Written Answers Nos. 121-141
121. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on education and training as well as employment provisions in Irish prisons; and his views on how these measures can work to prevent recidivism. [33089/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Prison Service advises me that work, training and education is available in all prisons.
Programmes of education are provided in prisons in partnership with the Education and Training Boards. Supports and services provided include basic literacy and numeracy education provision, state exams and third level qualifications.
Work and training in prisons is provided by Work and Training Officers, and provides a range of purposeful activities in areas such as catering, laundry, industrial cleaning and industrial skills. The Irish Prison Service has expanded the number of accredited courses and opportunities available in this area to meet contemporary skill requirements for employment in the community.
In November 2024, the Department of Justice launched ‘Building Pathways Together: Criminal Justice Reintegration Through Employment Strategy 2025-2027’. This strategy seeks to provide effective interventions to ensure people have the appropriate supports and opportunities available to them. It underscores a renewed cross-sectoral commitment to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with criminal convictions. Work has commenced on the implementation phase of the strategy in 2025 and the first meetings of the Criminal Justice Employment Advisory Committee and the Criminal Justice Employer’s Network have taken place in June.
The Programme for Government includes continued implementation of the Prison Education Taskforce which was established in May 2023. The taskforce is co-chaired by Ministers from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. It’s membership includes nominees from the Irish Prison Service, SOLAS, the National Apprenticeship Office, Education and Training Boards Ireland, the Probation Service and people with lived experience. The aim of the taskforce is to ensure close alignment and integration of education, work and training opportunities for people involved in the criminal justice system as well as their families. The next taskforce meeting is taking place on 25 June.
Taken together, these important initiatives represent a coherent approach to addressing offending behaviour by providing integrated work, training and education opportunities to support desistance.
122. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for a breakdown of the Garda stations to which Gardaí that attested in Templemore on 6 June 2025 were assigned. [33094/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda authorities have provided me with the tables below which detail the breakdown of the 120 probationer Gardaí by station, following their attestation from the Garda college on 6 June:
Dublin Metropolitan Region
|
Division |
Allocation |
|
DMR North Central |
19 (1 Bridewell, 4 Mountjoy, 14 Store Street) |
|
DMR South Central |
22 (2 Irishtown, 7 Kevin Street, 13 Pearse Street) |
|
DMR North |
8 (1 Balbriggan, 4 Ballymun, 3 Coolock) |
|
DMR South |
8 (2 Crumlin, 1 Rathmines, 1 Sundrive Road, 4 Tallaght) |
|
DMR East |
6 (1 Blackrock, 3 Dun Laoghaire, 2 Dundrum) |
|
DMR West |
11 (2 Ballyfermot, 4 Blanchardstown, 1 Clondalkin, 2 Lucan, 2 Ronanstown) |
|
DMR Total |
74 |
Eastern Region
|
Meath/Westmeath |
4 (1 Navan, 3 Ashbourne) |
|
Kildare/Carlow |
6 (1 Kildare, 1 Leixlip, 3 Naas, 1 Newbridge) |
|
Laois/Offaly |
2 (Portlaoise) |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
5 (1 New Ross, 4 Bray) |
|
Eastern Region total |
17 |
Southern Region
|
Clare/Tipperary |
3 (1 Nenagh, 1 Clonmel, 1 Ennis) |
|
Cork City |
3 (2 Togher, 1 Anglesea Street) |
|
Cork County |
2 (2 Middleton) |
|
Limerick |
2 (2 Henry Street) |
|
Kerry |
1 (1 Killarney) |
|
Southern Total |
11 |
North Western Region
|
Galway |
2 (2 Galway) |
|
Donegal/Sligo/Leitrim |
2 (2 Buncrana) |
|
Cavan/Louth/Monaghan |
14 (1 Bailieboro, 2 Carrickmacross, 3 Cavan, 6 Drogheda, 2 Dundalk) |
|
North Western Region |
18 |
123. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will designate Greencastle harbour as a pelagic landing port for catches over ten tonnes. [32919/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Sea-Fisheries (Community Control System)(Amendment)(No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 638/2022), the following ports are currently designated for landings of pelagic species (including blue whiting) greater than 10 tonnes: An Daingean, Baltimore, Castletownbere, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros A Mhil.
I am advised that a key component of the SFPA Control Plan currently in force for pelagic landings is that of pre-transport, control-supervised weighing undertaken on publicly-owned weighbridges - which Greencastle port does not have at present.
