Written Answers Nos. 892-912
892. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early learning and childcare providers in County Louth that have applied for, or are currently receiving, Sustainability Funding; the primary reasons cited for such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62865/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom 2022 to 2025, the Department has not received any sustainability funding requests from Louth based childcare services. As a result, no service provider based in Louth has received sustainability funding during this timeframe. While no service has been provided with sustainability funding, Louth County Childcare Committee (CCC) and Pobal work together to offer non-financial support to childcare services daily. This support can take the form of assisting services with analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, general operational supports for partner services, as well as more specialised advice and assistance appropriate to individual circumstances. It is worth noting that most assistance provided to childcare services are provided by the CCCs without referral from the Department.
Since 2017, the Department has offered Sustainability Funding to community Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)/ School Aged Childcare (SAC) services in crisis. In 2018, a Sustainability Funding policy was formalised, and a framework was created which coupled this Sustainability Funding with on-the-ground case management assistance. The purpose of the supports within this framework were to provide emergency funding to community services where a need for funding was identified while also ensuring that the case management performed at a service level identified and resolved underlying issues that may have caused the initial crisis.
As part of the Case Management process, City or County Childcare Committees (CCC) assist services with issues and difficulties that arise. The CCC may refer Core Funding-partner services facing difficulties to Pobal and the Department to be considered for Sustainability Funding. Sustainability Funding is intended to prevent significant issues that threaten the viability of a service.
The Department encourages all services experiencing difficulties to contact their local CCC with a request for assistance, their CCC can advise on a range of issues and can provide assistance in accessing case management supports. Contact details for the CCCs can be found online on gov.ie by searching City and County Childcare Committees.
893. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently receiving support under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) in County Louth; if she will provide a breakdown of supports by level, including the number receiving level 7 one-to-one assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62866/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme and Early Learning and Care (ELC). The goal of AIM is to empower ELC providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of high-quality early learning and care through universal and targeted supports.
AIM level 4 is delivered by Better Start Early Years Specialist Service (EYSS). They work collaboratively with parents, pre-school providers, and with other professionals to develop inclusive learning environments in pre-schools.
AIM Level 5 provides funding for specialised equipment, appliances or small capital grants towards minor building alterations. A short report from a designated professional is required confirming that the specialised equipment or minor building alterations are necessary to enable the participation of a child in pre-school.
AIM Level 7 support provides additional funding to ELC providers who have a child requiring extra support in an ECCE service. AIM Level 7 funding acts to either reduce the child-to-adult ratio in the room or to fund an extra staff member as a shared resource with other children in the setting. In September of 2024, Level 7 funding was expanded to include for an additional 3 hours during term time, or an additional 6 hours during non-term time for ECCE eligible children
A more detailed breakdown of AIM can be found at www.aim.gov.ie
Please see below the table of children approved for Level 4,5 & 7 for Programme years 24/25 & 25/26 to the 12th November 2025 in Co. Louth
|
AIM Level |
Children approved 2024/25 |
Children approved 2025/26 (to date) |
Total Children |
|
L4 |
212 |
184 |
396 |
|
L5 |
8 |
10 |
18 |
|
L7 |
250 |
250 |
500 |
|
Total Children |
470 |
444 |
914 |
894. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average processing time for AIM level 7 applications in County Louth; if measures are being taken to reduce processing times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62867/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme and Early Learning and Care (ELC). The goal of AIM is to empower ELC providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of high-quality early learning and care through universal and targeted supports.
The timeline for processing applications is currently under review between officials in my Department and Pobal. Pobal who administer the AIM scheme on behalf of my Department, engage directly with service providers regarding applications, providing advice and assistance as needed. A key objective of the ongoing review is to learn from provider experiences to improve the application process.
