Written Answers Nos. 91-110
91. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality regarding the application for a block extension grant by a school (details supplied), if she will confirm receipt of my letter seeking a review; if such a review will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31960/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched last year and closed for applications in January. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension.
A total of 78 applications were received. The applications came from a variety of locations across the country. All applications received were appraised carefully against the objectives and criteria of the programme in a fair and impartial process. I have now approved 49 of these applications to progress to the next stage of the grant process.
The legal advice received by my Department was that services applying under the Community Construction strand should be required to own the land on which they wished to construct the new premises. This is intended to secure the State's interest over the long term in a capital asset delivered through public investment. This requirement was made clear in the application documentation provided to services.
Based on the information provided to my Department, the early learning and childcare service that the Deputy refers to does not own the land on which they were proposing to build the new premises. Regrettably therefore this project falls outside the parameters of the scheme and as such, their application was deemed ineligible.
Following the decision to deem the application ineligible, my Department has received a number of communications from the board of the service. Officials in my Department have responded confirming the original decision that the application was ineligible and outlining the importance of the legal requirement to own the land on which the proposed premises is to be constructed.
My Department is currently considering the design of future capital investment programmes, including how best to protect the State's interest in publicly-funded capital assets. As and when details of any future schemes are determined, I will of course communicate with the sector.
92. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to address the issue of waiting times for assessments of needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32283/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government absolutely recognises that waiting times for assessment of need are far too long and have a significant impact on delivering on the needs of children and their families.
Both this Department and the HSE have been working intensively to progress measures to reduce and waiting times.
I really want to emphasise to parents that while children have a right to apply for an Assessment of Need (AON), they do not need one in order to access health services, including those provided by Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.
Demand for AONs has increased significantly in recent years, a reflection of both the increase in population and of families exploring all options for accessing services for their child.
The HSE advise that, in 2024, they received 10,690 AON applications, which is more than double the 4,700 applications received in 2020. Most recent data from the HSE show that at the end of March over 15,000 Assessment of Needs overdue for completion.
To address this, the HSE are working to increase its capacity to deliver AONs.
Over the past year, there has been an improvement in the number of assessments of need completed, an increase of 30% in 2024 compared to 2023. Recent HSE data shows that this trend is continuing this year with a 65% increase in completed assessments in the first three months of the year, compared to the same period last year. This has been achieved by a number of measures, including the AON waiting list initiative agreed by Government which targets those families waiting longest for AONs with funding provided for the procurement of assessments from approved private providers.
We cannot rely on the private sector indefinitely so we must ensure that the public system can meet the clearly growing demand. As part of efforts to support the efficient delivery of assessment of need within the public system, regional assessment hubs are being rolled-out by the HSE, aligned with the six new HSE regions.
At the direction of Government, officials are currently reviewing potential legislative changes in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General to support the effectiveness and efficiency of the Assessment of Need process.
My Department has been working with HSE senior management and experienced clinicians to identify those changes, with the intention of bringing forward legislation in the latter half of this year.
I would emphasise that this will not include any changes to the statutory right of any individual to access an AON.
This is an issue the Government is taking extremely seriously and is working to put in place an effective and efficient assessment of need system.
93. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is concerned about the lack of a family resource centre in Dungarvan and that no service is available in west Waterford, south Tipperary or east Cork. [32422/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that there are no members of the FRC Programme based in the town of Dungarvan.
While the Family Resource Centre Programme is a community development programme that is financially supported by many State agencies in a partnership approach, I feel it is important to acknowledge that there many initiatives that operate in communities, delivering services comparable to those delivered by Family Resource Centres. Some of these services are delivered by State agencies, whereas others are delivered by Community and Voluntary providers.
As the Deputy may know applications for Family Resource Programme membership were open from 1st May to 30th May, 2025. Funding secured as part of Budget 2025 will allow for membership of the Programme to increase from 121 members to 126 members in 2025, in line with a Government commitment to expand the Programme. The application and selection processes are being managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla has responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the Family Resource Centre Programme. The selection process is merit-based using the published criteria, and this will ensure all applications are treated equitably against the criteria established by Tusla. The successful applicants will be allocated core funding of €160,000 each for each full year of operation.
I understand applications were received from across the country including the West Waterford area and these will be assessed against the published criteria along with the other 48 applications received as part of the recent call for applications. Of course, I wish all applicants well.
