Written Answers Nos. 1011-1019
1011. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to address extensive childcare waiting lists, particularly for children under three; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12036/26]
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 2024/25 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 25% from the 2021/22 programme year. 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.
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. For the third programme year (2024/25), the allocation for Core Funding allowed for a 6% increase in capacity. Budget 2025 secured funding for the fourth programme year (2025/6) to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year (2026/7) for a further expansion in supply of 4.2%.
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.
The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner Services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises. The Scheme will deliver up to 1,500 full-day care places for 1- to 3-year-olds.
I recently announced €135 million of capital investment over the coming five years for State-led services to provide high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030. There will be a particular focus in the new state-led facilities on providing places for 1-3 year old children because this is where the need is greatest.
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.
The Department is assessing sites and buildings which align with the goals of the programme and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.
The Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance. Contact details for the City and County Childcare Committee may be found at [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees]
1012. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific measures the Government is taking to reduce child poverty in rural areas, such as County Laois, where deprivation may be underreported; the way in which Tusla and the Ombudsman monitor whether interventions are achieving long-term reductions in child poverty rather than providing only short-term relief; the guarantees that can be given that children in smaller counties receive equitable support compared to urban centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12037/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to addressing child poverty across all of Ireland, in both rural and urban areas. No child should be living in consistent poverty, and I intend to see that every child has the opportunity to thrive. It is crucial we keep focused on improving outcomes for children and their families. Child poverty requires a cross-governmental response, and I am committed to supporting the broader Government action to combat child poverty. The Child Poverty and Well-being Office in the Department of the Taoiseach was established in 2023 to coordinate government actions that reduce child poverty and foster children’s well-being, focussed on improvements that have the potential to make a big difference to children living in poverty.
In September 2025, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government, the Government agreed a new Child Poverty Target - to reduce the child consistent poverty rate to 3% or less by the end of 2030. This Target is ambitious, representing a reduction of 5.5 percentage points from the current rate of 8.5%. In setting this target, the Government is clear that no child should be left behind and that no level of child poverty is acceptable. Tackling child poverty requires sustained investment and cross-Government commitment over many years. The target will guide this work and ensure resources are focused on families with children who are most in need. The Economic and Social Research Institute has estimated that Budget 2026 measures will lift around 2,000 children out of income poverty, and these measures are part of the first year of the Government’s multi-year plan to meet the target.
While consistent poverty is a very important metric, it is not the only way to measure how children are doing. Given the multi-faceted nature of child poverty, both targeted income measures, and non-income measures are key in reducing child poverty, as well as high quality and sustainable employment. To support a multi-dimensional view of child poverty, the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office is collating a dashboard of indicators that will complement the Child Poverty Target and allow for a more holistic measure of child poverty.
Addressing child poverty is one of the priorities highlighted in Young Ireland, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, and measures taken within this Department reflect this priority.
The Department is currently funding four two-year Local Area Child Poverty Action Plan pilots. The objective of these pilot plans is to test better service integration approaches and improve access to available services for disadvantaged children, young people and their families, based on local context and realities. The underpinning assumption informing these Local Area Child Poverty Action Plans is that outcomes for children and families can be improved by first gaining a detailed understanding of the child poverty problem in each area and then using this information to promote experiences of enhanced service integration. Work is progressing in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Tipperary, Monaghan and Kildare. The pilots will explore how to enhance access to vital supports in the areas of early years, food and fuel poverty, for those facing challenging circumstances, and for disadvantaged families with neurodivergent children. An evaluation of these pilots will end in late 2026.
Earlier this month, I announced the establishment of ten new Family Resource Centres across Ireland. This significant expansion builds on the 2025 announcement of five new Centres, and will bring the number of Family Resource Centres from 126 to 136. This reflects the commitment in the Programme for Government to expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres over the lifetime of the Government. Family Resource Centres are of the community and for the community and by the community, and represent our ongoing investment in children, families, and communities across Ireland. I intend to continue via the Budgetary process the expansion of the network of Family Resource Centres over the lifetime of this government. There are currently two Family Resource Centres in County Laois. More information on the supports these Centres provide can be found on [www.familyresource.ie].
Home visiting services provide support and guidance to expecting parents and parents of babies and young children. The aim of the programme is to coordinate, provide direction and collect evidence and data to inform the future development of a sustainable national home visiting service. Up to €10 million is being allocated over the period 2024-2028 to expand home visiting services in Ireland, specifically to support the establishment of a new National Home Visiting Programme within Tusla. Priorities for home visiting in 2026 include increasing accessibility and integrating home visiting with other community supports, with a defined set of outcomes focused on child and family wellbeing.
