Written Answers Nos. 465-487
465. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to commission an independent piece of research into the economic value created by the greyhound industry, considering the last report was conducted over five years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40920/26]
View answerIn July 2021, Jim Power Economics produced a report on The Economic & Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry which was commissioned by Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ). This report follows earlier similar reports produced by Jim Power for RCÉ in 2010 and 2017.
I am not aware of any related updated analysis currently being conducted by RCÉ. I currently have no plans to commission an independent piece of research into the economic value created by the greyhound industry.
466. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the Protection of the Native Irish Honeybee Bill 2021; when the Bill is expected to progress further; if his Department is considering other legislation or mechanisms to protect the native Irish honeybee in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40926/26]
View answerThe Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, a Private Members Bill, which seeks to ban the importation of non-native honey bees, is currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage. Progression of the Bill through Dáil Éireann is subject to the procedures of the Oireachtas.
Following legal advice, my Department procured independent scientific evidence and in October 2023, a contract was signed with the National University of Ireland, Galway for the provision of research services on the native Irish honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera).
The research work concluded in December 2024, and the research report was subsequently evaluated by an external expert. Following the completion of the evaluation, the research service provider was afforded the opportunity to respond to the evaluator’s comments and these comments were received in September 2025. My Department is currently finalising the overall response to the report.
My Department is very supportive of beekeepers and beekeeping associations in their efforts in the conservation of the native Irish honey bee. The Annual Grants to Irish National Beekeepers Federations which is Exchequer funded provides an annual grant to the four Irish National Beekeepers Federations. In 2025, the four national beekeeping federations received a total of €25,500 through this measure for initiatives, including the conservation of the native Irish honey bee.
My Department also provides funding under Conservation of Plant and Animal Genetic Resources Scheme. The Native Irish Honey Bee Society (NIHBS) received funding in 2021 and 2024 under this scheme for projects related to the conservation of the native Irish honey bee and their application under the 2026 Scheme has also been approved.
My Department also supports Irish beekeeping through the provision of grant aid for capital investments by individual beekeepers in specialised beekeeping related equipment and structures including specialised bee breeding equipment. In addition, €121,000 was paid out under the National Apiculture Programme in 2025 to support beekeeping through an approved applied research project.
467. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for clarity on the forestry setback distances from utility cables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40928/26]
View answerUnder Section 98 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927, as amended by Section 45 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the ESB and its representatives, taking due care and attention to avoid unnecessary damage, are empowered to lop or cut any tree, shrub or hedge which obstructs or interferes with electrical wires or to do the same where the tree, shrub or hedge interferes with the erection or laying of any such electrical wires or with the survey of the proposed route of any transmission or distribution lines. Such works are a matter between the ESB and anyone acting on their behalf, and the landowner in question, and do not require a felling licence from my Department.
In July 2025 the Government approved the priority drafting of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 which will enhance the resilience of the electricity grid. The purpose of this Bill is to enable proactive measures, such as the establishment and maintenance of designated forestry corridors within existing forestry. The Heads of Bill allows for the creation of Corridors up to a width of 55 metres for distribution lines and up to 74 metres for the transmission lines. The specific arrangements will be provided for in subsequent regulations. I have discussed this matter with Minister O’Brien and our Departments are engaging to find solutions that improve the resilience of the electricity network without unduly hindering the development of sustainable forestry.
468. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports available to farmers experiencing losses in silage production or summer grazing due to persistent elevated water levels and flooding in the Shannon Callows. [40959/26]
View answerMy Department is not involved in the management of the water levels on the River Shannon, however, following exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during the summer of 2023, on the 7th of November 2023 the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme was announced as a once-off measure. The aim of the scheme was to support farmers who had lost fodder due to exceptional and prolonged flooding in the region during summer 2023.
There are currently no plans to introduce another scheme.
469. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds that have been rehomed through the RCÉ care centres in Croom and Colbinstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41110/26]
View answer470. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an overview of the governance structures of the RCÉ care centres in Croom and Colbinstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41111/26]
View answer471. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the cost of rehoming a greyhound through the RCÉ care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41112/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 469, 470 and 471 together.