Furthermore, there are significant practical and cost implications for the State in the designation of ports, in that, for any ports designated, Ireland is obliged to ensure that it has in place a meaningful control presence.
The current ports designated, and the opening days and times for those ports, were decided in order to allow vessels to continue to land into Irish ports, while ensuring that the SFPA has the capacity to continue to perform its vital control functions effectively.
In light of this, there are no current plans to designate Greencastle port in the manner suggested by the Deputy.
However, I would also like to assure the Deputy that the designation of ports for landings does not preclude vessels from coming into ports for force majeure reasons such as safe harbour.
124. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers impacted by the delay in payments under ACRES for 2024, by county; when the issue will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32991/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table represents the number of ACRES participants paid and awaiting payment in respect of their participation in the 2024 scheme year, following the latest payment run on 13 June 2025. Please note that this table is a snapshot of the figures at this specific time and may change for a number of reasons, such as when further payments issue.
|
County |
2024 advance processed |
2024 advance not processed |
2024 balance processed |
2024 balance not processed (including 2024 advance not paid) |
|
Carlow |
486 |
53 |
343 |
195 |
|
Cavan |
1951 |
59 |
1856 |
153 |
|
Clare |
3415 |
104 |
3169 |
349 |
|
Cork |
3832 |
337 |
3276 |
892 |
|
Donegal |
5336 |
247 |
4772 |
810 |
|
Dublin |
74 |
8 |
60 |
21 |
|
Galway |
6279 |
445 |
5596 |
1127 |
|
Kerry |
3647 |
332 |
3328 |
650 |
|
Kildare |
335 |
32 |
247 |
119 |
|
Kilkenny |
668 |
83 |
550 |
201 |
|
Laois |
543 |
54 |
442 |
155 |
|
Leitrim |
2336 |
62 |
2106 |
292 |
|
Limerick |
1643 |
67 |
1579 |
130 |
|
Longford |
1405 |
65 |
1326 |
144 |
|
Louth |
281 |
14 |
236 |
59 |
|
Mayo |
6488 |
333 |
5929 |
902 |
|
Meath |
622 |
38 |
564 |
96 |
|
Monaghan |
928 |
19 |
894 |
53 |
|
Offaly |
800 |
49 |
729 |
120 |
|
Roscommon |
2960 |
78 |
2774 |
264 |
|
Sligo |
2065 |
56 |
1920 |
201 |
|
Tipperary |
1787 |
126 |
1594 |
319 |
|
Waterford |
510 |
57 |
459 |
108 |
|
Westmeath |
1120 |
37 |
1053 |
104 |
|
Wexford |
952 |
144 |
436 |
660 |
|
Wicklow |
606 |
62 |
477 |
191 |
|
Total |
51069 |
2961 |
45715 |
8315 |
My Department is committed to resolving the issues that have been delaying the remaining payments as soon as possible, and is making progress in this regard. Additional resources have been deployed, and we are systematically working through the remaining issues associated with the outstanding cases.
These issues range from internal departmental matters such as the processing of changes of ownership and the finalisation of payment calculation processes, to external, applicant- or advisor-related matters such as the submission of Rare Breeds and Soil Sampling documentation.
Payments continue to issue on a weekly basis as cases pass all required validation checks. Updates on payments continue to be published on the Department website on a weekly basis.
125. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his priorities for the forthcoming EU budgetary negotiations, particularly with regard to the next Common Agricultural Policy. [33090/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a key element of the EU budget (Multi Annual Financial Framework, or MFF) from Ireland’s perspective. Proposals for the next MFF post-2027 will be made by the European Commission, negotiated by Finance Ministers at the ECOFIN Council, and ultimately agreed by Heads of State and Government at the European Council.
The European Commission is due to set out its proposals for the next MFF in mid-July. Commission proposals for the CAP post-2027 negotiations are likely to follow shortly after, with negotiations on both the future MFF and future CAP running in parallel.
As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I am working closely with the EU institutions and with my counterparts in other Member States to influence the negotiations for the next CAP. The CAP is central to the EU’s success in ensuring food security, supporting farm incomes and competitiveness, and developing rural areas.
I recently set out my four key priorities for the next CAP:
• A CAP that is more straightforward for farmers
• A more flexible and responsive CAP
• One which has an appropriate balance between all elements of sustainability
• And finally, an adequate and dedicated budget is needed for an effective CAP.
