Tom Brabazon
Question:643. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of WTE psychologist posts, by grade filled, at Clontarf CDNT as of 30 June 2026, in tabular form. [52638/26]
View answerDisability Services
Questions (643)
Written answers
As 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.
Child and Family Agency
Questions (644)
Tom Brabazon
Question:644. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of WTE qualified social workers that joined TUSLA in 2024, 2025 and to-date in 2026; and the number of qualified social workers that left TUSLA during same period, in tabular form. [52639/26]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
Child and Family Agency
Questions (645)
Aidan Farrelly
Question:645. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost in 2027 if the budget for TUSLA increased by 12.5%. [52655/26]
View answerWritten answers
Budget 2026 saw Tusla receive further increased funding to continue providing vital child welfare and family support services bringing its funding over €1.4 billion.
This is a 14% increase on their 2025 Budget. This is the fourth consecutive year, that total Tusla funding will be over €1 billion.
This money will ensure that Tusla can continue to manage over 100,000 referrals annually, stepping in when needed to support tens of thousands of children and families around Ireland. Tusla will continue investment in providing safe, secure family environments to vulnerable children.
A further increase of 12.5% of Tusla’s allocation in Budget 2027 would cost an estimated €175m.
Disability Issues
Questions (646)
Barry Heneghan
Question:646. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has considered the introduction of a national transition framework for young people with intellectual disabilities on reaching adulthood, including structured planning for residential and support needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52673/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
Departmental Budgets
Questions (647)
Barry Heneghan
Question:647. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the level of capital funding allocated in each of the past five years, and planned for the coming three years, to support the delivery of small-scale community-based housing for persons with intellectual disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52674/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality, alongside the HSE, is continuing to work to increase funding resources to assist those who are most vulnerable in our society and who urgently require residential services.
Ireland is one of the few countries that has a specific strategy for housing for disabled people. The development of this second housing strategy specifically for disabled people demonstrates the Government’s commitment to providing equal access to housing for all.
The Department is engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Authority, and the HSE, to explore means of responding to the need for additional capacity, which can assist forward planning and cost-effective placements.
The National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 provides the framework for the delivery of housing for people with all levels of disability.
While the housing response falls within the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality funds the provision of supports for community living, as well as supports for more complex specialist disability residential services, with the services provided either directly by the HSE or on behalf of the HSE by services providers.
Significant progress has been made, through the implementation structures established under the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027, in improving coordination with the Local Authorities and disability service providers at local, regional and national level.
This includes work to establish the levels of unmet need for specialist disability residential services in each county or local authority area, which will inform the setting of targets in the local authority Housing Development Action Plans (HDAPs) for two cohorts of disabled people: those living more independently in the community, as well as those with greater support needs who will receive specialist disability residential services. The HDAPs are currently under development.
I announced €43 million in capital investment for much needed disability services in 2026, on 24th of February. 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 which I secured through the National Development Plan.
It is important to note that while the strategy, policy direction and overall allocation for the disability sector is set at Ministerial level, funding allocations and management of individual capital projects is a matter for the HSE, as the funding and governance authority, on behalf of the State.
Following receipt of your question, the Department has also sought an update from the HSE regarding the status of HSE disability capital projects of this nature. The HSE noted that while the PQ related specifically to Intellectual Disability accommodation, the figures below relate to all residential infrastructure over the past five years (exclusive of minor capital infrastructure upgrade works). The HSE do not track residential accommodation expenditure broken down per service group as the use of the accommodation can change from ID to other. This is an entirely operational matter.
The figures below relate to all residential and include a mix of de-congregation, residential and ID houses. There is no set amount of funding allocated for the next 3 years at this stage as the projects haven’t been prioritised yet.
National picture
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
€6.363m |
€4.851m |
€5.950m |
€8.117m |
€7.044m |
The HSE acknowledges that there are significant challenges involved in the procurement of appropriate housing in a buoyant housing market, and the undertaking of necessary works to ensure regulatory compliance and in this regard the HSE is working with colleagues in the Department of Children, Disability & Equality to achieve a more balanced response with the development of housing that all sectors will be able to respond to need.
