Written Answers Nos. 121-152
122. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of the independent external review of the chaplaincy service within the Irish Prison Service; the timeframe for the implementation of the review's recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50720/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that a 14-month review of the Chaplains Service was commissioned by the Irish Prison Service and conducted by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice from January 2024 to March 2025.
A copy of that review has now been issued to prison chaplains and to the Prisons Liaison of the Irish Episcopal Conference.
I am further advised that the recommendations contained within the review will need to be fully considered and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation. The implementation of any of those recommendations, once approved, would fall under the scope of the Head Chaplain.
123. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí, by rank attached to Louth/Cavan and Monaghan divisional roads policing unit as of 17 September 2025, in tabular form. [50721/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda members nationally, including Roads Policing by Division, which can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/.
The Deputy should select July 2025 (the latest date for when figures are available) and then select the report titled ‘Roads Policing by Division 2009 to 31st of July 2025’.
I can also assure the Deputy that road traffic laws are enforced by both Roads Policing personnel and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies. In addition all uniform Garda members are to be deployed on high visibility roads policing operations, of 30 minutes duration, in each tour of duty.
124. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of paper applications for naturalisation by Irish association received by his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2023, inclusive, in tabular form and the number of these applications which have been finalised and a decision reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50787/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of staff currently on the designated team in the citizenship division responsible for processing citizenship applications via Irish association, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50788/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together.
I can inform the Deputy that it is not possible to provide statistics on the number of applications and decisions based on Section 16 'Irish Association' received each year from 2017 to 2023. This would require the manual examination of thousands of cases. Such an examination would require a disproportionate amount of time to compile.
Following the recent introduction of the new Section 16 'Irish Association' guidelines, arrangements to separately record such applications have been put in place.
The guidelines provide clarity to both applicants and decision-makers on what factors may be considered when deciding whether to waive such naturalisation conditions under Section 16 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. These new guidelines have been developed in the interests of fair and transparent procedures and comprehensive decision making.
The new guidelines are available on my Department’s Immigration Service website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
My Department has written to over 1,500 people with ongoing Section 16 applications advising them of the recently published guidelines and have afforded them an opportunity to them to provide additional documentation, should they wish. I can advise the Deputy that a significant number of submissions have been received.
Since May 2025, 140 decisions on Irish Association applications have been made.
Citizenship Division currently has 81 staff assigned across all grades. Staffing levels are kept under review and additional staff have been assigned to the team as required. There is no dedicated unit within Citizenship Division to exclusively process Section 16 applications which are being processed by staff from across the Division.
126. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to list the community groups, elected representatives, NGOs or other stakeholders with whom his Department’s community engagement team has met regarding the use of a hotel (details supplied) for international protection accommodation, the dates of such engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50790/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the monthly occupancy figures since December 2021 for hotels (details supplied) including average and maximum occupancy, categories of residents, services provided and the total costs paid by the State for their use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50791/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra128. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of submissions received in response to the May 2024 expression of interest process for international protection accommodation; if hotels (details supplied) were included in such submissions; the general locations of properties proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50792/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra129. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the current service agreements governing hotels (details supplied) include requirements for compliance with planning permission, fire safety and building control legislation; if such compliance documents have been furnished to and inspected by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50793/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra130. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has carried out any timelines, assessments or consultations relating to making the use of a hotel (details supplied) for international protection accommodation permanent; the intended use of the associated land included in the State purchase; if the Government will confirm whether any additional buildings or modular housing will be developed on that land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50794/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any value-for-money assessments or independent evaluations were undertaken in respect of the State’s purchase of facilities (details supplied); if he will publish the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50810/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has carried out assessments of the impact of facilities (details supplied) on local services, including schools, healthcare and transport; if such assessments will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50811/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra133. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the inspections which have been carried out by independent bodies such as fire services, local authorities or HIQA in respect of facilities (details supplied); if the findings will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50812/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra134. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the Garda vetting and training requirements for staff working in facilities (details supplied) under State contract; if audits have been carried out to ensure compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50813/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the legal basis on which the use of facilities (details supplied) for International Protection accommodation proceeded without planning permission or an exemption being sought from South Dublin County Council; whether his Department accepts this sets a precedent for future developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50814/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the contracts governing the operation of facilities (details supplied) were entered into under emergency procurement provisions; whether he considers it legally justifiable to continue to rely on such emergency measures more than three years after the facility first came into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50816/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135 and 137 together.