I noted, in a previous Parliamentary Question response to the Deputy, that there is an existing Barnardos Centre located in Dungarvan, which provides a range of intensive family supports to the community. Other Barnardos services include parenting programs, sensory attachment work, loss and bereavement work, individual work with children and young people, and support for children and families of minority groups.
94. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to update on the number of children currently awaiting a CDNT appointment, by CDNT in Cork. [32428/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraChildren’s disability services are primarily focused on therapeutic supports for children and young people with complex requirements, including those with autism and other neurodiverse needs.
The National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People is the guiding policy for children’s services. The policy aims to provide for all children with significant disability, regardless of diagnosis, where they live or where they go to school.
The Progressing Disability Service is a needs-led model of service, where a child does not require a diagnosis to access services, and CDNTs provide a multidisciplinary assessment of individual needs and strengths, in line with the UNCRPD and rights-based approach.
This policy led to the establishment of Children’s Disability Network Teams who assess children with complex needs.
There are currently 93 CDNTs in place.
There are 14 Children’s Disability Network Teams or “CDNTs” operating in HSE South West region; 11 are in Cork.
A wait list is maintained for those awaiting initial contact.
As of April 2025, there are 6,319 children on the caseload of Cork’s 11 CDNTs and 563 awaiting initial contact.
Increasing the Disability Sector Workforce and reducing waiting lists for therapy services is a key priority of Government.
While recruitment and retention of staff is a challenge across the sector overall, a significant focus of the Government is filling vacant posts within the 93 CDNTs. I am pleased to note that, as of the latest data from the 2025 CDNT Workforce survey, the CDNT workforce has grown to 2,009 Whole Time Equivalents (WTEs).
This represents an overall growth since October 2023 of 414.5 WTE, reducing the corresponding vacancy rate down from 29% to 18% during that period. This is the lowest vacancy rate since October 2021.
Tailored approaches to attract and retain CDNT staff are being developed and implemented at a multi- agency level to build and recruit a pipeline of talent for CDNTs. These initiatives include active and sustained engagement with the employment market and students to improve the perception of and interest in working in CDNTs.
I am committed to ensuring that we continue to grow the availability of services and ensure children’s needs are met in a timely manner.
95. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on efforts to secure further contributions from the religious organisations associated with the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32406/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing receipt and publication of the Report from the Independent Negotiator, Ms Sheila Nunan, I made contact with each of the relevant religious organisations referred to in that Report.
The Deputy will be aware that of the eight organisations mentioned in the Report, only two made offers of a voluntary contribution to the Mother and Baby Homes Payment Scheme. My officials have initiated contact with representatives of those organisations to ensure that this matter moves forward without delay.
With regard to the offer of a voluntary financial contribution, I can confirm that my officials have been in contact with representatives of this organisation and that this matter is progressing.
Similarly, with regard to the offer from an organisation to transfer legal ownership of a property to the State, my officials have commenced contact with relevant parties in order to progress consideration on this matter.
With regard to those organisations who have not chosen to make a contribution to the Payment Scheme, I can confirm that I have written to them to express my disappointment at their approach and to express my belief that more could and should be done by them in terms of offering contributions. The purpose of my contact was also to invite each of them to reflect on the content of the Nunan Report and take that opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the Payment Scheme.
My Departmental officials have been- and remain- at all times available to engage with these organisations in the event that they are willing to take up this invitation and make a meaningful contribution.
Finally, my officials have also liaised with the Office of the Attorney General and will be engaging with them on identification and legal analysis of potential mechanisms which may be available to the State. This complex work will take some time to complete and will have to consider the broader impacts and implications of any potential mechanisms identified.
96. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the engagements her Department has had with other Government Departments, Ministers and State agencies, in order to deliver therapies for children with autism, to include assistive technology solutions, implementation of best practice and innovation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32284/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department has engaged significantly with stakeholders to address the needs of children with disabilities, including those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since becoming Minister of State for Disabilities, I have worked with key partners across government and the HSE to ensure the delivery of therapies through the 93 Children’s Disability Network Teams.
The Service Improvement Programme Board for the Autistic Community has been tasked with leading out on an agreed set of priorities that will have greatest impact in terms of shaping how services can be delivered to autistic people.
The Assessment and Pathways Working Group was established to develop a standardised assessment approach for use in all services dealing with the assessment of Autism. This protocol seeks to ensure that every assessment is of an acceptable and agreed standard, regardless of which service is being accessed.