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.
Local Housing and Disability Steering groups and regional forums have also been established to progress the implementation of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled people and these forums facilitate collaborative working between Local Authorities, the HSE, Approved Housing bodies and voluntary service providers.
A significant number of roadblocks to Local Authority provision have been removed through engagement by the HSE and residential programme lead, DCDE colleagues and the Dept of Housing and the Housing Agency.
Voluntary colleagues have put forward a large number of sites for developments again enabling progressions cited by Housing colleagues”.
Thank you for raising this matter and I trust you will find the information above helpful.
Disability Services
Questions (648)
Barry Heneghan
Question:648. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a formal cross departmental structure is in place between her Department, the Department of Health and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support the delivery of residential placements for persons with intellectual disabilities; if so, the timelines or targets in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52675/26]
View answerWritten answers
The 2025 Programme for Government includes a number of commitments to advance the rights and improve the lives of people with disabilities, including:
• The development of a multi-year capital plan for investment in residential and independent living options for both adults and children, while continuing to implement the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings Strategy.
• Addressing waiting lists for specialist disability services by implementation of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-6, and resourcing and delivering on its targets.
The 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.
Availability of suitable housing is particularly important in the delivery of residential supports.
The National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 provides the framework for the delivery of housing for people with all levels of disability. While the housing response falls within the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality funds the provision of supports for community living, as well as supports for more complex specialist disability residential services, with the services provided either directly by the HSE or on behalf of the HSE by services providers.
Ongoing implementation of the NHSDP 2022-27 reflects the Government commitment to the expansion of housing for people with a disability. The implementation structures established under the Strategy are central to ensuring delivery of housing outcomes for disabled people.
At national level, implementation and monitoring of the Strategy is driven by the National Implementation Steering Group, 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.
Significant progress has been made, through the implementation structures established under the Strategy, in improving coordination with the Local Authorities and disability service providers at local, regional and national level. This includes work to establish the levels of unmet need for specialist disability residential services in each county or local authority area, which will inform the setting of specific targets in local authority Housing Development Action Plans (HDAPs), currently under development.
Disability Services
Questions (649)
Barry Heneghan
Question:649. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the data that is collected and published annually in relation to unmet need for residential placements for persons with intellectual disabilities, including waiting lists and new placements delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52676/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (650)
Barry Heneghan
Question:650. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any review of the Assisted Decision Making Capacity legislation and the policy on congregated settings is currently underway, particularly in relation to the impact on families seeking appropriate residential placements for persons with intellectual disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52677/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which commenced in 2023, marked a landmark reform of Ireland’s capacity laws, bringing the state into much closer alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The 2015 Act represents an important shift away from a ‘best interests’ approach to a rights-based approach to capacity, privileging a person’s will, preferences and autonomy. As a reform it was long called-for by disability groups, safeguarding groups, civil society, wards of court and their committees, and was welcomed as a significant step towards promoting choice, autonomy and dignity.
The 2015 Act provides for a review of its operation and effectiveness within 5 years of commencement. This is also a commitment in the current Programme for Government. The Department intends to commence this review in 2026.
I appreciate the role of many parents and families as strong advocates and supporters of adults with diminished capacity. In that regard robust engagement and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including those with a lived experience of the Act, parents and families, will be central to the review.
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.
Article 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. Article 19(c) states that all individuals must have the opportunity to choose their place of residence and where and with whom they live, they are not obliged to live in a particular living arrangement such as a residential institution.
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. Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion was established under the Transforming Lives Programme. It is a model of support where people with disabilities, if they wish, are supported to move from congregated settings, often large institutions to their own homes in the community, with the supports they need.
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.
This Government recognises that the implementation of this policy must take place in a context where demand for residential services is increasing significantly, including for adults with disabilities who are living with ageing carers. Decongregation cannot be pursued in isolation and must be accompanied by the expansion of other disability supports such as residential, respite, home support and personal assistance, so that people can access the right support at the right time and, where possible, before a crisis arises.
