Thursday, 13 Nov 2025

Written Answers Nos. 407-426

• Díospóireachtaí
• Aimsigh díospóireacht
  • Díospóireachtaí na Dála
  • Díospóireachtaí an tSeanaid
  • Díospóireachtaí Coiste
• Aimsigh vótáil
  • Vótálacha na Dála
  • Vótálacha an tSeanaid
  • Vótálacha Coiste
• Ceisteanna Parlaiminte
  • Ceisteanna scríofa
  • Ceisteanna ó bhéal
• Leideanna cuardaigh
• Nuair a bhíonn tionchar tromchúiseach ag aithrisí

Departmental Surveys

Ceisteanna (407)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

407. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reissue a national survey on allotments and community garden provision to all local authorities to give a national overview of the provision of allotments and community gardens across Ireland, following figures released by FOI in April 2025 that only 16 out of 31 local authorities responded to the national survey issued by his Department in 2024, and which includes no responses from any local authority in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62642/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department issued a survey on allotments and community garden provision to all Local Authorities on 29th February 2024. This survey sought to gather information in respect of an action outlined in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027, namely to "Work with local authorities to implement and support community gardens and allotments to encourage enthusiasm for gardening / growing and promote fresh produce consumption and healthy eating".

While my Department has no responsibility for the provision of or funding of community gardens or allotments, the survey was issued to better understand allotment and community garden provision across the country. Whilst this was a voluntary survey, several reminders were issued to prompt engagement from those local authorities that wished to respond.

Following analysis of the survey results, my Department facilitated two successful workshops with rural and city local authorities from across the country in June and September 2024. These workshops provided a forum to exchange best practices, form connections, identify funding sources for community gardens and allotments in pursuit of the action in the National Strategy for Horticulture. Accordingly, my Department will not be reissuing the survey.

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (408)

Paul Lawless

Ceist:

408. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vacant and derelict buildings in County Mayo owned by his Department that are vacant or rented, by the region/towns location of the buildings, in tabular form. [62664/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I wish to advise that my Department does not have any vacant properties in County Mayo.

Child Protection

Ceisteanna (409)

Jen Cummins

Ceist:

409. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality his plans to protect children from a parent who abuses the other; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62402/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (410)

Barry Heneghan

Ceist:

410. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide details of the recruitment of new community neuro rehabilitation teams in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62557/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.

Child and Family Agency

Ceisteanna (411, 412)

Roderic O'Gorman

Ceist:

411. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if Tusla compiles statistics on the number of deaf children the agency engages with each year; the number of deaf parents it engages with each year; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62314/25]

Roderic O'Gorman

Ceist:

412. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the extent to which Tusla parent support services and family support services are made accessible to parents who are deaf; if ISL interpretation is provided when deaf parents access Tusla programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62315/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.

Thank you deputy for your questions on this important matter. I propose taking two questions (63214/25 and 63215/25) together. I have referred these together, to Tusla, to provide you with a direct response, in relation to available supports, and collection of data.

Question No. 412 answered with Question No. 411.

Child and Family Agency

Ceisteanna (413)

Roderic O'Gorman

Ceist:

413. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider creating a national working group to review the way in which deaf families are identified and supported by Tusla, comprised by deaf professionals, advocacy organisations, representatives from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and representatives of Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62316/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

Thank you for raising this important issue.

I am satisfied that Tusla, as an agile and responsive organisation, is very well placed to tailor its services so that they address the needs of service users and the broader public. Tusla, in conjunction with the Department, welcomes feedback from those in receipt of its services including deaf families their advocates and other involved stakeholders. Their feedback and cooperation with Tusla improves access and supports service improvement.

As you are aware, Tusla, as all state agencies are obliged to, provide its services through Irish Sign Language (ISL), in line with requirements under the ISL Act, (2017), which recognises ISL as an official language of the State.

In addition, Tusla has Disability Access Officers, across its services and around the country. These staff help ensure accessibility of services, where required, to arrange and co-ordinate the provision of additional assistance, or as a point of contact for people with disabilities, wishing to access Tusla services.

Childcare Services

Ceisteanna (414)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

414. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the schemes available to an organisation (details supplied) to fund the building of their early childhood and family centre; how they can apply for this; if she will engage with the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62356/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.