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The questions raised by the Deputy are operational matters for RCÉ and, therefore, the questions have been referred to that body for direct reply.
472. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a submission, (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41114/26]
View answerThe Agriculture Appeals Office was established under legislation. It was established to consider and adjudicate on appeals from farmers dissatisfied with decisions taken in respect of their entitlements under farm schemes administered by my Department. It is also important to note that, at the setting up of the Agriculture Appeals Office, consideration was given to other non-judicial appeal mechanisms including and in particular the Social Welfare Appeals Office, An Bord Pleanala, the Labour Court, the Refugee Appeals Office, the Labour Relations Commission, the Procedures in the Education Act 1998, and the Ombudsman's Office.
The Appeals Officers operate independently of my Department in deciding and determining appeals. Decisions by Appeals Officers are binding on the Department and are subject to the review provisions set out in the Act. Decisions can also be challenged to the High Court on a point of law. The Director may report to the Minister on the operations of the office. The Director is also responsible for the issuing of the Annual Report to the Minister and to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Minister's functions relate to the staffing and structure of the office, and the making of orders as set out for in the Act.
The Agriculture Appeals Act 2001 confines the appointment to the position of Director of Agriculture Appeals to a person holding a position within the Civil Service.
In this regard Section 3 of the 2001 Act provides the following:
"The Minister shall, following selection at a competition held by the Committee on Top Level Appointments in the Civil Service or the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners, appoint a person holding a position within the Civil Service as the chief appeals officer who shall be known as the Director of Agriculture Appeals, and is in this Act referred to as the "Director".
The position of the post of Director of Agriculture Appeals (Chief Appeals Officer)is currently being advertised by public jobs (https://ezone.agriculture.gov.ie/intranet/media/DPENDR%20Circular%2019-2026%20-%20Director%20of%20Agriculture%20Appeals%20Interdepartmental%20competition%20-%20revised.pdf). The specifications outline that the Director requests and obtains independent legal advice as required.
I am satisfied that the appointment of the Director is in accordance with the relevant legislation. I have no plans to amend the existing legislation.
473. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of approval inspection visits of food business operators conducted by his Department’s veterinary inspectors, by local authority area in 2025; and of those, the number that passed, the number that failed and the number that were withdrawn. [41233/26]
View answerFor low throughput food businesses, which would have formerly fallen under local authority supervision, there were 20 approval inspections carried out in 2025 by my Department.
My Department does not collate data by local authority area, but by county those inspections were carried out as follows: 6 in County Louth, 3 each in Counties Dublin and Kildare, 2 each in Counties Kerry, Cork and Wexford and 1 each in Counties Meath and Tipperary.
My Department granted 17 conditional approvals and 18 full approvals in 2025, some of these approvals were granted on foot of inspections carried out in 2024.
No Food Businesses failed an approval inspection and 1 application was withdrawn in 2025.
474. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within his remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41378/26]
View answerThe new Programme for Government, “Securing Ireland's Future”, was published in January 2025. Of the 122 actions in the Agriculture and Food, and the Fisheries and Marine sections, my Department was identified as the lead organisation for 105 of these. 32% of the actions are either ‘Target achieved’ or ‘Substantial action undertaken & ongoing’, with another 61% reported as ‘Action commenced & progressing’.
The table below provides a status overview of these actions.
|
Action Status |
Number of Actions |
|
Total actions where DAFM is the lead Department |
105 |
|
Target achieved |
5 |
|
Substantial action undertaken and ongoing |
28 |
|
Action commenced and progressing |
64 |
|
Action not yet commenced |
8 |
Some of the main achievements since January 2025 include:
• Continued Government support for farmers under the €9.8 billion CAP Strategic Plan and via specific sectoral supports.
• My Department issued more than €2.18 billion in payments to farmers and fishers over the course of 2025.
• The establishment of a new €30 million National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme.