Increasing the provision of disability services is a key priority for this Government and 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.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (651)
John Lahart
Question:651. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has considered extending statutory paternity leave from two weeks to eight weeks; whether her Department has undertaken any assessment of the social, economic and equality impacts of such an extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52679/26]
View answerWritten answers
There have been significant developments in entitlements for parents of working families in recent years. The Government is committed to supporting workers, including by extending paid leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their child during their earliest years.
The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides the relevant parent (other than the mother of the child) with 2 weeks paid paternity leave. S.6(5) of the Act limits this entitlement in the case of multiple births to a single period of leave.
Under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, working parents are now entitled to nine weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Parent's Leave is an individual separate entitlement and is non-transferable between parents.
Under the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019, an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age 12 is entitled to 26 weeks’ unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting in ‘loco parentis’. Both parents have an equal, separate entitlement to parental leave.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was enacted on 4 April 2023, and introduces important entitlements for workers, including leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12, and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers. It transposes the Work-Life Balance Directive which specifically prevents the transfer of paid leave between parents in the interests of gender equality and of encouraging fathers as well as mothers to take such leave. Otherwise, there is a risk that only mothers would take the leave, potentially creating labour market disadvantages for them and that fathers would not be encouraged to take a greater share of their caring responsibilities.
A key priority in First 5, the whole of Government Strategy for babies, young children and their families (2019-2028) is to support parents to look after their babies at home for the whole of their first year given the benefits of parental care in that first year for children’s outcomes.
Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families and are also mindful of the impact of the leaves on workplaces.
The Programme for Government - Securing Ireland's Future commits to examining the extension of Parent's Leave and Benefit and additional flexibilities. The new National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was published on the 18th of November 2025. The first Action Plan under the new Strategy is currently being finalised and will include actions to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work. The first Action Plan is due to be brought to Government in the coming weeks. Any further changes to supports and family leave entitlements will be considered within this context.
The Programme for Government also commits to introducing Pay-Related Parent's Benefit and exploring other payments where a similar model could be applied. A pay-related model was introduced on 31 March 2025 for Jobseeker’s Benefit. The Department of Social Protection will draw on the learnings and operational experience from that scheme to inform the development of options for Parent's Benefit and other family leave schemes.
Legislative Measures
Questions (652)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:652. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on her Department’s efforts to enshrine discrimination on the basis of socio-economic status as a non-discrimination ground, as outlined in the general scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; if both the assessment of the potential costs for the Exchequer and the enhanced SME test examining the potential impact on SMEs of the introduction of such an equality ground have been undertaken and concluded; if not, when both of these analyses will be completed; if she plans to publish both assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52690/26]
View answerWritten answers
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.
At the same time, approval was granted, in principle, for the introduction of a new equality ground of socio-economic disadvantage in Ireland’s equality legislation, subject to the completion of an assessment of the potential costs for the Exchequer and of the Enhanced SME test examining the potential impact on SMEs of the introduction of such an equality ground.
Detailed work has been undertaken on assessing these and other impacts, including through consultation with relevant stakeholders, and drawing on
• academic studies from Ireland and abroad,
• submissions relating to this topic received as part of the Review of the Equality Acts,
• recent Private Member’s Bills, and
• the legislation of other jurisdictions, and rulings made in these jurisdictions on equality cases.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme and issued its report in October 2025. Officials are considering the recommendations of this report before finalising this work.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (653)
John McGuinness
Question:653. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 892 of 4 February 2026, if she considers it acceptable that this child must wait 8 to 12 months for an assessment for autism; the actions she is taking to deal with the waiting lists; the indicative timeline for the reduction of the waiting time; the number of children in each of the CHO areas on waiting lists for assessment; the length of time each has been waiting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52723/26]
View answerWritten answers
Families can seek a referral for an autism assessment through a healthcare provider such as their GP, local Primary Care team, a healthcare professional or, for children with complex needs, the local Children’s Disability Network Team. It is acknowledged that there can be long waiting times for families seeking autism assessments within the public system.