It is a key responsibility of Government to raise Ireland's concerns with our EU partners and to influence EU policy. For my part as Minister, I have and will continue to engage with Christophe Hansen, the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, and my fellow EU Ministers on the issues affecting the agri-food sector, including in particular the CAP post-2027, at Council meetings as well as in bilateral discussions. I assure the Deputy that I will prioritise these engagements at European level, particularly in preparation for Ireland’s Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026.
126. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a proposal (details supplied) concerning retired fishermen which was submitted to his Department previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33208/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fishery Harbour Centre which is the subject of the proposal is, first and foremost, a working fishery harbour, and is one of six Fishery Harbour Centres owned, operated, developed and maintained by my Department under statute.
It is also home to various marine-related industrial, tourism and leisure businesses. The multi-faceted businesses operate in a very confined space, which presents ongoing challenges for the operational team in my Department who endeavour to co-ordinate the flow of people and goods through the harbour and to keep all harbour users safe.
The Deputy may also be aware that my Department only owns a small footprint in this location and, as such, any development works must be in line with the operational needs and requirements of the working harbour.
For these reasons, the proposal for the development of a specific berthing area for the exclusive use by retired fishermen to engage in recreational fishing and boating is not possible. The second element of your proposal, for the provision of reduced fees for retired fishermen, is not compatible with the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2012, which is the legal Statutory Instrument that outlines the rates and charges that apply to all Fishery Harbour Centres.
The Harbour Master and their staff are best placed to advise all harbour users, including retired fishermen, in relation to the harbour services and facilities that can be availed of.
127. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when his Department plans on publishing its jointly commissioned research into gender recognition for young people aged under 16 years of age; and his views on the rationale behind the several-year-long delay in publication. [32862/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2020 Programme for Government contained a commitment, in terms of gender recognition, to examine arrangements for those aged under 16.
The Department of Social Protection and the then Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth jointly commissioned this research, to identify the mechanisms used in other countries, which govern legal gender recognition of children aged under 16 and to provide practical advice in relation to recognition for this age group. The paper was intended to provide targeted information on what is a complex and sensitive issue. The jointly commissioned research is being carefully reviewed in light of the complexity and sensitivity of this policy area. Decisions on next steps will be taken following the completion of the review process.
128. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will ensure that an application (details supplied) will be approved without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32928/25]
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.
129. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an autism assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32959/25]
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.
130. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the immediate and measurable actions she will take to reverse the increase of children living in poverty. [32986/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild poverty requires a cross government response and I am committed to supporting the broader Government action to combat child poverty. The Child Poverty and Well-being Office in the Department of the Taoiseach was established in 2023 to coordinate government actions that reduce child poverty and foster children’s well-being, focussed on improvements that have the potential to make a big difference to children living in poverty.
Child poverty is one of the priorities highlighted in Young Ireland, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People.
My Department is taking a series of impactful actions in this regard, as follows:
Early Years
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme and The National Childcare Scheme serve to address disadvantage through improving accessibility and affordability of provision, aiming to allow all families to reap the benefits of high-quality early learning and childcare, ensuring all families can avail of high quality provision. Investment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels, a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector.
In 2025, my Department’s funding for the early learning and childcare sector has risen to €1.37 billion, a further investment of €266m, or 24% increase on last year’s funding. This includes substantial affordability, accessibility and quality building measures. It includes the further extension of Equal Start provides a set of universal and targeted measures to support access to, and full participation in, early learning and childcare for children and their families who experience disadvantage.
It also includes unprecedented levels of investment in affordability measures through the National Childcare Scheme with investment of €530m, and funding of €81m for the recently extended Access and Inclusion Model this year.
High quality early learning and childcare is important in addressing child poverty and disadvantage. In September 2024, my Department commenced the rollout of Equal Start, a major model of supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare. Equal Start includes a suite of universal, child-targeted and setting-targeted supports to ensure every child, and every early learning and childcare setting will benefit from a continuum of supports that reflects a continuum of need.
Children to benefit from child-targeted supports include children living in disadvantaged areas, Traveller children, Roma children, children availing of the National Childcare Scheme through a sponsor body, children experiencing homelessness and children in the International Protection system.
Another key initiative to be rolled out in the first two years includes the design and rollout of an Additional Nutrition Programme for Early Learning and Childcare Services.
Local Area Child Poverty Action Plan pilots
Ireland’s National Action Plan under the European Child Guarantee commits to establish four pilot Child Poverty Local Area Action Child Poverty Action Plans in Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) areas.
