Written Answers Nos. 951-972
951. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost, based on current numbers, of reducing the maximum fee cap for services participating in core funding from €295 to €200 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30459/26]
View answerThe Department is fully committed to promoting affordability for parents through Core Funding. This is driven by the Core Funding fee management system, which includes fee caps and a freeze on fees at September 2021 levels. Adherence to the fee management system is a key condition of receiving the significant funding available through the Scheme.
Any estimate for the full-year cost of a fee cap reduction from €295 to €200 would be contingent on the type of costs being assessed and service-specific operational factors. However, considerations of this nature are being factored into planning for future developments in the Core Funding fee management system.
Promoting affordability for parents is a key priority of the Department the investment of €1.48bn secured in the 2026 budget for early learning and care and school-age childcare will allow the Department to build on recent progress in the gradual reduction of fees for parents, while also supporting supply and the quality of provision.
The additional funding will see the allocation for Core Funding in the next programme year, which begins in September 2026, increase to over €480 million. That is an additional €87.6 million on the current full year allocation, or a 22% increase.
Within this, €20.6 million in brand new full-year funding was secured to support providers in adhering to Core Funding fee management conditions, including further reductions in the maximum fee caps in the fifth year of the Scheme. This will guarantee that Core Funding’s monetary protections will continue to be passed on to families while ensuring sustainability and stability for the sector.
This will enable Core Funding to continue to support fee-control measures and will also allow for growth in the sector. The allocation for Core Funding in 2026 will ensure fees remain at 2021 levels for a majority of providers. As well as this, there will be a new maximum fee cap set to reduce costs for families paying the highest fees across the country. Further details of the new, lower maximum fee caps will be announced in the coming months.
Shaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 report (published on the 17 of December 2025) sets out measures to achieve key Programme for Government commitments on the affordability, quality, and accessibility of early learning and care and school-age childcare. One of the central objectives of Shaping the Future are to reduce parental fees to a maximum of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government.
The Action Plan adopts a phased approach that enables action to be taken in 2026 while allowing adequate time for a broad public consultation and analysis on longer-term actions. In line with the Programme for Government commitment, a broad public consultation process is currently underway. An online survey has been completed, with more than 11,000 responses. Phase 2 actions will be published later in 2026 and will be undertaken from 2027 through to the end of 2029. Phase 2 actions will include a roadmap to reduce parental fees to a maximum of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government.
954. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of expressions of interest received by her Department in respect of State-led childcare facilities; the locations from which such expressions of interest have been received, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30462/26]
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.
The Department has received project proposals from a number of sources since the programme was launched which, along with projects which the Department was aware of prior to the programme launching, includes 88 potential projects across the country as of 24 April 2026.
Projects come to the attention of the Department by a number of routes, including:
• Preliminary Appraisal Forms submitted to the local City/County Childcare committee - 25 projects
• Direct engagement by the Department with other public bodies such as the LDA or local authorities - 31 projects
• Engagement with Approved Housing Bodies who deliver early learning and childcare - 7 projects
• Projects which applied but were ineligible for a previous Building Blocks grant scheme - 2 projects
• Other projects brought to the attention of the Department before the programme was launched - 13 projects
• Projects identified through research conducted by the Department - 10 projects
These projects are in very different stages of development. Some relate existing buildings ready to occupy or fit out, while others are longer-term prospects for future years. Not all proposals align with the programme objectives and some may be funded by other means including the next round of Building Blocks. Some projects are proposed by an existing early learning and childcare service provider, while others relating to a building/property only and a separate process to identify an operator would be required.
The Department is aware that this is not an exhaustive list of all projects that could form part of this programme of investment, and will continue to seek potential projects for consideration.