Alongside Government and the HSE, I am now implementing the most comprehensive package of legislative, operational, and workforce reforms ever to streamline the process, increase capacity and ensure children’s needs are identified earlier, while fully protecting children’s statutory rights to assessment.
The Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative was introduced by Government in May 2024 to support the delivery of Assessments of Need to those families who have been waiting longest. Under the Targeted Waitlist Initiative, the HSE procures clinical assessments from approved private providers. These providers are reimbursed by the HSE for clinical assessments undertaken as part of the Assessment of Need process. By the end of 2025, over 7,700 clinical assessments had been commissioned from private providers since the Initiative started in June 2024.
Funding of €20 million is being provided this year to continue the Initiative, enabling the delivery of approximately 6,000 clinical assessments with a specific focus on autism assessments. The HSE recently established a new Panel of service providers to deliver these autism diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents under the Initiative. The Panel, which includes 29 providers, became operational in February 2026 and will be in place for one year, with an option to extend for a further year. These autism assessments will inform the Assessment of Need process.
On May 26th this year I was pleased to launch the new Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol (Autism Protocol) with the HSE and my Government colleagues Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister for Disability, Emer Higgins.
The new protocol represents an important step in ensuring children and adults have access to appropriate and timely autism assessment processes and will, for the first time, provide a standardised assessment process across children’s disability network teams, primary care and mental health services.
Evidence tells us that some presentations of autism are easier to identify that others. Informed by this evidence the HSE have designed a protocol that will introduce a three-tiered approach to autism assessment. It will match the intensity of assessment to the complexity of the presentation, as decided by the assessing clinicians.
It is a pathway designed specifically for autism assessment, and this includes differential assessment and diagnosis, as required; as well as the development of a formulation to provide clearer understanding of the person’s lived experience, and the services and supports they require.
The Autism Protocol has been developed over a period of 5 years, with input from people with lived experience, civil society, all clinical disciplines involved in such assessments, as well as managers and service leaders across disability, primary care and mental health services.
To support implementation the Department secured funding in Budget 26 for In-Reach Teams, consisting of a Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist and an administrator. These teams will work with Health Areas to support and build capacity within community services, including mental health and primary care teams.
Implementation planning for the protocol within the regions will commence in Quarter 3 2026, to include relative briefing and training within the Regional Healthcare Areas. As the protocol and assessments generally form part of the service provision by disability, primary care, and/or mental health, there aren't specific autism assessment waiting lists.
It is expected that when fully rolled out, each of the 20 Integrated Health Areas will have one established In-Reach Team. The final design and respective roles of the teams are currently being finalised. Recruitment for the In-Reach teams will commence in Quarter 3 to Quarter 4.
Whilst it is not possible quantity impact at this stage, it is anticipated that the successful implementation of the Autism Protocol will help to reduce demand for Assessments of Need, through the provision of a more direct and clearer path to Autism assessment for children and their families. Clearer access pathways through existing services, such as Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams and CAMHS, should provide parents with an appropriate route to such an assessment, rather than through the more complex Assessment of Need system.
Both the Government and I remain committed to ensuring that children and their families who need early intervention, assessments and therapy input can access that support in a timely way.
Departmental Funding
Questions (654)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:654. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 693 of 30 June 2026, if she is satisfied that Tusla is adequately resourced and capable of dealing with 106,000 referrals each year; the way in which she assesses this capability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52789/26]
View answerWritten answers
Tusla is the statutory agency with responsibility for assessing and responding to child protection and welfare concerns. As referenced in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 693 of 30 June 2026, Tusla received more than 106,000 child protection and welfare referrals in 2025. All referrals received are screened and assessed in accordance with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children.
The Department is satisfied that Tusla has in place robust systems for managing referrals and prioritising cases on the basis of risk and need. The Agency’s capacity and performance are monitored through a comprehensive governance framework involving regular engagement between my Department and Tusla, including oversight of service performance, workforce capacity, demand trends, and compliance with statutory obligations.
