Written Answers Nos. 819-839
819. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Ireland’s position on the European Commission’s proposals to restructure the Common Agricultural Policy post-2027 into a single National and Regional Partnerships fund; if Ireland will oppose any dilution of ring-fenced supports for young farmers, including the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6617/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been clear in expressing my concern about the proposal to embed the CAP within a single National and Regional Partnership Plan, and this concern has been fully reflected across Government in its approach to the Commission's proposals for the next EU Budget post-2027.
While greater coherence across EU funding instruments is a stated objective, Ireland believes that the CAP must remain a distinct policy with its own clear governance, rules and accountability. Integrating the CAP into a broader fund risks increased administrative burden, uncertainty in delivery and a weakening of the common nature of the policy.
I have welcomed recent proposals from the Commission to transfer certain CAP-specific provisions from the NRPP Regulation into the CAP Regulation. My Department is actively engaging at EU level to progress this, as it will help to reinforce the integrity of the CAP, clarify responsibilities, and reduce complexity for farmers and administrations.
With regard to young farmers, I place a strong emphasis on generational renewal and will not support any dilution of effective supports in this area. I consider ring-fenced supports for young farmers, including the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, to be a vital element of the CAP and will continue to advocate for their retention as negotiations proceed.
820. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the 2025 budget for the forgotten farmer scheme has been reduced from €5 million to €2.25 million in the supplementary estimates; whether the unspent money will be reallocated to the suckler or sheep welfare schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6618/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing processing of the Long Established Young Farmers (LEYF) scheme applications, it was established that €2.25 million would be sufficient to provide the maximum possible payment of €5,000 to all applicants who had satisfied each of the relevant eligibility criteria.
Separately in 2025, €131.7 million was paid to the livestock schemes with €89.7 million paid for beef schemes and €42 million for Sheep Schemes. I have also provided for €131.7 million this year for livestock schemes.
821. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the review of the agri-climate rural environment scheme; when this review is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6619/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), as announced at the end of October 2024, was undertaken by senior management within my Department. Meetings were held with farming bodies, advisory bodies and the ACRES Co-operation Project Teams as part of the Review. A draft report is currently at an advanced stage, and when completed will be presented for my consideration.
It is important to note that experience is being gained on an ongoing basis from the implementation of the Scheme, with this experience addressing many of the issues raised in relation to ACRES during its first year.
A total of almost €742 million has been paid to farmers up to 26th January 2026 in respect of their participation in ACRES. The issuing of payments has gathered considerable momentum this year as knowledge and experience of the scheme has improved and IT functionality has been deployed to address challenges that were encountered in previous years. This is evident from the fact that over 96% of the farmers in ACRES, equating to 51,659 of the 53,607 farmers currently in the Scheme, have now received their advance payment in respect of 2025. This is a significant improvement on this time last year, with just over 73% of participants having received their 2024 Advance payment by mid-January 2025.
As regards each of the Scheme years to date, almost €249.9 million has been paid to almost 99.9% of the eligible participants for 2023, over €268.9 million has been paid to just under 99% of the participants for 2024, and over €223.1 million has been paid so far in advance payments in respect of 2025.
The majority of outstanding cases relate to the death of the participant, with legalities to be finalised in respect to the herd number and contract.
All elements of ACRES have now been implemented, with a further €3.6 million also paid to date in respect of the implementation of Non-Productive Investments.
822. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s plans to support and reward farmers who generate renewable energy for their own use or sell surplus energy to the grid, in line with the Programme for Government commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6620/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s support includes a focus on solar energy through the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) and the installation of mainly roof-top Solar technology along with battery storage on Irish farms across the country. The Solar Capital Investment Scheme has an individual investment ceiling of €90,000 and is grant aided at the enhanced rate of 60%. My Department has seen a high uptake in the number of applications applying for the Solar Capital Investment scheme for rooftop solar panels on farm buildings, with over 3000 farmers having received approval under the SCIS.
In addition, my Department co-led the development of the National Biomethane Strategy which was published in May 2024. This was Ireland’s first major policy statement on biomethane and was an Agri-centric strategy. Following publication, my Department announced that funding for biomethane investment had been secured from the EU’s REPowerEU fund. My Department launched a Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme in August 2024 to kick start an Agri-led biomethane industry in Ireland with applicants proposing to produce biomethane from agricultural feedstocks eligible to apply for funding.
Overall national energy policy is developed by the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment. My Department will continue to work closely with that Department to ensure that our agricultural sector continues increasing the sector’s capacity for producing indigenous energy on farms, diversifying income streams and in contributing to meeting Ireland’s national climate and energy targets.
823. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement his Department has had with the European Union in relation to fishing quotas. [6626/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of Ireland's commercial fish stocks are shared between the EU and Third Countries, such as the UK.