Please find a table below detailing the number of options by county:
|
Type |
Number |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
|
Cork |
1 |
|
Cork City |
8 |
|
Cork County |
1 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Dublin City |
14 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
4 |
|
Fingal |
6 |
|
Fingal |
1 |
|
Galway |
9 |
|
Kerry |
4 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Meath |
2 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
South Dublin |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
|
Grand Total |
88 |
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects. In the first instance, anyone who might have a suitable premises or project should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee whose details can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees
955. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a full list of all registered providers of early years and school age childcare services operating three or more services; the number of services registered to each provider, the type of service provided and whether each service is privately or community operated, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30465/26]
View answerThe Tusla Early Years Inspectorate maintain the register of pre-school services, school age services and childminding services in line with the requirements under the Child Care Act 1991. These registers are publicly available online on the Early Years Inspectorate website. The registers are published a month in arrears, and the most recently available data is from the end of February 2026.
The Register of Preschool Services is available by county at www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-providers/register-of-early-years-services-by-county/
The Register of School Age Services is available at www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/External_Register_School_Age.pdf
The Register of Childminding Services is available at www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Childminding_External_Register.pdf
Due to the format in which the data is collated by Tusla Early Years Inspectorate, it is not possible to determine the number of services registered to multiple providers as each service has its own unique registration number. Tusla also do not provide a breakdown of community and private settings in their published register. The register does specify the service type for each individual service such as sessional, part time and full time. However, a service can operate multiple service types as outlined on the registers.
Data on multi-site ownership is available through the Early Years Platform (EYP), a Client Relationship Management system administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department to administer Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare funding programmes.
EYP data does not include Tusla-registered services that do not provide a Department-funded programme/scheme.
Based on EYP data, the following table details the number of organisations with multi-site operations, and the numbers of services per organisation, as of 28 February 2026. At that time there were 5,104 services registered on the EYP, 2,088 of which were part of multi-site organisations comprising 2 or more services (registered under the same Tax Registration Number). In total, there were 596 multi-site organisations registered on EYP. Looking just at organisations comprising 3 or more services, there were 231 such organisations, and 1,358 services were part of these organisations.
|
Number of services in Multi-Site Organisation |
Number of Organisations |
|
2 |
365 |
|
3 |
114 |
|
4 |
46 |
|
5 |
21 |
|
6 - 10 |
32 |
|
11+ |
18 |
|
Total services in multi-site Organisations |
Total Organisations |
|
2,088 |
596 |
The following table details the number of services that are part of multi-site organisations with 3 or more services by type of services offered and community/private status, as of 28 February 2026.
|
Community/Private |
Service Type Offered |
Number or services in category that are part of multi-site organisations with 3 or more providers |
|
Community |
Full-day |
46 |
|
|
Part-time |
45 |
|
|
Sessional |
55 |
|
|
School-Age Childcare |
72 |
|
Private |
Full-day |
421 |
|
|
Part-time |
54 |
|
|
Sessional |
110 |
|
|
School-Age Childcare |
548 |
|
|
Childminder/Drop-in |
4 |
Note: Each service is recorded just once in the table based on the highest session type offered in the following order: Full-day, Part-time, Sessional, Childminder (ELC registration), Standalone School Age (including School Age Childminders), Drop-in only. Childminder and drop-in are combined in the above table. Service type is not available for 3 services.
956. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the main policy achievements of her Department since 22 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30471/26]
View answerThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
957. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a full breakdown of legal costs and court settlements in cases involving challenges by parents regarding assessment of needs since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30488/26]
View answerThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
958. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department is aware of crisis placements displacing existing respite services for children with disabilities, resulting in families losing access to essential supports; the measures being taken to ensure that crisis care and respite care are provided through separate, protected capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30543/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
959. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to restore full respite services in County Galway, where families have reported that respite has been withdrawn or significantly reduced due to capacity pressures; and if she will provide a timeline for the delivery of stable, reliable respite provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30544/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
960. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has reviewed the level of funding provided to disability service providers with a view to supporting the development of dedicated crisis placements, so that emergency cases do not result in the cancellation of respite for other children and families [30545/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
961. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30575/26]
View answerI want to acknowledge the tireless work of all parents/carers involved with the ‘Before We Die’ group, to advocate for increases in the provision of residential services for people with disabilities and to bring awareness to the issues many parents are facing.
