Ryan O'Meara
Ceist:699. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a case can be reviewed and an update provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34444/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Reviews
Ceisteanna (699)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department has conducted a search of our systems and the herdowners in question do not appear to have any outstanding bovine TB or bovine brucellosis compensation payments.
If the herdowners have any further information in relation to this matter they can contact their local Regional Veterinary Office for direct assistance.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (700)
Micheál Carrigy
Ceist:700. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on when a farmer (details supplied) can expect to receive an ACRES payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34446/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The persons named submitted an application under the ACRES General stream and were approved into Tranche 1 of the scheme, with a commencement date of 1st January 2023. An ACRES interim payment issued to the herd owners in April 2024 in the sum of €4,000.
This case is progressing through validation checks and payment will issue when all such checks have been successfully passed. As cases clear validations, they are added to the next scheduled pay run and pay runs are taking place weekly across all scheme years and tranches. I can assure you that everything is being done to pay, as soon as possible, all ACRES participants who clear pre-payment checks.
Once the payment claim for 2023 is finalised, this case will then progress to validation checks for the 2024 advance payment.
The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) aims to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
The persons named are active participants in SCEP and full payment in respect of Scheme Year 2 (2024) was processed and issued for this herd on 22 May 2025 following verification of compliance with all administrative checks. No further payments are due to the herdowners for Scheme Year 2. Payments for Scheme Year 3 (2025) will commence in December 2025.
Charitable and Voluntary Organisations
Ceisteanna (701)
John Brady
Ceist:701. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount a charity (details supplied) has received from the State in each of the years 2015 to date, in tabular form. [34514/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and for the Government. My Department provides considerable funding to support, eligible, animal welfare charities, nationwide, through the annual Animal Welfare Grant Programme.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out below, in tabular form.
Donkey Sanctuary awards through the Animal Welfare Grants Programme.
|
Year |
Award |
|
2015 |
€120,000 |
|
2016 |
€120,000 |
|
2017 |
€120,000 |
|
2018 |
€130,000 |
|
2019 |
€155,000 |
|
2020 |
€170,000 |
|
2021 |
€230,000 |
|
2022 |
€379,500 |
|
2023 |
€300,000 |
|
2024 |
€300,000 |
Community Welfare Services
Ceisteanna (702, 711)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:702. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a community neurological rehabilitation team will be put in place for the southeast, as promised in 2019, considering four units have been created nationally, yet the southeast remains overlooked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33867/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Brian Brennan
Ceist:711. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will commit to funding a community neuro-rehabilitation team for the south east in Budget 2026 in line with the commitment in the current Programme for Government to complete the nationwide rollout of community neuro-rehabilitation teams (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33735/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 702 and 711 together.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (703)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:703. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a child in Cork will have a timely review of an application to a children’s disability network team (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33940/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (704)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:704. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review correspondence (details supplied); her views on the proposal, and any potential supports or avenues of engagement that may be available to assist with its development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34214/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of alternative care services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla is independent in both its procurement and operation of such services. Engagement between Tusla and an organisation providing or potentially providing alternative care services on its behalf is an operational matter for the Agency, and I as Minister have no role in this regard.
Tusla’s Strategic Plan for Residential Care Services 2022-2025 includes efforts by Tusla to increase capacity in residential care over the period, and my Department is committed to working with the Agency in this regard. My Department will continue to prioritise residential care in the ongoing capital investment funding engagements with the Department of Public Expenditure, in the next iteration of the National Development Plan.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (705)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:705. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a person (details supplied) will receive a PAS assistant given they have been trying to access this service for over four years and the urgency of their situation and significant impact on their quality of life; if immediate action will be taken to facilitate this support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33534/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Family Resource Centres
Ceisteanna (706, 707)
Ryan O'Meara
Ceist:706. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the new applications for family resource centres be appraised externally or within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33594/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRyan O'Meara
Ceist:707. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the timeframe she envisages for the announcement of the five new family resource centres, now that applications have been accepted by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33595/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 706 and 707 together.
Tusla, as the body responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Family Resource Centre Programme, is managing the selection process for the additional Family Resource Centres. My Department has agreed with Tusla that independent representation will be included on the selection panel for additional Family Resource Centres.
The process is merit-based, guided by the published criteria set out in the application process, ensuring that all applications are assessed fairly and equitably.
It is anticipated that the successful applicants for the new Family Resource Centres will be announced during the summer. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the community groups and organisations that have applied the very best in the selection process.
Question No. 707 answered with Question No. 706.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (708, 710)
Albert Dolan
Ceist:708. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has a designated head of procurement; if each agency or public body under her Department’s remit also has a designated head of procurement; and if so, to list those entities, along with the name or grade of the person holding that role. [33634/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlbert Dolan
Ceist:710. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department and each agency or public body under its remit uses a formal contract management system or procurement tracking platform; to list the systems in use; and if they are centrally monitored or independently operated. [33670/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 708 and 710 together.
I can confirm that my Department has a designated procurement officer, currently at Principal Officer grade.
My Department currently tracks procurement using standard Office 365 products. Work is planned to transition the Department to a software platform that will include contract management.
Bodies under the aegis of my Department will forward the information sought directly to the Deputy.