The European Commission has exclusive competency to negotiate fishery agreements with Third Countries on behalf of EU Member States. The Commission operates under a mandate set by Council, and any agreement is formally adopted by Council. Ireland inputs into the development of this mandate and throughout the negotiation process, in order to raise our concerns and priorities. 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 are additional amounts of quota that Ireland claims for a number of key stocks when the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) fall below specified levels.
Any change to the existing system of quota allocations would require a majority of Member States to agree under the qualified majority voting system. As an increase in quota for some Member States would involve a loss for some others, this poses particular challenges in a qualified majority voting context.
Ireland has consistently called for the European Commission to fully analyse and report on the impacts of Brexit on the CFP, and in particular, the impact on the EU and Member States’ fishing opportunities as a result of quota transfers under the EU-UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement.
I addressed the matter of Ireland's fishing opportunities at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in September, October, November and December, in particular, the concerns regarding the reduction in the scientific advice for Mackerel.
The Hague Preferences are negotiated annually and over the years, many Member States have objected strenuously to their application as the additional quota for Ireland comes off their allocations.
These objections have been intensifying in recent times arising from reductions in quota due to both the quota transfers under the EU-UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement and scientific advice. Regrettably, during the December Fisheries Council a group of Member States chose to block the invocation of Ireland’s Hague Preferences for 2026. The outcome of which will unfortunately result in severely reduced fishing opportunities for Irish fishermen and women in 2026.
824. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports being provided to fishery sector in view of the Agri-Fish Council meeting in December of EU states. [6627/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe outcomes of the December 2025 Fisheries Council will, regrettably, result in reduced fishing opportunities for Ireland's fishermen and women in 2026.
The most significant reduction relates to the Mackerel quota. The scientific advice - on which the EU bases its decisions on quota setting - reflects the impact of overfishing of the Mackerel stock by certain Third Countries. Ireland has repeatedly raised the overfishing of Mackerel by certain Coastal States outside the EU over recent years and has called for the EU to take a strong position to protect this valuable stock.
A range of supports and services are provided to the Irish fleet under Ireland's €258 million Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027.
Together with Minister Heydon, I am establishing a working group under the auspices of Food Vision 2030 to develop a framework of supports to address the substantial challenges currently facing the sector.
825. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether dietetic services were considered in the original PDS governance and risk planning documents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6294/26]
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.
826. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether funding provided to the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) is sufficient to meet the full cost of staff wages and related employment costs; whether CRC-funded staff are paid in line with comparable grades within the public health service; to outline any measures being taken to address pay disparities and staff retention issues within CRC services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6357/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
827. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the assessment that has been carried out on the impact of funding constraints, including wage funding, on staffing levels, waiting lists, and service availability within Central Remedial Clinics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6358/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
828. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the HSE provides ring-fenced funding to Central Remedial Clinics (CRC) specifically for the payment of staff wages; whether CRC clinics are expected to absorb pay increases or wage-related costs within existing budgets; if she will clarify the HSE's obligations in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6359/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
829. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether additional funding is planned for Central Remedial Clinics in 2026 to address wage pressures, recruitment difficulties, and service demand; if she will outline the timeline and scale of any such funding increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6360/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
830. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to the recent media report regarding proposals to purchase “buildings that will provide childcare facilities, the provision that is proposed for County Louth in these plans; the additional supply proposed specifically for areas of disadvantage in the Drogheda and south Louth areas; and when details on these proposals be made available to providers and parents. [5425/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarly Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
As announced last week, €135 million will be made available over the next five years for State-led services providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare.
The process will begin in 2026 with the acquisition of buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements. The Department will work with not-for-profit providers who will operate the services.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The state-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided in the National Development Plan.
A Forward Planning Model has been developed within the Department. 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.
As well as the Forward Planning Model, a suite of appraisal criteria and tools have been developed in order to assess potential State-led childcare sites' alignment with Departmental goals of promoting quality, inclusion, accessibility and affordability.
The Department is developing a long list of potential projects for the State-led Childcare Capital Programme that are being assessed.
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects, so in the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or project should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee, whose details can be found here (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/). Improving access to quality and affordable.
831. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the HSE’s 2026 Service Plan does not make reference to the Teach an Saol project; if her Department is committed to progressing this vital project nearly four years after it was initially proposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5426/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
832. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will meet with guardians ad litem and their representative body (details supplied) in advance of establishing the Guardian ad Litem Service; the steps she is taking to ensure that the service remains independent of Tusla and her Department given neither of these bodies are explicitly specified under section 35E of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5451/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Guardian ad litem National Service will be a nationally organised and managed service established to ensure that children’s voices are heard, and their best interests are independently presented, by an appointed Guardian ad litem, in child care proceedings. The Guardian ad litem National Service, as provided for under the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022, will come into effect mid-2026, following approval.
This Department established the Executive Office, Guardian ad litem National Service in January 2025. Its mandate is to establish the National Service and prepare for commencement of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022, ensuring the Act achieves its intended government policy objectives. The independence of Guardians ad litem in the performance of their functions is a legislative requirement and a core value of the role. The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022 clearly states that Guardians ad litem must act independently in their professional judgment and function.
