Written Answers Nos. 736-757
736. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to urgently provide respite services at schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37553/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
737. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to urgently provide additional respite services across County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37554/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
738. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the additional supports available for an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37560/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a funding process for Support Organisations (formerly National Voluntary Childcare Organisations). Funding through this process is available to non-governmental organisations and not-for-profit organisations with special interests and expertise in the Early Learning and Care (ELC), School Age Childcare (SAC) and Childminding sector. The funding process offers organisations that support the early years sector the opportunity to submit proposals to apply for funding for work that they will undertake to directly facilitate and support, or to compliment, the Department’s Early Years policy objectives. The total funding amount awarded to organisations for 2025 via this process was €2,847,871.
The Programme for Support Organisations funding process for 2026 is currently live, with decisions yet to issue and an appeals window which will follow those initial decisions. As such, it is not possible to comment on the specific proposals of the organisation in question at this time or on the likely funding levels in 2026 which will be determined at the conclusion of this competitive process.
More broadly, my Department has recognised the importance of Childminders through the introduction of childminding-specific Regulations, which came into effect in September 2024 and allowed for the registration of Childminders with Tusla. Once registered with Tusla, Childminders can also take part in the National Childcare Scheme. 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.
To support childminders, I have also recently announced the award of the Childminding Development Grant for 2025 which is providing more than 400 childminders with up to €1,000 to enhance quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys and equipment.
739. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which a person can recoup from the State the charge levied on families to release a family member from country homes and or mother and baby home institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37660/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened for applications in March 2024. The Scheme acknowledges circumstances experienced while resident in a Mother and Baby Institution and the associated conditions, shame and stigma endured over a period of time. Whilst financial payments and health supports are available to eligible individuals through the Scheme, it is beyond the scope of the Department to provide direct financial payments in the manner to which the Deputy refers.
It should be noted that the Payment Scheme is just one of a large suite of actions being undertaken to respond to the legacy of these institutions under the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. Of the 22 commitments contained in the Action Plan, 13 are completed and 9 are in progress.
Other actions in the Action Plan include the provision of counselling supports, the services of the Special Advocate, both already in place, as well as the ongoing development of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance.
740. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding creches not participating in the core funding scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents who will by extension not benefit from the fee cap coming in September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37662/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) are currently available to parents regardless of whether or not the early learning and childcare service their child is attending is participating in Core Funding.
These schemes have made a significant impact on improving affordability of early learning and childcare for families.
The ECCE Programme, which provides two years of pre-school without charge, enjoys participation rates of 96%. In a recent review of the ECCE Programme, over 70% of families on low income reported that they would not have been 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 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 years of age, and two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy, which is now worth a minimum of €96.30 per week for 45 hours.
In addition, since September 2024 childminders have been able to register with Tusla and take part in the National Childcare Scheme, and families who use childminders are therefore also now able to benefit from National Childcare Scheme subsidies. Childminders and parents can find out more through contacting their local City / County Childcare Committee. Contact details are available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/city-and-county-childcare-committees/
Core Funding, which was introduced in 2022, operates alongside all other early learning and childcare programmes and constitutes additional income to services on top of these programmes, and parental fees.
There is high participation rates among services, with 92% of providers participating in year 3 of the scheme.
It is a matter for providers to decide whether they wish to sign up to or withdraw from the Core Funding scheme, the significant financial supports it provides to providers and the certainty it provides to parents through the associated fee management measures. Should a provider choose not to avail or no longer participate in Core Funding, as private businesses, they are free to set their own fees.
However, Core Funding will remain open to these providers should they subsequently commit to offering services under the conditions and investment levels on offer through Core Funding.
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, and to maintaining the fee cap.
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.
This project is being undertaken by Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) policy analysts working in the Research and Evaluation Unit of my Department.
IGEES is an integrated cross-government service established in 2012 with the objective of enhancing the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making. It is part of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
Parents can use the following website to find Core Funding Partner Services in their area at: www.ncs.gov.ie/en/childcare-search/
741. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide information on access to full-time residential care for a person (details supplied); if she will provide details of the estimated time to secure this full-time residential accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37673/25]
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.
742. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to examine the childcare provider case (details supplied); if access and inclusion model funding can be backdated and clarity given for providers around timelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37674/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra748. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm receipt of correspondence from an inclusive preschool provider in relation to AIM level 7 non-term funding (details supplied); if she will take the matters outlined under consideration with a view to improving the process; if a review of the specific case is underway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37735/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 742 and 748 together.
The correspondence mentioned was received in my Department on 02/07/2025 and was shared with Pobal who administer the scheme on our behalf. Pobal will be in contact shortly with Ms. Jackson in regard to her application. Pobal and Better Start engage directly with service providers in regard to applications, providing advice and assistance as needed.
The Department are currently reviewing the AIM rules for the 2025-26 programme year in collaboration with Pobal.
743. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department intends on strengthening the rules and regulations around illegal parking in disabled parking spaces during the lifetime of this Government; the measures being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37681/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra744. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department made any proposals on strengthening the rules and regulations around illegal parking in disabled parking spaces in the draft national disability strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37684/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 743 and 744 together.
Ensuring the accessibility of transport, infrastructure and the built environment for people with disabilities is a key priority for Government.
Significant work continues to be undertaken on the finalisation of a new National Disability Strategy, and publication is expected shortly. The Strategy will provide a blueprint for the genuine advancement of the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It will take ambitious action across a range of thematic pillars that, taken collectively, capture the issues that most affect disabled people in their day-to-day lives - education, employment, independent living, health, and transport.
Transport will be a significant Pillar of the Strategy and considerations around accessibility and mobility will be important dimensions with a focus on delivering co-ordinated actions across government and at local levels. The Disabled Parking Permit Scheme is set down in Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 and SI 182/1997 Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997. The provision of disabled parking spaces is the responsibility of each individual local authority, and the enforcement of carpark spaces is a matter for An Garda Síochána and local authority traffic wardens.
745. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a new healthcare facility will be established to replace outdated and unsuitable accommodation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37692/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHSE-funded day programmes for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, or complex physical disabilities include a range of centre-based and community-based activities. Access to services is based on an individual’s needs rather than on their diagnosis. The focus is on supporting people to participate in the mainstream activities and in the life of their community, in line with their wishes and needs.
Day services are a vital support for adult with disabilities to participate in the life of their community and to realise their own ambitions. The majority of young people due to leave school in a given year that require a HSE funded day service have been profiled by the end of the previous year to establish their support needs. Once needs are identified, referrals are made to the service provider of choice, funding is committed and negotiations are concluded with providers by end of May to confirm placements to young people and their families. In many instances young people due to leave school at end of June are introduced to their day services for trialling purposes during April, May and June so there is a natural transition into day services in September.
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.
746. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 900 of 5 November 2024, if she will set out work carried out by her Department to transpose EU Directives 2024/1499 and 2024/1500 on standards for equality bodies into Irish law; the timeline she is working towards in order to ensure the transposition is completed by the deadline of 19 June 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37729/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies set minimum requirements for the effective and
independent operation of Equality Bodies in a number of key areas, in order to allow them to carry out their work more effectively in all Member States and to ensure a more uniform application of EU equal treatment law.
The Directives provide that the Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, establish a list of common indicators on the functioning of equality bodies. Ireland recently took part in a pilot project aiming to help refine this indicator set.
My officials have participated in expert group meetings and workshops on transposition of these Directives with the European Commission, and are meeting regularly with relevant bodies and departments. Work is ongoing on the preparation of draft Heads.
747. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the amount of money allocated for pay for early years educators as part of core funding annually since its inception, and the corresponding amount used per pay agreement, in tabular form. [37731/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI firmly believe the level of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners should reflect the value of their work for children, families, society and the economy.
The State is not the employer and therefore does not set the pay or conditions for employees in either early learning and care (ELC) or school-age childcare (SAC) services.
