Written Answers Nos. 406-425
406. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether all young people with intellectual disabilities are provided with a personal transition plan for housing and care supports by age 18; and if not, the steps being taken to ensure this occurs from age 16. [31600/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
407. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if consideration is being given to establishing a single "one-stop-shop" statutory agency to coordinate between the HSE, housing bodies, local authorities and service providers in processing and managing housing and support applications. [31601/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government recognises the requirement for a whole-of-government approach to advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
In 2025, the Department for Children, Disability and Equality published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with input from disabled people and representative organisations on the issues that matter the most to them.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, will work in collaboration with a number of other Departments and agencies including the HSE and Local Authorities, to advance Pillar 3 of the Strategy, which outlines a collective approach to provide a clear pathway for disabled people to access the supports they require to live independently and address societal barriers that impact on their daily lives.
The work undertaken in line with this strategy will support a move to a more planned approach to providing residential supports to people with disabilities.
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 housing options for people with all levels of disability.
In 2026, with allocated funding, 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 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.
408. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address the funding deficits faced by Section 38 and 39 service providers, including the absence of multi-annual funding and inflation adjustments; and whether pay parity with HSE staff will be implemented. [31602/26]
View answerIn 2026, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality is providing €3.9 billion for HSE Specialist Disability Services, an increase of €628m, or almost 20% over 2025. This is the largest ever increase in funding for Disability Services. It follows significant year on year increases resulting in an overall increase of €1.85bn or 91%, since 2020.
The Department provides funding to the HSE to deliver specialist disability services either directly or via Section 38 and Section 39 voluntary sector organisations. While this Department sets the strategy, policy direction and the overall allocation for the disability sector, funding allocations to individual service providers is an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority on behalf of the State.
The Department acknowledges the financial challenges prevailing in the disability sector including increased cost of service provision, pay cost pressures and service provider sustainability. The Department has recognised these challenges through the provision of significant year-on-year funding increases for specialist disability services in recent years.
Operational deficits were identified as a systemic financial risk at the time of the transfer of disability services to the then Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth from the Department of Health, in 2023. These risks are actively managed by the HSE through its oversight and monitoring of services, and where necessary, the provision of once-off supplementary funding and cash accelerations to organisations.
It is currently not possible to enter into multi-annual funding agreements with service providers within the disability sector. This is unlike the position for capital expenditure, where multi-annual commitments are linked to the National Development Plan. For current expenditure, this Department is obliged to adhere to Public Sector Financial Procedures. This means that Exchequer funding is allocated on an annual basis, following the annual budgetary process.
With regards to pay parity, employees of organisations funded under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 are regarded as public servants. These staff are included within overall public service employment numbers. As a result, employees of Section 38 funded organisations benefit from the terms and conditions set out in public service agreements negotiated between Government, trade unions and representative bodies of public servants.
Section 39 funded organisations form part of the broader community and voluntary sector. The WRC pay agreement reached in 2025 between Government Departments and unions includes funding for a phased 9.25% pay increase, which will benefit workers in section 39 funded voluntary organisations. Taken with the October 2023 Agreement of an 8% increase, this amounts to a 17.25% pay funding increase over a 3½ year period.
The agreement also includes an automatic linkage to future public sector pay agreements for these workers, to match all future pay increases. In delivering on this 9.25% pay increase, the Government is improving the ability of service providers to actively recruit and retain staff and supporting the overall sustainability of the sector.
As part of the 2025 WRC pay agreement, a comprehensive data gathering exercise is underway, which is due to be concluded before end Q2 2026. The completion of this exercise will provide a more robust evidence base to continue discussion on pay funding in the voluntary sector.
Each year the Estimates process allows the HSE to request funding for the full cost of service provision, including cost increases experienced during the previous year. In advance of the budgetary process for Budget 2027, commencing in July, I look forward to hearing feedback from representatives at the upcoming Pre-Estimates Forum, in May 2026. Until this process is complete it would not be appropriate for me to comment further with regards to the additional funding provision for future years.
409. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether support will be expanded for “cluster housing” or “cluster of homes” models, given strong family preference for community-integrated housing with on-site care. [31607/26]
View answerArticle 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) states that all individuals have the right to live independently and be included in the community, it is an equal right of all persons to live in the community and have choices equal to others. In line with the UNCRPD and the Transforming Lives Policy, Disability Services are being reformed, developed and reconfigured to support and enable people with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities, through services, supports and environments designed and adapted as necessary to meet their needs.
As of February 2026, 8927 specialist disability residential places are being delivered by approximately 90 service providers. Since 2020, additional funding provided to the HSE has supported the creation of an almost a thousand residential placements, which 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.
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.
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.
410. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a review of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be undertaken to address legal inconsistencies relating to adult capacity and the ongoing expectations placed on parents to provide indefinite care. [31609/26]
View answerOn 26 of April 2023 the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, along with most of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022, was commenced, bringing about an end to wardship in the State for adults, by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 and replacing the wards of court system with the new rights-based statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties.
The Act represents a major change in the way capacity is viewed in the State and realises Ireland’s ambitions to meet certain requirements under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the European Convention on Human Rights. In particular, Article 12 of the UNCRPD relates to equal recognition before the law, and in particular provides that persons with disabilities enjoy legal capacity on an equal basis with others in all aspects of life.
In line with this obligation, the 2015 Act is underpinned by a number of guiding principles, including the presumption of capacity unless otherwise shown. Where a person has been deemed, by way of a functional capacity assessment, to lack capacity to make certain decisions, a suite of tiered decision support arrangements are available. The Act provides that any intervention made must be proportionate and the least restrictive possible, having regard to the person’s dignity, bodily integrity, privacy, autonomy and control. It places individuals at the centre of decisions that affect them, privileges a person’s will and preferences and provides for the necessary supports to enable persons with capacity difficulties to retain control over their own affairs and the decisions which affect them.
This Department recognises the vital work carried out by family carers, while acknowledging the impact on carers' physical and mental health. It also recognises the vital importance of listening to the voices of those with disabilities and their wishes for their own future.
The Department is also aware that some people will require a residential place as they age. It is important to note that when a disabled person’s primary carer is no longer in a position to provide care for them, the HSE, alongside contracted service providers, make every effort to provide the correct supports for the individual.
Supports for people with disabilities, including those with ageing parents/carers may include day services, home support, personal assistance, respite services and residential services.
The 2015 Act provides for a review of its operation and effectiveness within 5 years of its commencement. This is also a commitment in the Programme for Government. The Department intends to commence work on this review before the end of 2026. Engagement with a wide range stakeholders, including parents, service providers and, crucially, those with a lived experience of the Act, will be central to this 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 Act.
411. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measurable targets and key performance indicators that are currently in place for the delivery of housing and care supports for people with intellectual disabilities; and whether timelines for delivery will be published. [31610/26]
View answerThe 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.
The HSE’s National Planning and Performance Division via the Business Information Unit works in conjunction with Disability Managers and Service Provider Partners to collate, validate and present the HSE’s Performance Reports, which provide an overall analysis of key performance data from across the health system. The activity data reported is based on Performance Activity and Key Performance Indicators outlined in the National Service Plan and the HSE Operational Plans.
The HSE publishes Management Data Reports (MDR) on a monthly basis providing more detailed performance data for the full suite of Key Performance Indicators [KPIs], and Activity Targets contained in the NSP. Activity data in relation to the delivery of services to people with disabilities, including Residential Services, is available in these reports.
The National Ability Supports System (NASS), a national database managed by the Health Research Board (HRB), records information on HSE-funded disability services for planning and development. It covers individuals with intellectual, physical, sensory, or autism-related disabilities. Its main purpose is to gather data to plan, develop, and organise services for people with disabilities and in particular, records information on services required within 5 years. Reports are published annually and are available on the HRB website, www.hrb.ie.
Further matters related to the measurable targets and key performance indicators that are currently in place for the delivery of housing supports for people with intellectual disabilities are under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality, alongside the HSE, is continuing to work to increase provision in order to assist those who are most vulnerable in our society, and who urgently require services. Supports for people with disabilities include day services, respite services, residential services, home support and personal assistance.
As of February 2026, 8,927 specialist disability residential 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.
Budget 2026 has provided approximately €3.9 billion in funding for Specialist Disability Services. Specialist disability residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, almost 60% (€2.2bn) of the total budget.
€65m has been allocated to Disability Residential Services in 2026 for new developments, which includes €40m of funding that will provide in the region of 199 residential responses. This includes 152 newly created residential placements as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026, including 72 planned places and 80 places to meet urgent, unplanned need. Funding will also support new residents in existing placements that have become vacant and require enhancement and in limited circumstances, placements in nursing home settings.
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, 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.
412. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether net foster carer figures are being used in policy assessment by her Department; the way in which attrition of foster carers is being addressed alongside recruitment; the way in which the foster system capacity is being monitored in real terms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31611/26]
View answerFoster carers play a vital role providing stable and caring homes for our most vulnerable children. Foster care is recognised as the preferred care setting for a child in the care of the State. As of Q4 2025, 86% of children in care were being cared for by foster carers, a figure which compares favourably internationally.
However, it is recognised that the State faces an ongoing challenge in maintaining a sufficient number of foster carers, in light of the growing demand for Tusla services, and the increasing complexity of many of the cases presenting to Tusla.