• Preparations for a new round of CAP post-2027 have commenced.
• Ireland has secured the continued availability of the Nitrates Derogation for a further three years.
• Ongoing implementation of Food Vision 2030, our shared stakeholder-led strategy for the continuing development of the agri-food sector, including progress across the dairy, beef & sheepmeat, tillage, horticulture, organics, forestry and fishery sectors. A new dashboard to track economic, environmental and social progress has been launched. A 'Food Vision Seafood Sector Group was established. A mid-term review of Food Vision has commenced.
• The launch of the Bovine TB Action Plan.
• The launch of the second National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy(2025-2030).
• Ongoing market access work, including the opening of the Thai and Vietnamese markets for Irish beef exports, priority export markets for the beef sector.
• The publication of the Report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming.
• The re-establishment of a dedicated Minister of State for Fisheries and Marine issues.
• The allocation of €27.75 million for capital projects in Ireland’s publicly owned harbours through the 2025 Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
• The launch of Phase 2 of the €26.2 million Vista Milk Research Ireland Centre and the launch of DAFM’s €30 million Thematic Research Call 2025.
• The opening of the National Centre for Brewing and Distilling in Oakpark, Teagasc, which has been allocated funding of €2.3 million by DAFM since 2020.
• The establishment of the One Health Oversight Committee.
• The signing of a €105 million Partnership Agreement with the World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, over the period 2025 to 2027.
I will continue to lead the development of the agri-food and fisheries sector in collaboration with stakeholders and to deliver on our Programme for Government commitments.
475. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to ensure that food labelling regulations accurately reflect the country of origin for meat, dairy and other agricultural products sold in Ireland; whether any review of labelling standards has been undertaken or is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41405/26]
View answerMy colleague, the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. However, my Department plays a role in the enforcement of this legislation under service contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
The overarching legislative framework for food information to consumers is Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC). Under this EU Regulation, the general rule is that the indication of the country of origin or place of provenance is mandatory where failure to indicate this might mislead the consumer as to the true country of origin or place of provenance of the food.
Article 26(3) of the EU FIC Regulation provides that where the country of origin or the place of provenance of a food is given and where it is not the same as that of its primary ingredient, the country of origin or place of provenance of the primary ingredient in question shall also be given. This Article aims at preventing misleading food information which implies a certain origin of a food, when in fact its true origin is different. The rules for indicating the country of origin or place of provenance of the primary ingredient of a food are set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/775.
In addition, country of origin labelling is mandatory within the EU for fresh, chilled and frozen meat of swine, sheep or goats and poultry and for beef and beef products.
476. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of new funding allocated in Budget 2026 to children’s disability services; the details of the way in which that money will be spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40842/26]
View answerBudget 2026 saw a funding increase for disability services of nearly 20%. Total disability funding from this department for 2026 amounts to 3.9 billion euro.
New funding for children’s disability services includes €8 million which has been secured in budget 2026 to allow for the recruitment of 150 staff to the children’s disability network teams.
Additionally, funding of €20 million is being provided this year to continue the Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative, enabling the delivery of approximately 6,000 clinical assessments with a specific focus on autism assessments. These clinical assessments will inform the Assessment of Need process and support the completion of AON reports.
477. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of new funding allocated in Budget 2026 for day service places for school leavers; the details of the way in which that money will be spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40843/26]
View answerHSE-funded day programmes for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, or complex physical disabilities include a range of centre-based and community-based activities. Access to services is based on an individual’s needs rather than on their diagnosis. The focus is on supporting people to participate in the mainstream activities and in the life of their community, in line with their wishes and needs.
Day services are a vital support for adult with disabilities to participate in the life of their community and to realise their own ambitions and desires. The majority of young people due to leave school in a given year that require a HSE funded day service have been profiled by the end of the previous year to establish their support needs. Once needs are identified, referrals are made to the service provider of choice, funding is committed and negotiations are concluded with providers by end of May to confirm placements to young people and their families. In many instances young people due to leave school at end of June are introduced to their day services for trialling purposes during April, May and June so there is a natural transition into day services in September.