I also wish to recognise the vital work carried out by family carers, while acknowledging the impact on carers' physical and mental health. Most importantly, I wish to recognise the voices of those with disabilities and the importance of listening to their wishes for their own futures.
To support families and carers, the HSE and contracted service providers endeavour to provide the correct supports for individuals when needed including day services, respite services, residential services, home support and personal assistance.
As of December 2025, approximately 90 service providers are delivering 8,911 specialist disability places. From 2020 to 2025, the additional funding provided to the HSE, has supported an additional 955 newly created residential places for people with disabilities. These placements largely support people moving from their family home to a residential service and are in addition to supporting transitions of people from congregated settings to the community and people under the age of 65 out of nursing homes and into more appropriate community-based homes.
To meet the specific needs of each individual, the HSE works in partnership with both not-for profit and for-profit organisations to ensure the best level of service possible is provided to people with a disability and their families, within the available resources.
Demand for disability services, particularly residential services is very high due to a number of impacting factors including a change in need and the availability of appropriate housing. This has led to a situation where the HSE must respond to emerging urgent cases and in some circumstances, the most appropriate placement with immediate availability is with a private-for-profit provider.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is working closely with the HSE to achieve a more balanced response to the demand for residential placements and a move towards planned provision and away from unplanned responses where possible. This will include the development of housing to ensure all sectors will be able to respond to need including the HSE and Section 38 and 39 organisations. It is important to note that all designated centres for people with a disability, including private for-profit services, are regulated by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
This Government is committed to providing services which promote a good quality of life for all, and I must acknowledge the role of service providers, which comprises the HSE, Section 38, Section 39 along with private providers, in delivering good quality, person-centred care in line with the UNCRPD, Government and HSE policies.
This year, this Government has provided €3.9billion in funding to the HSE for the provision of Specialist Community-Based Disability Services, representing a 20% increase on last year. Residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, almost 60% of the total budget.
In respect of disability residential services, €65 million has been allocated in 2026 for new developments. €40 million of this funding will provide 199 new residential responses. This includes 152 new residential placements, comprising of 80 new placements to meet urgent need and the development of 72 new planned residential placements, as well as provision for the requirements for new residents entering into existing funded placements that have become vacant and in limited circumstances, placements in nursing homes.
Additionally, within the funding allocated for 2026, the HSE has begun work to establish Residential Placement Planning & Review Teams in each Regional Health Area. The aim of these teams will be to improve forward planning of residential placements, and to ensure that individuals are appropriately assessed in relation to support needs prior to placement in residential services and reviewed in a timely manner for duration of the placement in respect of quality of care and support needs.
The Budgetary investment in existing level of service issues in S38 and S39 providers and wider sustainability issues such as pay awards for S39s, has increased the capacity of the not-for-profit sector to deliver more residential placements in 2026.
The HSE is working with the voluntary sector to build capacity to provide more residential services and a proportion of the planned places being provided this year are expected to be provided by not-for-profit organisations. HSE regions are working collaboratively with voluntary service providers in each Integrated Healthcare Area to identify individuals with urgent need to ensure plans are in place before a crisis arises.
The HSE's Framework for the Management of Residential Supports provides guidance to HSE regions in their oversight and decision-making process governing the allocations and use of resources for the provision of residential care and supports. The purpose of this framework is to ensure that:
• An equitable, transparent and consistent practice regarding the prioritisation of need of applicants for residential supports is implemented across and within each of the 9 CHO areas.
• Measures are put in place to ensure residential placements and supports are only considered when all other options such as respite and in home supports have been exhausted.
• A robust review and regular monitoring of the current configuration or delivery of services takes place.
• Assist in the strategic planning of residential resources.