In 2024 and 2025, my Department provided €378,000 each year (€756,000 in total) to establish four two-year Local Area Child Poverty Action Plan pilots to explore innovative ways to address the challenges of child poverty at a local level. The pilots aim to improve outcomes for disadvantaged children, young people, and their families by first looking at particular issues in their local areas, and then using this information to improve how services work together.
Home Support
My Department has progressed the expansion of Home Visiting Services in Ireland through the support of the Children’s Fund. Up to €10 million is being allocated over the period 2024-2028 to expand home visiting services in Ireland, specifically to support the establishment of a new National Home Visiting Programme within Tusla. The aim of the programme will be to coordinate, provide direction and collect evidence and data to inform the future development of a sustainable national home visiting service. Priorities for 2025 include increasing accessibility, and integrating home visiting with other community supports with a defined set of outcomes focused on child and family wellbeing.
Foster Care
My Department has overseen a significant increase in investment in foster care supports, including a 21% increase to the rates of the foster care allowance. The rates have been increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. In 2025, this means that foster carers will receive an additional €3,900 in allowances. A double week of the foster care allowance was also paid to foster carers, in respect of each child in their care, in late 2024.
In addition, Budget 2025 set out further investment and support towards children in foster care, including funding which will be used to provide an Initial Placement Payment at the beginning of each initial foster care placement from 2025. Provision has also been made for additional mileage support for foster carers who have significant travel responsibilities for children in their care.
Further, the current Programme for Government sets out the Government’s intention to provide further support for foster carers, including further increases to the foster care allowance and the new Initial Placement Payment, a commitment to examine pension provision for foster carers, and examine eligibility for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
Special Care
While the operation of special care and the provision of special care beds is the statutory responsibility of Tusla, my Department is actively engaging with Tusla in relation to the issues impacting on special care.
Following extensive engagements between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, a new grade and pay scale for Special Care has been sanctioned in an effort to increase staff numbers.
This new Tusla Special Care Worker grade offers a significantly improved salary scale, offering 19.4% higher pay at top-of-scale compared to the Social Care Worker grade. It offers 3.4% higher pay at top-of-scale than the Social Care Leader grade. Tusla commenced advertisement of this new grade in January 2025 and is in the process of onboarding the first successful candidates.
My Department also supports the ongoing work by Tusla to develop and introduce a Social Care Worker apprenticeship scheme. The scheme is currently being formulated in collaboration with relevant stakeholders including Tusla and the Higher Education Institutes and will serve as a further pipeline of recruitment into social care settings, including Special Care.
A record investment of over €1.2 billion was secured for Tusla in Budget 2025. This builds on a significant increase in Tusla’s allocation in 2024.
An additional €1 million has been made available in Budget 2025 to support Tusla to address staffing issues in special care. Furthermore, an additional €1.55 million was also made available for the provision of supplementary step-down placements and the capital funding to purchase, renovate and equip those units.
Unaccompanied Minors
Tusla’s Separated Children Seeking International Protection Service offers an urgent response to the presenting needs of Unaccompanied Minors who arrive in the jurisdiction unaccompanied by parents or caregivers (both Ukrainian and International protection).
There has been a 500% increase in the arrival of Unaccompanied Minors and being accommodated by Tusla since 2022.
The Government is fully committed to supporting Tusla’s work in this area with additional funding provided in 2025 to support Tusla in its work in relation to increased demands for supports and accommodation for Unaccompanied Minors and for Tusla’s Separated Children Seeking International Protection Service.
Tusla has developed a new Model of Care for the Separated Children Seeking International Protection Service, the first Model of Care for the service.
Play, Participation and Recreation
My Department continues to promote and develop play and recreation by commissioning research into public provision and the gaps that exist for some cohorts of children and young people, and through dedicated funding schemes to support and promote play and recreation. These include the annual National Play Day Fund, which Local Authorities can access to promote play activities at a specific time each year (this year between July 5th and July 13th). The long running Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation this year provided €500k to successful Local Authorities to refurbish existing or develop new facilities which are safe and accessible to all children, available for use when children are free to use them and reflect consultation with local children.
Most recently, I announced Dormant Accounts funding in 2025 to develop a competitive funding scheme through which Local Authorities can target the unmet play needs of teenagers, who are recognised as an underserved cohort in relation to public facilities. Consultation with the local Comhairle na nÓg is a requirement of this funding scheme. A total of seven awards were made under this scheme.
131. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will commission an impact assessment of accommodation overcrowding on children. [32987/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to advise the Deputy that overcrowded accommodation does not fall under the remit of my Department.
Primary responsibility for housing and managing homelessness and overcrowding lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Local Authorities.
My Department is aware that the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published research in May 2024 commissioned by the Housing Agency on “Housing, Health and Happiness: How Inadequate Housing Shapes Child and Parental Wellbeing” using data from Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) Cohort ‘)’08, which may be of interest to the Deputy.
132. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to introduced targeted investments, in childcare, especially in early years education. [32988/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has made significant commitments to improve accessibility, availability, affordability and the quality of early learning and childcare provision.
Investment in early learning and childcare is now at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.37 billion in 2025, clearly demonstrating the Government’s commitment to this area.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is the primary measure aimed at reducing costs. Through the provision of both universal and targeted subsidies, the Scheme is progressive in nature ensuring the highest levels of subsidies go to families that need them most.
The NCS has undergone several enhancements in recent years to further improve affordability for parents. These include the extension of the universal subsidy to all children under 15 and two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy, which is now worth a minimum of €96.30 per week for 45 hours. Children in childminding settings that have come forward for registration, following changes to the childminder Tulsa registration requirements last September, can also benefit from NCS subsidies.
Fee controls, in place in almost 93% of early learning and childcare services as a result of the Core Funding scheme, ensure that the investment in the NCS has resulted in real change for parents. There is going to be a further €60 million increase in State funding for this Scheme in 2025/2026, bringing the total to a record €390 million.
Record numbers of children and their families are now benefiting from the NCS. Approximately 190,000 children have benefited from a subsidy under the Scheme this year so far. The Consumer Price Index has shown a drop of 38.1% in early learning and childcare costs since the start of 2023, arising from substantial increases to the National Childcare Scheme.
Moreover, data from the OECD shows a reduction in the proportion of childcare costs relative to net income of 9% for couples and 47% for lone parents, between 2018 and 2023. The enhancements introduced in 2024 will reduce these figures further during 2025 meaning early learning and childcare will take less from these families’ net income.
In September 2024, my Department commenced the rollout of Equal Start, a major model of supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.
Equal Start is designed to be developed and rolled out in phases. Services with the highest level of need are targeted in the early phases.
€17,185,000 has been allocated to Equal Start in 2025. An allocation of more than €11,700,000 is provided for Staffing Supports payments in Budget 2025. Under this initiative, 769 services are currently receiving an average annual payment of €10,816. The Staffing Supports payment will target around 35,000 children with the highest level of need.
Budget 2025 also provides funding of €3 million to design and roll out an Additional Nutrition Programme. This programme is currently in development.
Funding for additional measures will be requested in consecutive budgets. Equal Start supports will be fully rolled out in three phases over a five-year period, with full implementation within the lifetime of First 5 – by 2028.
Since its introduction in 2016, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) has had a major impact on the lives of children with disabilities and the overall quality of early learning and care. Over 35,000 children have received more than 80,000 targeted supports across over 4,800 early learning and care services nationwide.
As of April 2025, there were 109,225 children participating in the ECCE programme, and 8.5% of this cohort (9,302 children) were in receipt of targeted AIM supports. Approximately three-quarters of early learning and care services now employ a qualified Inclusion Coordinator, benefiting over 78,000 children in ECCE alone.
The 2025 budget allocation for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is €80.861m. This funding provides a suite of universal and targeted supports across 7 levels. Measures include staff training, equipment, therapeutic supports and the facilitation of a lower ratio of children to staff in pre-school rooms or funding for an extra staff member as a shared resource, where a child with additional needs is present. Access to AIM is based on the needs of the individual child, in the context of the pre-school setting and does not require a diagnosis.
AIM has now expanded beyond time spent in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, allowing children to access AIM targeted supports for an additional 3 hours a day during the ECCE term and 6 hours outside of the ECCE term.
It is intended that over time, all children with disabilities registered in early learning and childcare services will have access to supports under AIM. To this end, a tailored model is under design which would enable the extension of AIM to children under three. It is also intended to give consideration at a later date to an extension of AIM for children attending school-age childcare. Both extensions will require a redesign of AIM to ensure that it meets the different needs of children in these two separate cohorts and will also require funding through the annual Budget process.
133. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to address the number of families who cannot access affordable childcare. [32989/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has made significant commitments to improve accessibility, affordability and the quality of early learning and childcare provision.
Investment in early learning and childcare is now at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.37 billion in 2025, clearly demonstrating the Government’s commitment to this area.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, which provides two years of pre-school without charge, enjoys participation rates of 96%. Over 70% of families on low income report that they would not be able to send their child to pre-school without this Programme.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) complements the ECCE Programme, providing subsidies – both universal and targeted - to reduce the costs to parents for children to participate in early learning and childcare. The Scheme is progressive in nature ensuring the highest levels of subsidies go to families that need them most.
The NCS has undergone a number of enhancements in recent years to further improve affordability for parents. These include the extension of the universal subsidy to all children under 15 and two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy, which is now worth a minimum of €96.30 per week for 45 hours.
Record numbers of children and their families are now benefiting from the NCS. Almost 220,000 unique children benefited from an NCS subsidy in 2024.
Children in childminding settings that have come forward for registration, following changes to the childminder Tusla registration requirements last September, can also benefit from NCS subsidies.
The fee management system introduced through the Core Funding Scheme has ensured that the investment in affordability is not absorbed by unnecessary fee increases and/or uncapped fees. A cap on fees was introduced for services joining Core Funding for the first time in the third year. It was announced in June 2024 that a fee cap will apply to all services in Core Funding from September 2025.
An evaluation of the National Childcare Scheme is due to start this year. This evaluation will review how the Scheme has performed to date and identify potential enhancements that could be made. The findings from this evaluation will inform the work of my Department in reaching the Programme for Government commitment to cap childcare fees at €200 per month per child within the lifetime of this Government.
A detailed Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare system will be developed, informed by stakeholder consultation. This will include the steps to deliver the €200 per month cap and outline the timeline for achieving this.
Further progress on affordability will not be made in isolation and will be integrated with our efforts to improve access, availability and the quality of early learning and childcare provision.
134. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the requirements for childminders when they are registering with Tusla; if she will outline the details of the review which is underway in relation to these requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33067/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 childminding-specific Regulations, which came into effect last September, are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. The regulations set out the exact requirements as to what is required for registration. This information is also available on Tusla's website.
The requirements include: completion of an application form, including provision of information about the planned childminding service; Garda and police Vetting; two references; proof of identity; a copy of the childminder's insurance certificate; certificates of completion of Pre-Registration Training (which is a short training course provided free by Childminding Development Officers at local level across the country), First Aid Training, and Children First Training; completion of a declaration of suitability, and of a fire safety declaration; and payment of the application fee.
Once this information has been received and is deemed acceptable by Tusla, a pre-registration assessment will take place in the childminder's home. Following the completion of this and any necessary follow up, a report will be issued to the childminder before their registration is complete.
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.
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 the short pre-registration training course.
The National Action Plan commits to a review of the initial implementation of the childminding-specific Regulations before 2028. This review will be broad in scope. My Department will undertake this review (which will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders) during the three-year transition period which runs to 2027. Following conclusion of this review I will give consideration to the appropriate next steps.
135. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department can amend its contracts with childcare providers to include a restriction on the practice of some providers offering childcare places but requiring non-refundable deposits if the place is not taken up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33093/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraReducing the costs to parents for children to participate in early learning and childcare is a core focus of my Department. This includes reviewing deposit rules across each early learning and childcare scheme.
Under Core Funding, in which over 92% of the sector participate, service providers agree that they will not charge any non-refundable deposits (including administration/registration fees/waiting list fees, etc.) to parents/guardians in respect of their early learning and childcare service for which the deposit was paid.
Along with non-refundable deposits, providers signed up to Core Funding have an obligation to return deposits. The provider agrees that all refundable deposits relating to the current programme year must be returned to the parent once the child’s registration is approved on the Hive or within four weeks of the child taking up the place, whichever is sooner.
In instances where a child does not take up a place for which a deposit was paid, there is no onus on a service provider, under Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) and Core Funding rules, to return the deposit to the parent/guardian.
In relation to deposits for ECCE, as per the rules governing the ECCE programme an Early Learning and Care service provider may charge a refundable booking deposit to hold an ECCE place for a child. The maximum deposit a provider may charge is equivalent to four weeks’ ECCE payment.
The ECCE deposit must be returned in full to the parent/guardian once the child’s registration is approved by Pobal.