In assessing Tusla’s capability to respond to demand, the Department considers a range of indicators, including referral volumes, timeliness of screening and preliminary enquiries, social work staffing levels, allocation rates, outcomes for children and families, and reports provided through Tusla’s performance and governance arrangements. The Agency is also subject to external oversight and inspection by HIQA and other regulatory bodies where relevant.
The Government continues to provide substantial investment in Tusla to support the delivery of child protection, welfare and family support services. This commitment is evidenced by the year on year increase in the funding provided to Tusla. Its budget allocation has increased by more than 50% since 2020. Tusla’s allocation increased by 14% in Budget 2026 and its annual budget is now in excess of €1.4 billion. Through the annual Estimates process, funding and workforce requirements are considered in light of service demand, policy priorities and emerging pressures.
Since the start of this year, Tusla has been implementing its Integrated Reform Programme with the introduction of revised structures and systems. The aims/benefits of the reform programme are to promote equity in service availability, promote capacity and promote quality of services.
• Tusla will have “one single front door” in each Area/Network, ensuring all referrals are screened by a multidisciplinary team and offered the right support from the first point of contact.
• Tusla is improving its case management system. Key to this is the creation of a single record for each child and young person which will support integrated working including more streamlined referral and allocation system for residential care, improved communications, accurate data to improve decision making on an individual level and resource allocation.
• Tusla is simplifying its standard business processes to reduce inefficiencies and maximise time with children and families facilitating more focus on direct contact and relationship building.
• Tusla is scaling up its alternative care placement capacity across emergency, mainstream and specialist services across the country to ensure more timely access to residential care for those that need it.
• Tusla is improving its engagement with community and voluntary services to ensure resources are being allocated in the most effective way to respond to the needs of the population in each Area.The Department recognises the significant demand experienced by Tusla services and the essential work undertaken by its staff. The Department will continue to engage closely with the Agency to ensure that the resources available are directed towards protecting children and supporting families, while monitoring the Agency’s capacity to respond effectively to increasing levels of referrals.
Disability Services
Questions (655)
Ryan O'Meara
Question:655. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if an interim physiotherapy service is being provided or is planned in Cashel CDNT, whilst the current physiotherapist is on leave; if not, the reason an interim service has not been established given the physiotherapist has been on leave since January 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52812/26]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Child Protection
Questions (656)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:656. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has itself sought confirmation from Tusla as to whether any of any specific gaps are in fact recorded on the Corporate Risk Register, as distinct from restating who bears responsibility for maintaining that register. [52828/26]
View answerWritten answers
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is an operationally independent body. In line with the Oversight Agreement with the Department, Tusla is responsible for the maintenance of its Corporate Risk Register.
The purpose of a risk register is to identify and assess potential threats to the achievement of goals, including the likelihood and impact of these threats, and to set out mitigating actions. The identification, assessment and mitigating of risks are a matter for Tusla management, its Audit and Risk Committee and its Board.
The Deputy asks if the Department has sought confirmation about gaps recorded on the Corporate Risk Register. I can advise that while risks or potential threats to the achievement of goals are included, gaps are not recorded.
The Oversight Agreement requires that Tusla informs the Department of any significant risks, including reputational risks and such risks must be escalated within Tusla and to DCDE in a timely manner. It also provides for a broad set of formal meetings at many different levels during which progress on priorities and potential impediments to such progress is discussed.
Child Protection
Questions (657)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:657. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department Oversight Agreement with Tusla provides any mechanism by which her Department is made aware of the contents of the Corporate Risk Register; or whether her Department has no visibility of it whatsoever. [52829/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department’s Oversight Agreement with Tusla provides for engagement on risk management and governance matters as part of the overall accountability framework between the Department and the Agency. However, Tusla, as an operationally independent statutory body, is responsible for the maintenance and management of its Corporate Risk Register.
In line with the Oversight Agreement, the identification, assessment and mitigation of risks are matters for Tusla management, its Audit and Risk Committee and its Board. It also provides that Tusla must inform the Department of any significant risks, including reputational risks and such risks must brought to the Department’s attention in a timely manner.
