Written Answers Nos. 631-655
631. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware of the extremely long waiting times children are facing when dealing with their assessment of needs, which restricts their access to vital services; if she will instruct her Department to take all necessary steps to ensure waiting times are shortened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13601/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to note that children do not require an Assessment of Need as defined by the Disability Act (2005) in order to access a CDNT or Primary Care service. They can be referred by a healthcare professional or parent/carer to the CDNT for children with complex needs as a result of their disability, or to Primary Care for children with non-complex needs.
The demand for AONs has increased significantly in recent years. It is a reflection of both the increase in population and of families exploring all options for accessing services for their child.
Under the 2025 Programme for Government – “Securing Ireland’s Future”, this Government is committed to renewing efforts in order to enhance services to better support the needs of children with disabilities in Ireland.
The Progressing Disability Services (PDS) Roadmap 2023 – 2026, launched by the HSE in October 2023 focuses on the ongoing development of Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) services to meet current and growing demand.
Under the new Programme for Government we will:
• Continue to increase the number of places in higher education in order to expand the pipeline of future therapists;
• Introduce specific recruitment and retention incentives for therapists to work on CDNTs, along with a CDNT sponsorship programme with bursaries for fourth year and postgrad students linked to acceptance of (conditional) job offers;
• Continue to expand placements on CDNTs;
• Recruit more therapists into primary care, in order to meet the needs of the vast majority of children with disabilities that avail of mainstream services rather than specialist (CDNT) services.
The waiting list initiative targets those families waiting longest for AONs, with the HSE reimbursing clinicians directly through the procurement of capacity from approved private providers.
Under Budget 2025, Government will facilitate the continuation of the Assessment of Need Waiting List Initiative to enable the procurement of private assessments for long-waiting families, with €10m funding allocated in 2025 to deliver circa 2,850 AONs and allow for additional capacity in the assessment teams in the form of assessment and liaison officers.
Increased funding in Budget 2025 will provide for the recruitment of new posts for the CDNTs - 20 senior grade and 20 staff grade therapists / nursing WTE & 20 therapy assistants. 15 clinical psychologist trainee placements have also been funded.
The Government will strive to engage with the HSE, families and service providers in order to ensure each child receives the support and services they require.
632. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any survivors of mother and baby homes represented on any of the committees overseeing the Centre for Research and Remembrance, given the centre's purpose to serve survivors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13615/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Centre for Research and Remembrance, to be located in Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1, will comprise a museum and exhibition space, a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, a garden space for reflection and remembrance, social housing, further and higher educational facilities, and community-based family and parenting support facilities.
A Steering Group, chaired by Mr Martin Fraser, former Secretary General to the Government and Ambassador to Great Britain, was established in April 2022 and is driving the overall coordinated development of the National Centre campus.
The Steering Group recognises that it is crucial that the National Centre project is informed by all relevant stakeholders. An initial, open consultation on the National Centre ran from July to September 2023. A report analysing the almost 220 responses, which was prepared by an independent research company, was published in May 2024 alongside a response from the Steering Group outlining its key commitments. A strong message from the consultation was the need for survivor involvement in the decision-making process for the National Centre, in particular the museum and archive elements.
Following the initial consultation the Special Advocate for Survivors, Patricia Carey, joined the National Centre Steering Group in March 2024 to support and facilitate ongoing engagement with survivors and affected persons.
In addition, a series of in-person events were held in late 2024/early 2025 in Dublin, Galway, Cork and London, as well as an online event, so that so that survivors and affected persons, and their family members and advocates, could hear about and feedback on the National Centre. Attendees at these events heard about high-level plans for the buildings on the site and work to date by the National Archives and National Museum on the development of the archival repository and museum spaces. Attendees had an opportunity to participate in discussions about what they would like to see contained in the National Centre and valuable feedback was gathered.
This feedback will help to inform the ongoing work on the National Centre, and future survivor involvement and engagement in the project as it moves forward.