The Disability Supports Application Management Tool (DSMAT) is designed to deliver a consistent listing process for each HSE area by presenting a detailed profile individuals who require both residential and non-residential supports. This supports the decision-making process within each area for the placement of people with a disability requiring a residential placement by ensuring that a standardised consistent profile is available for each applicant for services.
The DSMAT captures detailed information on home and family circumstances and a detailed presentation profile of each individual, including specialised profiles of behavioural intensity, key diagnoses, and complex support needs due to the extent and intensity of intellectual and/or physical & sensory disability.
It is important to note that residential placements are based on greatest presenting need and potential associated risk/safeguarding.
The HSE’s Capital Plan 2026 (Building and Infrastructure) has been published and is available on the HSE website at https://about.hse.ie/news/hse-capital-plan-2026-building-and-infrastructure/.
Funded from the National Development Plan, it provides significant public investment in health infrastructure to meet current needs, to cater for anticipated population growth and to respond to the changing demographic profile in Ireland.
In respect of Disability Services, the HSE announced €43 million in capital investment in 2026. This represents a substantial increase of €16 million compared with 2025 and demonstrates the Government’s firm commitment to support and expand disability services. 2026 is the first of a five-year investment plan supported by €278 million in funding secured by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality through the National Development Plan.
The Capital Plan supports the vision of high quality, safe, accessible and sustainable healthcare, enabled by capital funding. It aligns with the strategic priorities of the Government and the Minister for Health, the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the HSE.
In the context of the increased investment in Disability Services in 2026, the HSE is examining a number of other disability projects which may be added to the Capital Plan during the year. In doing so, the HSE will take into account the need for regional balance and to ensure an appropriate blend across service areas. This is in addition to housing provision by the Local Authorities.
The implementation structures established under the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 are central to ensuring independent living housing outcomes for disabled people. The provision of the housing for disabled people in conjunction with the care (health and social care) supports is the cornerstone of supporting independent living for disabled people. The Health Service Executive (HSE), under the auspices of the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality (in the case of physical, intellectual and sensory disability), and the Department of Health (in the case of mental health disability), is responsible for funding the provision of care support services by disability service providers.
At national level, implementation and monitoring of the Strategy is driven by the National Implementation Steering Group (NISG) (chaired by the Housing Agency) with membership from key Departments and Agencies and both Disabled Persons Organisations and umbrella disability groups.
At the regional level, a new regional structure operating between the national and local structures was established under the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027. Significantly, these new Regional Interagency Groups (RIGs) are based on the HSE Health Regions to ensure cooperation and collaboration at an operational local level bringing together both the local authority and HSE dedicated housing representatives for both disability and mental health services. These Groups also aim to bring consistency across their organisations and evaluate any pilot structures or process progress in their area.
At local level, all local authorities have established Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) whose role is to put in place strategic plans for housing for disabled people and to monitor activity under these plans and are therefore a key driver of the provision of housing for disabled people at local level. HDSGs facilitate integrated, aligned and timely responses to the housing needs of disabled people through an interagency collaboration framework to drive progress at the local level. Membership of the HDSGs includes local authority Director of Housing Services, HSE, Disabled Persons Organisations, organisations for disabled people including service providers, and Approved Housing Body sector.
In addition, a number of HSE regions have appointed dedicated Housing Coordinators to assist with residential placement planning and identifying various housing options for people with all levels of disability.
The annual publication of unmet housing need is under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Department is undertaking research and progressing policy development throughout 2026, with a view to developing a new policy framework for specialist residential services. The policy development process will consider a range of matters relevant to specialist residential services including models of service.
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which commenced in 2023, marked a landmark reform of Ireland’s capacity laws, bringing the state into much closer alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The 2015 Act represents an important shift away from a ‘best interests’ approach to a rights-based approach to capacity, privileging a person’s will, preferences and autonomy.
The 2015 Act provides for a review of its operation and effectiveness within 5 years of commencement. This is also a commitment in the current Programme for Government. The Department intends to commence this review in 2026.