Child Protection
Questions (658)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:658. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality given that three separate and substantively different governance gaps have now been put to her Department and met with the same non-substantive reply, whether she accepts that her Department is currently unable to state whether any of these matters are being treated as risks by Tusla at all. [52830/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for the governance and oversight of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
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 to Tusla.
Tusla continues to operate under a formal risk management policy and maintains a Risk Register, which is updated on an ongoing basis. The maintenance of the Risk Register ensures that risks are identified and assessed and the necessary mitigating actions are put in place. In line provisions of the Oversight Agreement , Tusla is required to inform the Department of any significant risks, including reputational risks and to do so in a timely manner.
Independent of the mechanics around Risk, regular engagement is maintained between the Chairperson and Board of Tusla, the senior management team in Tusla and counterparts within the Department of Children, Disability and Equality through a variety of forums. This frequent communication allows for concerns and issues to be discussed, rationalised and mitigated where appropriate.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (659)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:659. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 439 of 2 July 2026, in which it was stated that reports from the two commissioned studies on the educational, career and life outcomes of care leavers "will be finalised and published shortly," and that planning is "underway" for a national longitudinal study following young people transitioning out of care, to provide a specific publication date, or at minimum a target quarter, for each of the two commissioned studies referenced; the current stage of planning for the national longitudinal study, including whether a research design, funding allocation, or commencement date has yet been set; if so, to provide these details; and if "shortly" refers to a timeframe of weeks, months, or longer, given that the Care Experiences Programme was launched in 2022. [52831/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Care Experiences Programme comprises a combination of primary research and administrative data analysis to examine and better understand the lives of children and young people in care and aftercare and adults who were in care as children.
A report on the career and education journeys of care experienced young adults, a research project undertaken by the Centre for Effective Services, will be published this month. A separate report on the retention of foster carers undertaken by Childhood Matters will also be published later this month.
A separate study is being undertaken by researchers from Trinity College Dublin and the University of Sussex examining the experiences and outcomes of adults who left the care system ten to fifteen years ago. The report is at the review stage and will be published in Q4 2026.
The Care Experiences Programme also involves the establishment of a national longitudinal study following young people as they transition out of care and into adulthood. A Steering Group, consisting of representatives from the Department, the Child and Family Agency and the Central Statistics Office, was established in January 2026 to oversee the planning and delivery of the first wave of the longitudinal study. The Department has commenced work on the development of a research needs report for the first wave of the study.
Action 18 of the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions commits to the creation of a Children's Fund to honour the memory of the children who died in Mother and Baby Institutions, with the core aim of supporting children experiencing disadvantage in the present day. The Care Experiences Programme is one of the projects allocated funding from the Children's Fund over the period 2024 to 2028. This includes funding for the longitudinal study.
Appointments to State Boards
Questions (660)
Malcolm Byrne
Question:660. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there is a specific policy within her Department that seeks to preclude those elected to local authorities from any boards that she may appoint; the rationale behind any such policy; the way in which it aligns with encouraging participation in local government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52848/26]
View answerWritten answers
There is no specific policy in place in the Department which precludes members of local authorities from being considered for appointment to the board of a body under the aegis of the Department. It is the case that the legislation establishing a body may set out eligibility requirements for board membership or provide that certain persons are ineligible for appointment to the board of the body.
There are currently five bodies under the aegis of the Department which have board structures in place; Tusla – The Child and Family Agency, The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), The National Disability Authority (NDA), The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and Oberstown Children Detention Campus.
In the case of two of the agencies under the remit of the Department, section 26(1)(c) of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 sets out that a person is not eligible for appointment to the Board of Tusla if they are a member of a local authority. Similarly, section 99(1)(c) of the Adoption Act 2010 states that a member of a local authority is not eligible for appointment to the board of the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
All appointments to the boards of these bodies are made in accordance with the requirements of the governing legislation and the Government Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) has responsibility for managing an open, accessible and transparent system to support Ministers in making State board appointments.