As stated by the Steering Group, survivors will be fully involved in the co-creation of the design and content of museum exhibitions and, more broadly, the voice of survivors will be at the heart of the Centre. The Steering Group has also noted the importance of ongoing survivor involvement in key decisions related to the National Centre after it opens.
633. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the processes in place to ensure that survivors of mother and baby homes are included in decision-making processes, particularly in light of the criticism of legislation and policies (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13616/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment remains committed to ongoing engagement with survivors, affected persons and their advocates in the context of the continued implementation of the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.
Meaningful stakeholder engagement requires dedicated structures, processes and resources to ensure it can be inclusive, effective and sustainable. As such, under Action 1 of the Action Plan a Special Advocate for Survivors was appointed in March 2024.
The role of the Special Advocate is to promote the collective interests of survivors, as expressed by them, and to amplify their voices as a central, essential input to Government deliberations on matters which affect them. The Special Advocate's remit encompasses Mother and Baby Institutions, County Home Institutions, Magdalen Laundries, Industrial and Reformatory Schools, and related institutions, and those adopted, boarded out or the subject of an illegal birth registration.
The Special Advocate has embarked on a substantive engagement process, meeting and engaging with individual survivors and affected persons, with survivor groups, as well as with partner and support organisations in Ireland and overseas.
Separately, survivors and their advocates have individually and collectively contributed to survivor-focused consultations and stakeholder engagements around individual actions in the Action Plan, including the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Act 2022, the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 and Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023. The final report of the Mother and Baby Institutions Collaborative Forum, which was published in 2022, also directly informed the measures set out in the Action Plan.
In relation to those actions which are now enshrined in legislation, a role in the decision-making process may not be possible e.g. the decision-making functions within the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme are the responsibility of the independent Chief Deciding Officer stipulated in the legislation.
Acknowledging the criticisms to which the Deputy refers, the Department has used the learnings from previous consultations in order to improve our processes and work. For example, in relation to the National Centre for Remembrance, the Department ran a number of dedicated engagements such as an initial written consultation, followed by in-person events with the local community in the North-East Inner City, and with survivors, affected people and their families and advocates. The feedback gathered from this engagement will help to inform the ongoing work on the National Centre, and future survivor involvement and engagement in the project as it moves forward.
634. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the implementation of community-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation services in every regional health area, as committed to in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13654/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
635. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Midlands is one of only four areas of the country which have not received funding for a community neurorehabilitation team; and if funding with be provided for a community neurorehabilitation team in the Midlands as a matter of urgency. [13780/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
636. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth why the post for a second senior physiotherapist with Leitrim West Cavan Children’s Disability Network Team has not been filled; when is it expected that this post will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14232/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
637. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the number of children aged zero to 18 in each of the integrated healthcare areas (IHA) by individual area, awaiting first-time intervention in all areas of early intervention; the number on the public list; the number on the children's disability network team list in each IHA; and the length of time awaiting intervention by age, as of the end of February 2025 and in tabular form. [13296/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
638. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason an eight-year-old child (details supplied) is facing an 18-month wait for an initial speech and language assessment; the immediate steps that will be taken to address the excessive waiting times for children requiring essential developmental support; if the child will be given urgent access to speech and language therapy given their age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13317/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
639. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of needs, by CHO and LHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [13336/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
640. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons on a waiting list for speech and language therapy by CHO and LHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [13337/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra641. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on the waiting list for speech and language therapy by CHO and LHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [13338/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 641 together.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
642. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons on a waiting list for initial contact from a CDNT, by CHO and LHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [13339/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
643. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons the waiting list for home care packages, by CHO and LHO, in tabular form. [13341/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
644. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports to be provided to alleviate the financial and administrative burden the regulatory notice for school age services, issued on the 7 February 2025, places on service providers, especially school based school-aged childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13396/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra645. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware that children who start school at 4 years-of-age are permitted to attend in the 1:12 ratio, whereas children who may be 5.5 years-of-age who have not started school will not be permitted to attend at all without an early learning and care registration and a 1:8 ratio; if she will consider dropping the school-aged childcare (SAC services) ratio to 1:8 for children under 6 years-of-age, permitting children who have completed their ECCE programme to move in to SAC services for the eight weeks of the summer holidays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13397/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 645 together.