Tusla publishes detailed information regarding the recruitment of foster carers on its data and analytics site www.tusla.ie/data-figures/. While the number of foster carers on the panel has decreased overall in recent years. In 2025 however, Tusla approved 223 foster carers, an improvement over the 2024 figure of 211.
The Department is acutely aware of the concerns and issues raised by foster carers, that may be barriers to continuing to foster. The Department has overseen record investment in foster carers, including a 21% increase to the foster care allowance in Budget 2024, resulting in a weekly allowance for foster carers of €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12.
Additionally, in 2025 foster carers began to receive a bonus payment at the start of each initial foster care placement. This payment aims to alleviate the substantial out-of-pocket expenses that can be incurred by foster carers during the initial period after a child is placed in their care.
In addition, a new pilot peer support model has been introduced to assist new foster carers, allowing for direct support, guidance and advice from more experienced foster carers.
A revised Mileage Payment Scheme for foster carers also came into effect in April 2025. This broadens the categories of journeys which may be considered eligible for payment under the Foster Care Travel Payments Scheme. Additionally, the cumulative weekly travel distance to qualify for these payments has been reduced from 300km to 250km.
Tusla is also launching a fostering counselling service in May 2026, in acknowledgement of the unique challenges faced by those choosing to provide a safe home for some of the country's most vulnerable children. The service will deliver trauma-informed therapeutic support provided by qualified professionals, either in-person, by phone or online. The service is established on a pilot basis, with funding through Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) of €300,000 for one year.
Additionally, work is advancing within the Department on the development of a National Policy Framework for Alternative Care, which will deliver on a Programme for Government commitment to develop a national plan on alternative care. Officials of the Department are developing this Framework on the basis of evidence and robust consultation with stakeholders, care experienced individuals, and the public.
The consultation received a large number of public submissions, including from foster carers. The consultation process has also included a number of constructive in-person engagements with foster carers and their representative bodies. In December 2025, officials attended the Irish Foster Care Association's Fostering Insights webinar to provide information to IFCA members about the National Policy Framework and what it will mean for foster carers.
The current Programme for Government commits this Government to increase the Foster Care Allowance and to ensure increases in the new Initial Placement Payment. The Minister will work closely with colleagues in Government to ensure that foster carers remain a priority in future Budget considerations.
413. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she plans to deliver a specialist team for paediatric neurological services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31627/26]
View answerThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
414. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress made to date on a paediatric neurorehabilitation strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31628/26]
View answerThe neuro-rehabilitation Strategy currently being implemented nationally provides services to individuals aged 18 or over. Currently, neuro rehabilitation services for children are provided in hospital settings. Those services come under the remit of my colleague, The Minister for Health.
415. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to urgently address serious concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); if she will significantly increase the number of long-term residential care beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31666/26]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. The Department is currently liaising with the HSE to collate the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter.
416. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will engage with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on a proposal that, when a childcare worker has received Garda vetting within the valid three-year period, that vetting can be transferred to a new childcare service if the childcare worker moves job, rather than having to submit a brand new vetting application for the new employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31670/26]
View answerThe National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 provide a statutory basis for the vetting of persons carrying out relevant work with children or vulnerable persons. This Act falls under the remit of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
The Act stipulates that a relevant organisation shall not permit any person to undertake relevant work or activities on behalf of the organisation, unless the organisation receives a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau in respect of that person. All early years services are considered to undertake relevant work or activities for the purposes of this Act.
A Garda vetting disclosure is non-transferrable between organisations. This means a service is required to make a new vetting application in respect of a new employee even if they have Garda vetting from a previous organisation.
Garda vetting is an essential part of ensuring the safeguarding of children and it is the legal responsibility of the registered provider to ensure statutory vetting obligations are complied with and maintained at all times.
The Department engage on an ongoing basis with the Garda National Vetting Bureau to discuss operational issues and to ensure the sector is kept up to date on any vetting changes affecting Early Years services. We will continue to liaise with the GNVB to support the sector.
417. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which her Department accounts for situations where individuals subject to safeguarding concerns avoid accountability and continue working with children, including moving between settings without those concerns being identified or acted upon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31677/26]
View answerThis Department and Tusla take issues of safeguarding concerns around individuals working with children, very seriously.
All allegations of potential child safeguarding matters are investigated by Tusla, once brought to its attention. The Tusla Child Abuse Substantiation Procedure (CASP) was introduced in 2022. The CASP is used by Social Workers who carry out a “substantiation assessment”’ to conclude if on the balance of probabilities that a person’s allegations of child abuse are founded or unfounded. Tusla conducts these assessments solely for the purpose of protecting children who could be at risk of abuse. It is used to assess current and retrospective allegations of child abuse. The CASP is facilitating social workers across the Agency to implement a consistent standard of child protection practice when carrying out substantiation assessments.
