Written Answers Nos. 910-929
910. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a dedicated speech and language (SLT) post will be in place within the HSE Mid-West Adult Disability Service, as the service does not currently have a dedicated SLT post aligned to the staffing complement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30887/26]
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.
911. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the submission of Disability Supports Application Management Tool (DSMAT) forms by disability service providers in County Mayo; the extent to which providers are meeting DSMAT submission requirements; to identify any providers with outstanding or overdue submissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30901/26]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
912. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding payments under the national childcare scheme; if there is any flexibility in terms of back payments for parents that missed a registration deadline or registered late for any reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29582/26]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents reduce the cost of early learning and childcare in the form of a subsidy paid directly to the childcare provider. Subsidies are available for children between 24 weeks and 15 years of age at a minimum rate of €2.14 per hour, available for up to 45 weekly hours. Depending on the family’s income, there are additional income assessed subsidies available.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) can only be paid once an application is successfully completed, a Childcare Identifier Code Key (CHICK) has been registered with a childcare provider, and the parent has confirmed on the system that all details are correct.
Except in special circumstances, it is not possible to pay the NCS subsidy for a time period when the child was not properly registered with the NCS. All NCS claims are paid in arrears based on the attendance of a child. As such, the child must be registered with a childcare provider specifically for the NCS, and the provider must confirm the child’s attendance on a weekly basis. This is a key financial and governance control to ensure that Exchequer funding is used responsibly.
It should be noted that special circumstances which allow the backdating of a claim are allowed only in cases where there is an error on the Scheme Administrator’s part, for example, an ICT issue caused a gap in funding. Otherwise, the parent is considered responsible for completing the application, registering with a childcare provider, and confirming that all details are correct.
If a parent believes that special circumstances have caused a gap in funding, they may initiate a review with the Scheme Administrator to backdate the claim. Further information on reviews, including a how-to, can be found on the Early Years Hive (https://earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/how-to-guides/how-to-guides-ncs/reviews-appeals-ncs/).
The NCS subsidies offer significant value to family finances, and any loss of subsidy funding is deeply regretted. However, the Department must ensure, in so far as possible, the equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for subsidies under the NCS. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness, it is essential that clear rules exist for the Scheme and that they are applied evenly. The rules surrounding renewals are clearly called out in the Policy Guidelines, as well as specific renewal guides and supporting information available to parents on www.ncs.gov.ie.
913. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the level of funding provided to Blakestown children's disability network team, Blanchardstown children's disability network team and Cabra Grangegorman children's disability network team, broken down per year from 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29627/26]
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.
914. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of graduate speech and language therapists that were offered placements within CDNTs in CHO8 in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29642/26]
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.
915. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has undertaken any assessment of the likely impact of the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive on groups identified for protection under the directive; the findings of any such assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29647/26]
View answer916. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if any gaps have been identified between the protections set out in the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive and existing equality legislation in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29649/26]
View answer917. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the main obstacles identified at council level to progressing the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29648/26]
View answer918. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the State's current position in negotiations at council level on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29650/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 915, 916, 917 and 918 together.
The Equal Treatment Directive, also known as the Anti-Discrimination Directive, was first proposed by the European Commission in 2008 and has been regularly discussed by the Council since then. The Directive seeks to close a gap in EU law, aiming to extend the protection against discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation to areas outside employment.
The proposal falls under Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) (special legislative procedure). This procedure means that unanimity in the Council is required, following the consent of the European Parliament. The European Parliament provided its initial consent in 2009.
Although the proposal has been under discussion for close to 18 years, and almost every Presidency has placed the file on the agenda of the Council, it has not been possible to reach a unanimous agreement to date.
The Directive’s proposals were taken into consideration as part of this Department’s wider review of Ireland’s equality legislation. In November 2024, Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024, which includes a number of legislative provisions arising from this review. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme and issued its report in October 2025 and work is continuing.
A 2024 compromise text prepared by the Belgian Presidency significantly narrowed the scope of the proposal. Officials in my department have considered the changes under this compromise text and its implications. In November 2025 the European Parliament published “Proposal for a horizontal equal treatment directive – Complementary impact assessment” (available at [https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2025/774698/EPRS_STU(2025)774698_EN.pdf]) This study, which is based on the 2024 text, notes that (across the EU):
“The proposed directive is expected to generate limited costs, mainly relating to reasonable accommodation in education, while delivering significant social and economic benefits, notably through improved access to goods and services.”
This study also provides breakdowns of costs and benefits by country (including for Ireland) and categorisation of member state’s level of alignment with different Articles.
A progress report, by the Danish Presidency of the Council, was presented at the EPSCO Council on 1 December 2025. The Presidency outlined that, while a very large majority of delegations continue to support the Directive, three Member States maintained reservations on the file.
Ireland has been a long-standing supporter of the adoption of the Equal Treatment Directive. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has lead responsibility for the negotiation of this Directive, and as is usual practice, officials in the Department coordinate Ireland’s position on the file.