€45.9m in new development funding is allocated in Budget 2026 for Day Services. This includes the full year cost of 2025 school leaver placements as well as the new cohort of school leavers in 2026. Budget 2026 also provides specific funding to develop placements for in the order of 50 adults with specialist disability service needs who are not school leavers. This will support opportunities to those who may have acquired a disability later in life or who in later life choose to attend the service.
478. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of new funding allocated in Budget 2026 for new priority one residential placements; the details of the way in which that money will be spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40844/26]
View answer479. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of new funding allocated in Budget 2026 for moves from congregated settings; the number of moves that will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40845/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 478 and 479 together.
Approximately €3.9 billion of funding has been allocated to Specialist Disability Services in 2026. Specialist disability residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, almost 60% (€2.2billon) of the total budget.
As of March 2026, 9,021 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 over a thousand additional residential places for people with disabilities.
In addition to funding these existing residential placements, €65 million has been allocated to Disability Residential Services in 2026 for new developments, which includes €40 million of funding that will provide in the region of 199 new residential responses. This includes 152 newly created residential places including 72 planned places and 80 unplanned places to meet urgent need, as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026. This 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.
In addition to funding for new residential responses, the remaining €25 million consists of:
€6 million• to support 40 residential packages for children in care with complex needs, in coordination with Túsla.
€6 million• to enhance 38 existing residential placements for individuals whose support needs have increased
€3 million• for decongregation, to support the transition of 58 people from congregated settings to more appropriate homes in the community.
€10 million• for U65s in Nursing Homes, which includes €8 million to support 45 transitions to more appropriate settings, and €2 million to enhance quality of life for those remaining in nursing homes.
With regard to decongregation, prior to the transition of people out of congregated settings, the HSE ensure on a case-by-case basis, that the new community-based placement is appropriate to the individual needs of the resident and compatibility with other residents of the new home is also considered.
There are many considerations in ensuring a new placement is suitable for an individual including to ensure will and preference is taken into account and that the unique needs of a resident are taken into account. The numbers of people resident in one home can vary dependent on availability and individual needs.
Time to Move on from Congregated Settings is progressing and continues to demonstrate very positive results for service users who have transitioned to living in homes in community settings. HIQA continue to advise of their findings that residents have a much better quality of life in a community-based settings compared to a congregated setting. Generally, a community-based setting means that residents live with a smaller number of people and have more control and choice over their daily routines.
480. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of new funding allocated in Budget 2026 for new respite sessions; the number of new overnight respite sessions and new day respite sessions that will be funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40846/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
481. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of new funding allocated in Budget 2026 for new personal assistance hours; the number of new personal assistance hours this will fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40847/26]
View answerArticle 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) affirms the right of people with disabilities to live independently and to be fully included in the community, with choices equal to others.
Since Ireland’s ratification of the UNCRPD in 2018, specialist disability services have continued to evolve, with an increasing focus on the social model of disability and person-centred service delivery. One of the key supports in this regard is personal assistance (PA) services, enabling almost 3,000 adults in receipt of PA to maintain their independence.
Recognising the importance of this crucial service, Budget 2026 provided €1.6 million to support the delivery of 50,000 additional PA hours this year.
Budget 2026 also saw a substantial investment of €15m to increase the rate for service delivery for both home support and PA, helping ensure providers can build and sustain the workforce needed to support people with disabilities every day and fulfilling a key Programme for Government commitment to align the disability rates with the rate paid for similar support services in other sectors.
482. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of new funding allocated in Budget 2026 for additional home support hours; the way in which that money will be spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40848/26]
View answerHome support services are provided to both children and adults with a wide range of disabilities from physical and sensory disabilities to intellectual disabilities and autism. The home support service assists the person with everyday tasks to enable them to live at home or with family.
In the order of 7,000 people with disabilities in Ireland are in receipt of home support with €3.4m provided under Budget 2026 to deliver approximately 100,000 additional home support hours this year.