1013. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which her Department is working with Tusla, the HSE, Cuan, and other relevant agencies to support coordinated access to community-based counselling and psychotherapy services for children, young people, and families, including those in rural or disadvantaged areas; whether engagement with an organisation (details supplied) forms part of this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12038/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that officials from the Department meet with Tusla’s Commissioning Office on a quarterly basis, to discuss service provision, funding and any ongoing initiatives. Funding for counselling and psychotherapy services is administered by Tusla, and the Department has no role in the funding of individual services. It should also be noted that the Department does not have any involvement in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), which are run by HSE and under the remit of the Department of Health.
Tusla has advised it works closely with the HSE, Cuan, Government Departments, and community and voluntary partners to support coordinated access to community-based counselling and psychotherapy services for children, young people, and families, including those living in rural or disadvantaged areas.
Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC), established in every county and chaired by Tusla, provide the primary interagency structure for local service planning and coordination. CYPSC bring together statutory, community, and voluntary organisations to identify need, reduce service fragmentation, and improve pathways to appropriate supports. Through this structure, agencies collaborate to ensure that children and families can access the right service at the right time.
Tusla also engages on an ongoing basis with the HSE and Cuan to strengthen service integration, particularly in the context of therapeutic supports linked to child protection, domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services, and the development of Barnahus services. This engagement supports clearer referral pathways, shared governance expectations, and improved responsiveness to complex need.
In addition, Tusla funds a range of community-based counselling and therapeutic services under Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. These services form part of a broader, planned service ecosystem designed to complement statutory provision and expand local capacity.
Tusla is continuing to enhance its commissioning approach to further support coordinated planning. Commissioning plans are informed by population need, service demand, performance data, and engagement with statutory and community partners. This structured approach strengthens oversight, promotes consistency in service quality, and supports more strategic investment in prevention and early intervention services.
Tusla recognises the importance of strong clinical governance and quality assurance across all funded services. In this context, the Agency notes the development of Community Therapy Ireland’s Clinical
Governance Badge of Excellence, which is intended to support member organisations in demonstrating adherence to defined governance and practice standards. While such initiatives sit alongside existing regulatory and contractual requirements, they also contribute positively to sector-wide quality improvement and transparency for service users and funders. I can confirm that officials in the Department and Tusla colleagues have met with the organisation concerned in the context of its engagement with community counselling services, and the development and rollout of its Badge of Excellence initiative.
Tusla will continue to work collaboratively with partners to improve access, integration, governance, and outcomes for children, young people, and families requiring counselling and psychotherapy supports.
Appendix 8 of the most recent Tusla Annual Report and Financial Statements records payments to Family Support Services Counselling providers around the country. In many cases providers offer counselling and therapeutic services at no to low-cost to the communities that they serve.
In addition to Family Support Services Counselling funding, in 2025 the Department secured an additional €1.5 million – formerly allocated under Dormant Accounts – for counselling, psychotherapy and therapeutic services to children and young people. This funding allowed organisations, such as Family Resource Centres (FRCs), to continue their important work of providing counselling and therapeutic services in the community. The funding helped to address unmet need and reduce waiting lists for community-based counselling services.
In 2024, Clinical and Therapeutic Lead posts were established by Tusla in a number of FRCs around the country, to ensure that there is a Clinical and Therapeutic Lead in all six Tusla regions. I understand that this initiative is working very well. The focus of the role includes providing clinical leadership, ensuring that quality services are developed and adapted to meet emerging and presenting needs in the region, and monitoring standards regarding clinical practice and good governance. Clinical Leads also deliver therapy services directly to clients.
1014. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the expected impact of the recently announced €1 million in funding for nine digital and assistive technology projects under the HSE CREATE III initiative; the way in which these projects will enhance participation and supports for people with sensory, cognitive, physical and intellectual disabilities; and the Minister’s plans to further strengthen the national assistive technology ecosystem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12039/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive’s Cooperative Real Engagement for Assistive Technology Enhancement (CREATE) initiative provides funding ranging from €75,000–€200,000 to HSE and Section 38/39 organisations. Funded projects design, implement and scale best-practice assistive technology service delivery; and develop universally designed digital education and training hubs.
Building on previous iterations, CREATE III projects are required to align with the five core assistive technology domains - Personal Mobility, Vision, Hearing, Communication and Accessibility - ensuring cross-disability relevance.
The investment is expected to strengthen:
• Access to high-quality assistive technologies, including advanced prosthetics, digital communication supports, mobility devices and specialised hardware for people who are deafblind.
• Sustainable AT service pathways, through enhanced receiving, reviewing, repairing, reusing, refurbishing and recycling systems.
• National AT infrastructure, including collaborative networks such as the Community Hub for Assistive Technology (CHAT) and the expansion of the National Assistive Technology Library.
