Written Answers Nos. 386-405
386. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address rising fuel costs and to support the transport, farming and fisheries sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31642/26]
View answerA substantial support package for farmers, farm contractors, and fishers has been put in place following close contact with representative bodies in recent weeks. It includes the full removal of all non-carbon excise on green diesel of 7.4 cents per litre, and a further payment equivalent to 20 cents per litre through an income support scheme. These supports, totalling 27.5 cents per litre, exceed by almost 6 cents the entirety of excise (carbon and non-carbon) charged on green diesel prior to the conflict in the Middle East.
Details of the €100 million Fuel Support Scheme were presented to Cabinet this week. The scheme for farmers and farm contractors will provide temporary support for undertakings active in primary production of agricultural products. For farmers and agricultural and forestry contractors, this targeted and practical support package based on actual fuel usage last year ensures that those most exposed to these increases will receive meaningful assistance at a critical time of year on farms. This approach is in line with discussions we have had with stakeholders and ensures that funding is directed where it is needed most, helping to sustain essential food production and rural economic activity. Approximately 120,000 farmers and 1,500 full-time agricultural contractors will be eligible to apply for support. The scheme for farmers and agricultural contractors will be operated by my Department, and subject to the necessary sanctions and state aid processes, will be open for applications in early May.
A separate fuel support scheme for fishers and aquaculture tailored to the specific needs of that sector will be operated separately by Bord Iascaigh Mara (BIM) on behalf of the Department. It will also be calculated on the basis of fuel consumption with specific eligibility criteria for the different categories of fishers. It is anticipated that this scheme will also open in May.
Furthermore, I am also engaging with the main banks asking that they show forbearance with the agri-food and fisheries sector where cashflow issues are emerging and continue to support these sectors during periods of financial pressure with access to the appropriate levels of short-term finance.
387. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he will take to support horticultural growers operating heated glasshouses in light of escalating costs, particularly energy and fertiliser; whether he is aware that some growers are facing projected increases in annual gas bills if current prices persist; whether he considers the current situation to be financially sustainable for the sector; if he will consider the introduction of a targeted horticultural crisis fund, similar to the support measures implemented during the recent period of price volatility associated with the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31656/26]
View answerI recently announced a fuel support package for farmers and contractors.
The €100 million fuel support scheme will provide supports equivalent to 20c/l to farmers and contractors to offset increased costs in marked gas oil.
Approximately 120,000 farmers and 1500 full time agricultural and forestry contractors will be eligible to apply for support, including horticulture growers.
Payments will be made through a single application process with funding allocated based on green diesel usage in 2025.
While the protected crop sector benefits from carbon tax relief for Natural gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage, I am aware that the costs of natural gas and LPG have increased significantly since March 2026 and my Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders in the sector in relation to increased costs.
388. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of Sitka spruce planted compared to the broadleaves and native conifers planted by area each year, including the 20% broadleaves within the Sitka spruce plantations, since 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31717/26]
View answer389. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and area of monoculture Sitka spruce forests his Department has grant aided, by year since 1993, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31719/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 389 together.
The total forest area in Ireland is composed of 69% conifers and 31% broadleaves. The most prominent broadleaf species consist of willow and birch, followed by ash, oak and alder. Sitka spruce is the most common conifer tree species in Ireland, occupying 45% of the total forest area.
In 1993 Sitka spruce was the dominant species planted representing 81% of the area afforested that year. Whilst in 2025, Sitka spruce represented 29% of the area planted. In area terms there has been a 95% reduction in the planting of Sitka spruce from 12,970 hectares in 1993 to 701 hectares in 2025. In 2016 the area of Sitka spruce planted was 4,554 hectares. In 2025, nearly two-thirds (65.9%) of the area was afforested with broadleaves, mostly native broadleaves.
Successive forestry programmes included criteria to ensure that multiple tree species were used in every new forest. Initially, criteria established minimum requirements for mixtures and overtime expanded to include a minimum requirement for broadleaves. My Departments current forestry programme 2023-2027, provides land-owners with the opportunity to plant a wide range of forest types, which include native and non-native species so that forests can provide the wide range of benefits required by society. Those who wish to plant a new forest of Sitka spruce must plant 20% broadleaves and in addition 15% of the area is normally left unplanted for biodiversity (this includes setbacks from hedgerows, unplanted strips along streams and roads etc).
