Written Answers Nos. 437-449
437. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding all actions in each of the Climate Action Plans 2021 to 2025 under the remit of his Department; to provide a breakdown of the legacy actions remaining, broken down by the year of the climate action plan they were initially included in; and the estimated timelines for completion, in tabular form. [54621/26]
View answerRegarding the information requested, I would direct the Deputy to the [progress report website] (Climate Action Plan Progress Reports) (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/climate-action-plan-progress-reports/) for information on the position of previously completed actions by my Department in each of the Climate Action Plans 2021 to 2025. Progress reports, published on a quarterly basis, contain all of the detail the deputy requires in tabular format.
For Agriculture, there are four legacy actions awaiting completion under the Climate Action Plans since 2021, notwithstanding that substantial progress has been made on these actions. Two of these actions are under the ‘Agriculture’ (AG) heading, one action is under the ‘Delivering a Just Transition in the Midlands Region’ (JM) heading and one action is under the ‘Marine Environment’ heading. Actions AG/25/5 and MA/25/2 are expected to be completed in Q4 of 2026. The remaining two legacy actions, JM/24/5 and AG/24/26, involve extensive planning and consultation on several levels, however, progress continues to be made on both actions.
|
Action |
Action Year |
Action Description |
Expected Delivery date |
|
JM/24/5 |
2024 |
Support research, knowledge transfer and monitoring activities on rewetting measures for farmed peat soils through the Midlands Carbon Catchment Study |
2026 |
|
MA/25/2 |
2025 |
Improve integration of ocean climate data into aquaculture and fisheries sectors in the context of climate adaptation planning |
2026 |
|
AG/25/5 |
2025 |
Tackle the challenge of securing access to and cost of feed in the organic livestock sector, particularly in relation to organic milling |
2026 |
|
AG/24/26 |
2024 |
Development of ecosystem services through the creation of a carbon farming framework |
2026 |
438. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measurable targets contained within the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023–2027 that have been achieved to date; which targets remain behind schedule, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54763/26]
View answerThe National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a road map for the sector to achieve this potential. The strategy outlines eight key strategic actions to drive change and growth across all sub-sectors of horticulture including attracting new entrants into the sector.
To ensure the strategy remains on track to deliver the industry's shared vision and aligned with the Food Vision 2030 strategy, a mid-term review consultation was carried out during 2025 and concluded with publication of the final Mid Term Review Report Q4 2025 National_Strategy_for_Horticulture_mid_term_review_final_1.pdf (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/adfc069a/National_Strategy_for_Horticulture_mid_term_review_final_1.pdf)
Each year my Department also reports to the Food Vision 2030's High Level Implementation Committee on progress in the implementation of the National Horticulture Strategy.
Significant progress has been achieved across all areas. Furthermore, the farm gate value of the sector has increased from €529 million in 2023 to €652 million in 2025 and is on course to exceed the target of €688 million by the end of 2027.
National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 – Progress on Key targets
|
Key Targets |
Mid-Term Review 2025 |
Actions to end of 2027 |
|
Strengthening growers’ position in the marketplace (Key Strategic Actions 1, 2 and 8) |
- 49 growers in Producer Organisation Scheme. - Horticulture Grant Schemes more accessible to smaller growers with threshold for expenditure lowered to €7,500 with 50% aid for organic and young farmers. - Innovation Scheme for primary producers introduced. - Significant engagement with 5 main retailers and draft Retail Charter presented to each. |
- Continue to instil benefits of joining a Producer Organisation and continue to increase number of growers joining Producer Organisations, including Teagasc guidance on approaches to forming producer groups and DAFM facilitation of trips to Continental Producer Organisations. - Continue to administer supports to growers. - Retailers to sign Charter and extend Charter to consolidators. |
|
Greater Sectoral Promotion and Education (Key Strategic Action 2) |
- Increased coordination with Department of Health, Department of Education and Agri- Aware - 200,000+ students reached each year through Food Dudes School Programme. |
- Continue Sectoral promotions. - Consider funding mechanisms for future advertising campaigns. |
|
Increase Talent, Skills & Labour (Key Strategic Actions 3 and 4) |
- Horticulture Education Review Report published in 2025. - Horticulture Education Leadership Group (HELG) established in 2026. - Teagasc Apprenticeship Scheme launched with 90 employers registered. - Seasonal Employment Permit (SEP) Pilot Scheme launched in 2025. |
- Increase Industry support for Apprenticeship Scheme - Reposition Horticulture as a Career of Choice - Feed into next Seasonal Employment Permit Scheme pilot - Continue engagement with Dept. of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on labour challenges. |
|
Enhance Research, Development, Innovation and Market Supports (Key Strategic Actions 5, 6, 7 and 8) |
- Sector R&D needs synthesised informing DAFM Research Calls. - Bord Bia Market Research. - Teagasc Horti metrics pilot completed. - Annual Census Data Collection commence in 2026 with trial in 2025. |
- Increase grower participation in census and better data collection. - Ensure research needs of sector reflected in DAFM Research Calls. - Bord Bia to gather Multi Pricing and Crop Intelligence data from 2026. - Research on Import Substitution opportunities for the sector. - Including horticulture in the Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System. |
439. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the qualifying criteria used to determine eligibility for sustainability funding for Section 39 disability service providers that was allocated in Budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54439/26]
View answerThis Department provides funding to the HSE to deliver specialist disability services either directly or via Section 38 and Section 39 voluntary sector organisations.
