Written Answers Nos. 991-1010
991. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider the creation of a mandatory rechecking system for Garda vetting for those people employed in the childcare sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12756/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGarda vetting is an essential part of ensuring the safeguarding of children and it is the legal responsibility of the registered provider to ensure statutory vetting obligations are complied with and maintained at all times. A mandatory rechecking system for Garda vetting is already in place in the early years sector. The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 provide a statutory basis for the vetting of persons carrying out relevant work with children or vulnerable persons. The Act stipulates that a relevant organisation shall not permit any person to undertake relevant work or activities on behalf of the organisation, unless the organisation receives a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau in respect of that person. All early years services are considered to undertake relevant work or activities for the purposes of this Act.
The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate is the independent statutory regulator for the early years sector and is responsible for the implementation of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. In line with the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, the registered provider, all employees, unpaid workers and contractors in an pre-school service are required to have Garda vetting (as well as police checks for all countries they resided in for longer than six months) prior to being allowed access to children. Similar requirements are also in place for the school age childcare sector and for the childminding sector under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018 and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024 respectively.
A Garda vetting disclosure is non-transferrable between organisations. This means a service is required to make a new vetting application in respect of a new employee even if they have Garda vetting from a previous organisation.
Garda vetting must be renewed every three years, in line with the Tusla Regulatory Notice on the renewal of vetting from September 2023. The Regulatory Notice states:
'All adults in early years settings working directly with children are required to have a vetting disclosure dated within the previous 3 years'.
Any changes in how vetting disclosures are made to relevant organisations would be a matter for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
992. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider establishing a museum in Tuam dedicated to victims of abuse by religious orders. [12805/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Centre for Research and Remembrance, to be located in Sean MacDermott Street, Dublin 1, will comprise a museum and exhibition space, a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, and a garden space for reflection and remembrance. This Centre will honour equally all those who spent time in Industrial Schools, Magdalen Laundries, Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, Reformatories, and related institutions, and all those who have lived experience of Ireland’s historical adoption and boarded out systems.
The masterplan and preliminary business case for the National Centre campus were approved in 2023/24. Planning permission for the development was granted by Dublin City Council in February 2025 and enabling works are now underway at the site.
While physically situated in Dublin, the National Centre will be accessible for all survivors, whether in other parts of Ireland or abroad. It will provide digital access to records and exhibits, as well as developing physical presences elsewhere, including in conjunction with some local museums, to enable survivors to visit more easily. In this way, the Centre will be a national institution which achieves a global and national reach, as well as strong connections to, and benefits for, the local community.
In relation to Tuam, as the Deputy will be aware, the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam, is overseeing the highly sensitive and complex work of recovering, analysing and arranging for the dignified reburial of the children’s remains found at the site of the former Mother and Baby institution in the town. The Director has published five technical updates on his work to date and is committed to ensuring that the families, local community, other stakeholders and the public are kept informed as his work progresses.
993. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will direct the HSE to review the referral pathway decision for a child (details supplied) whose case has been refused by the Children's Disability Network Team on three occasions despite a completed assessment of need and general practitioner concerns; if she will ensure that the child's case is reconsidered in light of ongoing unmet needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12838/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra994. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of cases in which families, including that of a child (details supplied), are repeatedly directed to apply to the CDNT despite previous referral forum decisions ruling them ineligible; the measures which are being taken to ensure families receive accurate and consistent guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12840/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra995. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which the HSE ensures that children (details supplied) who receive an assessment of need diagnosis subsequently receive timely and appropriate interventions; if she is satisfied that current practice is meeting statutory obligations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12842/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 993, 994 and 995 together.
Under Progressing Disabilities, referrals received for children are brought to the Children’s Services Referral Fora which is a multi-disciplinary panel, comprising of clinicians from both Primary Care and Disability Services. The purpose of the forum is to ensure referrals are directed to the most appropriate pathway in line with the Progressing Disability Services (PDS) National Access Policy. This panel provides clinical input from therapists in both Primary Care and Disability Services. The PDS National Access Policy provides clinicians with the clear framework for making decisions regarding referrals, ensuring consistency and fairness.
Documentation for the child was received in June 2023, his case was discussed at the Children’s Services Referral Forum in October 2023 and then referred to Primary Care Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy departments for input. His referral documentation was received again in June 2024, his needs were discussed at the September 2024 Children’s Services Referral Forum and referred to Primary Care Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy departments for input. A further referral was received in May 2025, discussed at the June Children’s Services Referral Forum and referred to Primary Care Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy departments.
Following a comprehensive review on 3 separate occasions and unanimous agreement by clinicians from both Primary Care and Disability Services, the recommended pathway for this child was determined to be Primary Care.
This decision reflects the shared expertise of the forum and the collaborative approach between Primary Care and Disability Services to ensure the best possible care for children at various stages of their lives. Primary Care and Disability Services work closely together and should the clinicians in Primary Care feel that the child requires the Children’s Disability Network Team at any point in the future they will make an onward referral to the Children's Services Referral Forum.
996. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reasons a child (details supplied) has not had any speech and language therapy for several years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12867/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to the service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
997. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a child (details supplied) will receive the residential care place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11649/26]
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.
998. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider introducing new rules that would allow spouses to share parental leave allocations between each other (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11664/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been significant developments in entitlements for parents of working families in recent years.
Under the Parental Leave Acts, 26 weeks unpaid leave can be taken by an employee who is a relevant parent to take care of a child. The upper age limit of the eligible child has been increased in 2019 to the age of 12 or of 16, where the child has a disability or long-term illness which allows a parent more time in which to avail of the extended leave entitlement. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting in ‘loco parentis’.
It should be noted that the legislation only sets out the minimum entitlement to parental leave. Depending on an individual’s contract of employment, they may have more extensive rights to parental leave, as employers have the option to offer more than the entitlement set out in the legislation.
Both parents have an equal, separate entitlement to parental leave. Where both parents work for the same employer and the employer agrees, one parent can transfer 14 weeks of their parental leave entitlement to the other parent.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was enacted on 4 April 2023, and also introduces important entitlements for workers, including leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12, and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers. It transposes the Work-Life Balance Directive which specifically prevents the transfer of paid leave between parents in the interests of gender equality and of encouraging fathers as well as mothers to take such leave. Otherwise, there is a risk that only mothers would take the leave, potentially creating labour market disadvantages for them and that fathers would not be encouraged to take a greater share of their caring responsibilities.
The new National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was launched on the 18th of November 2025, and sets out a broad range of objectives aimed at reducing inequalities between men and women, including the disparities in caring responsibilities. The first Action Plan under the new Strategy is currently being developed and will include actions to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work. The first Action Plan is due to be published in the coming months. Any further changes to supports and family leave entitlements will be considered within this context.
999. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the review that was ordered in the wake of a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11682/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1000. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any engagement that she has had with Tusla in the months following a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11683/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1001. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the structural changes carried out within Tusla in the months following a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11684/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1002. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she has taken in the months following a case (details supplied) to ensure that the failings identified in the childcare system are addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11685/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1003. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the meetings that she has held with Tusla specifically in relation to a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11686/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 999, 1000, 1001, 1002 and 1003 together.
I propose to take questions 11682/26 to 11686/26 together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is a wholly independent body, under the aegis of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and is accountable to the Minister through its Board.
Officials in the Department and I have recently received a review of this case, which included initial learnings that will be examined and considered further. The Report is also being made available to the National Review Panel whose review is currently underway.
The National Review Panel has an independent Chair and operates with full independence, including its own legal advice, to ensure its findings are objective and factual. Time and space should be afforded to the National Review Panel to complete its important work, and when this work is concluded I will consider the findings accordingly.
In regards to ongoing engagement, I can assure the Deputy that both I and officials in the Department have open lines of communication with the Chairperson of Tusla, its Board, its CEO, its Management Board and the broader organisation.
In addition to regular scheduled meetings that promote mutual understanding of operations and support sound governance and performance oversight of Tusla, we arrange meetings and calls at short notice to address topical and important issues as they arise. I can confirm to the Deputy that I have met with the Tusla team in relation to the serious matter you have raised.
I continue to engage regularly with Tusla about a number of serious events that were widely reported and are of great concern both to myself and to the public. The key focus of these meetings and calls has been to understand Tusla’s position on these matters , to determine the steps needed in addressing them including the Department’s contribution and input.
Tusla is currently implementing a significant programme of structural reform through the Tusla Integrated Reform Programme (TIRP). Tusla Integrated Reform Programme is a significant change initiative which aims to improve the way in which Tusla delivers services to children and families and improve Tusla’s staff experience. Regions and Areas will be more equitable in size and will ensure that the totality of resources are targeted to where they most needed. The workforce will be multidisciplinary ensuring there is a diverse knowledge and skills base to respond to the multifaceted needs of children and families in Ireland today.
A central element of this reform is the transition from the existing 17 service areas to 30 Network Areas under the Local Integrated Service Delivery model. This restructuring is based on detailed analysis of population needs, deprivation levels and service demand, and aims to provide more consistent service access, improved governance, and enhanced multidisciplinary working across regions. This model also introduces a unified Front Door, offering a single point of access for early intervention, family support and child protection services.
Tusla funding has also increased by 14% to €1.37bn in 2026 – the fourth consecutive year above €1bn. Tusla’s capital budget has increased to €35 million in 2026, which is a 100% increase from €17.5 million in 2024, and work is progressing to advance residential care expansion as part of the next National Development Plan.
The current Programme for Government also includes a commitment to develop a national plan on alternative care, comprising both a short term action plan to address immediate challenges in accessing appropriate care places and a longer term vision for the future operation of the care system. Work is underway on the development of a National Policy Framework for Alternative Care to support this commitment.
