Written Answers Nos. 871-891
871. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm whether there will be a review of the 2025 and 2026 scheme allocations to restore the payment level originally understood by farmers; and to ensure that farmers are not penalised for participating in good faith in a scheme whose terms were subsequently diminished. [63488/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme was to further enhance animal health and welfare on sheep farms. It follows on from the 2024 National Sheep Welfare Scheme which had a budget of €15 million and which to date has paid out €15.84 million to 17,225 participants.
In budget 2025, €22 million was allocated for the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme. The increased funding of €7 million or 47% relative to the 2024 scheme provided for up to an additional €5 per breeding ewe bringing the potential scheme payment rate for participants to €13 per ewe. However, due to over-subscription of the scheme in 2025 with over 1.91 million ewes applied for, a rate reduction had to be imposed as set out in the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. This means the Category B voluntary action is being paid at €3.50 per ewe rather than €5 per ewe. The overall payment level of €11.50 per ewe is still 44% higher than the €8 per ewe paid under the 2024 Scheme
In budget 2026, I secured an allocation of €22 million for a National Sheep Welfare Scheme and my Department met with the farming organisations on 30 October 2025 regarding the 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme.
874. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total legal costs in defending judicial reviews of planning decisions involving his Department and/or agencies within the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63613/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLitigation is dealt with on behalf of the Department by the Attorney General’s Office, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office or the State Claims Agency who engage lawyers to act for my Department where necessary. The legal costs arising in such litigation are not managed by my Department.
The information requested from agencies under the aegis of my Department, is an operational matter for the agencies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days
875. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure that Ireland’s mackerel quota is not reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63705/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom 2014 to 2020, Mackerel was managed under a UN Coastal States Agreement that involved the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands. In 2021, the parties were unable to agree on a new sharing arrangement. Consequently, there is currently no sharing arrangement for Mackerel in place and negotiations on a new sharing arrangement are ongoing.
The European Commission has exclusive competency to negotiate fishery agreements on behalf of EU Member States. The Commission operates under a mandate set by Council and any agreement is formally adopted by Council.
Throughout these negotiations, Ireland has been clear on the need to agree on a sharing arrangement that respects the EU’s, and in turn Ireland’s, proper share of the global Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for Mackerel.
As regards quota share of EU stocks, the share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record).
The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, on the basis of a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The Hague Preferences give Ireland an increased share of important fish stocks when TAC levels reduce below a specified level.
Any change to the existing system of quota allocations would require a majority of Member States to agree under the qualified majority voting system.
The advice issued by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) forms the basis of the scientific advice used by the European Commission in proposing TACs and informs the EU's negotiating position for consultations with Third Countries. The ICES advice for Mackerel for 2026 is for a reduction of almost 70% on the 2025 figure.
While Ireland's percentage share of the EU Mackerel quota is unchanged, there will be a reduction in the actual amount of Mackerel allocated to Ireland (and all Member States) due to the reduction indicated by the ICES advice.
I am acutely aware that the scale of the reduction indicated by the ICES advice is a matter of grave concern for Ireland’s seafood sector, and the coastal communities which are dependent upon it economically.
I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to working closely across Government Departments to assess what supports may be available to the seafood sector in the context of EU state aid rules, and within the constraints of both EU and national Exchequer funding. To this end, I have had initial discussions with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, an Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
876. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the 2024 Dog Control Statistics will be published; the reasons for the delayed publication to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63726/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDog control statistics for 2024 have now been collated and published on my Department's website.
Statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities are published annually on www.gov.ie. Information up to and including 2024 is available on the following webpage: Dog Control Statistics
877. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a publication date of the National Land Use Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63835/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, commits to “Complete the second phase of the Land Use Review, which aims to balance environmental, social and economic consideration.” This second phase follows on from the first phase which was completed in March 2023, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and focused on evidence gathering.
The second phase, entitled ‘A Living Land’, of the independently chaired Land Use Review Phase 2 Oversight Group is currently being considered by the Minister for Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of State for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and myself, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Land use is complex and underpins our world class agrifood industry worth €19.2 billion to the Irish economy as well as providing environmental and recreational services for us all. The demands on land are growing and balance is needed in our approach.
Minister O'Brien and Minister O’ Sullivan and I are considering all aspects of this comprehensive report, after which it will be brought to Government as soon as is feasible, with publication to follow thereafter.
878. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the independent review of Government funding for the Irish horse and greyhound racing industry that was due to commence following the publication of the report to the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board by Mazars in November 2024. [63998/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe horse and greyhound racing industries, via Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ), receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund.
The Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) in its report "Examination of the 2019 and 2020 Financial Statements for Horse Racing Ireland, and related financial matters" dated January 2023 made recommendations in relation to my Department's governance of the Fund.
The PAC, in its report, brought particular attention to two specific items as follows:
- whether the use of the Fund to subsidise prize funds represents best value for money;
- the efficacy of the fund in ensuring the highest levels of animal welfare standards.
In response to this report, my Department commissioned an external review of the governance of the Fund and its recipient bodies in the context of the current legislative and policy framework. This review, which commenced in December 2024, was carried out by Indecon International Economic and Strategic Consultants and the final report was sent to the Public Accounts Committee on 12 November 2025.
An action plan has been developed and my Department has commenced engagement with the relevant bodies and will work with them in the coming months with a view to implementing recommendations, where appropriate, at the earliest possible juncture.
879. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his engagements on the Mercosur Trade Agreement. [64000/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlong with the Tánaiste, who has lead responsibility for trade policy, I have actively engaged with both the European Commission and with other Member States across the EU to voice Ireland’s concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur Agreement.
During these engagements, the Tánaiste and I have also repeatedly emphasised Ireland’s requirements for credible, legally-binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity, and deforestation protections. We have repeatedly emphasised that beef in particular is a very sensitive sector, which is vulnerable to negative impacts from the Mercosur agreement.
Since my appointment as Minister earlier this year, I have raised these concerns at Agri-Fish Council meetings and also with like-minded Member States through bilateral meetings on the margins of these Council meetings. In recent months, I have met with my French, Austrian, Latvian and Polish counterparts to exchange views.
Ireland's position on the EU-Mercosur Agreement remains as clearly outlined in the Programme for Government: ‘Work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal”.
880. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he plans to safeguard Irish farm competitiveness in the face of ongoing EU trade negotiations, including Mercosur; if he will request mandatory safeguards to prevent Irish beef, dairy, and tillage producers being undermined by imports produced to lower standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64001/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government makes two clear commitments regarding agriculture and new Free Trade Agreements. Firstly, it states that the Government will "promote new Free Trade Agreements, ensuring proper assurances regarding sustainability, human rights and the protection of our agricultural sector”. The protection of our agricultural sector is paramount in Ireland’s position on new trade agreements.
On Mercosur, the Programme for Government is clear in its commitment to “work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal."
Irish and EU farmers are subject to complex regulations requiring them to farm in a sustainable manner, which is why it is important to ensure that farmers in Mercosur countries are subject to the same requirements.
As part of the European Commission’s recent announcement on the proposal for the ratification of the EU-Mercosur Agreement, the Commission has committed to increasing the number of audits and checks in third countries, and strengthening SPS controls on the ground.
More recently, the Commission has also brought forward a regulation on safeguards for sensitive agricultural products in the context of the EU-Mercosur Agreement. This proposed regulation makes a number of commitments regarding applying safeguard measures in terms of transparency, monitoring and speed of response.
Ireland has sought clear, transparent and regular two-way engagement on the monitoring of the market situation for sensitive products, as well as some clarity on definitions within the regulation and the use of surveillance measures. We will continue to engage with the Commission on these issues.
881. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department is currently on schedule to meet its obligations under the first Programme Plan of Action of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People; and to outline any risks to delivery that have already been identified. [62897/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra882. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who, having been referred in 2023 by their GP, for an assessment of needs, has yet to receive an appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62717/25]
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.
883. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the proposals to protect and grow the home-based childcare sector, as many in the sector believe that the one-size-fits-all approach is driving childminders out, creating anxiety across the sector and reducing childcare capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62724/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that many childminders, when asked about their intention to register, report that they are undecided, while some say they intend to stop childminding. I fully understand the sense of uncertainty and anxiety childminders may be experiencing in this period of transition and I believe communication is essential to overcoming this. A national communications strategy is a key element in phase 2 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, during the transition period we are now in. Work on this communications strategy has begun, aiming to inform childminders and parents about the changes, supports available and what to expect.
Childminders are a hugely important part of early learning and care and school-age childcare provision, and they continue to be the option of choice for many families. I am firmly behind the regulation of childminding services, which is critical to the safeguarding of children.