The State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation is now completed.
The purchase of the site is a key part of the Government’s strategy to develop a stable and sustainable accommodation system for people seeking international protection. State-owned centres are part of the Government’s long-term plan to reduce the reliance on private accommodation providers resulting in better value for money of public funds and a more efficient international protection system.
The full purchase price for the Citywest centre (including VAT) was €148,253,530 which is in line with the Government decision of 17 June 2025. Compared to the costs of the previous leasing model, the savings to the State will pay back the purchase price within 4 years. The State is estimated to save €1 billion over 25 years, compared to the current model for leasing the site, while also delivering a permanent State asset.
The Department carried out a number of surveys including technical, mechanical and fire safety for the site as part of a detailed due diligence process followed to secure this purchase.
A 12-month transitional service agreement has been put in place with the current provider to oversee the management and provision of accommodation services for both the main hotel and the convention centre. The existing workforce has been maintained under the transitional agreement. Over the coming 12 months a process to tender for a provider to run the Citywest complex will be completed.
The Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre has successfully supported accommodation and decision-processing by the State for a number of years, and currently provides capacity for 2,300 people, with both international protection applicants and people from Ukraine resident in the Hotel and Convention Centre. There are no plans in place to increase capacity at the site.
The Department does not routinely publish occupancy figures for accommodation centres, for privacy and security reasons, and also because occupancy levels vary from day to day for operational reasons.
In terms of planning permission, this is an existing accommodation centre for people seeking international protection and for people fleeing the war in Ukraine who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection which is deemed an exempted development under the Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022).
The Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022) were introduced to assist the State in meeting Ireland’s legal obligation to provide accommodation to international protection applicants.
As a hotel and convention centre, the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre’s change of use is permitted as exempt development under the provisions of Class 20F of the Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022).
The Regulations 2023 (S.I. 376 of 2023) extended the planning exemption provided by S.I. 605 of 2022, from 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2028.
In terms of other potential purchases, an Expression of Interest (EOI) process was launched in 2024 for the sourcing of suitable properties for acquisition or lease. 134 submissions have been received. These options are being assessed.
IPAS centres are subject to rigorous inspection and oversight. Centres are contractually obligated to be maintained to National Standards, with independent inspection and quality control through either the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) or IPAS-commissioned inspections.
IPAS accommodation centres are staffed by accommodation providers who employ managers and staff working in centres. Centre management is responsible for ensuring that appropriate vetting is in place for various centres and staff, and for providing assurance to IPAS and the Department that this is in place.
Contracts for international protection accommodation are treated as confidential and commercially sensitive, but details of all payments to accommodation providers are published regularly on gov.ie at IPAS Statistics/Facts and Figures.
The Community Engagement Team was established at the end of 2023. In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, since the purchase of the site was confirmed, the Community Engagement Team has been engaging broadly with local stakeholders, including members of the Community Integration Forum in South Dublin County Council.
The Department is committed to ensuring that the local community has access to accurate information and that structures to plan for provision of essential and support services, such as healthcare and education, are in place to assist with the integration process.
Since 19 June 2025, the Community Engagement Team has held 8 engagement meetings with stakeholders and provided 7 information notes to local elected representatives.
A dedicated webpage to support the community to keep them informed of developments has been published at www.gov.ie/citywest and is updated regularly.
136. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the use of facilities (details supplied) for beneficiaries of temporary protection complies with the standards and obligations set out under Council Directive 2001/55/EC (the Temporary Protection Directive); if his Department has reported to the European Commission on these standards; if he will publish any such reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50815/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response to the war in Ukraine with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports the people in question to make longer term independent arrangements.
Council Directive 2001/55/EC (the Temporary Protection Directive) is an emergency provision designed to quickly and humanely respond to the mass displacement of persons. It requires, among other things, that eligible applicants are supplied with necessary and accessible documentation and information on additional supports.
I am advised by my officials that the use of the facilities to which the Deputy refers is of a high standard and complies with our obligations under the Temporary Protection Directive. The Directive in question does not set out any standards with regard to such facilities or reporting obligations with regard to such properties.
The Deputy may wish to note that under the Directive, there are reporting requirements to the Commission with regard to “data concerning the number of persons enjoying temporary protection and full information on the national laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the implementation of temporary protection.”
My Department regularly reports on the numbers of persons granted temporary protection. Weekly statistical reports are provided at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/accommodation-of-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protection-botps/.
138. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 977 of 17 September 2025, if he will provide the details of the level of CAP funding received by his Department on Department for Agriculture; Food and the Marine lands in 2024; if he will provide a detailed list and funding amount for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50618/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has lands at the locations listed on the attached excel document.
I can confirm that my Department did not receive CAP Payments in respect of the listed lands in 2024.
Details of all CAP beneficiaries in 2024 are available online at https://capben-ui.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/ and is searchable.
139. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department was officially notified of the person who is currently serving as acting Chief Executive Officer or head of an organisation (details supplied) since the departure of its previous CEO; the person charged with safeguarding State funding following the sudden departure of yet another CEO; the persons who represented the stakeholders interests during merger negotiations; if he will publish the notification and any related correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50622/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal welfare is a key priority for me, as Minister, and for the Government. The Animal Welfare Grants Programme provides considerable support for animal welfare charities to assist them in their vital work in rescuing and rehoming animals. In November 2024, funding of almost €6 million was provided to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide including an award of €931,750 to the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).
My Department has no involvement in the day-to-day running of these charities, including the organisation in question, however, my Department was advised that an acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was put in place, following the departure of the previous CEO, in November 2024.
Negotiations in relation to the merger of the two organisations is a matter for the respective boards. Responsibility for the governance of charities lies with the Charities Regulator.
140. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that an organisation (details supplied) is in full compliance with the Charities Governance Code in relation to leadership succession and disclosure to funders; if full disclosure of all matters has been made to the stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50623/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an organisation (details supplied) notified his Department of the settlement of the legal case taken by its former CEO; if State funding was used to meet any part of the settlement; if legal matters are resolved when will the Regulator's report be published; and if all contingent liabilities have been disclosed in advance of the planned merger. [50624/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are other legal proceedings currently pending against an organisation (details supplied); and if he will confirm that stakeholders have been fully informed of such proceedings prior to the merger. [50625/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question No 140, 141 and 142 together.
Animal welfare is a key priority for me, as Minister, and for the Government. The Animal Welfare Grants Programme provides considerable support for animal welfare charities to assist them in their vital work in rescuing and rehoming animals. The applications process is robust and comprehensive. Applicants provide information on their activities, including reporting specific data and metrics requested as part of the process. Details in relation to the applicants performance in the care, welfare and rehoming of animals for the previous year are required and taken into account as part of the assessment.
As with all applicants, the organisation in question was also subject to veterinary inspections, which are carried out in the context of the grants application process. These awards align with government policy and the goals set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025, Working Together for Animal Welfare, which was published in 2021.
In November 2024, funding of almost €6 million was provided to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide including an award of €931,750 to the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).