Budget 2026 also saw a substantial investment of €15m to increase the rate for service delivery for both home support and personal assistance, helping ensure providers can build and sustain the workforce needed to support people with disabilities every day and fulfilling a key Programme for Government commitment to align the disability rates with the rate paid for similar support services in other sectors.
483. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will support the standardising and publishing of accessibility information on step-free access and toilet availability for public venues to allow people plan access in advance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40895/26]
View answerAs Minister with responsibility for Disability, I am committed to enhancing the accessibility of public facilities and spaces as well as promoting best practice in universal design so that people with disabilities can avail of services and goods on an equal basis with others.
The Irish Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD), part of the National Disability Authority (NDA), is funded by this Department, and is dedicated to enabling the design of the built and digital environments including services and systems to be accessed, understood and used regardless of a person's age, size, ability or disability.
The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design develop guidelines based on international best practice and contribute to National and European standards as well as highlighting good practice in relation to Universal Design.
CEUD has done considerable work in promoting the concept of universal design as a means of enhancing the accessibility of a range of built environments, spaces, facilities, products and services.
They have published "Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach" which provides comprehensive best practice guidance on how to design, build and manage all types of buildings and spaces so that they can be readily accessed and used by everyone. Of particular relevance to the issue of accessible toilet facilities, the Centre has a range of guidance material available on its website to support members of the public and businesses. The research and guidance are available to download for free.
The Disability Act 2005 places obligations on public sector bodies to ensure that information and services are accessible to all members of the public, as far as is practicable. This includes the parts of physical premises open to the public as part of service delivery. No legislative requirement exists in respect of private property or private businesses.
The Department is undertaking a review of the Disability Act 2005 in consultation with stakeholders as committed to in the Programme for Government. The review will include a call for written submissions and a research component to explore areas of international good practice. The outputs from the consultation process and research will be key to informing initial legislative proposals for any further reforms to the Act.
Where the accessibility of a physical premises may be integral for the delivery of a service, then the Equal Status Acts (2002-2018), subject to relevant exemptions and the particulars of the situation, may apply. The Equal Status Acts prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services on nine grounds, including disability. Under the Acts, discrimination “includes a refusal or failure by the provider of a service to do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability by providing special treatment or facilities, if without such special treatment or facilities it would be impossible or unduly difficult for the person to avail himself or herself of the service.”
In November 2024, Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which includes a number of legislative provisions arising from a review of Ireland’s equality legislation. The General Scheme proposes to strengthen existing provisions on discrimination and reasonable accommodation in order to advance the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
484. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason a person (details supplied) was not considered for a vacancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40943/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
485. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will examine core funding guidelines, specifically in relation to temporary room closures (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40974/26]
View answerTo become a Partner Service and receive Core Funding grant allocations, an approved provider must first enter into a Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement with the Department and comply with its terms and conditions. These conditions are primarily designed to support affordability, quality, transparency, and sustainability in the sector and to safeguard public funds. Requirements of the grant include fee management conditions, offering the National Childcare Scheme and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme to eligible children and the requirement to submit financial returns to the Department.
To generate Core Funding allocations, Partner Services are required to submit an application and service profile, which detail their operations and the services they provide. The Department understands that Early Learning and Childcare services have to be dynamic and flexible in their day-to-day staffing arrangements. Therefore, Partner Services describe a “typical week” in their application to reduce the administrative burden of maintaining an application. The Department’s definition of a Typical Week is a period representing an average operating week, where the more typical staff rostering is evident. Within the context of Core Funding, the Department defines a material or significant change as one which affects the Typical Week for a period greater than 4 weeks. This is under the assumption that the Staffed Capacity of the typical week as declared on the Core Funding Application is maintained.
The Funding Agreement also defines “Operating Hours per Week” as the time the service is open and available to children; it does not include hours where the service is open but not available to children. It also defines “Operating Weeks per Year” as the number of weeks the service is open and available to children; it does not include weeks where the service is open but not available to children. For the purpose of Core Funding a service must be open for at least 3 days for that week to be considered an operating week.