While the Department sets the strategy, policy direction and the overall budget allocation for the disability sector, funding allocations to individual service providers is an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority. Section 39 organisations are advised to engage directly with the HSE regarding financial concerns.
As this question refers to operational matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
440. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total amount of sustainability funding allocated to Section 39 disability service providers in HSE Dublin and south-east region in Budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54440/26]
View answerThis Department provides funding to the HSE to deliver specialist disability services either directly or via Section 38 and Section 39 voluntary sector organisations.
While the Department sets the strategy, policy direction and the overall budget allocation for the disability sector, funding allocations to individual service providers is an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority. Section 39 organisations are advised to engage directly with the HSE regarding financial concerns.
As this question refers to operational matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
441. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being put in place to meet additional pension costs incurred by Section 39 disability service providers that are wholly funded by the HSE; the timeframe for the introduction of such measures; whether they will be backdated to 1 January 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54446/26]
View answerThe Government acknowledges the essential role of section 39 voluntary organisations who deliver residential services to many people across the country. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is committed to working with the HSE and the broader disability sector to ensure that valued service providers receive the funding they need to continue to deliver quality services and supports to disabled people in Ireland.
In 2026, the Department is providing €3.9 billion for HSE specialist disability services, an increase of €628 million, or almost 20% over 2025. This is the largest ever increase in funding for disability services. It follows significant year on year increases resulting in an overall increase of €1.85 billion or 91%, since 2020.
While this Department sets the strategy, policy direction and the overall allocation for the disability sector, decisions on commissioning of services from individual service providers and funding allocations to individual service providers are an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority, on behalf of the State.
The HSE works in partnership with organisations including Section 38, Section 39, Out of State and private organisations to ensure the best level of service possible is provided to people with a disability and their families, within the available resources. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers funded by the HSE using allocated budget funding.
Section 39 funded organisations form part of the broader community and voluntary sector. The WRC pay agreement reached in 2025 between Government Departments and unions includes funding for a phased 9.25% pay increase, which will benefit workers in section 39 funded voluntary organisations. Taken with the October 2023 Agreement of an 8% increase, this amounts to a 17.25% pay funding increase over a 3½ year period.
Agencies, organisations and charities providing specialist disability services that will be covered by the new auto-enrolment scheme are those funded under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004. These organisations receive a portion of their funding from the HSE to deliver agreed services. Funding is provided to organisations by the HSE through the grant process to support quality person-centred services.
It is, however, important to note that Section 39 providers, while supported by the HSE, are independent entities, and as such employment contracts and obligations (e.g. auto-enrolment, pay, pensions) are matters between the employer and their employees. As these staff are not public sector employees, responsibility for meeting obligations under the new auto-enrolment scheme rests with their respective employers.
The agreement also includes an automatic linkage to future public sector pay agreements for these workers, to match all future pay increases. In delivering on this 9.25% pay increase, the Government is improving the ability of service providers to actively recruit and retain staff and supporting the overall sustainability of the sector.
As part of the 2025 WRC pay agreement, a comprehensive data gathering exercise is under way, which is due to be concluded before end 2026. The completion of this exercise will provide a more robust evidence base to continue discussion on pay funding in the voluntary sector.
Each year the Estimates process allows the HSE, as the funding authority, to request funding for the full cost of service provision, including cost increases experienced during the previous year and to expand service provision through proposed new development measure funding, for consideration by the Department. Until the budgetary process is completed, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the overall budget allocation for specialist disability services for 2027. Section 39 providers should reach out to their local HSE office for next steps for submitting funding proposals in conjunction with estimates 2027. The Department also welcomes pre-budget submissions from service providers.