The 2nd and final Phase of the Protocol piloting is now complete, as is the independent evaluation undertaken by the Centre for Effective Services. Following incorporation of learnings from the evaluation and further consultation with professional bodies and civil society, we anticipate that national rollout of the final version of the protocol will commence with training in each of the 6 Health Regions in Quarter 3 2025.
My department is also progressing a Project Collaboration Agreement with the World Health Organization which is focused on domestic objectives including workforce optimisation through Digital Assistive Technology (DAT), hosting one of two Global DAT/Workforce Expos in Dublin and the delivery of an independent Assistive Technology Capacity (ATA-C) Review. The ATA-C will evaluate Ireland’s capacity to provide equitable access to assistive technology and was conducted by technical experts from the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO EUROPE). This process is nearing completion, and the recommendations will be submitted to Government by the WHO EUROPE in the coming months and will inform Government on best approaches to improve assistive technology access.
This Government is committed to responding to the needs of autistic children in a holistic manner and recognises the need for cross-Government coordination and engagement to achieve this. For this reason, Government published its Autism Innovation Strategy in August 2024. This Strategy identifies 83 actions that can make a meaningful difference to the lives of autistic people over the 18-month timeframe of the Strategy, or actions which provide a solid foundation for improved mainstream accommodation of autism going forward. Eleven Government Departments and a number of State Agencies have contributed actions to the Strategy,
Pillar 4 of the Strategy, ‘Building Capacity’, recognises the value of innovative assistive technologies and the vital role they can play in the day-to-day lives of autistic people. Under this Pillar, the HSE has committed to providing training to health and social care professionals on the range of assistive products, technology, and forms of Augmentative and Alternative Communication that can help autistic people express themselves and better engage in daily activities. It will also develop an introductory guide for parents on finding the right assistive technology for their child, and evaluate the impact and benefits of the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Support Programme to inform future AAC initiatives.
97. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the pre-election commitment from the Government parties to introduce €200 per month childcare has been scrapped, and charges of €200 per week have been introduced instead (details supplied); and outline what happened to this commitment. [32151/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this month, I announced a maximum fee cap for services joining Core Funding that will apply to all services in Core Funding from September 2025. Under the new fee caps, the maximum fee allowed for a Core Funding Partner Service will be €295 per week for a full day place of between 40 and 50 hours per week. These fees are reduced by State subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme and the free, universal two-year Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre- school programme. A parent being charged the maximum allowed fee of €295 per week for a full day place of 45 hours will pay no more than €198.70 a week (the €200 per week referred to in the Deputy’s question), once the universal National Childcare Scheme subsidy of €96.30 is taken into account.
This maximum fee cap is an important step towards achieving the commitment to fees of €200 per month per child set out in the Programme for Government, which will be achieved over the lifetime of the Government.
Further steps towards achieving this commitment will be presented in an Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare system with State-led facilities adding capacity, which is a further commitment in the Programme for Government. My Department is in the planning phase for this work. However, as shown by the new maximum fee cap, I have already begun the process of reducing costs for families facing the highest fees across the country.
98. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department conducts analysis, or monitors, the reports produced by the National Review Panel, regarding the deaths of children in State care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32445/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe death of a child in care or known to state services, whether at home, in care, or aftercare, is a tragic event that deeply affects family, friends, carers/staff connected to the child and local communities. The National Review Panel (NRP) conducts reviews of child deaths and serious incidents, where the child is in care or is known to Tusla.
The NRP is independent in the performance of its functions, making findings of fact and producing reports that are objective and independent of Tusla. The NRP produces reports that are factually based and identify points of learning to improve services provided to children and families.
I can advise the Deputy that officials from my Department regularly review NRP reports from the context of analysing the quality of services provided directly or indirectly by Tusla to the child or young person concerned. In some instances, follow-up with Tusla may be required. Where this is deemed necessary it can include requests for a written response from Tusla, or a meeting with Tusla officials.
Additionally, NRP reports are reviewed by my Department from the context of driving change and identifying learning and good practice across both Alternative Care and Child Protection and Welfare services.
Where the NRP makes recommendations which fall outside the remit of both my Department and Tusla, officials within my Department ensure that these recommendations are brought to the attention of the appropriate departments or agencies across Government for their attention.
99. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress made in expanding access to childcare, on foot of the finding in research commissioned by her Department, which shows almost two out of every three respondents faced a restriction on hours of work or study due to childcare challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32102/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe results from the 2025 childcare survey of parents, undertaken by Ipsos B&A on behalf of my Department, highlight both the positive progress made and challenges that exist in accessibility of both pre-school age and school going childcare for families. Of those surveyed, 95% of parents of pre-school children and 93% of parents of school-going children reported being satisfied with their current childcare arrangements, with 85% of surveyed parents of pre-school children reporting using their preferred childcare arrangement. 49% of parents of pre-school age children in non-parental care who were surveyed reported finding it easy or fairly easy to pay for childcare, compared with 28% of parents surveyed in 2023. Notwithstanding this progress, the findings show many parents continue to experience difficulty in finding a childcare place for their child.
Significant progress has been made in improving accessibility of funded early learning and childcare in recent years.
The ECCE Programme provides for preschool for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week for 38 weeks per year without charge to the parent. Children are eligible for 2 years of the ECCE Programme, with a 96% uptake rate of the Programme among the age-eligible cohort. In a recent review of ECCE, over 70% of families on low-income reported that they would not be able to send their child to pre-school without this programme, demonstrating the impact ECCE has on accessibility.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents to meet the cost of childcare and allow children to access Early Learning and School Age Childcare. NCS supports consist of a universal subsidy and an income assessed subsidy which is calculated based on the individual circumstances of the applicant. The income assessment component of the Scheme ensures that the highest level of subsidy is available to families who need it most. The attendance-based nature of the NCS, which subsidises up to 45 hours per week of early learning and childcare, is designed to fit around the needs of families.
The NCS universal subsidy has, since September 2024, been worth a minimum of €96.30 per week for 45 hours. Since last September, children in childminding settings have also been able to come forward for registration, following changes to the childminder Tulsa registration requirement. A record number of children – approximately 190,000 – have benefitted from the National Childcare Scheme this year.
An evaluation of the National Childcare Scheme is due to start later this year. This evaluation will review how the Scheme has performed to date and identify potential enhancements that could be made on improving accessibility.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2023/24 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 19% from the 2021/22 programme year.
Core Funding application data shows that between Year 1 and Year 3 of the scheme, annual place hours increased by over 15%.
The Tusla register of services demonstrates a net increase in the numbers of registered early learning and childcare services in 2024. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply, particularly for younger children and in certain parts of the country.
As outlined in the Programme for Government a detailed Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare system will be developed, informed by stakeholder consultation.
My Department is in the planning phase for this work. The timelines for undertaking the broad consultation and publishing the Action Plan will be determined during this planning phase.
100. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to update on the pilot therapists in special schools programme in Cork. [32427/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn August 2024, the Government agreed to support the special schools’ pilot for enhanced in-school therapy supports. The pilot is delivered by Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) led by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and its funded agencies, in 16 selected special schools in Cork, Dublin and Galway and is supported by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). This pilot supplements existing services being provided through the CDNTs.
In Cork, there are three lead agencies involved in the pilot, namely Brothers of Charity, Cope and Enable, each supporting two special schools. The HSE advise that all Speech and Language Therapy posts and Occupational Therapy posts assigned to the six Cork special schools participating in the pilot have been filled. These therapists are on-site in the schools and are providing input to the children.
The National Disability Authority has been commissioned by the HSE to undertake an independent evaluation of Phase 1 of the special schools’ pilot, with a full report expected to be available in late summer.
101. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if families availing of a childminder coming to their family home can qualify for the national childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32433/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme provides subsidies – both universal and targeted - to reduce the costs to parents for children to participate in early learning and childcare. The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of registration to childminders. A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla and can therefore also take part in the National Childcare Scheme.
The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024, enacted and part commenced last year defines a “childminding service” as follows:
‘childminding service’ means a service that—
"(a) entails an individual taking care, by himself or herself, of children under the age of 15 years, in the home of the individual, and
(b) is provided to children (other than that individual’s own children) for a total period of not less than 2 hours per day."
In line with this definition, a primary feature of a childminder is that they undertake the work in the childminder's family home.
The National Action Plan for Childminding distinguishes childminding which involves care in the childminder’s home from care that takes place in the child’s home, which may be carried out by a nanny, au pair or babysitter. This distinction is also reflected in the legal definition of a childminder set out in the primary legislation.
