Written Answers Nos. 995-1000
995. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has carried out any assessment of the financial sustainability of small and sessional early years providers, including Montessori services; the number of such providers that have ceased operating in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39707/26]
View answerThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy in due course.
996. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether consideration is being given to increasing ECCE and core funding scheme rates in light of rising operational costs, staffing pressures, insurance costs and the increasing level of additional needs support being provided by early years services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39708/26]
View answerIn relation to ECCE Programme, consideration is not currently being given to the capitation rates payable to service providers.
In relation to the Core Funding grant to early learning and childcare providers towards their operating costs, funding for that scheme will increase approximately by 23% for year 5 of the scheme or to over €480 million - commencing from September.
This increased investment will allow for further increases in capacity across the sector, with €21.4 million specifically set aside to support Partner Services in adhering to enhanced Core Funding fee management conditions, from September 2026.
The increased allocation in Year 5 of the scheme also includes €45 million to support service meet possible additional cost associated with future improvements to current Employment Regulation Orders rate if negotiated by the Early Years Service Joint Labour Committee.
The majority of Core Funding is distributed to services via the Base Rate, which is based on a service’s staffed capacity – the opening hours, operating weeks, the age group for whom services are provided, and the number of places available. Core Funding allocations are based on staffed places, not on child registrations and attendance levels. Places do not have to be filled in order to be allocated Core Funding, but for capacity to be funded, there must be enough staff in place to satisfy the minimum staff to child ratios as set in the Regulations made under the Child Care Act 1991. This provides services a guaranteed minimum income, supporting stability where attendance may be fluctuating.
The base rates in Core Funding have been developed using the various components associated with the cost of delivery of service provision such as: staff pay and conditions (including contact and non-contact time, holiday pay, sick pay and other employer costs such as pension contributions); administrative staff/time, and non-staff overhead costs. These components have been factored into the calculation of the budget for Core Funding since the scheme began in 2022. The Core Funding Base Rate is also adjusted, year on year, in line with increasing costs.
The Department has also made changes to improve the sustainability of providers through, for example, targeted measures for small and sessional services, and a fee increase assessment and approval process for services with fees frozen at unsustainably low rates.
Since the scheme was introduced, its effectiveness has been subject to ongoing assessment, which has facilitated the iterative evolution of this scheme. The annual changes to the allocation model and in the conditions attached to the funding has ensured the Scheme remains responsive, balancing the needs of providers while seeking also to meet a range of other objectives. Among these objectives is ensuring taxpayers’ money is being used in a way that sustains services while not excessively increasing their private profit.
997. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures that are currently in place, or under consideration, to improve recruitment and retention within the early years sector, particularly among highly qualified Montessori and early years educators; whether consideration is being given to enhanced pay supports, pension provision or pathways toward parity of esteem with primary education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39709/26]
View answerThe role of the early years educator and school-age childcare practitioner are valuable ones, and they play an important part in supporting children's development, learning and care.
In a very competitive labour market and with low levels of unemployment, recruitment and retention is a challenge for all employers.
The current Annual Early Years Sector Profile data shows that the number of educators/practitioners working with children in the sector has increased by over 8% between 2024 and 2025 and has increased by over 33% since 2022 while the national average turnover rate has fallen by 1.3% to 24.5% in 2025.
Pay is one of a number of challenges impacting the early learning and care and school-age childcare workforce. The level of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners does not reflect the value of their work for children, families, society and the economy.
Although the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot directly set wages or conditions for any staff in the sector.
The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders, and is independent in its functions.
Pay and conditions are improving. Through the work of the JLC and successive ERO’s, minimum pay rates have now risen three times in four years, delivering an average 15% increase in minimum rates of pay. This marks significant progress in professionalising the workforce.
The latest ERO came into effect in October 2025 which saw an increase in minimum pay rates of, on average, 10% and will increase pay for over 67% of staff in the sector. Higher qualifications are recognised through higher rates of pay for graduates.
Outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. In this programme year 2025/26 Core Funding has increased by 6% to approximately €350 million with an additional €45 million in ring-fenced Core Funding provided to support services in meeting the increased cost of minimum pay rates in the sector.
In addition, Early Years Services receive a graduate premium through Core Funding of €4.44 per hours worked for eligible roles to support the employment of graduate-level educators and managers.
Consequently, over 2 years, the Department has made an allocation of €90 million available to support possible increased rates of pay.
A longer-term workforce strategy for the sector is in place: "Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028". Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in the sector.
One of the five "pillars" of Nurturing Skills comprises commitments aimed at supporting recruitment, retention and diversity in the workforce, and it includes actions to raise the profile of careers in the sector.
A Sub-Group of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum was established to address recruitment and retention challenges. The group has advanced initiatives including:
• A Student Fast-track Process for recognition of studies to work in service out of term,
• The assessment of unfinished qualifications, where people who may have started a relevant qualification but did not get to finish it, can have what they completed assessed for meeting qualification requirements
• An agreement to promote careers in the sector.
A communications campaign is currently under development and will include a series of videos aimed at promoting careers in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) sector.
In addition, a careers information pack is being developed to support promotion of the sector. The pack will be provided to career guidance counsellors and other key bodies who support individuals in making education and employment decisions, with the aim of raising awareness of career opportunities and pathways within ELC and SAC.
To further support staff retention, the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund enables educators who continue to work within the sector to pursue Level 7 and 8 qualifications by funding up to 90% of their tuition costs. Over 700 staff are now supported through the Nurturing Stills Learner Fund.
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund demonstrates how we are already delivering on our Programme for Government commitment to ‘remove barriers in education and training for early years educators to broaden access to the profession.