Information is provided in the table below on the area of species planted each year as part of the afforestation programme from 1993 to 2025. Further information on forest species composition is available on my Department’s website in the annual forest sector statistics publication.
Area (hectares) of Species Planted Annually from 1993 to 2025
|
Year |
Sitka spruce |
Norway spruce |
Larch |
Scot's Pine |
Other pine |
Other conifer |
Oak |
Alder |
Ash |
Birch |
Birch |
Other broadleaf |
|
1993 |
12,970 |
178 |
223 |
21 |
1,015 |
60 |
180 |
51 |
692 |
103 |
103 |
506 |
|
1994 |
13,614 |
1,312 |
437 |
72 |
1,644 |
135 |
482 |
42 |
781 |
118 |
118 |
825 |
|
1995 |
14,896 |
2,632 |
659 |
70 |
2,199 |
118 |
548 |
51 |
1,343 |
105 |
105 |
1,089 |
|
1996 |
13,487 |
1,832 |
723 |
103 |
1,973 |
181 |
482 |
98 |
966 |
47 |
47 |
1,089 |
|
1997 |
6,548 |
1,128 |
588 |
194 |
1,229 |
45 |
350 |
136 |
588 |
57 |
57 |
570 |
|
1998 |
6,802 |
1,663 |
1,157 |
326 |
894 |
136 |
383 |
204 |
693 |
132 |
132 |
537 |
|
1999 |
7,038 |
1,575 |
1,135 |
243 |
600 |
100 |
296 |
292 |
773 |
149 |
149 |
468 |
|
2000 |
9,432 |
1,270 |
1,923 |
289 |
523 |
46 |
228 |
361 |
898 |
195 |
195 |
529 |
|
2001 |
9,242 |
1,185 |
2,049 |
276 |
476 |
49 |
256 |
497 |
835 |
216 |
216 |
384 |
|
2002 |
8,374 |
1,112 |
1,894 |
331 |
421 |
60 |
487 |
789 |
948 |
202 |
202 |
436 |
|
2003 |
4,701 |
503 |
1,140 |
224 |
188 |
29 |
317 |
773 |
623 |
85 |
85 |
515 |
|
2004 |
4,937 |
508 |
1,221 |
192 |
254 |
26 |
343 |
841 |
681 |
61 |
61 |
675 |
|
2005 |
4,805 |
708 |
1,229 |
186 |
131 |
56 |
408 |
967 |
883 |
64 |
64 |
658 |
|
2006 |
3,556 |
608 |
980 |
224 |
121 |
71 |
433 |
432 |
796 |
n/a (not available) |
n/a (not available) |
815 |
|
2007 |
2,993 |
472 |
815 |
192 |
150 |
23 |
396 |
559 |
652 |
n/a |
n/a |
551 |
|
2008 |
2,413 |
426 |
717 |
255 |
117 |
65 |
401 |
675 |
569 |
n/a |
n/a |
582 |
|
2009 |
2,565 |
389 |
689 |
276 |
67 |
47 |
444 |
670 |
615 |
n/a |
n/a |
649 |
|
2010 |
3,267 |
539 |
894 |
189 |
108 |
53 |
710 |
793 |
865 |
n/a |
n/a |
664 |
|
2011 |
3,200 |
535 |
197 |
115 |
30 |
4 |
580 |
544 |
762 |
n/a |
n/a |
508 |
|
2012 |
3,576 |
570 |
160 |
113 |
30 |
16 |
549 |
347 |
605 |
n/a |
n/a |
512 |
|
2013 |
3,903 |
523 |
116 |
76 |
26 |
11 |
571 |
285 |
52 |
n/a |
n/a |
570 |
|
2014 |
3,992 |
485 |
124 |
52 |
37 |
24 |
521 |
243 |
11 |
n/a |
n/a |
563 |
|
2015 |
4,231 |
521 |
84 |
72 |
23 |
25 |
379 |
263 |
4 |
294 |
294 |
315 |
|
2016 |
4,554 |
449 |
53 |
50 |
21 |
11 |
412 |
200 |
1 |
162 |
162 |
490 |
|
2017 |
3,855 |
333 |
20 |
58 |
3 |
15 |
329 |
242 |
1 |
148 |
148 |
433 |
|
2018 |
2,644 |
196 |
5 |
42 |
3 |
7 |
335 |
162 |
6 |
162 |
162 |
395 |
|
2019 |
2,377 |
152 |
3 |
48 |
2 |
6 |
230 |
110 |
6 |
168 |
168 |
371 |
|
2020 |
1,422 |
64 |
3 |
63 |
3 |
11 |
217 |
85 |
0 |
162 |
162 |
339 |
|
2021 |
1,018 |
62 |
0 |
57 |
1 |
7 |
268 |
77 |
0 |
172 |
172 |
293 |
|
2022 |
1,116 |
69 |
0 |
63 |
0 |
4 |
301 |
85 |
0 |
184 |
184 |
359 |
|
2023 |
636 |
37 |
0 |
55 |
1 |
2 |
275 |
97 |
0 |
195 |
195 |
302 |
|
2024 |
611 |
9 |
0 |
52 |
0 |
4 |
204 |
91 |
0 |
215 |
215 |
309 |
|
2025 |
701 |
10 |
0 |
96 |
1 |
14 |
477 |
222 |
0 |
392 |
392 |
510 |
390. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of pet passports that his Department issued in the years of 2025 and to-date in 2026, by month, in tabular form. [31730/26]