The European Commission proposed in February 2025 to withdraw the Directive from further discussion. At the time, as Minister I signed a joint letter with other likeminded Member States urging Commissioner Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, to reconsider the withdrawal and to work with the Council to seek unanimity. The European Commission retracted their withdrawal proposal in July 2025.
Since then, supporting the work of the Danish and the Cyprus Presidency, Ireland has continued to back efforts to reach unanimity at Council. As part of our Presidency preparations, I have met with Commissioner Lahbib to discuss the Directive, and officials are actively engaging with Member States at technical levels.
Reaching unanimous agreement on this Directive at Council has not been possible to date due to the fact of some Member States having long standing reservations. As the Presidency, Ireland will act as an honest broker for the Council during our term, work with all Member States to understand their views, and will seek to progress files and reach agreement where it is possible.
Ireland’s Presidency Programme for the Council of the EU is currently under development, with preparations intensifying across Government. Two cross-departmental groups, chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are co-ordinating this preparatory work. Officials from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are actively engaged in these groups, which focus on the policy and operational aspects of Ireland's Presidency.
Ireland's full policy programme will be published, as is usual practice, shortly before the start of our Presidency term, in June 2026.
919. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 2493 of 14 April 2026, to outline the appraisal tools that have been developed in order to select projects that align with programme objectives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29673/26]
View answerI recently announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this government. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements.
The capital programme will deliver additional supply of high-quality and accessible early learning and childcare to address deficits in capacity, particularly for younger children and in disadvantaged/rural areas, and in line with public management policy goals. It has the following objectives:
Deliver additional publicly subsidised supply for early learning and childcare where required, with a focus on places for 1- to 3-year-olds and sufficient places for children to age up in the same service.
Deliver additional supply where required in areas of disadvantage and rural areas.
Ensure all supply delivered is inclusive and high quality.
Deliver supply in appropriate locations, taking account of accessibility for parents, links with other relevant services/amenities, appropriate land-use, and spatial planning goals.
Ensure cost-effectiveness and timeliness of delivery.
Support improved public management of the early learning and childcare sector as a whole.
The programme strategic objectives will shape the programme as a whole, as well as project selection. A suite of appraisal tools has been developed, with different criteria and indicators for each objective. This ensures a consistent methodology and comparative results for different projects, enabling the selection of the best-performing projects and the monitoring of the programme as a whole.
|
Objective |
Indicators |
|
Supply |
Forward planning model Future supply/demand trends |
|
Disadvantage & rurality |
Small Area statistics on disadvantage and rurality in local area |
|
Inclusive & high quality |
Universal Design Guidelines checklist |
|
Appropriate locations |
Planning strategy Accessibility Co-location |
|
Cost-effectiveness & timeliness |
Cost & cost confidence Timeline & time confidence |
|
Public management |
Make-up of existing sector locally |
Data from a range of sources underpin project appraisal.
• The Forward Planning Model maps existing levels of supply and child population locations, and an assignment model identifies areas where supply levels are below existing targets.
• Future supply/demand trends take account of child population forecasts (by the ESRI and CSO) as well as local information on population and ELC provision
• Disadvantage and rurality draw on CSO and Pobal Deprivation Index tools
• Accessibility is assessed using tools developed by the National Transport Authority
• Costs are assessed using benchmarked data from Building Blocks and other valuation sources. This will be continuously updated as projects move through the pipeline
• The local sector profiling draws on data from the DCDE funding schemes.
In addition to these quantitative data sources, qualitative assessments are applied to appraise quality, alignment with planning strategy, and the confidence levels associated with cost and time. These assessments are undertaken in a systematic manner to ensure comparability across projects.
920. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 2493 of 14 April 2026, the quarter of 2026 in which decisions will be made on the specific projects agreed upon under the early learning and childcare capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29674/26]
View answerI recently announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this government. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year and the State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided in the National Development Plan. The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government.
Project proposals are being received and decisions are being made on a rolling basis.
Advanced discussions have been ongoing with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in relation to the early learning and care facility at the Shanganagh Castle Estate. I am pleased to confirm that the council’s elected members approved the disposal of the property at their meeting on 13 April. Further work is now required to identify an operator, develop detailed designs for the internal fit-out, and deliver the fit-out works required for this building.
921. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children and young people on waiting lists for assessment of need and for therapy services, including speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology, as of 31 March 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29726/26]
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.
922. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of assessment of need applications overdue for completion under statutory timeframes as of 31 March 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29727/26]
View answerThe delivery of an effective, efficient Assessment of Need system is a priority for the Government. There has been intensive work by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the HSE to address delays in the provision of Assessments of Need.
Under the Disability Act, an Assessment of Need is an assessment process carried out by the HSE where a person is of the opinion that he/she may have a disability, for anyone born after 1st June 2002. It first establishes whether the person has a disability (as defined within the Act). It then identifies the health and education needs of the person with a disability and the services required to meet those needs.
It is important to note that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including HSE Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.