The below table shows the average processing time in days for level 7 applications for Co. Louth over the last 5 programme years, please note that the 2025/26 programme year includes up until 12 November 2025.
|
Level 7 Programme Call |
Level 7 Standard (Days) |
|
2025/26 |
16 |
|
2024/25 |
29 |
|
2023/24 |
22 |
|
2022/21 |
29 |
|
2021/22 |
35 |
895. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the Forward Planning and Delivery Unit has identified specific capacity gaps in childcare provision in County Louth; to detail the areas of greatest pressure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62868/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra896. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if County Louth will be included in the initial phase of State-led or State-owned childcare facility development; if the county has been prioritised given its population growth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62869/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 895 and 896 together.
Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.
Overall, early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile in 2024 shows that the estimated number of enrolments has increased by 19% in the previous two years. 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.
The development of the forward planning model is currently underway led by the Forward Planning and Delivery Unit. The model seeks to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level. An extensive data analysis and cleaning exercise is currently being undertaken to map available publicly subsidised supply.
The analysis of the Forward Planning model will provide a key input into the approach to the capital programme to be resourced through the allocation in the revised National Development Plan 2026-2030. It will be one of a number of factors considered when selecting and prioritising projects. Other factors will reflect the policy goals of the Department to support a high-quality, inclusive and accessible early learning and childcare system and to ensure value for money.
The forward planning model is being designed primarily as a tool for internal analysis. The maps and data that the model will produce will contain protected categories of data and will therefore not be made generally available in full. As the model is further developed along with accompanying policy work related to supply, aggregated statistics, including statistics broken down by local geographical area, may be made available if this is deemed compliant with data protection obligations.
Preparatory work for this programme of capital investment is underway, with the programme planned to commence in line with the revised NDP allocation from 2026 onwards. As such, no decisions on prioritisation or targeting of certain local geographic areas within counties have yet been made.
Current data on early learning and childcare capacity at county level is available on Pobal's website under the Early Learning and Childcare Data section. This data shows that there was a 13.8% increase in enrolments in County Louth between the programme years 2021/22 and 2023/24. This data also indicated that 23% of service providers in Louth had at least one vacant place and an estimated 55% had a waiting list. It is important to note that waiting list data should not be used as a measure of overall demand for childcare 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. In addition, an individual child may be on multiple waiting lists in different services.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance.
897. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of services in County Louth shortlisted under the building blocks extension grant scheme; the estimated number of new childcare places expected to be delivered locally under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62870/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched in late 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January 2025. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received with 50 applicants approved to progress to the next stage of the grant process. Following approval, applicants were required to finalise the legal formalities of the scheme and projects are now commencing.
Of the 78 applications received, two were from Co. Louth, of which one was successful in progression to the next stage of the grant process. One was not shortlisted for progression as the number of full-time places for 1–3-year-olds proposed to be delivered through this project is significantly lower than that required for the grant value sought.
The application which was successful in being approved to progress was a private extension project which will deliver 54 new full day places for children aged under 3 in Ballapousta, Co. Louth.
As part of the NDP review, the 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 Building Blocks to support the expansion of provision by existing operators, as well as implementing this Department's commitment to capital investment in State-led early learning and childcare facilities.
Officials in the Department are currently examining options and detailed specifications for future Building Blocks schemes, and I expect to announce details in early 2026.
898. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the timelines for the finalisation and publication of the First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026 under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People; and to confirm whether the three-month publication timeframe remains on course and on schedule. [62875/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra899. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions her Department has taken to formally notify and provide guidance to all public bodies and agencies regarding their obligations in implementing the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People on a mainstream-first basis. [62876/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra902. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the timelines for agreeing joint delivery plans with the Department of Health for pillar four (wellbeing and health), including the assignment of measurable targets and KPIs under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. [62881/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra903. 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. [62893/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra904. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will underpin each pillar of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People; and when these KPIs will be published and communicated to stakeholders, including disabled persons’ organisations. [62906/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra905. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which her Department is progressing the sectoral plan for Pillar One (Inclusive Learning and Education), including dates for finalisation of targets, KPIs, and consultation with disabled learners and disabled persons organisations under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. [62911/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra906. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the expected publication timeline for the sectoral plan under Pillar Five (transport and mobility); and to outline the KPIs that will be used to measure accessibility improvements across public transport services and infrastructure under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. [62919/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 898, 899, 902, 903, 904, 905 and 906 together.