However, there is now, through the Joint Labour Committee process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates for ELC and SAC services, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders. This is an independent process from the Department and neither I, nor my officials, have any role in the proceedings of the JLC and any associated negotiated minimum pay rates, the cost of which is borne by the employer.
Among other objectives, Core Funding supports the ability of service providers to meet the additional costs resulting from the EROs for Early Years Services, as it provides increases in funding to early learning and childcare service providers to support improvements in staff wages, alongside a commitment to freeze parental fees.
Core Funding has seen consistent increased State investment to the sector year on year, and is set in year 4 to be worth over €390 million contingent on the establishment of new minimum rates of pay in the sector through updated Employment Regulation Orders. This is an increase of over 50% since the scheme began in September 2022 with an allocation of €259 million.
The Core Funding base rate factors in some key conditions, to ensure services viability, including, costs associated with staff pay, costs associated with administrative staff/time and non-pay costs such as utilities needed to run the service.
A total allocation of €207m for the 2022/2023 programme year was allocated as a contribution towards supporting improved pay rates across different categories of staff in the sector and was contingent on the sectors first Employment Regulation Orders taking effect.
Although, the cost of delivery components such as improvements to staff pay have been used to derive the base rates the eligible areas of expenditure of the Core Funding grant are much broader. Partner Services can choose how to spend their Core Funding grant in accordance with the approved areas of expenditure outlines in the Funding Agreement. Sectoral Employment Regulation Orders set out a legal minimum rate of pay which employers in this sector must meet. However it is open to any employer to pay above these minimum rates.
In Year 2 of Core Funding, an additional €4m was allocated to remove the experience requirement on both Graduate Premiums under Core Funding, underpinned by new Employment Regulation Orders. This move was widely welcomed in the sector, and was alongside increases to the full allocation of the scheme.
In the fourth programme year which begins in September, an additional €45 million has been ringfenced to support employers meet the costs of further increases to the minimum rates of pay and is contingent on updated Employment Regulation Orders coming in to affect. Combined, and contingent on the third any successive Employment Regulations Orders, the Core Funding allocation will exceed €390 million in year 4.
Through the Joint Labour Committee process and support through the Government’s Core Funding scheme, Employment Regulation Orders have been signed into law in September 2022 and June 2024 to progressively increase wage rates in the sector for staff at different grades. The associated increases in minimum rates of pay saw increases for over 70% and 52% of staff working with children in the sector.
I recently welcomed new proposals for increases to minimum rates of pay for Early Years Educators and School-Age Childcare Practitioners which have been put forward by the Joint Labour Committee members. If these proposals are implemented through updated Employment Regulation Orders, they will bring much-needed improvements in pay for these dedicated professionals, enhancing the quality of care and education provided to children across Ireland.
The Programme for Government commitment is to continue to implement Employment Regulation Orders to attract and retain early years educators.
749. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the timeline for processing applications for AIM Level 7; if this has been reviewed recently; if not, whether timelines will be reviewed with input from providers on their experience of the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37763/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware through Pobal who administer the scheme on behalf of my Department, that some providers have been experiencing a delay in processing level 7 applications.
The timeline for processing applications is currently under review between officials in my Department and Pobal. As scheme administrators, Pobal and Better Start engage directly with service providers in regard to applications, providing advice and assistance as needed. A key objective of the ongoing review is to learn from provider experiences in order to improve the application process.
750. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if any measures are in place for reimbursement of childcare providers that cover the cost of AIM support staff from private funding before applications are approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37764/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe backdating of AIM level 7 supports to a service provider are currently under review between officials in my Department and Pobal who administer the scheme on our behalf. As scheme administrators, Pobal and Better Start engage directly with service providers in regard to applications, providing advice and assistance as needed. A key objective of the ongoing review is to learn from provider experiences in order to improve the application process.
751. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is concerned that a naíonra (details supplied) in County Waterford is currently accommodated in an old and deteriorating prefabricated building; and if her Department has a plan in place to fund new and appropriate accommodation for this naíonra. [37821/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring access to early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.