However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and the number of families exploring all options to access services for their child. Unfortunately, this demand is outpacing the capacity of the system to respond with the result that there were 20,209 applications overdue for completion nationwide at the end of 2025, according to the most recently available HSE data. Figures for Q1 2026 have not yet been validated.
More positively, there has been continued improvement in the number of completed assessment of need reports with 5,939 reports completed in 2025. This is a 43% increase nationally compared to the number completed in 2024.
In December 2025 Government announced a series of improvements 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 legislative reform and operational improvements to support the efficiency and effectiveness of the Assessment of Need process.
The proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child. They also will not alter the statutory six-month timeline set out in the Disability Act.
The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill has been published on the Department’s website. An [FAQ document] has also been published, providing information on Assessment of Need and the proposed changes for parents and any other interested stakeholders.
It is important to recognise that legislation is only a part of the response. The Department is working with the HSE to identify further opportunities to enhance processes, improve training, and increase administrative supports for HSE Assessment Officers who are responsible for the production of assessment reports. This includes the establishment of working groups to address learning and development needs and to develop statutory guidelines.
The HSE is also implementing actions to address the wider issue of access to services and supports for children with disabilities including:
• Introduction of a Single Point of Access system by the HSE in 2026. This should make it easier for families to be referred to the right service, whether that is primary care, CDNT or mental health services. It aims to streamline referrals and reduce duplication, so children do not end up on multiple waiting lists.
• Implementation of the Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathways Protocol by the HSE in early 2026. The Protocol will provide a standardised assessment process across primary care, mental health and disability services. It will be the preferred assessment route for autism.
• The creation of eleven new HSE teams, initially, to support assessment processes, including AON, providing clinical guidance and administrative supports.
• The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
923. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current status of childcare facilities which are providing childcare under the ECCE scheme, who are now required to pay commercial rates to their relevant local authority; if her Department has had any engagement with local authorities on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29730/26]
View answerI am aware that a number of early learning and childcare providers, including providers that exclusively operate the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, have been receiving rates-payable notifications from their Local Authorities. Given the importance of early learning and childcare for children, families and communities across the country, I am giving the matter my full attention.
I have met with my cabinet colleague, Housing Minister Browne, to discuss this matter, and officials in the Department are engaging with colleagues in the Department of Housing to clarify the rates exemption status of ECCE-only services.
It should be noted that commercial rates payments for early learning and childcare providers, including childminders, do not fall under the remit of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and the Department has no role in determining which properties are rateable.
The making of valuations for rating purposes is the sole responsibility of Tailte Éireann, formerly the Commissioner of Valuation. Tailte Éireann falls under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Furthermore, the billing and collection of rates is solely a matter for the relevant local authority, the Department of Children has no function in that regard; however, officials in the Department are engaging with colleagues in the Department of Housing to explore the solutions that might be available to rectify this situation as this is a matter that I am seeking resolution to as soon as possible.
924. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to the continuation of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29755/26]
View answer925. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will engage with members of an organisation (details supplied) in relation to concerns for the viability of the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29756/26]
View answer926. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to proposed strike action by members of an organisation (details supplied) in relation to concerns for the deficit in services that had been provided by the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29757/26]
View answer927. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the liquidation of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29758/26]
View answer928. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the merits of establishing an independent review of an organisation (details supplied) into the circumstances related to the closure of the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29759/26]
View answer929. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the engagement she has had with members of an organisation (details supplied) in relation to concerns for the viability of the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29760/26]
View answer930. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she will take to ensure that the services provided by an organisation (details supplied) will be in place going forward, regardless of the formal status of the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29761/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 924, 925, 926, 927, 928, 929 and 930 together.
The Board of the organisation concerned notified its public funders in February 2026 that a resolution had been passed to place the company into voluntary liquidation on the grounds of insolvency. On 3 March 2026, the Board confirmed that all operations had ceased and that it was engaging with a proposed liquidator.
Prior to these developments, concerns had been raised regarding governance and financial matters arising at the organisation in the past year. In October 2025, the public funders, the local Education and Training Board, the HSE, the Department of Social Protection and this Department, commissioned an independent finance and governance review. The review was primarily focused on the period 2024-2025. Funding of the organisation was continued so that services to the local Traveller community could remain in place while the review was underway.
However, in light of the Board’s communications in February and early March, the remaining steps to enable the review to be brought to finalisation could not be progressed.
In a statement on 21 April, the Board has advised that it is currently progressing the appointment of a liquidator to place the organisation into formal liquidation. It is assumed in this regard that all steps will be taken in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act.
The matter is being kept under close review. It is a matter for each of the public funders to make whatever alternative arrangements they consider appropriate to ensure that Traveller families in the area can access services that were previously provided by the organisation.
I wish to acknowledge and thank the staff, volunteers and Traveller leaders who dedicated many years of service to advancing equality, inclusion and improved outcomes for Traveller families in the local area.
The Government remains fully committed to Traveller and Roma inclusion and to the promotion of equality, participation and access to services across all areas of Irish society. Strong, well-run community organisations are central to this work, and the situation continues to be kept under review by the relevant public funders with a focus on supporting affected Traveller families.