Garda vetting is an essential part of ensuring the safeguarding of children and it is the legal responsibility of the registered provider to ensure statutory vetting obligations are complied with and maintained at all times. The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 provide a statutory basis for the vetting of persons carrying out relevant work with children or vulnerable persons. The Act stipulates that a relevant organisation shall not permit any person to undertake relevant work or activities on behalf of the organisation unless the organisation receives a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau in respect of that person. Garda vetting is an operational matter for the Garda National Vetting Bureau .
Where Tusla is required to place a child in a Special Emergency Arrangement (SEA), the Agency has advised that it follows specific safeguarding procedures. Tusla has developed Standard Operating Procedures for these placements, which detail extensive checks that any prospective SEA provider must adhere to, including in relation to records management and staff vetting. Tusla has advised that all SEA providers are vetted by its Central Compliance Unit (CCU), which ensures that Garda vetting and appropriate qualifications are in order before any child is placed with a prospective provider. The CCU also carries out spot checks to validate staff on active duty. Tusla has also advised that young people in SEAs are also visited weekly by a social worker or delegated person to have their voice heard and check on the care being provided.
418. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether net changes in the number of approved foster carers are used as a key metric in assessing the capacity of the foster care system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31698/26]
View answer420. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has analysed the rate of attrition among foster carers; the main reasons identified for carers leaving the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31700/26]
View answer421. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific measures that are in place or under development to address the loss of foster carers from the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31701/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 418, 420 and 421 together.
Foster carers play a vital role providing stable and caring homes for our most vulnerable children. Foster care is recognised as the preferred care setting for a child in the care of the State. As of Q4 2025, 86% of children in care were being cared for by foster carers, a figure which compares favourably internationally.
However, it is recognised that the State faces an ongoing challenge in maintaining a sufficient number of foster carers, in light of the growing demand for Tusla services, and the increasing complexity of many of the cases presenting to Tusla.
Tusla publishes detailed information regarding the recruitment of foster carers on its data and analytics site www.tusla.ie/data-figures/. While the number of foster carers on the panel has decreased overall in recent years, there are some positive signs. In 2025, Tusla approved 223 foster carers, an improvement over the 2024 figure of 211.
The Department is acutely aware of the concerns and issues raised by foster carers, that may be barriers to continuing to foster. The Department has overseen record investment in foster carers, including a 21% increase to the foster care allowance in Budget 2024, resulting in a weekly allowance for foster carers of €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12.
Additionally, in 2025 foster carers began to receive a bonus payment at the start of each initial foster care placement. This payment aims to alleviate the substantial out-of-pocket expenses that can be incurred by foster carers during the initial period after a child is placed in their care.
In addition, a new pilot peer support model has been introduced to assist new foster carers, allowing for direct support, guidance and advice from more experienced foster carers.
A revised Mileage Payment Scheme for foster carers also came into effect in April 2025. This broadens the categories of journeys which may be considered eligible for payment under the Foster Care Travel Payments Scheme. Additionally, the cumulative weekly travel distance to qualify for these payments has been reduced from 300km to 250km.
Tusla is also launching a fostering counselling service in May 2026, in acknowledgement of the unique challenges faced by those choosing to provide a safe home for some of the country's most vulnerable children. The service will deliver trauma-informed therapeutic support provided by qualified professionals, either in-person, by phone or online. The service is established on a pilot basis, with funding through Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) of €300,000 for one year.
Additionally, work is advancing within the Department on the development of a National Policy Framework for Alternative Care, which will deliver on a Programme for Government commitment to develop a national plan on alternative care. Officials of the Department are developing this Framework on the basis of evidence and robust consultation with stakeholders, care experienced individuals, and the public.
The consultation received a large number of public submissions, including from foster carers. The consultation process has also included a number of constructive in-person engagements with foster carers and their representative bodies. In December 2025, officials attended the Irish Foster Care Association's Fostering Insights webinar to provide information to IFCA members about the National Policy Framework and what it will mean for foster carers.
The current Programme for Government commits this Government to increase the Foster Care Allowance and to ensure increases in the new Initial Placement Payment. I will work closely with colleagues in Government to ensure that foster carers remain a priority in future Budget considerations.
419. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of new foster carers approved and the number exiting the system in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31699/26]
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.
422. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding supports that are available to families of children with additional and high sensory needs, including any supports for the development of sensory gardens or therapeutic outdoor spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31752/26]
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.
423. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of adults with a disability currently in residential care funded by the HSE and by other disability service providers in receipt of public funding, by CHO area and by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31763/26]
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.
424. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of adults with a disability currently in residential care in a centre (details supplied); the number of additional residential places expected to be delivered by the end of 2026; the number of places currently planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31764/26]
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.
425. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of residential places for adults with a disability planned to be delivered in a centre (details supplied) in 2027 and 2028, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31765/26]
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.