Public Procurement Contracts
Ceisteanna (709)
Albert Dolan
Ceist:709. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of staff within her Department and its agencies who hold a formal procurement qualification or certification (for example, CIPS, NFQ Level 6 or higher in procurement, EU public procurement training), broken down by organisation, in tabular form. [33652/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to inform the Deputy that the Department does not keep a central register of staff members qualifications. However, my officials maintain a record of training provided to staff and, in that respect, I can advise that the Department has funded one level 6 certificate in Public Procurement in 2023.
The Department has offered training to all staff on an Introduction to Public Procurement and 53 staff have availed of this training from September 2024 to October 2024. The Department is presently in consultation with a training provider to update and offer this course again to Departmental staff.
I have asked the aegis bodies under my Department to respond to you directly on this matter.
Question No. 710 answered with Question No. 708.
Question No. 711 answered with Question No. 702.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (712)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:712. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the practice of early years facilities charging prospective parents a non-refundable administrative fee in circumstances (details supplied); if the practice is permissible under the core funding agreement; and if she will make a statement on the need to transition childcare to being universally provided and accessible. [33736/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. This includes reviewing deposit rules across each early learning and childcare scheme.
Under Core Funding, in which over 92% of the sector participate, providers agree that all deposits relating to the 2024/2025 Programme Year must be returned to the parent/ guardian once the child’s registration is approved on the Hive or within four weeks of the child taking up the place, whichever is sooner. Additionally they must 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.
In instances where a child does not take up a place for which a deposit was paid, there is no onus on a 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 deposits.
Deposits in these instances are subject to a local agreement between the provider and the parent/guardian.
For the 2025/2026 Programme Year, there will be no changes to the Deposit Rules under Core Funding, 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.
The new Programme for Government commits to review and increase Core Funding, ensure that providers’ fees are open, transparent and equitable and readily available to parents.
An evaluation of the first year of Core Funding and the development of an evaluation framework for Core Funding is currently underway. This project will examine the early implementation of Core Funding and make recommendations for future evaluations of the grant. Findings from the project are expected in Quarter 4 2025.
Additionally, my Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees (CCC), which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 CCCs across the country are in a position to 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 CCC for assistance.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (713)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:713. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to urgently address and clarify the recent decision to decline reduced ratio funding to a school (details supplied) for the 2025-2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33770/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a programme of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Its goal is to empower early learning and care providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early learning and care in any mainstream service participating in ECCE. AIM resources are allocated based on a child’s individual needs.
Pobal administers the AIM programme on behalf of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and I understand they have been in direct contact with the service provider regarding this issue.
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (714)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:714. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for a full list of all documents, reports, strategies, and resources that have been “unpublished” by her Department over the past ten years (details supplied), including all such materials that have been “unpublished” by divisions, sections and units of his Department that became part of the Minister’s Department following a transfer of functions; and who “unpublished” the materials under a different Minister or Department. [33800/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received from the Department.
Departmental Reviews
Ceisteanna (715)
John Lahart
Ceist:715. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider a review of leave entitlements for parents of multiple children; the reason the Government has not acceded to such a measure in the past; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33859/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Significant 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 parent's 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.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (716)
Erin McGreehan
Ceist:716. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the consideration he has given to the introduction of specific leave entitlements for reproductive and gynaecological health, including miscarriage, endometriosis and other related conditions. [33875/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recognise the enormous, personal impact that pregnancy loss has on expectant parents and I wish to extend my sympathies to all parents who have suffered such a tragic loss.
My officials are examining the findings of a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss with an aim to informing potential supports. The study, ‘PLACES | Pregnancy Loss (under 24 weeks) in Workplaces: Informing Policymakers on Support Mechanisms’, examines whether policy interventions are required at a national level to support these bereaved parents in the workplace. The study focuses on people who experience pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks’ gestation, as people who have a pregnancy loss after 24 weeks’ gestation can avail of full maternity leave and paternity leave entitlements.
Officials in my Department are also in the process of developing the next National Strategy for Women and Girls, and the research will also inform this work. They will also engage with officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with regard to the issues raised in the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health) Bill 2021.
Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are appropriate to the needs of working parents.
Departmental Budgets
Ceisteanna (717)
Charles Ward
Ceist:717. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the potential total cost of increasing the foster care allowance by the equivalent of the current rates of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33917/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this relates to information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency for direct reply to the Deputy.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (718)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:718. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether TUSLA has emergency out-of-hours social workers available nationwide. [33976/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Tusla National Out of Hours Social Work Service provides an emergency child protection and welfare response when required outside of office hours, when service area offices are closed. The Out of Hours Service aims to ensure the safety and welfare of children not receiving adequate care and protection outside of Tusla’s operating hours.
The Service provides emergency placements for children as required and operates 365 days a year from 6pm to 7am daily and from 9am to 5pm at weekends and bank holidays. However, there are three categories of Out of Hours service operating currently within the country, one for counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, another for Cork city and a third for all other counties.
The Out of Hours Service also provides a day service called CISP (Crisis intervention Service Partnership). It is a partnership project with Focus Ireland in place via a Service Level Agreement overseen by Children's Residential Services.
The day service role and responsibilities include follow up on all referrals and placements made by the Out of Hours Service at night-time and at weekends. It also assesses requests for monitoring home visits for the Dublin Wicklow and Kildare area during weekends and bank holidays and links the child and family to the local area team for follow-up on the next working day to ensure an immediate response to serious situations.
Departmental Consultations
Ceisteanna (719)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:719. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a person (details supplied) will receive respite care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33982/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.