardian ad litem National Service. The Guardian ad litem National Service holds the view and supported by the AG’s Office that the advice provided to the Guardian ad litem is legally privileged
The Service is firmly grounded in child centred practice and aligned with Ireland’s obligations under the UNCRC. Its core purpose is to ensure every child’s voice is heard and their best interests are independently represented in court, reflecting Articles 3 and 12 of the Convention. 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. I am committed to ensuring that the welfare and best interests of children who are subject to court proceedings remain at the centre of all decisions and reforms.
509. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the role her Department plays in public awareness campaigns for paternity leave and parent’s leave, including targeted outreach to employers and employees; the plans in place to increase awareness and take-up by men; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1859/26]
View answerGovernment is committed to supporting working families in meeting the competing demands of employment and caring responsibilities.
Under the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019, an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age 12 is entitled to 26 weeks’ unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting in ‘loco parentis’. Both parents have an equal, separate entitlement to parental leave.
There have been significant developments in the entitlements to family leaves for working families in recent years, and this includes the aforementioned extension of the parental leave entitlements in 2019 from 18 weeks to 26 weeks, and the extension of the time period in which the leave can be taken from when the child attains the age of 8 years to when the child attains the age of 12 years.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was enacted on 4 April 2023, and 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.
In addition to these supports, gender equality is being promoted in Ireland under a whole-of government policy framework provided by the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030.
Objective 5, ‘Having a Fair Share’, commits to addressing inequalities which persist between men and women in economic and financial power. In accordance with this, the Strategy aims to support working families in meeting the competing demands of employment and child care. Therefore, the Strategy will work to enhance the scope of family leaves and increase benefit rates by introducing a pay related model.
Additionally, objective 7 'Being Supported', commits to acknowledging, rewarding, and more equally sharing caring responsibilities. Under this objective the Strategy seeks to challenge trends where women can be pressurised, particularly by online messaging, into particular care roles.
The Department is continuing work to understand the barriers to the uptake of family leaves and will bring forward legislative amendments or policy proposals where major challenges are identified. The first Action Plan to oversee the implementation of the aforementioned National Strategy for Women and Girls is currently in development and any changes to family leave provisions or initiatives to support take-up will be considered in this context.
510. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider mandating employers to top up parental leave payments, including maternity and paternity payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1622/26]
View answerSignificant improvements have been made in the entitlements to paid leaves in recent years, including by extending paid parent's leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their baby during their earliest years. As the Deputy will be aware, the rate of benefit for Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive and Parents Leave is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with 26 weeks leave for which maternity benefit is paid at a rate of €299 per week, and 16 weeks additional unpaid leave, giving 42 weeks in total. Expectant mothers are entitled to this leave alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks after the return to work, which have been extended to two years following the birth of the child through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Maternity leave can now also be postponed in the case of serious illness, as set out in the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024.
The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides leave of 2 weeks for the relevant parent (other than the mother of the child), for which paternity benefit is paid at a rate of €299 per week.
Under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, working parent's are entitled to 9 weeks of leave, for which parent's benefit is paid at a rate of €289, for each relevant parent of children under 2 years.
It should be noted that benefit payments for Maternity, Paternity and Parent's leave are the minimum payment entitlements given to parents. Depending on an individual’s contract of employment, they may have more extensive rights to paid leave by their employer, as employers may offer a top up payment.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) 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 and are the responsibility of the CSO.
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.
The table below reference the relevant and available data from the release.
|
Payment Type (percentage) |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Statutory Payment Only |
35.7% |
37.9% |
32.9% |
|
Received Employer Top Up |
64.3% |
62.1% |
67.1% |
The Programme for Government-Securing Ireland's Future- sets out a commitment to examine the possible extension of parent's leave and benefit and additional flexibilities. The next National Strategy for Women and Girls, which was launched November 2025, will consider ways to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work through its two dedicated Actions Plans, the first of which is due to be published in early 2026. The Programme for Government also includes commitments to introduce Pay-Related Parent’s Benefit and explore other payments where a similar model could be applied. Work is ongoing within the Department of Social Protection to examine potential models for a Pay-Related Parent’s Benefit.
511. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures her Department is taking to deliver on-the-ground supports in relation to the National Human Rights Strategy 2025, in particular supports that will enable disabled people to live independently and be an active part of their communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13428/26]
View answerGovernment is committed to providing the supports required by disabled people to live lives of their own choosing in as independent a way as possible, ensuring that they can be full and active participants in their local communities on an equal basis to all others.
The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 sets out a whole of government approach to disability over the next five years. As part of a core commitment in the Programme for Government, the Strategy will advance further implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and constitute an overarching framework for delivering a step-change in the provision of disability services across several policy areas.
The Strategy will advance delivery on actions across five key thematic pillars that collectively capture the full range of issues impacting on the lives of disabled people:
• Inclusive Learning and Education
• Employment
• Independent Living and Active Participation in Society
• Wellbeing and Health
• Transport and Mobility
I was delighted to publish the First year Programme Plan of Action in December of 2025. It is the first of a total of three two-year Programme Plans of Action which will guide the Strategy’s implementation over the next five years, ensuring dynamic, agile and effective delivery of commitments and priority actions across the five core thematic pillars of the Strategy.
Covering the period to the end of this year, the First Programme Plan of Action clearly sets out how the priority actions under each commitment will be delivered by various lead government departments and public bodies, the timeframe for delivery and the success indicators by which performance will be measured. This Department will coordinate the publication of a report to outline progress for each commitment. This will be reported on to the Delivery and Monitoring Committee, chaired by an Taoiseach, on a biannual basis.
Pillar Three - Independent Living and Active Participation in Society - is a cornerstone pillar of the Strategy and consists of a key commitment to deliver the right supports at the right time to disabled people to enable choice and autonomy over their own lives, including the provision of supports to those with complex disabilities and high support needs.
Additional key commitments within Pillar Three include commitments to enhance the effective delivery of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027, to promote the inclusion of disabled people in their local communities, to increase the participation of disabled people in social, cultural and political life and to enhance the accessibility of arts, sporting and cultural venues and events.
In line with the Strategy’s overarching whole-of-government approach, delivery on the actions and commitments under Pillar Three are being led by this Department in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and in collaboration with several government departments and public bodies.
I am confident that the Strategy will further advance the ongoing work across Government to improve the lives of disabled people in ways that will enable them to live independent and active lives of their choosing within their communities.