Currently there is an existing dedicated Early Learning and Care 'Earn and Learn' Programme in place under the Community Employment scheme, operated by the Department of Social Protection. It aims to help people who want a career in early learning and care by providing real work experience while attaining the minimum Level 5 qualification in Early Learning and Care.
This scheme enhances the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing community-based work experience and training opportunities. In addition, Community Employment supports long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return-to-work routine.
Complementing wider Departmental policies to streamline administration and regulation, to reduce stress and to support wellbeing in the sector, the Department is committed to roll out an employee assistance programme nationally in the near future.
998. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average time being taken currently (in weeks) to attain garda vetting to work in the early years and school age care sector as an educator; the number of applications that were received in 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of those applications have been approved and rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39828/26]
View answerGarda vetting is a legal requirement for all people working directly with children and vulnerable adults, under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts, 2012-2016. This Act falls under the remit of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Early Childhood Ireland (ECI), who the Department funds to administer Garda Vetting for staff working in Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings, have advised that a standard fully complete Garda Vetting application currently takes 15-20 working days (3-4 weeks) to process by the Garda National Vetting Bureau. If the applicant has lived and/or lives in another EU country or the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), their Garda Vetting application can take up to 10 additional working days (6 weeks total) for EU countries and up to 20 additional working days (8 weeks total) for the UK.
The following table below outlines ECI data on applications received in 2025 and up to 22 May 2026 in relation to relevant staff working in Early Years.
|
Early Childhood Ireland Vetting of staff |
2025 |
2026 |
Notes |
|
Early Childhood Ireland Vetting of staff |
2025 |
2026 |
Notes |
|
Applications Received |
46,600 |
16,810* |
* As of 22.05.2026 |
|
Applications Completed (approved) |
35,370 |
9,637 |
|
|
Applications in process |
N/A |
4,537 |
|
It should be noted that Early Childhood Ireland does not hold data on the number of applications rejected, as this is determined by the National Vetting Bureau. In addition, not all applications submitted reach a “completed” status. Common reasons include when an application expires due to failure to complete within the 30-day timeframe or if an application is cancelled due to incorrect information or the applicant does not proceed.
Processing times are also advised to this Department from the Garda National Vetting Bureau and are in line with ECI timelines given above. Processing times are across all sectors and not specific to Early Years. 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.
999. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if, ahead of Budget 2027, she will look at the amount being offered for children in early years who are sponsored to raise the sponsorship amount to ensure it meets the actual cost associated with a childcare place to ensure that providers are not left covering the difference and ensuring that children who are sponsored can access a place at the same amount to any other child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39830/26]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents reduce the cost of early learning and childcare through a subsidy paid directly to the childcare provider.
In the case of children sponsored by approved bodies, the NCS covers the full cost of early learning and childcare. The rate of this coverage increased in 2024 to reflect a €5.30 hourly rate for all children over 1 year old. Sponsored children under 1 year old continue to receive an hourly rate of €5.87.
A €5.30 subsidy across 45 hours of care equates to a weekly rate of €238.50. The median weekly fee for full-time care is €200 a week.
As part of their participation in NCS, providers agree not to charge the parent of a sponsored child any co-payment, regardless of if the provider’s normal rates are greater than the sponsor subsidy rate. It is a contractual requirement of the NCS that providers must not exclude children from the service for the reason of sponsorship. If a provider accepts a co-payment for a sponsor child, excludes a child from the service for the reason of a sponsorship award, or requests that a sponsor child register under a universal or income assessed award instead of a sponsor award, then the provider is violating the NCS rules. If a service is also a Core Funding partner service, additional rules apply.
I would encourage any parents who are facing issues with enrolling their child under a sponsor award to get in touch with their local City and County Childcare Committee (CCC). Across the country, CCC support parents and guardians to understand their early learning and childcare options. They also support a range of policies and programmes, as well as help to ensure that providers are compliant with all relevant Government schemes. Contact details for the CCC may be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees .
Children in receipt of sponsorship have been identified as in particular need of the supports that early learning and childcare providers offer. The NCS rules have been designed to protect the interests of both children and service providers, and the Department of Children, Disability provides significant value to the sector, both in terms of subsidies paid directly to providers and grants paid to support providers.
1000. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has issued any formal governance expectations, oversight directives, reporting requirements or policy guidance to Tusla concerning the proportionality, consistency or evidential thresholds applied in Emergency Care Order applications under sections 12 and 13 of the Child Care Act 1991. [39842/26]
View answer1001. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether emergency child removals form part of any Departmental governance, safeguarding, audit or enterprise-risk oversight discussions with Tusla under the Oversight Agreement framework.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39843/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1000 and 1001 together.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for the governance and oversight of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. It does this through a range of mechanisms, including the Tusla Performance Framework, annual Performance Statements, the Oversight Agreement with Tusla and ongoing engagement with the Agency.
The Oversight Agreement sets out the respective roles and responsibilities of the Department and Tusla, including arrangements in relation to governance, reporting, performance monitoring and accountability at an organisational level. Within this context, issues relating to the overall operation and risks within child protection and welfare services, including the use of emergency interventions, may form part of high-level discussions.
However, Tusla is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions under Section 8(11) of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. Accordingly, the Department does not issue directions in relation to operational decision-making, including the proportionality, consistency or evidential thresholds applied in applications for Emergency Care Orders under Sections 12 and 13 of the Child Care Act 1991. Such decisions are a matter for Tusla, in accordance with the provisions of the Child Care Act 1991, relevant case law, and Tusla’s own policies and professional practice guidance, including Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children.