I am heartened to that see that in the recent survey carried out by Childminding Ireland, those childminders who have already been through the registration process and are working under the new regulations, report their experience as positive - with very few giving negative reports.
The childminding-specific Regulations, which came into effect in September 2024, are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.
Childminders were consulted on and involved in all aspects of the development of the regulations.
Both the Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, and the Advisory Groups that have supported it, have included childminders, as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland.
In addition, an independent external review of the draft regulations was carried out by Dr Bill Maxwell, the former CEO of Education Scotland, former Chief Inspector in both Scotland and Wales, and OECD consultant, which confirmed that the approach was proportionate for childminding in Ireland.
We are now in a 3-year transition period (to September 2027) during which childminders are being encouraged and supported to register, but registration is not yet mandatory.
This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
The Department has committed to a review of the initial implementation of the childminding-specific Regulations during the 3-year transition period.
Supports are available for childminders at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including a short pre-registration training course.
The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes. In 2025, the Department has paid €413,338 to childminders through the Childminding Development Grant. A further round of the Grant will open in early 2026.
884. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide the HSE’s published annual targets and actual performance rates for the completion of assessments of need for children, for each of the past five years; and the percentage achievement rate in each year, in tabular form. [62786/25]
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.
885. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the methodology used by the HSE when setting annual performance targets in its National Service Plan, in particular for disability and children’s services; if those targets are based on available staffing and capacity data; and if not, to explain the rationale for maintaining aspirational 100% targets despite sustained underperformance. [62787/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of €3.88 billion has been allocated for disability services in Budget 2026, representing a 20% increase year on year. This includes funding to maintain existing levels of service and for new service developments. This is the largest ever increase in a single budget for Disability Services delivering an increase of €1.8 billion (or 87%) in investment in disability services since 2020. This increase is being provided by Government in recognition of the pressures prevailing within the system of service delivery, both in terms of sustainability and the need for expansion to meet increasing demand.
In accordance with the statutory framework, I issued the Letter of Determination to the Chair of the Health Service Executive on the 30th of October 2025, following consultation with the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Services and the Minister for Health, and officials from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. This step initiates the requirement for the HSE to prepare and submit the 2026 National Service Plan (NSP), Capital Plan and Disability Pay and Numbers Strategy.
The Letter of Determination sets out my priorities with clear instructions that development of the NSP, and associated disability service targets, be guided by national policy commitments and supported by strategic reforms designed to strengthen and expand the delivery, quality, and sustainability of services and supports for people with disabilities and their families. Framing the NSP 2026 within this context will ensure alignment with the Government’s overarching priorities for service expansion within an integrated model of delivery, disability inclusion, person-centred service design, and effective governance.
The NSP will take account of these priorities and align with broader policy commitments relating to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) through the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People launched in September 2025. Specific service targets in the plan are developed on the basis of optimising outcomes from available resources. Targets will be informed by data and evidence on current and future demands for services, including population demographics and service needs.
In relation to Children’s services, our key focus is on improving access, quality and performance across all areas of children’s services (including CDNT, AON, Respite, Residential) within the remit of and funded by the Department. This work includes complementary and overlapping functions such as the Single Point of Access.
886. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of WTE senior work practitioner posts that were filled at Springfield children's disability network team in each of the years 2023 to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [62811/25]
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.
887. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of WTE clinical specialist physiotherapist posts that were filled at Longford Children's Disability Network Team in each of the years 2023 to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [62812/25]
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.
888. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of WTE administrative staff, by grade posts that were filled at Clonbrusk children's disability network team in each of the years of 2023 to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [62813/25]
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.
889. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently availing of the national childcare scheme in County Louth; if she will provide a breakdown by full-time, part-time and sessional hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62862/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the week of 27 October 2025, a total of 4,140 children in County Louth benefitted from subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
The NCS is designed to be flexible in acknowledgement of the many families availing of subsidies as a way to reduce the cost of their early learning and childcare. Considering that childcare needs vary widely across families, NCS subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate along with a maximum number of weekly hours that the subsidy will be used for i.e. 45 weekly hours.
The Department does not determine what sessions an early learning and childcare provider chooses to offer as part of their service. Rather, once parents are awarded a CHICK, they choose an approved provider that meets their needs and has a space available. Ultimately, it is between the parent and provider to reach an agreement on the hours of childcare registered. The hours are agreed based on a combination of what the family requires and what the provider can offer in terms of available sessions. It is also worth noting that for many families, particularly those with children attending school or ECCE, their hours will fluctuate between term and non-term.