I thank the Deputy for these questions. The First Programme Plan of Action for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People is currently under development with extensive collaboration ongoing with all government departments and relevant public bodies and agencies leading on the delivery of commitments and priority actions across the five pillars of the Strategy. This development process has also involved engagement with disability stakeholders, including Disabled Persons' Organisations.
Crucially, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People acknowledges that disabled people do not live their lives by government department - a fact that was reinforced through continuous engagement with disabled people during the development process. While my department operates as the mandated "coordination mechanism" for the UNCRPD in Ireland, Government is committed to the mainstream-first approach to policy that is promoted by the Convention, meaning that it is incumbent on every public body to deliver their services in a fashion that is inclusive of the needs of disabled people.
Given this context, delivery of the Strategy will operate on a sectoral basis, with departments taking a co-leadership approach to Pillars, based on areas of joint responsibility and where collaboration will be productive and beneficial to disabled people. For example, the department will work cooperatively and in partnership with the Department of Health to deliver on Pillar 4, focussed on Wellbeing and Health.
The First Programme Plan of Action will cover the period to 2026 and it is expected that Government will publish it in Q4 2025. This will be the first of three Programme Plans of Action, each of which will ensure an agile and reflexive approach to delivery that is capable of tackling policy issues as they arise across the lifetime of the Strategy.
These Programme Plans are currently under development and will set out how the key priority actions under each commitment will be delivered on, by whom, the timeframe for delivery, and relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and take into account risks to delivery, as to be determined by departments responsible for the co-leadership of Pillars.
900. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the robust delivery and monitoring mechanisms of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People, including the structure, membership, reporting frequency, and escalation processes for addressing non-delivery. [62877/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra901. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when she will next convene and chair the Delivery and Monitoring Committee for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People; and to clarify whether these six-monthly meetings are currently scheduled with fixed calendar dates. [62879/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 900 and 901 together.
I propose to take PQs 62877/25 and 62879/25 together. I thank the Deputy for these questions. Robust delivery and monitoring structures have been co-designed with stakeholders to ensure that strong focus and consistent oversight is kept on the realisation of the ambition of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 over the next five years.
These delivery and monitoring structures will guarantee effective oversight and accountability throughout the lifetime of the Strategy and an ongoing commitment to supporting collaborative work and active problem solving, reflecting a transformative step-change in delivery of disability policy.
The Strategy will be delivered across three two-year Programme Plans of Action that clearly set out how the key priority actions under each commitment will be delivered on, by whom, the timeframe for delivery, and relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026 is due to be published in Q4 2025 and will detail Key Performance Indicators for commitments.
A Delivery and Monitoring Committee, with representation from Disabled Persons’ Organisations and other disability stakeholders is currently being established. The Committee will be responsible for directing and overseeing the Strategy’s implementation, including the development of Programme Plans of Action at appropriate intervals.
Every six months the Taoiseach will chair a Delivery and Monitoring Committee to oversee progress, reflecting commitment to delivery at the highest levels of this Government; this group will also have representation from the disabled community.
The work of the Delivery and Monitoring Committee will be supported by a Data and Evidence Working Group, led by the National Disability Authority. In addition to the Delivery and Monitoring Committee, democratic oversight of the Strategy’s delivery will be undertaken by the Cabinet Committee on Disability, supported by the relevant Senior Officials Group and the Disability Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach. All groups responsible for delivery will be accountable to this Cabinet Committee.
Through the relevant Senior Officials Group, the Department of the Taoiseach will coordinate updates from the Delivery and Monitoring Committee to the Cabinet Committee on Disability.
These structures will, in turn, support and complement broader infrastructure comprising the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission as the Independent Monitoring Mechanism for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Ireland.
907. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will consult with the HSE to reverse any proposals removing 35 hours of frontline speech and language therapy services at CDNT 3 in south Mayo; if her Department will work with the HSE to deliver additional clinical staff to reduce long waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62951/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the importance of early intervention for children with disabilities. The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that children and their families who need early intervention and therapy input can access that support in a timely way.
Government has made funding available in 2025 to build on existing recruitment initiatives for children’s disability services, focusing on various positions across Children’s Disability Network Teams.
A further €8 million has been secured in Budget 2026 to allow for the recruitment of 150 staff to Children’s Disability Network Teams. Funding will build on progress made in recent years to reduce Children’s Disability Network Team waiting lists.
It is important to highlight that the deployment of these increased resourced across all Children’s Disability Network Teams is an operational matter for the HSE and its lead agencies on a needs driven basis. The Department understands that the geographic allocation of these posts is under consideration by the HSE.
More broadly , the Programme for Government commits to doubling the number of college places for speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, psychologists and social workers.
In June 2025, the Government approved an expansion in training places which will provide up to 461 additional student places by 2028, with the majority commencing in 2025.
Building a skilled pipeline of professionals for Children’s Disability Network Teams involves active and sustained engagement with the employment market and with students, to improve the perception of and interest in working in these teams.
The HSE are continuing to drive intensive domestic and international recruitment efforts and to undertake a portfolio of workforce initiatives to support sustained growth of Children’s Disability Network Teams and the wider disability service.
Alongside recruitment drives, new roles and training pathways are being developed to expand the skills mix and strengthen applicant pools. This includes the development of the role of Health and Social Care Assistant (Therapy Assistant) in 2024.
A dedicated Disability Workforce Strategy will be developed by the HSE in 2026, to meet growing service demands and address recruitment and retention challenges across specialist disability services, including Children’s Disability Network Teams.
While challenges remain, progress has been made in recruitment over recent years, with the overall Children’s Disability Network Teams vacancy rate falling by 11% nationally.
In 2025, the Children’s Disability Network Teams provide supports and services to almost 45,000 children with complex needs. This is an increase of some 2,000 children in receipt of services at the end of December 2024.
Despite increasing pressures on waiting lists across the country, the number of children on Children’s Disability Network Team waiting lists has fallen from nearly 13,000 in January to 10,099 at the end of September, a reduction of 18%.
Notwithstanding the current challenges, both the Government, this Department, the HSE and its funded agencies remain committed to the delivery of appropriate services for children with disabilities and their families and to continue advancing services that meet their needs.
As this question is service query, I have referred it to to the HSE for direct reply.
908. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of vacancies which arose at principal officer level for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 in her Department and agencies under the aegis of her Department; the number of these vacancies filled between internal and external methods; the number of vacancies each year at principal officer level filled by mobility; the number of internal competitions for principal officer grade run by her Department since 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63018/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked the bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to you on this matter in relation to staff of their own organisations.
The below table shows the number of vacancies which arose at Principal Officer level for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 in this Department and the method in which they were filled. The number of vacancies include posts that were filled by head to head internal mobility transfers.
|
|
Vacancies |
Internally Filled |
Externally Filled |
|
2022 |
18 |
8 |
10 |
|
2023 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
2024 |
12 |
6 |
6 |
|
2025 |
14 |
8 |
5 |
The numbers presented in the externally filled columns include, 1 position filled via mobility for 2024 and 2 positions filled via mobility for 2025.
Internal competitions for Principal Officer grade were run by the Department in 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2023.
910. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers registered with Tusla; and where this involves multi-site owners, the number of services in that group. [63140/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy in due course.
911. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are full day care only and are registered with Tusla; and of these, the number of services that are not in core funding. [63141/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra912. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are part-time only and are registered with Tusla; and of these, the number of services that are not in core funding. [63142/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra913. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are sessional only and are registered with Tusla; and of these, the number of services that are not in core funding. [63143/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 911, 912 and 913 together.
The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy in due course.
