Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
421. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the legal basis for Tusla’s current assessment process for determining eligibility for public service pension schemes among employees of voluntary children’s residential services; and whether any new Government decision or central guidance has issued in this regard. [23286/26]
View answer422. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether employees of voluntary children’s residential services named in the Child Care Act, 1991, who have been long-standing members of public service pension schemes, including those with over 15 or 25 years’ service, are at risk of being deemed ineligible under current reviews; if so, the protections in place for their accrued pension entitlements and contributions; and the alternative pension arrangements they will be forced to accept. [23287/26]
View answer423. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if eligibility for public service pension schemes under section 66 of the Child Care Act 1991 applies to all approved and funded posts within the named voluntary services, including administrative, support and fostering service roles, or only to staff directly engaged in children’s residential care delivery; and if limited only to Children’s residential services, what is the basis for this change after over three decades of inclusion. [23288/26]
View answer424. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the consultation that was undertaken with voluntary providers prior to Tusla issuing correspondence indicating a revised interpretation of pension eligibility; and the reason no detailed guidance or policy documentation has been shared with affected organisations. [23289/26]
View answer425. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether an assessment has been carried out on the potential impact of changes to pension eligibility on the sustainability of voluntary sector services such as fostering support and aftercare services. [23290/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 421, 422, 423, 424 and 425 together.
As this question relates to operational matters managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, this question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