I trust this information is of use and thank you for raising this issue. I would like to thank all Section 39 providers and staff for the work they do in improving people’s lives.
442. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children, by county, who benefited from supports under the national childcare scheme in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54502/26]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy the number of unique children who benefitted from an NCS subsidy for the specified years by county is detailed in the following table:
|
Provider county |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 YTD |
|
Carlow |
2,249 |
2,558 |
2,878 |
2,477 |
|
Cavan |
3,703 |
4,417 |
5,108 |
4,583 |
|
Clare |
3,812 |
4,793 |
5,729 |
5,175 |
|
Cork |
17,708 |
21,934 |
25,494 |
22,748 |
|
Donegal |
7,776 |
8,897 |
9,930 |
8,644 |
|
Dublin |
48,867 |
57,659 |
64,661 |
57,326 |
|
Galway |
13,030 |
15,530 |
17,187 |
15,447 |
|
Kerry |
6,524 |
7,807 |
8,795 |
7,708 |
|
Kildare |
7,461 |
9,268 |
10,686 |
9,643 |
|
Kilkenny |
3,829 |
4,468 |
4,874 |
4,149 |
|
Laois |
3,726 |
4,365 |
4,598 |
3,945 |
|
Leitrim |
1,626 |
1,961 |
2,237 |
2,007 |
|
Limerick |
7,937 |
9,646 |
11,096 |
9,980 |
|
Longford |
1,717 |
1,941 |
2,149 |
1,956 |
|
Louth |
4,454 |
5,290 |
5,834 |
4,930 |
|
Mayo |
3,984 |
5,155 |
5,984 |
5,313 |
|
Meath |
6,383 |
7,717 |
8,928 |
7,860 |
|
Monaghan |
4,527 |
5,094 |
5,494 |
5,038 |
|
Offaly |
1,920 |
2,424 |
2,862 |
2,378 |
|
Roscommon |
2,522 |
3,090 |
3,595 |
3,242 |
|
Sligo |
3,623 |
4,243 |
4,734 |
4,127 |
|
Tipperary |
7,856 |
9,703 |
11,237 |
10,283 |
|
Waterford |
4,370 |
5,025 |
5,716 |
5,000 |
|
Westmeath |
3,655 |
4,211 |
4,657 |
4,003 |
|
Wexford |
6,243 |
7,431 |
8,420 |
7,347 |
|
Wicklow |
4,766 |
5,921 |
6,453 |
5,558 |
|
Total |
182,523 |
218,576 |
246,998 |
220,218 |
It should be noted that the figure for 2026 is for the year to date and the number of children benefitting from the NCS subsidy in 2026 is likely to increase further before the end of the year.
It should also be noted that there may be a difference between the sum of children per county versus the final total. This is because children can have multiple claims in a given calendar year which could be across multiple providers, in multiple counties. However, for the purposes of the 'total', these children have only been counted once.
443. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme projects that are proposed for Fingal; the location of each proposed project; the current status of each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54366/26]
View answer444. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any sites in Fingal have been identified, approved in principle or progressed under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; if she will provide details of each site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54367/26]
View answer445. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether services delivered under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme will be operated exclusively by not-for-profit providers; and whether any private for-profit providers will be eligible to operate State-owned facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54368/26]
View answer446. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which operators for State-led early learning and childcare services will be selected; whether there will be an open competitive process; the governance, financial, quality and operational criteria that will apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54369/26]
View answer447. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of operators to date, that have been selected or approved under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; the name of each operator and the associated project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54370/26]
View answer448. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria used by her Department to select sites for investment under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; the weighting given to unmet demand, deprivation, rurality, accessibility, value-for-money and project readiness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54371/26]
View answer449. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of projects that have been approved in principle nationally under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; the number of persons that remain under assessment, by county and project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54372/26]
View answer450. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department plans to publish the Forward Planning Model, appraisal methodology and scoring framework used to identify and prioritise projects under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54373/26]
View answer451. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether expressions of interest have been sought from prospective operators for any State-led childcare projects in Fingal; if so, the number of expressions of interest that were received; the number of these that were assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54374/26]
View answer452. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures in place to ensure transparency in the selection of both sites and operators under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; whether the scoring and evaluation of applications will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54375/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 443 to 452, inclusive, together.
As announced in January of this year, €135 million will be made available between 2026 and 2030 for the State-led Early Learning and Childcare capital programme, providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare.