I recognise the challenging work Tusla undertakes, particularly in the area of child protection and I will continue to work with the CEO and Tusla Board in further supporting and developing the Agency. The Department will continue to provide the support to Tusla that is necessary to address the current challenges impacting on this service.
1004. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there are any circumstances whereby a childcare provider engaged in core funding can request a review with a view to increasing fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11778/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCore Funding is a supply-side grant to early learning and childcare providers towards their operating costs, designed to promote affordability for parents and sustainability for providers through increased funding to the sector.
When first introduced in 2022, Core Funding had an annual allocation of €259 million; €210.8 million of which was entirely new funding to the sector. That annual allocation has increased each year since and has exceeded €390 million for the current fourth year of the Scheme. This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in three years.
The Department announced further investment in Core Funding in Budget 2026. The additional funding will see the allocation for Core Funding in the next programme year which begins in September 2026 increase to over €480 million. That is an additional €87.6 million on the current full year allocation, or a 22% increase.
A key condition of receiving the significant State funding that is available through the Scheme requires that a Partner Service adhere to the Core Funding fee management system, which includes a freeze on fees at 2021 levels and fee caps. This is to ensure that the State’s significant investment through the Scheme is not absorbed by unnecessary fee increases.
The Department is conscious of the importance of promoting affordability for parents without compromising the viability of businesses in the sector, and appropriate safeguards are carefully considered during planning for new developments.
In addition to the year on year increases in the Core Funding allocation, the Department has made changes to improve the sustainability of providers through, for example, targeted measures for small and sessional services, and a fee increase assessment process for services with fees frozen at unsustainably low rates.
The 2025/2026 Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement allows for the recommencement of a further Fee Increase Assessment-type exercise. The details of this undertaking are being developed by the Department and will be made available once finalised.
The Department is conscious of the importance of promoting affordability for parents without compromising the viability of businesses in the sector, and appropriate safeguards are carefully considered by officials in the Department during planning for any new developments.
To support services in maintaining fee management conditions such as the fee freeze and new maximum fee caps, the allocation for Core Funding’s fifth programme year will include €20.6m in brand new full-year funding. This will guarantee that Core Funding’s monetary protections will continue to be passed on to families while ensuring sustainability and stability for the sector.
Full details of Core Funding programme year 2026/2027 will be made available to the sector later this year.
Partner Services facing sustainability concerns can also avail of supports through the Department’s established case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committees and Pobal work together to assess and provide support including financial support to services experiencing difficulties.
All services are encouraged to avail of these supports if they are facing difficulties with the sustainability of their business. Contact details for the CCCs can be found at the [City and County Childcare Committees] page on gov.ie.
1005. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether existing childcare services will be acquired by the State through The State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11783/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this government. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements.
A core objective of the programme is to deliver additional publicly subsidised supply for Early Learning and Care where required, with a focus on places for 1- to 3-year-olds and sufficient places for children to age up in the same service.
As such, the programme will seek to identify vacant buildings or new potential sites that are suitable for use as early learning and care services subject to refurbishment, fit out or construction requirements, rather than existing early learning and childcare services which are already delivering capacity.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year and the State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided in the National Development Plan.
The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government. The initial approach is on purchasing and refurbishment of buildings given that this is a faster route to delivery in the short term. However, the option of building new facilities will also be considered over subsequent years.
This Department is assessing sites and buildings and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.
1006. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent by her Department on funding NGOs, by organisation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11791/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
1007. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent on funding NGOs by her Department, in each of the years since 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11809/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
1008. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the assessments that are carried out to determine the level of Exchequer funding that any NGO receives from her Department on an annual basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11827/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAssessments made on bids for Exchequer funding are carried out during the annual budget estimates process. The requirements of each submission made to the Department are assessed based primarily on two criteria.
Firstly, assessments are made regarding the allocation of funding required to maintain the Existing Levels of Services (ELS) into the coming year, so that the same level of existing activities can be carried forward from the previous year into the next, as required. Considerations of ELS include several factors such as inflationary costs, evolving demands due to natural demographic growth as well as increased operational costs borne by the organisation or service provider in fulfilling their obligations.
Secondly the cost of any new additional measures or budgetary measures, which are intended to be undertaken in the coming year, are assessed.
Funding requirements are then further scrutinised and analysed as part of the annual budget negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).
Once the annual allocation is determined and set out in the annual budget, it is then included in the Revised Estimates document (REV). It is the Department’s responsibility to ensure that the annual budget allocation is managed continually throughout the year. The Department also seeks to ensure that any recipients of funding have in place the appropriate systems to meet their compliance obligations, in accordance with their responsibilities as recipients of public funding.
1009. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any direct lobbying she has received from any NGO in relation to her annual funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11847/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
1010. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the systems in place to agree performance metrics of Chief Executives of agencies within the aegis of her Department; the way in which these are measured; the person or body that carries out the assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11952/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that officials in this department have asked the aegis bodies under my remit to respond directly to you on this matter.