The NCS subsidy is applied to the hours that have been agreed between both parties - subject to attendance rules.
As NCS registrations are based on agreed hours, rather than 'session types', the Department can only provide a range of the weekly hours claimed by families. These hours do not necessarily equate to specific sessions, however they do clarify what subsidised hours families are availing of in County Louth:
|
Weekly Hours |
Number of Children |
|
0-9 |
925 |
|
10-19 |
948 |
|
20-29 |
854 |
|
30-39 |
330 |
|
40-44 |
247 |
|
45 |
855 |
|
*Total |
4,140 |
*Please note that the hourly totals will not equal the overall total. This is because children may hold multiple registrations across different services and for different hours. However, for the purposes of the final total, these children have only been counted once.
890. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early learning and childcare providers in County Louth that are in receipt of Core Funding; the proportion of total providers this represents in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62863/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fourth programme year of Core Funding began on 1 September. As of 13 November 2025, 4,538 services have signed up to the fourth year of Core Funding. This represents over 92% of all eligible services and this number continues to grow.
In total, data from Pobal confirms that, as of November 13, there are 4,911 childcare providers in the state eligible for receipt of Core Funding. Of this number, there are 113 providers operating in Co. Louth – 110 of whom are in receipt of Core Funding – representing a 97.35% county-wide take-up rate of Core Funding
The 110 Core Funding Partner Services operating in Louth, equates to 2.4% of all Core Funding Partner Services (as of November 13).
While the Department cannot mandate providers to participate in the Scheme, every effort has been made to carefully design Core Funding to meet the policy objectives including to achieve high levels of participation by providers.
Participation in Core Funding is optional, but it remains open throughout the year to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the Scheme.
891. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of additional childcare places created in County Louth since the introduction of Core Funding in year one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62864/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2023/24 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 19% from the 2021/22 programme year. Core Funding application data shows that between Year 1 (2022/2023) and Year 3 (2024/2025) of the scheme, annual place hours increased by over 15%. The Tusla register of services demonstrates a net increase in the numbers of registered early learning and childcare services in 2024. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
Across Louth, Core Funding application data shows that between Year 1 and Year 3 of the scheme, annual place hours increased in the county by over 12%.
Each year, Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Early Years Sector Profile. The most recent published capacity data for the 2023/24 programme year estimated that there were 5,734 children enrolled in ELC and SAC services in County Louth. This represented an increase of 775 (16%) when compared with the estimated number of children enrolled in 2021/22.
Estimated data for the number of children enrolled in County Louth between 2021/22 and 2023/24, and the proportion of services with at least one vacancy and services with waiting lists, is included in tabular form below:
|
- |
Estimated Enrolments |
% of service providers offering care that have at least one vacant place |
% of service providers offering care that have waiting lists |
|
2021/22 |
4,959 |
55% |
50% |
|
2022/23 |
5,278 |
39% |
58% |
|
2023/24 |
5,734 |
26% |
63% |
It is important to note that waiting list data should not be used as a measure of overall demand for ELC and SAC places. While waiting list data can be used to give an indication of demand for places for a given age group or service type, not all services operate a waiting list. Also, an individual child may be on multiple waiting lists in different services.
Data from the 2024/25 AEYSP is currently in preparation for publication and the results will be published on the Early Learning and Childcare data website in due course. The Capacity Section of the website provides information on the number of children enrolled, services with vacant places, and services with a waiting list.
Demand for early learning and childcare beyond sessional pre-school provision is highly elastic and shaped very substantially by families' individual composition, circumstances, and preferences; employment patterns and income; and the price and availability of services.
A Forward Planning and Delivery Unit in this Department is progressing an important programme of work focused on identifying areas of need, forecasting demand, and planning for the delivery public supply within the early learning and childcare sector where required.
A forward planning model is in development which will be central to the Department's plans to achieve the policy goals set out in the Programme for Government to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system, with State-led facilities adding capacity.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available. This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service.
Budget 2025 secured funding for the fourth programme year that commenced in September of this year to facilitate a further 3.5% growth from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year for a further expansion in supply of 4.2% next year.
This increased investment will allow increases in the natural growth of the sector driven both by new services joining the sector and existing services offering more places and/or longer hours to families.
The total allocation for Core Funding in 2026/2027 programme year will increase to €436.54 million, an additional €43.90 million on the current full year allocation.