View answerThe number of pet passports that were issued by my Department to Private Veterinary Practitioners in the years 2025 and to-date in 2026, by month, is set out below in tabular form:
|
Month/Year |
Number issued |
|
January 2025 |
1,741 |
|
February 2025 |
2,181 |
|
March 2025 |
2,040 |
|
April 2025 |
1,931 |
|
May 2025 |
1,900 |
|
June 2025 |
1,792 |
|
July 2025 |
1,887 |
|
August 2025 |
2,150 |
|
September 2025 |
1,494 |
|
October 2025 |
1,340 |
|
November 2025 |
1,893 |
|
December 2025 |
1,565 |
|
January 2026 |
1,515 |
|
February 2026 |
1,741 |
|
March 2026 |
2,077 |
|
April 2026 (Up to 29/04/2026) |
1,465 |
391. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of EU-funded projects undertaken by his Department from 2020 to date in 2026 in the areas of risk, emergency planning and or food security; and/or were coordinated by his Department, or in which it participated. [31743/26]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the information requested in relation to EU-funded projects undertaken by my Department from 2020 to date in 2026, in the areas of risk, emergency planning and or food security, is set out in the attached table.
PQ 31743/26 Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
|
Year |
EU-funded Project – risk/emergency planning/food security |
|
2020 |
The Food Safety Project, Albania – Support to the Food Safety Veterinary and Phytosanitary Standards, 2019 to 2024, funded by EU Delegation Office in Tirana. |
|
Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding - OPW Brexit Infrastructure* |
|
|
2021 |
Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding - OPW Brexit Infrastructure* |
|
2022 |
Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding - OPW Brexit Infrastructure* |
|
2023 |
Technical Assistance and Information Exchange (TAIEX) visits to the Turkish Cypriot community (TCc) Cyprus in cooperation with the Directorate General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM), to support increasing small ruminant milk yields. |
|
Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding - OPW Brexit Infrastructure* |
|
|
Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding - Rosslare Infrastructure** |
|
|
2024 |
Eunite Programme - Turkish Cypriot community (TCc) – Module 4 Agribusiness, to support the TCc small ruminant dairy sector, 2024 to 2028, funded by DG REFORM/DG REGIO. |
|
Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding - Rosslare Infrastructure** |
|
|
2025 |
Technical Assistance and Information Exchange (TAIEX) Study Visit, in cooperation with DG ENEST, by the Montenegro Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary to Ireland on the Organisation and implementation of official controls for food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary affairs, August 2025. |
*OPW Brexit infrastructure = Infrastructure delivered at Ports and Airports (primarily Dublin Port) to ensure customs and controls points were compliant with new requirements after the Brexit Transition Period. These works were co-funded by client Departments at these sites including DAFM.
** Rosslare Infrastructure = Infrastructure delivered at Rosslare EuroPort. These works were co-funded by client Departments including DAFM.
392. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be introduced to support farmers due to the substantial increase in costs over recent months resulting in financial pressures on the farming community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31786/26]
View answerA substantial support package for farmers, farm contractors, and fishers has been put in place following close contact with representative bodies in recent weeks. It includes the full removal of all non-carbon excise on green diesel of 7.4 cents per litre, and a further payment equivalent to 20 cents per litre through an income support scheme. These supports, totalling 27.5 cents per litre, exceed by almost 6 cents the entirety of excise (carbon and non-carbon) charged on green diesel prior to the conflict in the Middle East.
Details of the €100 million Fuel Support Scheme were presented to Cabinet this week. The scheme for farmers and farm contractors will provide temporary support for undertakings active in primary production of agricultural products. For farmers and agricultural and forestry contractors, this targeted and practical support package based on actual fuel usage last year ensures that those most exposed to these increases will receive meaningful assistance at a critical time of year on farms. This approach is in line with discussions we have had with stakeholders and ensures that funding is directed where it is needed most, helping to sustain essential food production and rural economic activity. Approximately 120,000 farmers and 1,500 full-time agricultural contractors will be eligible to apply for support. The scheme for farmers and agricultural contractors will be operated by my Department, and subject to the necessary sanctions and state aid processes, will be open for applications in early May.
A separate fuel support scheme for fishers and aquaculture tailored to the specific needs of that sector will be operated separately by Bord Iascaigh Mara (BIM) on behalf of the Department. It will also be calculated on the basis of fuel consumption with specific eligibility criteria for the different categories of fishers. It is anticipated that this scheme will also open in May.
Furthermore, I am also engaging with the main banks asking that they show forbearance with the agri-food and fisheries sector where cashflow issues are emerging and continue to support these sectors during periods of financial pressure with access to the appropriate levels of short-term finance.
393. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of prosecutions for horse welfare offences from 2020 to 2025 and to date in 2026. [31793/26]
View answerAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare and to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. It must be emphasised that primary responsibility for the health and welfare of equines lies with the owner or keeper.
My Department is committed to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare. In this regard, my Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, local authorities and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified.
Since the Act came into operation in March 2014, 226 cases have been successfully prosecuted of which 21 cases related to equines. From 2020 to date in 2026, 14 prosecutions were in connection with equines. With regards to prosecutions specifically involving equines, the figures represent cases that have been finalised and do not include additional cases going through the courts and/or cases that are in the process of being prepared for prosecution.
My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the area of animal welfare, the legislative environment more generally, and having regard to the practical lessons learned from operating the Act.
In 2025, a process was initiated to develop a new animal welfare strategy, which will act as a framework for engagement and collaboration to direct future activities with the aim of benefiting both animals and Irish society. Development of the strategy is now well underway following broad stakeholder engagement including a non-statutory public consultation. In excess of 1750 individual submissions were received as part of that process.
The new strategy will continue to adopt a ‘One Health, One Welfare’ approach, acknowledging and valuing the inter-dependencies between human, animal and environmental health, and taking an evidence-led approach to policy making, target-setting, monitoring and evaluation. I expect the new welfare strategy to be completed in Q2 2026.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379. Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie []
394. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses sent for slaughter overseas from 2024 to date in 2026. [31794/26]
View answerThe number of horses certified for export for slaughter from Ireland from 2024 up to 28 April 2026 is set out in the table below. This data is taken from the TRACES system, the European Commission's online platform for animal and plant health certification. This is a live system and the figures below might be subject to minor change.
|
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
165 |
821 |
166 |
395. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the new equine slaughter facility; and the proposed opening date. [31795/26]
View answerThree Notifications of Intent have been submitted to operate as an equine slaughter premises, one of which has passed this initial stage. The next stage is the submission of a formal application. The applicant is currently engaging with the relevant Departments/Agencies to progress to the application stage.
396. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to urgently consider including a large-scale business and co-ops (details supplied), in the reliefs that support licensed agricultural/fishing contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32417/26]
View answerMy Department is providing an income support scheme worth €100 million to assist farmers, farm and forestry contractors, and fishers, the details of which will be announced next week when the scheme opens for applications from farmers and farm/forestry contractors. A scheme administered through BIM will open shortly after for fishers.
Regarding farm/forestry contractors specifically, the scheme will operate on the basis of providing an income support related to historical use of marked gas oil in primary agricultural production on farms only.
397. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of the Horizontal Equal Treatment European Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31495/26]
View answerThe 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.
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.
398. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the structures in place to allow people to enforce their rights under the equal status Acts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31496/26]
View answer399. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of bodies that have been regulated in relation to breaches of the equal status Acts, the agency that is tasked with enforcing these acts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31497/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together.
The Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services, accommodation and education. The Acts cover the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. In addition, the Acts prohibit discrimination in the provision of accommodation services against people who are in receipt of rent supplement, housing assistance, or social welfare payments.
The Acts provide recourse to an individual who feels they have been discriminated against. Complaints regarding breaches of equality legislation may be pursued before the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The WRC is an independent, statutory body which was established under the Workplace Relations Act 2015.
Cases heard by the WRC are a matter of public record and the outcomes can be found on their website. The WRC also publishes annual reports with breakdowns of the numbers and types of cases heard. Its most recent report, for 2025, was published recently and is also available on the WRC website.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) is Ireland’s independent National Human Rights Institution and National Equality Body. As part of its remit, IHREC maintains a "Your Rights" page with information for the public on Ireland's equality legislation and how to bring a complaint to the WRC. This can be found here: www.ihrec.ie/your-rights.
The Standards for Equality Bodies Directives, which will be transposed in the coming weeks, set out common EU-wide minimum requirements for equality bodies in a number of key areas, including with regard to carrying our inquiries. As part of this transposition, IHREC 's ability to conduct inquiries into breaches of the principle of equal treatment will be strengthened.
400. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current time frame to receive a decision on an assessment of needs once submitted in Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31750/26]
View answerThe Government recognises that there are unacceptable delays in accessing Assessments of Need. We are committed to addressing these delays.
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 they 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.
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.
While the average duration of the assessment process per report completed in Q4 2025 was reported by the HSE as 26.14 months nationally, we do not receive this data by county or region.
On a positive note, 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. This improvement is not reflected in every region, however. The HSE do not provide data on a county basis, but data is available by Local Health Office (LHO), and while application rates have increased in the Galway LHO by 29% from 2024 to 2025, the number of completed reports have decreased. As of Q4 2025 there were over 488 Assessment of Need reports overdue for completion in this area.
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. The Joint Committee on Disability Matters has published its report, following pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, and the Department is considering its recommendations. An [FAQ document] has 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.
401. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the penalties that have been implemented to Tusla for the contracting of staff through SEAs who are not vetted. [31537/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
402. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of WTE senior staff grade physiotherapists based in each CDNT within CHO3 as of 9 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31572/26]
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.
403. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if an emergency funded plan will be introduced in the next budget to address the urgent housing and care needs of ageing parents caring for adult children with intellectual disabilities. [31597/26]
View answer404. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current level of funding allocated to disability housing supports; and whether additional ring-fenced funding will be committed to address the growing crisis in provision. [31598/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 403 and 404 together.
As of February 2026, 8,927 specialist disability places are being delivered by approximately 90 service providers . Since 2020, additional funding provided to the HSE has supported the creation of almost a thousand additional 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 the movement of people under the age of 65 out of nursing homes and into more appropriate community-based homes with supports.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality continues to engage with the HSE, to expand and develop residential services for people with disabilities. A number of actions are underway to move towards a more planned approach to providing residential care.
This year, Government has provided €3.9billion in funding to the HSE for the provision of Specialist Community-Based Disability Services, representing a 20% increase on 2025. 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 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.
The HSE’s 2026 National Service Plan includes details of a move towards a more planned and responsive system of service provision to include the development of 72 new planned residential placements and progress, reflected in key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure transparency and accountability in meeting service needs. These planned places will be able to respond to residential needs demonstrated on the HSE’s DSMAT profiling tool. 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 advises that it is important to note that residential placements are based on greatest presenting need and potential associated with risk/safeguarding.
Within the funding for 2026, the HSE has begun work to establish Residential Placement Planning & Review Teams in each Regional Health Area, to improve forward planning 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 the duration of the placement in respect of quality of care and support needs.
The HSE’s Capital Plan 2026 (Building and Infrastructure) has been published and is available on the HSE website at www.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, €43 million has been allocated to the HSE for 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.
Regarding future funding, consideration of Specialist Disability Services and funding requirements occurs annually as part of the Estimates process. Engagement will take place between the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the Health Service Executive later this year in respect of funding for 2027.
405. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a statutory register of need for people with intellectual disabilities requiring supported housing will be established to ensure accurate identification, recording and forward planning of demand. [31599/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