Overall, this funding builds directly on the success of CREATE I (€2m) and CREATE II (€750,000), which demonstrated improvements in assistive technology access, digital inclusion, workforce capacity and person-centred design across more than 1,200 service users and staff. Government recognises the importance of investing in assistive technology to support people with disabilities given the rising need as a result of ageing populations and a rise in noncommunicable diseases.
Looking forward, the Department is finalising its review of the national Assistive Technology Capacity Assessment (ATA-C) conducted by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe which will guide the future development of assistive technology policy in Ireland.
1015. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has examined the role of remote working in supporting parents with childcare responsibilities; whether this will inform future childcare policy or workforce participation strategies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12040/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaking Remote Work, the National Remote Work Strategy states that while remote working should never be used as a substitute for any form of childcare, it provides families with more flexibility around which they can base their early learning and childcare choices. While remote working is a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) under First 5, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) and DETE committed to delivering a right to request flexible working available for parents and carers. The right to request flexible working for parents and carers, which was introduced by the Departments through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, was commenced on 6 March 2024.
Parents and carers have a right to request flexible working under the legislation. Five days leave per year for medical care purposes was also introduced. The entitlement to breastfeeding breaks was extended to two years after the child’s birth. As noted, the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 also introduced the right to request remote working for all employees. A Code of Practice was prepared by the Workplace Relations Commission which includes guidance for employers and employees on their obligations regarding compliance. A review of the Right to Request Remote Working in the Act is currently being finalised by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
Under the Act, there is also a provision for a review of the Right to Request Flexible Working provisions in the legislation. This review is due to be undertaken in the coming months. The review will also include further research on what additional flexibilities could be introduced for parents and carers.
The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was published in November 2025 and includes amongst its seven objectives for reducing inequalities between women and men the “Having a fair Share” objective, aimed at the financial empowerment of women, and the “Being Supported” objective which focuses on supporting women who are giving and who are receiving care. As part of both these particular objectives, a major emphasis has been placed on expanding the flexibilities afforded to women, parents and carers in the workforce. The implementation of the Strategy is to be laid out and monitored in two Action Plans, the first of which is under development and due for publication shortly. The review to be undertaken on the right to request flexible working will also include further research on what additional flexibilities could be introduced for parents and carers.
The National Strategy for Women and Girls will work with existing Strategies and policy frameworks across Government in achieving its objectives. First 5 is Ireland’s Whole-of-Government Strategy for babies, young children and their families. The Strategy has a pivotal focus on providing a broader range of options for parents to balance working and caring. Under First 5, this Department committed to delivering a right to request flexible working available for parents and carers. Further supports will also be considered in the context of the development of the new First 5 Implementation Plan for 2026-2028.
1016. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any product or services purchased from the USA by her Department in 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by description and amount paid. [12061/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and the response will issue as soon as possible.
1017. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any product or services purchased from Australia by her Department in 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by description and amount paid. [12062/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and the response will issue as soon as possible.
1018. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the case of a child (details supplied) in relation to their care needs; the actions she will take to ensure they receive the care they require; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12089/26]
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.
1019. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications which were made for sustainability funding for childcare services in financial difficulty; the level of funding that was made available each year for the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12124/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSustainability funding is not accessed through a direct application process. The Department oversees a case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committee (CCCs) and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to all Core Funding Partner Services experiencing difficulties, and through which Sustainability Funding may be granted should the need arise.
Under the direction of the Department, Pobal co-ordinate the overall case management process with the CCC administering on-the-ground case management assistance. This can include help for services with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
In some instances, financial supports through Sustainability Funding may be appropriate, in tandem with this case management process. Pobal undertake a detailed financial review of any service wishing to access sustainability funding to assess their financial eligibility and need for funding. At the conclusion of this process, Pobal decide based on the funding criteria and the information gathered whether to recommend sustainability funding. These recommendations come to the Department for decision.
A total of €863,880 sustainability funding has been approved since 2021. Please see a breakdown of each year’s overall budget and spend below in tabular form.
Sustainability Funding
|
Year |
Budget |
Spend |
Number of services that received funding |
|
2021 |
€2,200,000 |
€41,352 |
3 |
|
2022 |
€2,150,000 |
€42,090 |
2 |
|
2023 |
€1,778,000 |
€69,173 |
4 |
|
2024 |
€1,565,000 |
€285,795 |
16 |
|
2025 |
€1,275,000 |
€136,134 |
10 |
Sustainability Funding for Emergency Capital Works
|
Year |
Budget |
Spend |
Number of services that received funding |
|
2025 |
€1,100,000 |
€289,336 |
7 |
It should be noted that while some services do not meet the eligibility requirements for Sustainability Funding, all ineligible services can continue to avail of the non-financial supports through the Case Management Process should they choose to. If a services circumstances change, they may be re-assessed for Sustainability Funding and can seek this through their CCC.
If any service has viability concerns, the Department encourages them to reach out to their local CCC to start availing of supports through the case management process.