Capital funding has been made available to my Department under the National Development Plan.
In 2025, €25m has been made available to deliver additional capacity under the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme. The scheme is focused on supporting the creation of additional full day care places for children aged 1-3 through extensions to existing buildings or, in the case of not-for-profit community services, construction or purchase of buildings.
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. The focus will be on the types of provision and the areas where there are the greatest capacity deficits.
In the case that the Deputy refers to, I understand Waterford County Childcare Committee has been working with the service to provide them with support and identify opportunities to meet their particular circumstances.
752. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there are any plans to expand funding streams for activities for adults in nursing homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37939/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ombudsman’s 2021 “Wasted Lives: Time for a Better Future for Younger People in Nursing Homes” report, highlighted the need to facilitate the transition of individuals under the age of 65, from Nursing Homes to community living and enhance the living conditions for those currently living in Nursing Homes.
The HSE is co-ordinating a programme of work to progressively address the review and implement the report’s recommendations for which the HSE has accountability.
Residents under the age of 65 in nursing homes are availing of supports including attendance at Day Services, community supports and various health and social care services and supports.
Additionally, in response to the 2021 report and to improve these resident’s quality of life, the HSE has implemented Enhanced Quality of Life supports for those who continue, for various reasons, to reside in nursing homes. These include Personal Assistance hours, specialist and therapeutic supports as well as the provision of wheelchairs and other personal devices. 154 individuals have received such supports from 2021 to date.
The Government is committed to supporting those under the age of 65, living in nursing homes and from 2021 to 2025, the Government provided funding of €21.4 million in support of this programme.
Work is ongoing in the HSE and in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, to improve the quality of life for those who continue to live in nursing homes.
753. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health the total number of administrative staff and senior managerial staff in the HSE in 2005, 2015 and 2025, by grade, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36985/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
754. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health her Department’s expenditure on hairstyling, make-up, personal grooming and general cosmetic expenses, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [36997/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere was no expenditure on these services by the Department.
755. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health her Department’s expenditure on beauticians, make-up artists or hairdressing professionals, stylists or personal shoppers, specifying if such expenditure was on a contract or retainer fee basis, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [37016/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere was no expenditure on these services by the Department.
756. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health her Department's expenditure on media training in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the firms contracted to provide training; and the position or grade of those availing of training, for example, Minister, Secretary General, principal officer and so on. [37051/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetween 2015 and 2025, the Department of Health engaged an external firm on two occasions to deliver media training to its employees. The details of which are below:
|
YEAR |
AGENCY |
COST |
PURPOSE |
|
2013 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2014 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2015 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2016 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2017 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2018 |
Carr Communications |
€700.00 |
Media training for Principal Officer |
|
2018 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2019 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2019 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2020 |
Q4PR |
€1,820.40 |
Media training for Deputy Chief Medical Officer |
|
2020 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2021 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2022 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2023 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2024 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2025 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
757. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health her Department's expenditure on media consultancy in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the consultancy firms involved; and the nature of each contract, in tabular form. [37069/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease see the table below for the requested information.
|
YEAR |
AGENCY |
COST |
PURPOSE |
|
2013 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2014 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2015 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2016 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2017 |
Hume Brophy |
€95,874.63 |
Provision of PR services in the bid for relocation of the European Medicines Agency to Ireland (2017) |
|
2018 |
Carr Communications |
€700.00 |
Media training |
|
2018 |
Q4PR |
€20,031.44 |
Provision of PR services for the launch of Sláintecare |
|
2019 |
Q4PR |
€3,078.08 |
Provision of PR services for Sláintecare |
|
2019 |
Q4PR |
€1,999.50 |
Communications training workshops |
|
2020 |
Q4PR |
€1,820.40 |
Media training |
|
2020 |
Hume Brophy |
€20,116.80 |
Outstanding cost re. provision of PR services in the bid for relocation of the European Medicines Agency to Ireland (2017) |
|
2021 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2022 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2023 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2024 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2025 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