Childminders now have a three-year transition period (to September 2027) during which they are able to register with Tusla but are not yet required to do so. Once registered with Tusla, a childminder can apply to take part in the National Childcare Scheme, thus opening access to subsidies to parents who use childminders.
During the transition period, supports are available for childminders at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including a short pre-registration training course.
While my Department has successfully completed Phase 1 of the National Action Plan, considerable challenges lie ahead during Phase 2 in supporting the large number of unregistered childminders to register with Tusla and take part in the National Childcare Scheme before the end of the transition period in 2027. Given the scale of the challenge that still remains, my priority is to deliver on the remaining phases of the National Action Plan in the coming years.
102. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she is taking to expand capacity in the childcare sector, particularly in rural areas; the actions she intends to take to address long waiting lists for childcare facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32257/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2023/24 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 19% from the 2021/22 programme year. Core Funding application data shows that between Year 1 and Year 3 of the scheme, annual place hours increased by over 15%. The Tusla register of services demonstrates a net increase in the numbers of registered early learning and childcare services in 2024. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply, particularly for younger children and in certain parts of the country.
Demand for early learning and childcare beyond sessional pre-school provision is highly elastic and shaped very substantially by families' individual composition, circumstances, and preferences; employment patterns and income; and the price and availability of services.
A Forward Planning and Delivery Unit in my Department has been allocated additional resources and is focused on identifying areas of need, forecasting demand, and planning for the delivery of public supply within the early learning and childcare sector where required.
A forward planning model is in development which will be central to my Department's plans to achieve the policy goals set out in the Programme for Government to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system, with State-led facilities adding capacity.
My Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its third programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the current programme year, the allocation for Core Funding allows for a 6% increase in capacity. Additional funding was secured in Budget 2025 to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025, in the fourth programme year.
The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises.
I was delighted to announce recently the 49 applications which will be progressing to the next stage of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme. These 49 applications come from a mix of Community Extension (24), Private Extension (7), Community Purchasing (4) and Community Construction (14) projects, which, when completed, will deliver almost 1,500 additional full time childcare places for 1–3-year olds across the country. I look forward to seeing how these projects progress over the coming months.
My Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance.
103. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has plans to expand the childcare capital grant for the development of new childcare facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32305/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring access to early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. Capital funding is one way that Government supports capacity expansion.
The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched on 4th November 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January and a total of 78 applications were received from across the country. 49 of these applicants have been successful in progression to the next stage of the process.
€25m in voted expenditure is available for the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme in 2025. The approach to capital investment in future years is being considered within the context of the Programme for Government commitments and the revision to the National Development Plan which is ongoing.
Consideration in this regard is being given to the the possibility for future capital programmes, including potentially operating a further to support the expansion of provision.
There have been a range of engagements at official and political level to inform the update National Development Plan between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. My officials and I are continuing to engage with colleagues across Government on the review, the outcome of which will determine the timing and scale of future capital investment initiatives.
104. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the expected timeline for the implementation of the autism innovation strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32411/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Autism Innovation Strategy was published in August 2024. The Strategy contains 83 actions across four core pillars which will be delivered over an 18-month implementation period.
11 Government Departments and related public bodies have committed to leading on, or supporting, actions in the Strategy. This Government is committed to the full implementation of the Strategy, and this is reflected in the Programme for Government. I am pleased to report that strong progress is being made across all thematic pillars by the lead Departments and agencies.
105. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she plans to make changes to expand access to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32389/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened for applications in March 2024.
The underpinning legislation for the Scheme provides for a number of reports and reviews to be produced. Section 48 provides for two reviews into the operation of the Scheme to be completed. The first is to be completed within six months of the Scheme’s second anniversary, by September 2026.
In the absence of these reports and reviews, it would be premature to consider changes to eligibility at this time.
As of 9 June, almost 6,600 scheme applications have been received. More than 5,800 notices of determination have issued to applicants, over 82% of which contain an offer of benefits under the Scheme. Applicants have 6 months to consider their offer before they need to respond but, already, over 4,400 payments have been made or are in the process of being made.
It is important to emphasise that the Payment Scheme is just one element of the Government’s response to the complex legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions. Of the seven major commitments set out in the Government Action Plan for Survivors, six are now delivered and in place, while the seventh is well underway. Key actions which have been achieved include counselling support; access to birth information with almost 16,000 cases completed; the appointment of the Special Advocate for Survivors; as well as the ongoing development of the National Centre for Research and Remembrance.
106. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline funding for a community neuro-rehabilitation team for north Dublin, as set out in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32454/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
107. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the provision of appropriate accommodation for the children's disability network team at Gorey, County Wexford; if it will be located in the planned new primary care centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32212/25]
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.
108. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when capital investment to build or purchase State-owned childcare facilities will be provided, to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists' which is listed in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32421/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2023/24 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 19% from the 2021/22 programme year. Core Funding application data shows that between Year 1 and Year 3 of the scheme, annual place hours increased by over 15%. The Tusla register of services demonstrates a net increase in the numbers of registered early learning and childcare services in 2024. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply, particularly for younger children and in certain parts of the country.
A forward planning model is in development which will be central to my Department's plans to achieve the policy goals set out in the Programme for Government to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system, with State-led facilities adding capacity.
The Programme for Government commits for the first time to provide capital investment to build or purchase state-owned early learning and childcare facilities, to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. State ownership of facilities is a a very substantial and significant development and offers the potential for much greater scope to influence the nature and volume of provision available and to ensure better alignment with estimated demand.
Some early scoping work has been carried out to explore options to introduce a segment of public provision. More detailed and extensive policy development and design is ongoing in order progress to implementation stage, having regard to the wider emerging policy context as set out in the Programme for Government.
This work has informed my Department’s contribution to the review of the National Development Plan which will set out the capital allocation to underpin this work in the coming years. There has been a range of engagements at official and political level to inform the update National Development Plan between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. My officials and I are continuing to engage with colleagues across Government on the review, the outcome of which will determine the timing of investment in this initiative.
109. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on progress to provide a State pension to foster carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32388/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is an area of genuine concern for foster carers.
The Programme for Government 2025 contains a commitment to develop a pension solution for foster carers in recognition of the enormous contribution they make to vulnerable children in our society, and to acknowledge their long-term commitment and to ensure that they are supported and valued after their fostering years.
Eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is a matter which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection. The Department of Social Protection has in place a number of schemes for family carers that may already be of benefit to foster carers where they meet the criteria, in the same way as any parent.
Additionally, the Young Ireland National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023 – 2028 also includes an action in respect of State pension eligibility for foster carers. Action 41.2 commits the Department of Social Protection to: “Consider the credits available to foster carers for periods of time spent caring with a view to supporting eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) and also include foster carers within the proposed changes to attribute contributions for periods of long-term care (over 20 years) when caring for an incapacitated dependent.”
I will work closely with Minister Calleary and Government colleagues, to progress pension provision for foster carers.
110. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the hardship endured by parents of multiples (twins, triplets etc.) who are only entitled to one set of maternity/paternity/parental leave; if he will give consideration to additional supports for these parents in recognition of the additional care work and expense for parents of multiples; if she will consider extending maternity/paternity/parental leave for these parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21763/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant improvements have been made in the entitlements to both paid and unpaid leaves in recent years, including by extending paid parent's leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their baby during their earliest years.
The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with 26 weeks of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks after the return to work, which have been extended to two years following the birth of the child through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Furthermore, since 20 November 2024, employees can postpone their maternity leave if they require ongoing treatment for a serious health condition as set out in the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024.
While the Maternity Protection Acts 1994-2004 do not explicitly refer to multiple births, the entitlement arises from the pregnancy and confinement, which are treated as a single event, regardless of the number of children arising. This applies also to the unpaid leave. This is because maternity leave is primarily intended to provide the mother the necessary time to rest and recover from the birth.While the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 limits parent's leave to a single birth, since August 2024 the entitlement is nine weeks of paid leave for each relevant parent for each child, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Under the Parental Leave Acts, 26 weeks unpaid leave can be taken by an employee who is a relevant parent to take care of a child. The upper age limit of the eligible child has been increased in 2019 to the age of 12 or of 16, where the child has a disability or long-term illness which allows a parent more time in which to avail of the extended leave entitlement. This leave entitlement is for each eligible child.
S.7(3) of the Parental Leave Acts also provides that the amount of parental leave in the case of more than one child is limited in a particular year, unless the children are of a multiple birth in which case this limit does not apply.
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to examine the possible extension of Parents Leave and Benefit and additional flexibilities. Presently, the next National Strategy for Women and Girls is in development and will consider ways to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work.
Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families. Family leave entitlements are also mindful of the impact of the leaves on workplaces.