The process will begin this year with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements of the specific project.
The Department will work with not-for-profit providers to design, open and operate services.
The objectives of the programme were detailed at its launch, with accompanying criteria as outlined in the following table.
|
Programme Objective |
Examples of criteria |
|
Deliver additional supply in suitable locations |
• Alignment with planning strategy • Services accessibility • Public transport accessibility
|
|
Deliver additional supply for children between 1 year old and ECCE age, with sufficient places to age up |
• Estimated number of places created by option • Demand for 1-ECCE age • Demand for other age groups |
|
Ensure cost-effectiveness and timeliness of delivery |
• Estimated total project cost • Estimated cost per place • Timeliness/readiness |
|
Deliver additional supply in areas of disadvantage |
• Level of deprivation of surrounding area |
|
Deliver additional supply in rural areas |
• Level of rurality of surrounding area |
|
Support improved public management of the early learning and childcare sector |
• Make up and resilience of sector in local area in surrounding area |
|
Deliver quality and inclusive services |
• An assessment of the project’s alignment with the Universal Design Guidelines |
The Department has been made aware of projects from a number of sources since the programme was launched which, along with projects which the Department was aware of prior to the programme launching, includes 96 potential projects across the country as of 15 July 2026. This figure does not include projects that have been communicated informally to the Department but which require formal submission, via City/County Childcare Committees.
• Preliminary Appraisal Forms submitted to the local City/County Childcare committee - 33 projects
• Direct engagement by the Department with other public bodies such as the LDA or local authorities - 32 projects
• Engagement with Approved Housing Bodies who deliver early learning and childcare - 7 projects
• Projects which applied but were ineligible for a previous Building Blocks grant scheme - 3 projects
• Other projects brought to the attention of the Department before the programme was launched - 10 projects
• Projects identified through research conducted by the Department - 11 projects
These projects are in very different stages of development. Some relate to existing buildings ready to occupy or fit out, while others are longer-term prospects for future years. Not all proposals align with the programme objectives, and some may be funded by other means including Building Blocks Extension Scheme Phase 2. Some projects are proposed by an existing early learning and childcare service provider, while others relate to a building/property only and a separate process to identify an operator would be required.
A number of projects have received approval-in-principle and are currently being developed into final business cases to determine if they can be approved in full.
Where a project is being considered by the Department which has not had an operator involved in its development, an open process of expressions of interest is undertaken. Where a project is being considered by the Department which has had an operator involved in its development, a review of that operator is undertaken which requires them to meet or exceed a minimum threshold of scoring.
The application form requires the prospective operator to demonstrate their capacity in relation to four criteria: capacity to run a high quality early learning and childcare service; robust governance and financial management structure; capacity to manage the establishment of a new service while maintaining quality standards; and capacity to manage the timely fit-out and finishing of the construction project (fourth criterion only required where construction works involved). Each of the criteria carry equal weight.
Two processes to identify an operator have been undertaken to date; one was an open process as no operator had been involved in the building design, one was a closed process given that the operator in question had developed the design for the project. Given that final approval for any project has not been granted, the names of individual operators are not being made available at this point.
The analysis of the forward planning model provides a key input into the preliminary business cases for prospective projects. It can provide analysis of supply and demand at local area level for children by year of age which are key criteria for assessing the programme objective about delivering additional supply for children between 1 year old and ECCE age, with sufficient places to age up.
The publication of any data or outputs from the forward planning model has been considered in light of potential commercial impacts, the negotiating position of the Department, and the sensitivity of personal information that is contained in or could possibly be derived from the data. There is significant risk in making the data available more widely that it will contribute to price inflation of early learning and childcare properties in areas of high future demand which is likely to result in greater costs both for the State and other interested parties. For that reason, it is not intended to publish outputs of the forward planning model. Aggregated childcare demand and capacity data, including data on enrolments, vacancies and waiting lists, is available on the Pobal website. Data on population and on expected future trends in population is available from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the ESRI.
The objectives of the programme, criteria for selecting projects and the process for submitting a preliminary appraisal form for a proposed project were communicated to the sector at the launch of the programme in January and through regular engagements with City and County Childcare Committees. Where an operator is required to be selected for a project, a notification is sent to all eligible applicants to make an expression of interest. These measures ensure transparency in the selection of sites and operators.
Concerning the Fingal area, one project located in the Fingal area is currently being considered.
I look forward to announcing further details on projects under the State-led early learning and childcare capital programme as they develop.