Childcare Services

Ceisteanna (415)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

415. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No.1506 of 4 November 2025, the expected timeframe for the introduction of the fee increase assessment type exercise referred to in the reply; if she will confirm when this assessment will open to providers participating in the Core Funding programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62358/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

Core Funding, which was launched on foot of the recommendations contained in the Expert Group’s Partnership for the Public Good report, has implemented a number of changes to the sector through its fee management system. This included the initial step of implementing a fee freeze at September 2021 rates for all services contracted to the Scheme. This has been in place since the launch of Core Funding in September 2022.

In 2024, Core Funding services charging low fees were allowed to apply for a fee increase up to an approved level. This needs-based assessment required applicant services to demonstrate an objective case for a fee increase through submission of financial and operational data, which was then subject to a standard unit-cost analysis by the Department.

This Fee Increase Assessment process balanced the need of parents for stability with their early learning and childcare costs and the need for providers to operate viable businesses in order to continue providing this Public Good service for their community.

Given pre-existing disparities that existed within the sector at the time of the fee freeze in September 2021, the Fee Increase Assessment represented a systematic way of alleviating pressure on businesses that may have had their parental fee income frozen at low levels. This is part of a broader, phased strategy geared toward the standardisation of fees across the country, in line with the recommendations contained in the Partnership for the Public Good report, which was accepted by all of Government in December 2021.

Within the 2025/2026 Core Funding Partner Services Funding Agreement, the Department committed to undertaking a further Fee Increase Assessment-type exercise which will seek to support the ongoing viability of services where fees are particularly low.

The details of this undertaking are being developed by the Department and as part of this development, every effort will be made to carefully manage the potential out-of-pocket expenses to families occasioned by this policy. It should be noted that, as with 2024/2025 Fee Increase Assessment, the exercise for this programme year is designed to identify and support those services whose fees may have been frozen at a very low level.

The details of the 2025/2026 fee increase process will be communicated to the sector once finalised.

Where there are concerns regarding the financial sustainability of a service, the Department oversees a system of case management through which local City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) assist services. Supports can include help with cashflow, fee setting and completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (416)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

416. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 808 of 30 September 2025, her plans to provide additional funds to the Interim Children’s Respite Centre for Monaghan to facilitate the provision and retention of emergency respite services in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62440/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (417)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

417. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the provisions which have been made to ensure that agencies, organisations and charities funded by her Department will meet their obligations under the new AE scheme. [62470/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (418)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

418. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for a breakdown of every agency, not-for-profit organisation, charity or service provider directly funded by her Department; and the details of each specific directly funded post in each body. [62475/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

A reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.

PQ62475/25

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (419)

Michael Cahill

Ceist:

419. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the parents and families of adults with special needs and profound disabilities will get the respite in County Kerry; her views on whether the number of respite beds available to Kerry families is unacceptable and falls far short of what is required; the steps being taken to address this urgent matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62496/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.

Rights of People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (420, 421)

Barry Heneghan

Ceist:

420. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the findings of data collected by her Department on awareness levels following the national campaign to promote understanding of the Convention and its Second Optional Protocol, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62552/25]

Barry Heneghan

Ceist:

421. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which the awareness campaign undertaken in line with Article 42 of the Convention and the Second Optional Protocol was structured to ensure both adults and children were informed of their rights and the obligations arising under the Convention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62553/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 421 together.

In September 2024 the Department launched a public awareness campaign on the UNCRC. The campaign ‘Rights Here’ was rolled out across radio, digital and social media with the aim to increase public awareness of the UNCRC overall.

The campaign was guided by Article 42 of the Convention which notes that 'State Parties should undertake to make the principles and provisions of the Convention widely known, by appropriate and active means, to adults and children alike.'.

Children and young people were considered throughout the awareness raising campaign process and were involved in the design and delivery of campaign messaging, particularly the social media assets.

The campaign had the simple message that ‘Children in Ireland have rights… everywhere’, to reflect the universal nature of children’s rights, and directed people to find out more at www.gov.ie/UNCRC. Radio advertisements ran across a variety of stations, and campaign assets were shared widely across social media, with children’s voices to the fore.

The campaign webpage includes both official text and child friendly versions of UNCRC-related material and is designed to be easy to read. It also links to Young Ireland, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, which is underpinned by a child rights-based approach.

A nationally representative survey of awareness and understanding of the UNCRC was conducted before and after the campaign. Some high-level results are laid out below.

Question / statement	Pre-campaign	Post-campaign
Have you heard of the UNCRC?	64% yes	73% yes
Where have you heard about the UNCRC?	66% through news or other media coverage	66% through news or other media coverage
Knowledge about the UNCRC	50% report having some or lots of knowledge about the UNCRC	15% knew the UNCRC protects children, 54% knew it supports children’s rights, and 15% knew it helps children in need/conflict

Question No. 421 answered with Question No. 420.