I appreciate the role of many parents as strong advocates for adults with diminished capacity. In that regard robust engagement and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including those with a lived experience of the Act, parents and families, will be central to the review. A written report of the findings of the review and the conclusions drawn from those findings will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, as required under the 2015 Act.
962. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if it is the current policy of her private office/Department to formally invite or notify all local Oireachtas members of constituency events at which Ministers are in attendance in the course of performing their ministerial duties and functions; if she will provide the Department's current policy or protocol on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30591/26]
View answer963. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a list of all events across every constituency attended by the Minister in the course of her ministerial duties since 1 January 2026, where formal invitations/notifications to attend were not issued by her office to all local Oireachtas members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30609/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 962 and 963 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that I undertake a wide range of official engagements across the State in the course of the performance of my ministerial duties and functions. Schedules related to these engagements are managed by officials within this Department.
The Department does not maintain a centralised system to record whether notifications or invitations in respect of individual engagements have issued to all local Oireachtas members in a given constituency. It should be noted that invitations relating to individual engagements are usually issued by the host organisations rather than by this Department.
The Department seeks to notify public representatives of engagements within their constituencies, where appropriate, having regard to the nature of the event and the associated logistical arrangements.
Since 1 January 2026, I attended the following events across a number of constituencies in my capacity as Minister:
|
Date |
Visit |
County |
|
Tuesday 20 January |
AIB - TU Dublin Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities certificate presentation Event |
Dublin |
|
Wednesday 14 January |
National Conversation on Education launch |
Dublin |
|
Wednesday 21 January |
Ireland UK Youth Forum - opening address |
Dublin |
|
Thursday 22 January |
Foróige Attic House |
Longford |
|
Thursday 22 January |
FRC Enniscorthy with Min Browne |
Enniscorthy |
|
Wednesday 28 January |
Launch of CARI's New Strategic Plan |
Dublin |
|
Wednesday 4 February |
Launch of the National Conversation on Pre-School |
Dublin |
|
Thursday 5 February |
Suaimhneas New development Children’s Respite Service |
Sligo |
|
Thursday 5 February |
Residential Services 56 Seaville |
Sligo |
|
Thursday 5 February |
Residential Services 26 Seaville |
Sligo |
|
Thursday 5 February |
Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) Services |
Sligo |
|
Thursday 5 February |
Adult Day Services - Community Connect Inclusion Hub |
Sligo |
|
Thursday 5 February |
Tubbercurry FRC |
Sligo |
|
Wednesday 11 February |
Launch of the Care-Experience Initiative |
Dublin |
|
Wednesday 4 March |
Minister Norma Foley visit to Educate.ie Dublin office and EdPal platform demonstration |
Dublin |
|
Sunday 22 March |
BIPA Plenary 22-24 March 2026 |
Kerry |
|
Thursday 26 March |
Launch Disability Participation and Awareness Fund |
Dublin |
|
Tuesday 31 March |
Krafty Kids Childcare |
Cavan |
|
Tuesday 31 March |
Happy Days Childcare |
Cavan |
|
Tuesday 31 March |
Teach na Daoine FRC |
Monaghan |
|
Tuesday 31 March |
Drumlin House |
Cavan |
|
Tuesday 31 March |
Shercock Child Resource Centre |
Cavan |
|
Tuesday 31 March |
Ballymachugh Childcare Group |
Cavan |
|
Friday 24 April |
Shannon Foynes Port Company Children Awards Ceremony |
Limerick |
|
|
|
|
964. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the options available for adult service users (details supplied) to access transport to their day services in County Mayo to ensure attendance, safety and equal access. [30644/26]
View answerThe Specialist Disability Budget supports a range of services funded through the HSE and delivered by Section 38 and Section 39 organisations, as well as the HSE. This includes, among other services and supports, Day Services and Rehabilitative Training for people with specialist disability service requirements.