The regulation of early years services is dealt with in Part VIIA of the Child Care Act 1991. The Act defines a 'school-age service' as one which:
• caters for children under the age of 15 years enrolled in a school providing primary or post-primary education,
• provides a range of activities that are developmental, educational and recreational in manner, which take place outside of school hours, the primary purpose of which is to care for children where their parents are unavailable, and
• the basis for access to which is made publicly known to the parents and guardians of the children referred to in paragraph (a) of this definition.
The definition of a school age service also excludes a number of services including those solely providing activities relating to the arts, youth work, competitive or recreational sport, tuition or religious teaching.
There has been no change to this definition since amendments were introduced through the Childcare Support Act 2018.
As a result of this definition in primary legislation, in order to attend a school-age childcare service a child must be under the age of 15 and enrolled in a school providing primary or post-primary education.
Pre-school services operate under different regulations from those that apply to school-age services. Section 58A of the Child Care Act 1991 defines a 'pre-school child' as a child who has not attained the age of six years and who is not attending a recognised school. The different regulations that govern services for pre-school children safeguard appropriate care ratios and ensure that staffing levels meet the developmental needs of children in the particular service type.
School-age childcare services are required to operate within regulatory minimum adult-to-child ratios as set out in the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018. The prescribed ratio is the minimum number of adults required to supervise, care for and work directly with the children in the service.
The introduction of School-Age Childcare Regulations in 2018 was an important step in ensuring oversight and quality assurance of school-age childcare services, which is in the best interests of the children and families who use these services. In setting regulatory requirements, the primary consideration must be children’s health, safety and well-being, and these were the primary factors considered when setting a minimum 1:12 adult-to-child ratio in the Regulations for school-age childcare. The 1:12 ratio was agreed following consultation with an expert group on school-age childcare standards, which included a range of sector representatives among its members.
My Department has recently commenced the process of drafting comprehensive regulations for school-age childcare services, building on the initial 2018 registration regulations. As part of this process, my Department is also reviewing the legislation underpinning the regulation of school-age childcare. The drafting process will include further public consultation, building on the public consultation previously undertaken in 2019. I am looking forward to engaging with the sector and relevant stakeholders in the coming months on this matter.
Tusla, the independent statutory regulator for early years services, including pre-school, childminding and school-age services, is responsible for maintaining the register of services, inspection and where necessary, enforcement under the Child Care Act 1991. The recent Regulatory Notice issued by Tusla re-states the existing legislation.
646. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will report on her visit to London for St. Patrick's Day; the meetings she attended, the issues that were discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13401/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister Foley travelled to London on a five-day trip as part of the government’s series of St. Patrick’s Day visits, below is a report of the meetings she attended and the issues discussed.