Grants are paid under the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) Circular 13 of 2014. Charities with an income of over €100,000 must submit audited accounts and these accounts must be signed and dated by the auditor. All applicants including the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) must adhere to the terms and conditions of the Animal Welfare Grants application process. I am satisfied that funding provided, to the organisation in question, under the Animal Welfare Grants programme was dispersed in accordance with the programme's terms and conditions. Queries in relation to legal settlement payments should be directed to the organisation in question or the charities regulator.
My Department has no involvement in the day-to-day running of these charities, including the organisation in question, it is therefore at the discretion of the ISPCA to enact policy and deploy resources where they deem can have the maximum impact with regard to their financial situation.
My Department currently has no outstanding legal proceedings in relation to the organisation in question and the Deputy should contact the Charities regulator in relation to reports produced by this body.
143. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to publish the sanction letter and conditions attached to the €200,000 advance payment made to an organisation (details supplied) in August 2024, together with the balance paid in November 2024; the way in which his Department has verified compliance with those conditions; if there was a connection between this exceptional payment and the resignation of the CEO in November 2024; if he is satisfied that his Department’s funding was used for its stated purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50626/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied the advance funding in 2024 was used for agreed purposes and none of the advance funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) in 2024 was applied towards legal settlements, redundancy payments, or merger costs without prior Departmental approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50627/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.
Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. The Animal Welfare Grants Programme provided considerable support for animal welfare charities, with €6 million awarded to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide, in 2024 including the organisation in question.
Animal Welfare Grants are paid under the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) Circular 13 of 2014. Charities with an income of over €100,000 must submit audited accounts and these accounts must be signed and dated by the auditor. All applicants including the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) must adhere to the terms and conditions of the Animal Welfare Grants Programme and must provide a Certificate of Assurance certifying that the public money granted was used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant funding. The Terms and Conditions of grant funding are available on my Departments website and are reviewed annually. The ISPCA grant award payment issued in two tranches, an initial payment of €200,000 in August 2024 and the balance in November 2024. As part of the process each applicant is issued with an award letter detailed the award amount. A copy of the ISPCA award letter is attached. The initial payment was made to assist the organisation with operational costs while they were awaiting release of a bequest.
145. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the charities regulator report into an organisation (details supplied) that is fully completed, has yet to be reviewed by his Department: the reason it continues to remain unpublished; the point at which the public interest and transparency will be served with full or partial publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50628/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal welfare is a key priority for me, as Minister, and for the Government. The Animal Welfare Grants Programme provides considerable support for animal welfare charities to assist them in their vital work in rescuing and rehoming animals. In November 2024, funding of almost €6 million was provided to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide including an award of €931,750 to the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).
My Department had no involvement in the investigation in question which was carried out by the Charities Regulator. However, I understand that this concluded in September 2024, but that it has not been published to date. If the Deputy has any queries in relation to publication of the report, he should contact the Charities Regulator directly.
146. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request that the charities regulator publish the report in full before the merger (details supplied) formally proceeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50629/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra147. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department commissioned, or reviewed, independent due-diligence reports on an organisation (details supplied) before supporting the merger; if he will publish that assessment; if any other governance or management issues emerged from August 2024 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50630/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the disclosure of liabilities, governance issues, and regulator findings provided by an organisation to an organisation’s stakeholders (details supplied) in advance of the merger agreement; and if his Department is satisfied that all stakeholders had a clear and transparent picture before the merger was signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50631/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal welfare is a key priority for me, as Minister, and for the Government. The Animal Welfare Grants Programme provides considerable support for animal welfare charities to assist them in their vital work in rescuing and rehoming animals. In November 2024, funding of almost €6 million was provided to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide including an award of €931,750 to the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and €32,400 to ISPCA Donegal.
My Department has no involvement in the day-to-day running of these charities. It is therefore at the discretion of the ISPCA to enact policy and deploy resources where they deem can have the maximum impact with regard to their financial situation.
The Deputy should contact the Charities Regulator in relation to reports produced by this body.
149. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of beef imports into Ireland from Singapore in 2024 and for the first six months of 2025, in tabular form. [50640/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to CSO data, no raw beef sourced from Singapore was imported into Ireland in either 2024 or during the first half of 2025.
150. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of the level of CAP funding received by farmers only, Coillte, investment fund operators, not-for-profit organisations and for afforestation licence applications in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50647/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of all CAP beneficiaries in 2024 are available at CAP Beneficiaries Publication (https://capben-ui.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/) which is available on my Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie.
Further details on the definition of the categories of beneficiary sought would be needed in order to provide a more detailed response.
151. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she intends to allocate funding in Budget 2026 for a community neurorehabilitation team for North Dublin, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to complete the nationwide roll out of teams. [50988/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when funding will be allocated for the establishment of the community neurorehabilitation team in the midlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50960/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she intends to allocate funding in Budget 2026 for a team for the north Dublin line given the Programme for Government Commitment to complete the nationwide rollout of community neurorehabilitation teams [50718/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 151, 152 and 159 together.
The Programme for Government – 'Securing Ireland’s Future’ - includes a commitment for advancing Neuro-Rehabilitation services nationally including the completion of the national rollout of Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Neuro-rehabilitation Teams.
The HSE is leading on the implementation framework in respect of the recommendations of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015.
The Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy Implementation Framework was launched in February 2019. The overarching aim of the Strategy is the development of neuro-rehabilitation services to improve patient outcomes by providing safe, high quality, person-centred neuro-rehabilitation at the lowest appropriate level of complexity. This must be integrated across the care pathway and provided as close to home as possible or in specialist centres where necessary.
The National Neurorehabilitation Strategy and National Clinical Programme for Rehabilitation Medicineoutline the need for people who experience impairments resulting from a neurological illness or injury to have access to specialist Neuro-Rehabilitation services through coordinated networks called Managed Clinical Rehabilitation Networks.
The aim is to configure services into population based Managed Clinical Rehabilitation Networks (MCRNs) with the aim being to develop MCRNs around the country.
To support the HSE’s work in delivering on the implementation framework, responsibility for the development of in-patient services lies with the Department of Health, while the Department of Children, Disability and Equality holds responsibility for the development of community neuro-rehabilitation teams.
Community Neuro Rehabilitation Teams (CNRTs) are specialised teams providing specialist neuro-rehabilitation to people with complex needs close to home. They provide a critical link in the care pathway by facilitating early discharge and continuity from both acute and post-acute rehabilitation facilities.
The National Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy is rolling out CNRTs nationally, underpinned by standardised process and procedures.
The HSE’s 2025 National Service Plan, sets out its commitment to develop Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Teams (CNRTs) in line with the 2019 Neuro-Rehabilitation Implementation Framework and enhance capacity for its implementation nationally, to ensure equity access for those who need it regardless of where they live.
To date, this Government has provided funding for Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Teams (CNRT) in HSE Galway, Roscommon and Mayo, HSE South-West, HSE Dublin South and Wicklow and HSE Dublin South West, South City and West and Kildare West Wicklow. Each team includes 12 Whole Time Equivalents and recruitment is progressing with all four teams currently being onboarded.
In addition to these new teams, there are two CNRTs in existence in HSE Donegal and HSE Mid West that predate the strategy.
Moving forward with the strategy, the intention is to enhance the existing CNRTs, develop CNRT’s in Regional Health Areas (RHAs) where they are currently not yet in place and to create a large population-based Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Team within each RHA, following the implementation of the new Regional Health Areas within Sláintecare.
Consideration of Specialist Disability Services and funding requirements for Budget 2026 is ongoing. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has been actively engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the Health Service Executive throughout this process.
Confirmation and further information on funding to be provided will be made public following the announcement of the Budget 2026, later this year.
As Budget 2026 has not yet been announced, confirmation regarding funding for CNRTs in specific regions cannot yet be provided. Following confirmation of 2026 funding, the HSE will publish their 2026 National Service Plan, which will set out expected activity for 2026.