The provision of transport is not part of core services funded by the HSE. As a general rule, public transport is used in all circumstances where it is an option. This is in keeping with the principle of mainstreaming, with a clear focus on ensuring persons with a disability have access to the normal range of services and participate in community life as far as possible. In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.
Under Pillar 5 of the Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, the Department of Transport has lead responsibility for reducing and, where possible, eliminating transport barriers faced by disabled people. Under Pillar 5, there is a commitment to personal mobility, and supporting those who cannot use or easily access any public transport through the provision of enhanced personal mobility options.
It is recognised that viable public transport options are not always available throughout the country and that transport support needs vary between individuals. In the absence of transport options being made available by the National Transport Authority (NTA), some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a case-by-case basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different Health Regions. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
965. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the next round of funding will open under the capital grant scheme for playgrounds and recreation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30645/26]
View answerThe Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation typically opens for applications in January each year. The next funding call will therefore issue in January 2027.
Every year since 2013, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has provided Local Authorities with the opportunity to apply for funding to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people through the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation.
One of the consistent criteria under this scheme is that the playground must be accessible and inclusive to all children including those with additional needs.
The 2026 Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation opened for applications on the 19th of January and closed for applications on the 12th of February.
Following evaluation of applications, the 30 Local Authorities who applied were successful. The funding was announced on the 22nd of April 2026. (LINK: Minister Foley announces €600,000 in funding for the development and refurbishment of playgrounds and play areas nationwide) www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/press-releases/minister-foley-announces-600000-in-funding-for-the-development-and-refurbishment-of-playgrounds-and-play-areas-nationwide/
966. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will make a statement on precisely the roadmap for reducing early years fees to €200; if she will detail the engagement she has undertaken and will take with providers and trade unions in respect of same; and if she will make a statement on her plans to ensure that there is adequate buy-in from the sector to facilitate such a reduction. [30656/26]
View answerThe Phase 1 report of Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan was published on 17th December 2025. The report sets out the next steps in the delivery of a number of Programme for Government commitments relating to Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC). A central objective of Shaping the Future is to reduce parental fees to an upper limit of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government.
The Phase 1 report focuses on short-term actions to be undertaken in 2026 within the budgetary resources available for the year. In line with the Programme for Government commitment, a broad public consultation process is currently underway.
As part of the National Conversation on Education: the First 5 years and School-Age Childcare, the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality (DCDE) is undertaking a public consultation process on the future of early learning and care and school-age childcare (including childminders). This broad consultation process seeks views not only from early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners and childminders, but also from parents, providers, other stakeholders, and community members. Input gathered during the National Conversation will inform both Phase 2 of Shaping the Future—the Government’s Early Years Action Plan—and the successor to the First 5 Strategy, Ireland’s Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.
The consultation process has a number of channels which allow for the participation of a wide range of stakeholders:
A national online survey on ELC and SAC (now closed) which received over 11,000 responses.
• A survey of a nationally representative sample of parents. This is a telephone poll of a representative sample of 500 households with children under 14 which asks parents about their experiences and perspectives on early learning and childcare.
• An art engagement exercise with children.
• More than 50 local consultation events that are taking place between 20-30 April. These are being organised with the City and County Childcare Committees.
• A national consultation event that will take place in June: The Shaping the Future National Forum: Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare (details of which will be released soon).
It should be noted that the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF) continues to be the main consultation mechanism between this Department's ELC/SAC Division and the stakeholders in the ELC/SAC sector, and this will remain the case throughout the development of Shaping the Future Phase 2. The main focus of upcoming ELCSF meetings will be consultation on the development of Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan. While ELCSF members are also able to take part in the above elements of the consultation process (including local consultation events and the national forum in June), the upcoming ELCSF meetings will be the primary opportunity for key stakeholders to inform the planning process.
Results of this consultation, as well as additional analysis, will inform Phase 2 of the Action Plan. A roadmap will be developed over the course of 2026, for publication in the Phase 2 report, which will set out a timeline of actions over the years 2027-2029 and beyond.
