Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
766. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she has requested, or intends to request, that the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General undertake an examination of the cost-effectiveness or value-for-money of private childcare placements funded by Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32440/26]
View answer767. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any internal or external review, evaluation, or audit of outcomes, cost-effectiveness, or long-term value of private childcare placements is planned; and if so, the timeline and scope; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32441/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 766 and 767 together.
As the Deputy will be aware The Comptroller and Auditor General is an independent officer who audits state accounts and oversees the release of public money from the Exchequer. The primary role involves providing independent assurance to Dáil Éireann that public funds are managed properly, legally, and provide value for money.
I understand that the Comptroller & Auditor General will consider all circumstances involving a perceived abuse of public funds, brought to their attention by members of the public. Whether a particular matter warrants investigation or examination as part of the normal financial audit will depend on the particular circumstances of the matter, its materiality and the evidence available to substantiate the circumstances surrounding the concern.
A number of mitigants (planned expanded capacity, increased funding, novel approaches to staff recruitment and training) are actively being pursued all of which have been set out in greater detail in responses to the Deputy's earlier Parliamentary Questions.
This Department is also pursuing a broader strategic approach to Alternative Care, through the development of Ireland’s first National Policy Framework for Alternative Care, which is expected to be complete this summer. If necessary and prudent to do so, consideration of engaging with the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service may be undertaken, or alternatively, a referral to this Department’s Research and Evaluation Unit to complete a study in this area.
It is important to recognise, monitoring of expenditure in this space is regular and ongoing within Tusla, within this Department's Finance Unit the Child Policy and Tusla Governance Division and within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. At this juncture the Department will not be seeking an intervention from the Comptroller & Auditor General.