The rationale for allowing ECCE providers to charge an ECCE deposit is to deter parents from putting their child’s name down with multiple ECCE providers. If the option to collect a deposit is removed there is a risk of children not turning up when the ECCE programme begins, other children not being offered that place and/or providers not being able to meet minimum numbers requirement for ECCE
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) does not stipulate any rules regarding deposits except in relation to sponsored children, where it is not permitted to charge a deposits.
Deposits in these instances are subject to a local agreement between the service provider and the parent/guardian.
For the 2025/2026 Programme Year, there will be no changes to the Deposit Rules, and deposits must be returned to the parent/guardian once the child’s registration is approved on the Early Years Hive or within four weeks of the child taking up the place, whichever is sooner.
My Department are committed to ongoing engagement on this matter and will consider wider changes to deposit rules for the 2026/2027 programme year.
136. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on an ADHD facility (details supplied) in Kildare; whether this facility has been opened yet; the amount of funding that has been received by the organisation operating the facility by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32867/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
137. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the number of young adults 18-30 who have been referred for an ADHD diagnosis in the past three years, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32868/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra138. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the number of young adults 18-30 who have been referred to an ADHD clinic (details supplied) to date; the number of referrals which received a diagnosis from the clinic to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32869/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.
ADHD has long been recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and it is now known to persist into adulthood. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Our current National Clinical Programme is based on multi-disciplinary community teams to diagnose and treat ADHD in adults. As Minister, I was proud to have launched the Model of Care for Adult ADHD and to have resourced the establishment of the teams envisioned by the Model of Care. The ADHD Programme is underpinned by total funding of over €5 million on a recurring annual basis. As a result, there are 8 teams funded, with 7 teams are currently operational and one team in recruitment. I secured additional funding under Budget 2025 to roll out all further teams envisaged in the Model of Care.
The detailed information sought is an operational matter for the HSE and I have therefore referred this PQ to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
139. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health whether a complaint submitted to the HPRA is being processed (details supplied); and when an outcome is expected. [32871/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials engaged with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) who have confirmed that following receipt of a complaint regarding the iD Comfy Junior 8-15 product range, which is classified as a class I medical device, the HPRA initiated market surveillance activities for this product range. This activity is ongoing.
Whilst a timeline for completion cannot be determined at this stage, the HPRA advised that it has responded to the complainant in relation to this issue and has committed to keep the complainant updated on the activity. The HPRA is also continuing to engage with the manufacturer with regard to the issue raised.
140. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review correspondence (details supplied); if the appointment will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32872/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
141. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if she will address concerns outlined in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32876/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health to report on the progress being made regarding the provision of givinostat (brand name duvyzat) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32923/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she will seek access to the early access programme for givinostat for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33019/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra165. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy will have access to the early access programme for givinostat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33077/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra167. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the health technology assessment being carried out on the orphan medicine givinostat (brand name duvyzat) used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy; if there are any steps she can take to speed up the assessment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33092/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 150, 156, 165 and 167 together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and devices; therefore, I have asked the HSE for an update in this matter.
The HSE has advised that there is a National Application, Assessment & Decision Process for new medicines which is underpinned by Primary Legislation (Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013) put in place by the Oireachtas. The HSE must comply with the relevant legislation when considering investment decisions around new medicines.
The HSE must robustly assess applications for pricing and reimbursement to make sure that it can stretch available resources as far as possible and to deliver the best value in relation to each medicine and ultimately more medicines to Irish citizens and patients.
There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and / or reimbursed.
Pharmaceutical companies are required to submit formal applications to the HSE if they wish for their medicines to be added to the list of reimbursable items / funded via hospitals. The decision of pharmaceutical companies to market licensed medicines i.e. whether or not to submit a formal application, is outside the control of the HSE.
In terms of the specific details of an application for pricing and reimbursement of Givinostat (Duvyzat®):
On 25th April 2025, the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a conditional marketing authorisation for Givinostat (Duvyzat®) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in ambulant patients, aged 6 years and older, and with concomitant corticosteroid treatment.On the 6th June 2025 the European Commission granted EU conditional marketing authorisation for Givinostat (Duvyzat®) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in ambulant patients, aged 6 years and older, and with concomitant corticosteroid treatment.
A pricing and reimbursement application has not yet been received by the HSE for Givinostat (Duvyzat®).
As outlined above, the national assessment and decision process cannot commence in the absence of a pricing and reimbursement application submission to the HSE.