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Annual CHAMP Reception |
The Minister attended and spoke at the annual CHAMP St. Patrick’s Day reception in Westminster on Wednesday 12th March. This is the annual gathering of the not-for-profit organization which promotes peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland, and throughout Ireland and Britain. |
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Meeting with Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP |
Minister Foley met with SoS Phillipson on Thursday 13th March to discuss the shared challenges in both countries, including providing more early years and childcare places, reducing childcare costs for parents and other key issues relative to the Early Years sector. In particular there was discussion around the proposed use of vacant classrooms in schools as childcare space in the UK. |
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Irish Embassy St. Patrick’s Day Press & Political Reception |
Minister Foley attended this reception on the 13th March and discussed the inaugural UK-Ireland Summit, hosted by PM Starmer with the Taoiseach in Liverpool. There was also discussion around Ireland and the UK’s shared responsibilities as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, and maintaining close relationships with Northern Irish Ministerial counterparts.The Minister also noted the immense contributions the Irish diaspora have had in Britain over the course of generations, and the deep-rooted connections between our counties that have sprung up as a result. |
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Meeting Mother & Baby Home Survivors at the London Irish Centre, Camden |
Minister Foley visited the London Irish Centre on Thursday 13th March. She heard about the ongoing work the centre does in supporting the Irish community in London. She also met with staff of the Centre’s Survivors Integrated Service, who support survivors of institutional abuse in Ireland that now reside in London. |
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St. Patrick’s Day Community Reception in Irish Embassy |
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Visit to the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC), Hammersmith |
Minister Foley visited the Irish Cultural Centre on 14th March. She was provided with an update of their ongoing cultural projects, in this their 30th year in existence. |
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Cultural Reception to celebrate the life of Edna O’Brien |
On Friday, Minister Foley attended a reception to celebrate the life of renowned Irish Novelist Edna O’Brien who passed away, in London in July 2024. She did not speak at this event. |
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Meeting with Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan |
This was a very short introduction, prior to the Minister and the Mayor marching at the head of the SPD Parade together on Sunday 16th March. They had a brief opportunity to discuss the importance of the Irish community in London. |
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St. Patrick’s Day Festival Ball |
The Minister gave very short, informal remarks praising the UK Irish community and thanking the Ambassador for inviting her to be the guest of honour at the SPD Festival Ball on the 15th March. |
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Remarks on stage at Trafalgar Square |
The visit culminated Sunday 16th March, with the Minister joining the exciting festivities along the St. Patrick’s Day Parade route in London and addressing the Irish Festival at Trafalgar Square, where there were family concerts, performances by youth groups, community choirs, dance troupes and more. |
647. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will report on the visit of the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability to Japan for St. Patrick's Day; the meetings she attended, the issues that were discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13402/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Government’s St. Patrick’s Day programme for 2025, I visited Japan – Tokyo and Osaka – for a programme of engagements to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, highlight our strong ties with Japan, and demonstrate the Government’s commitment to deepening the links between our countries. Japan is the world’s fourth largest economy and a significant trading partner for Ireland and the largest source of FDI from Asia in terms of job creation, and the visit programme included a number of political, economic, and Irish community engagements. In Tokyo, I had political engagements with State Minister for Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Chair and members of the Japan Ireland Parliamentary Friendship League, discussing disability policy and political and parliamentary links between Ireland and Japan. I also met with the Japan Barrier-Free Project, an NGO that advocates for and supports children with disabilities and discussed disability services and how Ireland and Japan can learn from one another. Economic engagements supporting Ireland’s trade and investment objectives included meetings with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, and An Bord Bia clients and Japanese partners, and a visit to Asia’s largest food and beverage trade show, FOODEX Japan, supporting participation by An Bord Bia and client companies. I also met with the Board of Directors of the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce. I joined the Embassy’s annual National Day Reception, where I met with members of the active Irish diaspora and key contacts of the Embassy and State Agencies. I also participated in a wide range of cultural and people to people events, including the Emerald Ball charity dinner organised by the Ireland Funds, the Yokohama St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the Green Ireland Festival at Yoyogi Park in central Tokyo. In Osaka, I visited Ireland’s impressive pavilion for the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, which opens in mid-April, and will provide an important platform to strengthen political, cultural, economic and people-to-people links. After my visit to Japan I travelled onward to the Republic of Korea, the world’s 12th largest economy. In my role as Minister for Disability I met with important stakeholders, including parliamentarians working on disability policy. I also visited the Evergreen Centre for persons with additional needs, supported by the Hospitaller Order of St John of God, and had direct experience of Irish innovation in assistive technology during a visit to the Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital. During my visit I was delighted to exchange with and thank a number of Irish Missionaries, working in this important area for decades in Korea. I also had a number of political engagements, including with the Chair of the newly formed Ireland-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group, and with the Deputy Minister for Political Affairs. I paid my respects to the fallen Irish and those of Irish descent at the War Memorial of Korea and had an opportunity to visit the Demilitarised Zone, where I received an update on the current security situation on the Korean peninsula. A highlight of my visit was the annual St. Patrick’s Day Reception where we celebrated our national day with the Irish diaspora in Seoul. The event was also an opportunity to meet with clients of Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Bord Bia who are working together with the Embassy to enhance economic growth between Ireland and Korea.
648. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if flexibility can be applied to parents claiming the national childcare scheme but wish to pick children up early from childcare on a regular basis and are suffering a loss due to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13427/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMany families avail of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) as a way to reduce the cost of their early learning and childcare. NCS subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of weekly hours that the subsidy will be paid for. It is between the parent and provider to agree on the hours of childcare based on the family's requirements and what sessions the provider can offer.
This said, the rules of the Scheme are designed to be very flexible, and we recognise that there are many reasons why a child’s attendance may be occasionally less than their agreed hours. For instance, as the question details, a parent may be able to collect their child earlier than usual on occasion. To be clear, this will not affect their award, or the subsidy received. It is only if continual under-attendance is recorded for a consecutive 12 weeks that the award will be revised.
In full detail, if a child attends fewer than their agreed hours for a consecutive 8-week period, a warning will issue to the parent alerting them to the situation. At this point, if the child attends their agreed hours for a full week after this warning is issued, then no further action is taken.
It is only if the under-attendance continues for a further four weeks that the number of subsidised hours awarded under the Scheme will be revised to reflect the average number of hours that were actually attended by the child over the previous 12-week period.
This is a key financial and governance control to ensure that Exchequer funding is used responsibly, and not to fund full-time places in respect of a child actually attending part-time hours.
Finally, I would note that the Department will soon commence an evaluation of the NCS. This will include consultation and engagement with parents, educators and representative organisations. This evaluation will examine how the NCS is performing currently and identify ways in which the NCS can better support families. As part of this evaluation, the hours-based model of the NCS will be reviewed.
649. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline to ratify the second optional protocol of the UNCRC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13430/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is firmly committed to ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Ireland signed the Second Optional Protocol in 2000, and the Government is committed to taking the further step of ratifying it as soon as possible. In Irish treaty practice, the State must be in a position to meet the obligations it assumes under the terms of an international agreement from the moment it enters into force. Often it will not be possible for the State to meet these obligations without first taking steps required by domestic law, or otherwise, enabling it to do so.
Following consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, several legislative measures have been implemented which were necessary to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. Enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 were significant steps on the pathway to the ratification of the Optional Protocol.
The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 (Act 28 of 2024) was signed into law on 17 July 2024, which amends the Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act 1996 and the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008; and provides for related matters, for the purposes of giving effect to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. Ireland is almost ready to ratify following the introduction of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024.
Officials in my Department met recently with the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs on the next steps to ensure readiness across all relevant departments in progressing ratification of the Optional Protocol in 2025. Following this engagement, officials in my Department will be consulting with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure that all relevant legislative provisions have been made to enable ratification.
650. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports offered for upgrading and maintenance of playground facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13437/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department provides for the upgrading and maintenance of playground facilities for children and young people is through the annual Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation. Established in 2013, this grant scheme operates through and with Local Authorities. The scheme also funds the development of new playgrounds and recreation facilities and the incorporation of natural play elements.
The criteria for the scheme were developed in partnership with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network, established to bring a focus on play and recreation within each local authority.
For each project, 25% of the awarded amount must be provided by the Local Authority. Facilities and equipment funded must be accessible to children and young people of all abilities, as far as possible.
All facilities and equipment funded must be child-friendly and safe, and all projects funded under the scheme must provide evidence that children and young people living locally who will have access to the facility have been consulted about the project for which funding is sought.
All spaces and facilities for which funding is granted must be available for use by all children and young people in the locality at times when they are free to use them, including outside of school hours.
Children’s playgrounds and play areas should be places of fun and activity for all children to enjoy, so that every child can experience the joy and excitement that comes with playing outdoors.
In 2025, funding of €500,000 has been made available to Local Authorities through this scheme.
Applications for this year's scheme are currently under evaluation and funding announcements are expected shortly.
651. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps her Department plans to take to implement the recommendations of the report into pregnancy loss PLACES Research Report, published in January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13450/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the enormous impact that pregnancy loss has on expectant parents, and I wish to extend my sympathies to all parents who have suffered such a loss. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss. The study, ‘PLACES | Pregnancy Loss (under 24 weeks) in Workplaces: Informing Policymakers on Support Mechanisms’, examines whether policy interventions are required at a national level to better to support these bereaved parents in the workplace. The study focuses on people who experience pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks’ gestation, as people who have a pregnancy loss after 24 weeks’ gestation can avail of full maternity leave and paternity leave entitlements. The research report was published on 26 January 2024. The recommendations arising from this study are being reviewed with a view to determining Government policy in respect of this issue. Officials in the Department are currently in the process of developing the next National Strategy for Women and Girls, and the research will inform this work.
652. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the publication of the next National Strategy for Women and Girls; if this timeline has been brought forward; if there will be adequate time for consultation on the next strategy; if her Department has considered an innovate title for the new strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13451/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department leads on cross-government policy to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
The Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, commits my Department to publish and implement an updated National Strategy for Women and Girls. My Department is currently working to fulfil that commitment. A stakeholder consultation was completed at the end of 2024. This included a series of in-person consultations with representations from across civil society as well as an online survey which included both civil society organisations and members of the public. A report summarising the findings of this consultation has been drafted and is currently under review to help identify areas of priority for the next National Strategy.
Additionally, in September 2024 the first National Youth Assembly on Gender Equality was convened to attain the views of young people on priorities for inclusion in the new strategy. This assembly was specifically designed to provide young people with an opportunity to discuss how gender inequality affects their lives, explore solutions, and make recommendations that could be integrated into national policy. A report detailing the findings of this event has been drafted and is also under review to help identify areas of priority for the next National Strategy.
An engagement event was recently hosted by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with the support of the National Women's Council to both mark International Women's Day and to provide an update to stakeholders. The findings from the stakeholder consultation and National Youth Assembly event were discussed followed by a prioritisation exercise to help identify potential gaps in the findings and areas for further consideration.
It is anticipated that the updated strategy will be completed and published in Q2 of 2025.
A title for the next National Strategy for Women and Girls remains under consideration and will be announced when the strategy is published.
653. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of community childcare services as a proportion of the total number of childcare services in each local authority area, in tabular form. [13452/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year, Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Early Years Sector Profile. This data is sourced from both the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey (AEYSP) and the Early Years Platform (EYP). The most recent published data available on community Service Providers is for the 2023/2024 programme year.
The table below provides figures for the total number of all services in each Local Authority area, the number of these services that are community childcare services, and the proportion of community childcare services for each area.
As can be seen from the table the local authority areas with the highest proportion of community services for the 2023/2024 programme year were Leitrim (64%), Monaghan (62%) and Donegal (45%), while the areas with the lowest proportion of community services were Kildare (4%) and Dublin – Fingal (6%).
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Local Authority |
Number of Community Services |
Community Services as % of all Childcare Services |
Total Number of Services |
|
Carlow |
17 |
35% |
49 |
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Cavan |
30 |
38% |
78 |
|
Clare |
34 |
24% |
143 |
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Cork City |
47 |
28% |
168 |
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Cork County |
87 |
24% |
358 |
|
Donegal |
74 |
45% |
166 |
|
Dublin – Dublin City |
136 |
32% |
427 |
|
Dublin – Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown |
25 |
14% |
185 |
|
Dublin - Fingal |
17 |
6% |
297 |
|
Dublin – South Dublin |
37 |
16% |
226 |
|
Galway |
78 |
25% |
309 |
|
Kerry |
52 |
35% |
149 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
4% |
184 |
|
Kilkenny |
28 |
29% |
96 |
|
Laois |
17 |
18% |
92 |
|
Leitrim |
25 |
64% |
39 |
|
Limerick |
51 |
25% |
206 |
|
Longford |
16 |
41% |
39 |
|
Louth |
19 |
18% |
107 |
|
Mayo |
53 |
40% |
133 |
|
Meath |
25 |
13% |
194 |
|
Monaghan |
40 |
62% |
65 |
|
Offaly |
15 |
21% |
71 |
|
Roscommon |
25 |
40% |
62 |
|
Sligo |
30 |
36% |
83 |
|
Tipperary |
41 |
21% |
191 |
|
Waterford |
36 |
37% |
98 |
|
Westmeath |
21 |
26% |
82 |
|
Wexford |
41 |
27% |
151 |
|
Wicklow |
22 |
13% |
166 |
The data provided above is the first of the 2023/2024 AEYSP dashboards to be published on the Early Learning and Childcare data website, which can be found under the “Service providers: overview” section. The remaining data from the 2023/24 AEYSP is currently in preparation and will be published in the coming weeks.
654. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of full day care community childcare services as a proportion of the total number of full day care childcare services in each local authority area, in tabular form. [13453/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year, Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Early Years Sector Profile. This data is sourced from both the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey (AEYSP) and the Early Years Platform (EYP). The most recent published data available on full-day community Service Providers is for the 2022/2023 programme year.
The table below provides figures for the total number of all full-day care services in each Local Authority area, the number of full-day care community childcare services, and the numbers of full-day care community childcare services as a percentage of the total number of childcare services for each area.
As can be seen from the table below the local authorities with the highest proportion of full-day community services for the 2022/2023 programme year were Leitrim (64%) and Monaghan (58%), while the local authorities with the lowest proportion of full-day community services were Dublin - Fingal (5%) and Wicklow (6%).
|
Local Authority |
Total Number of Full-Day Care Services |
Number of Full-Day Care Community Services |
Full-Day Care Community Service as % of all Full-Day Care Childcare Services |
|
Carlow |
17 |
8 |
47% |
|
Cavan |
36 |
14 |
39% |
|
Clare |
40 |
17 |
43% |
|
Cork City |
43 |
10 |
23% |
|
Cork County |
75 |
19 |
25% |
|
Donegal |
46 |
20 |
43% |
|
Dublin - Dublin City |
168 |
55 |
33% |
|
Dublin - Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
69 |
6 |
9% |
|
Dublin - Fingal |
98 |
5 |
5% |
|
Dublin - South Dublin |
76 |
8 |
11% |
|
Galway |
104 |
21 |
20% |
|
Kerry |
49 |
25 |
51% |
|
Kildare |
59 |
4 |
7% |
|
Kilkenny |
36 |
11 |
31% |
|
Laois |
38 |
8 |
21% |
|
Leitrim |
11 |
7 |
64% |
|
Limerick |
55 |
14 |
25% |
|
Longford |
15 |
6 |
40% |
|
Louth |
46 |
10 |
22% |
|
Mayo |
27 |
13 |
48% |
|
Meath |
51 |
10 |
20% |
|
Monaghan |
40 |
23 |
58% |
|
Offaly |
13 |
2 |
15% |
|
Roscommon |
19 |
6 |
32% |
|
Sligo |
33 |
11 |
33% |
|
Tipperary |
54 |
18 |
33% |
|
Waterford |
31 |
13 |
42% |
|
Westmeath |
32 |
10 |
31% |
|
Wexford |
42 |
15 |
36% |
|
Wicklow |
31 |
2 |
6% |
|
Total |
1454 |
391 |
27% |
Other than the “Service providers: overview” section, data from the 2023/24 AEYSP is currently in preparation for publication with the results to be published on the Early Learning and Childcare data website in the coming weeks.
655. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of the building blocks grant that has gone to private services versus community service in each year it has been available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13454/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Building Blocks Improvement Grant Scheme, which operated in 2023, 151 services were offered funding. Of these, 31% are community services, and 69% are private services.
Under the Building Blocks Expansion Grant, which operated in 2024, 22 services were offered funding. Of these, 50% are community services, and 50% are private services.In 2025, €25m has been made available to deliver additional capacity under the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme. This grant is designed to support the creation of additional full day care places for children aged 1-3.
The application window for this scheme is now closed and an appraisal process has begun. I expect to announce the outcome of this process in the coming weeks.