Rights of People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (422)

Barry Heneghan

Ceist:

422. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the State's preparations for ratification of the Second Optional Protocol before the end of 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62554/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

The Government is firmly committed to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UNCRC, and work is ongoing to ratify the protocol as soon as possible.

In Irish treaty practice, the State must be in a position to meet the obligations it assumes under the terms of an international agreement from the moment it enters into force. Often it will not be possible for the State to meet these obligations without first taking steps required by domestic law, or otherwise, enabling it to do so.

As work towards ratification of the protocol continues, the State is obliged to ensure that all legislative provisions are in place for it to meet these obligations. Considering this, the Department is seeking the advice of the Office of the Attorney General. As soon as we can proceed with ratification of the Second Optional Protocol, we will do so without delay.

Children in Care

Ceisteanna (423)

Malcolm Byrne

Ceist:

423. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the availability of psychotherapy services to children in care, in particular to reference access to child art psychotherapy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62612/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.

Childcare Services

Ceisteanna (424)

Malcolm Byrne

Ceist:

424. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures in place to support childcare facilities in transitioning to using renewable sources of energy. [62613/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

As part of the recent NDP review, the capital allocation for this Department has increased to €795 million over the next five years. This increased funding will be used in part to provide additional early learning and childcare places through future capital programmes, including operating a further scheme similar to the Building Blocks capital funding schemes to support the expansion of provision by existing operators, as well as implementing my Departments commitment to capital investment in State-owned facilities.

The Department are currently examining options for future Building Blocks schemes and I expect to announce details in early 2026.

The Department is not currently planning on operating a scheme to support early learning childcare facilities in transitioning to using renewable sources of energy.

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (425)

Paul Lawless

Ceist:

425. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of vacant and derelict buildings in County Mayo owned by her Department that are vacant or rented, by the region/towns location of the buildings, in tabular form. [62665/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

I can advise the Deputy that the Department does not own any vacant or derelict buildings in County Mayo.

Care Services

Ceisteanna (426)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

426. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding supports available for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62347/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Delivering safe, woman-centred, nationally-consistent maternity services continues to be a priority of this Government.

The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme (MICS) provides an agreed programme of care to all expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in Ireland. This service is provided by a family doctor (GP) of the woman’s choice and a maternity unit or hospital. Women are entitled to this service even if they do not have a medical card.

The GP provides an initial examination, if possible before 12 weeks, and a further 5 examinations during the pregnancy, which are alternated with visits to the maternity unit or hospital. In the case of a significant illness, e.g. diabetes or hypertension, women may have up to 5 additional visits to the GP. After the birth, the GP will examine the baby at 2 weeks and both mother and baby at 6 weeks. The Scheme, including the schedule of visit, is currently under review as an action of the National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026.

The Women's Health Action Plan 2024-2025 and the National Maternity Strategy call for a coordinated approach to support women and new babies postnatally in the community. The National Maternity Experience Survey has shown that improving postnatal care in the community is a priority for women. That is why, since 2022 significant investment have been directed into the establishment of a national network of Postnatal Hubs that provide essential care for women in the community in the weeks after birth. A total of five Postnatal Hubs were open by the end of 2023 in Cork, Kerry, Portiuncula, Sligo and Carlow-Kilkenny. €0.4 million was allocated in 2024 to establish four more Postnatal Hubs, with a full year cost of €1.9 million in 2025. An additional €2.0 million has been invested in new development funding through the National Maternity Strategy in 2025, which is initiating four further Postnatal Hubs, bringing the national network to 13.

Postnatal hubs provide a wide-range of services to women, including:

• Core midwifery care and advice

• Wound management

• Lactation supports

• Parent education

• Physiotherapy

• Perinatal mental health supports

• Birth reflection; and

• Smoking cessation.

These Hubs provide essential care for women in the community and closer to home in the weeks after birth, and currently there is no nationally defined cutoff for the period in which women can access these services. Women who have attended this service have reported how much they value the additional support, including hotlines, birth reflections, and physiotherapy. These services are supporting existing supports and checks for women and infants in the postnatal period, including Public Health Nurses, perinatal mental health services, and midwifery schemes such as DOMINO and Early Transfer Home.

This Government will continue to listen to women and drive improvements across maternity services, building on the significant progress and investment to date driven through the National Maternity Strategy.

• Written Answers Nos. 387-406
• Written Answers Nos. 427-446