It is important to stress that both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan are being informed by an extensive range of research, data-analysis, and public consultation processes that have been undertaken over recent years and that continue.
967. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1480, 1510 and 1511 of 18 March 2026, the analysis her Department has carried out in respect of Companies Registration Office accounts of early years providers; if she is satisfied that existing systems sufficiently incentivise participation in Core Funding; if she will make a statement on providers running losses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30657/26]
View answerCore Funding is a grant to Early Learning and Care (ELC) and/or School Age Childcare (SAC) Partner Services towards their operating costs and is funding directly to Partner Services. I am required to ensure all Exchequer funding is managed in a clear and transparent manner. This includes a requirement to ensure robust and transparent Financial Reporting structures are in place.
Therefore, as a condition of receiving the Core Funding grant, Partner Services must provide financial reports to the Department for each year they have engaged with the Scheme. Information is provided directly by a Partner Service and their nominated accountant. The Department does not require Partner Services to provide their Companies Registration Office Annual Financial Statements (AFS) as part of this process.
In March 2026, Partner Services were required to submit Financial Reports for Year 3 (2024/25 programme year) of Core Funding. A full Trial Balance underpinned by sector-specific nominal codes contained in the Core Funding Chart of Accounts was required. The Trial Balance was to be prepared using accruals-based accounting. This differs to Year 1 and Year 2 when the Income and Expenditure template was prepared using cash-based accounting.
The portal for Trial Balance submissions opened on 27 February 2026 with a published deadline for submissions of 31 March 2026 at midnight.
The Department is currently performing a quality assurance exercise of all financial reports submitted to support the accuracy of submitted data. Once complete, these financial reports provide a tangible foundation for the analysis of the cost drivers within the sector, providing evidence-based financial data to support the development of future policy to ensure Core Funding is supporting services.
968. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department holds, or plans to develop, disaggregated early learning and care capacity and demand data at Galway city level rather than county level, particularly in respect of children under two years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30664/26]
View answerEach year, Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Early Years Sector Profile. Data for the Early Years Sector Profile is typically captured in May/June of each programme year. All services who are contracted to deliver at least one DCDE funded programme/scheme are invited to take part. In 2024/25, 87% of services responded within the data collection window.
The capacity data from responding services in the Early Years Sector Profile is used to estimate the number of enrolments for all services. Currently the capacity data is estimated nationally and by City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) area.
Providing a more granular breakdown limits the statistical reliability of the data, due to the challenge of having an adequate sample size across age groups to produce estimated figures. The Department therefore does not currently have plans to further disaggregate data on ELC capacity and demand at a Galway City level.
969. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there are solar panels in place on the rooftop or within the grounds of her Department building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30690/26]
View answer970. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30708/26]
View answer971. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30728/26]
View answer972. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30745/26]
View answer973. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30766/26]
View answer976. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any buildings operated and owned by her Department that have solar panels in place to support the energy demands of the building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30836/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 969, 970, 971, 972, 973 and 976 together.
The Department currently occupies buildings in Block 2, Miesian Plaza, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 and Joyce House, Lombard Street, Dublin (location of the Guardian ad Litem National Service). Currently there are no solar panels in place at either location.
As both buildings currently occupied by the Department are leased on our behalf by the Office of Public Works (OPW), a discussion has not taken place to date to discuss the merits of requesting the installation of solar panels. Any such proposal would need to be considered in conjunction with the relevant landlord for each building, under the terms of the leases held by the OPW.
The Department does not have a solar panel policy and, in terms of the bodies under our aegis, has not issued any advice with regard to the installation of solar panels on buildings owned or operated by them. Overall policy and public sector requirements on energy efficiency are led by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, through the Climate Action Plan, with national implementation frameworks and guidance provided and supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. This Department, along with the bodies under our aegis, operate within these policy and guidance frameworks but have discretion in determining how energy efficiency measures are implemented within our respective operations, subject to constraints such as those outlined above.