It should be noted that inputting data on the basis of the Typical Week clause does not exempt a Partner Service from having to comply with other terms and conditions of the grant, including the need to ensure that staff to child ratios are maintained and that capacity is genuinely available to parents for all operating hours per week and operating weeks per year.
Partner Services must update their application when a material change has occurred and must change their operating weeks per year in their application if service is not open and available to children for at least 3 days of a week.
In addition, through the Funding Agreement the Partner Service agrees that if the amount of service offered is decreased, the Fee Charged must also decrease by at least the same proportion. Any such decrease in service offering and Fees must occur at the same time.
If someone has concerns about a potential breach of Core Funding fee management condition by a Partner Service, which has occurred during the 2025/2026 Programme Year, they may seek to have this examined and a conclusion reached through the Core Funding Fee Review Process.
If there is a possibility of a potential breach, the City/County Childcare Committee can, with the permission of the individual, assist with initiating the Fee Review Process.
The first point of contact before any Fee Review Stage is initiated is with your local CCC. If your local CCC receives a query where a potential fee increase is raised, they can get this examined through the Core Funding Fee Review Process.
Contact details for all CCCs can be found on [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/].
486. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will extend reporting obligations by early years providers in core funding in order that it is not just in cases in which there is a closure for more than four weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40975/26]
View answerTo become a Partner Service and receive Core Funding grant allocations, an approved provider must first enter into a Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement with the Department and comply with its terms and conditions. These conditions are primarily designed to support affordability, quality, transparency, and sustainability in the sector and to safeguard public funds. Requirements of the grant include fee management conditions, offering the National Childcare Scheme and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme to eligible children and the requirement to submit financial returns to the Department.
To generate Core Funding allocations, Partner Services are required to submit an application and service profile, which detail their operations and the services they provide. The Department understands that Early Learning and Childcare services have to be dynamic and flexible in their day-to-day staffing arrangements. Therefore, Partner Services describe a “typical week” in their application to reduce the administrative burden of maintaining an application. The Department’s definition of a Typical Week is a period representing an average operating week, where the more typical staff rostering is evident. Within the context of Core Funding, the Department defines a material or significant change as one which affects the Typical Week for a period greater than 4 weeks. This is under the assumption that the Staffed Capacity of the typical week as declared on the Core Funding Application is maintained.
The Funding Agreement also defines “Operating Hours per Week” as the time the service is open and available to children; it does not include hours where the service is open but not available to children. It also defines “Operating Weeks per Year” as the number of weeks the service is open and available to children; it does not include weeks where the service is open but not available to children. For the purpose of Core Funding a service must be open for at least 3 days for that week to be considered an operating week.
It should be noted that inputting data on the basis of the Typical Week clause does not exempt a Partner Service from having to comply with other terms and conditions of the grant, including the need to ensure that staff to child ratios are maintained and that capacity is genuinely available to parents for all operating hours per week and operating weeks per year.
Partner Services must update their application when a material change has occurred and must change their operating weeks per year in their application if service is not open and available to children for at least 3 days of a week.
In addition, through the Funding Agreement the Partner Service agrees that if the amount of service offered is decreased, the Fee Charged must also decrease by at least the same proportion. Any such decrease in service offering and Fees must occur at the same time.
If someone has concerns about a potential breach of Core Funding fee management conditions by a Partner Service, which has occurred during the 2025/2026 Programme Year, they may seek to have this examined and a conclusion reached through the Core Funding Fee Review Process.
If there is a possibility of a potential breach, the City/County Childcare Committee can, with the permission of the individual, assist with initiating the Fee Review Process.
The first point of contact before any Fee Review Stage is initiated is with your local CCC. If your local CCC receives a query where a potential fee increase is raised, they can get this examined through the Core Funding Fee Review Process.
Contact details for all CCCs can be found on [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/].
487. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of young people in receipt of Tusla aftercare supports in each year since 2020, broken down by age cohort including 18, 19, 20, 21 and over 21 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41009/26]
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.