The establishment of the National Service is being informed by continuous and structured engagement with practitioners, representative bodies, and expert advisers. This engagement will continue and I am open to meeting with stakeholders at an appropriate time.
833. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the respite centres for children with disabilities which have behavioural therapists within its staff allocation and those that do not, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5464/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
834. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of occasions in each month of 2025 that a service (details supplied) in Cavan contacted a parent/guardian requesting that a resident be collected early, by the reasons provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5465/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
835. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of AON reports in 2024 and 2025 with a finding of ‘no disability’ that were the subject of a complaint to the National Complaints Governance and Learning Team; the number of those complaints that are upheld, and result in a complaint report with a recommendation to carry out a new AON on the child concerned; and the number of complaints that are not upheld, where the complaints officer upholds the finding of no disability are overturned on appeal to the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer. [5478/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 835 and 836.837 together.
The Assessment of Need process is set out in the Disability Act, 2005 and has two main parts:
• The first is to determine if a person has a disability as described in the Disability Act. The definition of disability is very specific in the Act. It means a substantial restriction in the person’s capacity. In other words, they have a significant difficulty with communication, learning or mobility or significantly disordered cognitive processes. In addition, this restriction should be permanent or likely to be permanent and require the continued provision of services to meet the person’s needs.
• The second part of the process takes place if a determination of disability has been made. In this part, the person’s health and/or education needs are identified and the health services they require to meet those needs are also identified.
It is important to note that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including HSE Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.
With regard to the specific questions, Table 1 below sets out the number of completed AON reports in 2023, 2024 and for the first 9 months of 2025 (based on the latest available data from the HSE); the number of completed reports with a determination of ‘no disability for each year; and the percentage this represents of the total AON reports.
|
|
No. of completed AON reports |
No. of completed AON reports with a 'no disability' determination |
% of completed reports with a ‘no disability’ determination |
|
2023 |
3205 |
859 |
26.8% |
|
2024 |
4162 |
1261 |
30.3% |
|
2025 |
4534 |
1230 |
27.1% |
In relation to the second question, the HSE has advised that, where a determination of ‘no disability’ has been made, a category of disability (such as autism) is not recorded on the AON database. Therefore, it is not possible to provide “the number of AON reports that specify a finding of ‘no disability’ acknowledge that the child the subject of the AON report has autism”.
The final question relates to AON reports where a determination of ‘no disability’ has been made that are subject to complaint and/or appeal. The Disability Act 2005 provides for a complaints and appeals procedure for service users if they are unhappy with their child's assessment of need or service statement. Under the Act, an applicant or their parent/guardian can make a complaint in relation to one or more of the following grounds:
(a) a determination by the assessment officer concerned that he or she does not have a disability;
(b) the assessment under section 9 was not commenced within the time specified in section 9(5) or was not completed without undue delay;
(c) the assessment under section 9 was not conducted in a manner that conforms to the standards determined by a body referred to in section 10;
(d) the contents of the service statement provided;
(e) the Executive or the education service provider, as the case may be, failed to provide or to fully provide a service specified in the service statement.
The HSE National Complaints Governance and Learning Team is responsible for the Assessment of Need complaints process. Data on AON complaints is included in the annual HSE ‘Your Service Your Say Activity Report’ which is published on the HSE website. The 2024 report shows that there were 61 complaints in 2024 under ground (a) above. This equates to 3.21% of all AON complaints received during that year. Data for 2025 has not yet been published.
In relation to the number of complaints upheld and resulting in a complaint report with a recommendation to carry out a new AON, officials from my department will liaise with the HSE National Complaints Governance and Learning Team to ascertain whether the data is available and reply directly to the Deputy.
The Disability Appeals Officer and his/her staff are referred to collectively as the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer. The Disability Appeals Officer is an independent officer appointed by the Minister for Disabilities (or Minister of State as delegated). He or she provides an appeals service for persons who wish to appeal:
• against a finding or recommendation of a Complaints Officer of the Health Service Executive made under Section 18(1) of the Disability Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”), or
• against the failure of the HSE or an Educational Service Provider (ESP) to implement a recommendation of a complaints officer of the HSE
The Disability Appeals Officer only processes appeals that are based on a HSE complaints officer's report.
While the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer publishes an annual report, it does not include data on the number of complaints that are not upheld, where the complaints officer upholds the finding of no disability are overturned on appeal. Officials from my department will liaise with the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer to ascertain whether the data is available and reply directly to the Deputy.
838. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a child (details supplied) with a complex disability could be moved from one children's disability network team in a region to another to better facilitate their caring needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5486/26]
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.
839. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount her Department has spent on legal fees for each of the years 2020-2025, in tabular form. [5530/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for your question Deputy Kelly. A response will be provided directly to you as soon as possible.
