Written Answers Nos. 148-168
148. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to increase the early provision of SLT facilities to children in the Down's syndrome community in Carlow and Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13259/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to ensuring children and their families who need early intervention and therapy input can access that support in a timely way.
There are 93 Children’s Disability Network Teams, they provide services and supports for children with complex clinical needs aged from birth to 18 years of age.
There are currently 12.65 Whole time Equivalent (WTE) Speech and Language therapists (SLT) across the three CDNT’s in Carlow and Kilkenny of which, 9.85 WTE are filled. Since 2023, two additional WTE Speech and language therapy posts have been funded for CDNT’s across Carlow and Kilkenny.
Regarding children with Down Syndrome, some indicative figures from CDNTs indicate an average of 4.3% of total caseloads across teams have Down Syndrome, ranging from 2.3% to 6.1%.
It is important to note that Children with Down syndrome can access Primary Care Speech and Language therapy services in Carlow and Kilkenny.
Through the roadmap for Service Improvement, Disability Services for Children and Young People, a series of actions have been progressed to improve access to Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs). These teams provided supports to 44,739 children with complex needs as of the end of December 2025.
The HSE are currently developing a Service Improvement Plan 2026-2027-Disability Services for Children and Young People, which will build on and improve works started under the Roadmap.
The Government has provided funding for additional posts to enhance the capacity of CDNTs and shorten waiting times in recent years, with further investment in Budget 2026 to fund 150 posts for CDNTs and clinical trainee places. In Budget 2026 alone, more than €3.8 billion has been allocated for Disability Services, which represents an overall increase since 2020 of €1.8bn.
The HSE is working to ensure timely access to children requiring services and to reduce waiting times for Speech and Language therapies.
I will continue to engage with the HSE, the Department, service providers and families to ensure that children with disabilities receive the supports they require in a timely manner.
149. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific steps she is taking to deliver additional not for profit childcare places in the Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk area; the capital and current funding streams available for this purpose in 2026; the projects currently approved or under assessment in these areas; the expected timelines for delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12385/26]
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 has been developed 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.
A suite of appraisal tools have been developed, including a forward planning model, in order to select projects that align with programme objectives. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
The Department is assessing sites and buildings which align with the goals of the programme and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from not-for-profit operators to deliver these State-led services.
150. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the likely timeline for when State-led learning centres could be seen in our communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13387/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast month, I announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare up to 2030. 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 buildings, depending on requirements.
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 and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.
Up to eight capital projects will be selected under the programme in 2026. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
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 at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/
151. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of foster parents or foster placements in County Mayo. [12185/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
152. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child through the national childcare scheme; if she will consider options to cap costs for larger families, as per the Programme for Government; the timeline for this reduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12905/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have always been clear in communicating that the €200 per month commitment is over the lifetime of this Government. While Shaping the Future, the Early Years Action Plan Phase 1 Report, sets out the next steps towards this long-term ambition, I have not waited until now to take action. In September 2025, maximum fee caps were extended to all Partner Services in Core Funding. Budget 2026 also enables Core Funding to continue to support fee-control measures. It will ensure fees remain at 2021 levels for a majority of providers.
A central objective of Shaping the Future is to reduce parental fees to an upper limit of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government. However, this objective cannot be achieved through the National Childcare Scheme alone. The fee-freeze and maximum fee-caps required for Core Funding have been key to the progress in recent years in making early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services more affordable.
The Phase 1 report of Shaping the Future sets out actions which will be carried out in 2026 using existing policy tools. 2026 actions on affordability will include further reduction in some of the highest fees paid by parents by lowering the maximum fees that Core Funding Partner Services can charge. In addition, from autumn 2026 we will reduce fees for lower-income families through the National Childcare Scheme, to ensure that families with incomes below the relative income poverty line receive the maximum subsidies.
Phase 1 of the Action Plan includes:
• An increase to the lower (base) income threshold of the income-assessed subsidy from €26,000 to €34,000.
• An increase to the upper income threshold (income limit) of the income-assessed subsidy from €60,000 to €68,000, to extend income-assessed subsidies to more families.
• An increase to the multiple child deduction (MCD) component of the income-assessed subsidy for families with two children under the age of 15 from €4,300 to €5,500, and for families with three or more children under the age of 15 from €8,600 to €11,000
Phase 2 actions will be undertaken from 2027 to 2029. While we need to make progress quickly, the actions we take must be sustainable, underpinned by public consultation and research, and delivered in a way that supports families, the workforce and service providers. That is why a broad public consultation will be undertaken, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to inform the identification of further actions. Phase 2 actions will be published later in 2026 and will include a roadmap to reduce parental fees to a maximum of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government.
153. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports that will be made available to foster families in the south-east to replace the services from an organisation (details supplied), which have recently been withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13260/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy for raising this issue affecting foster carers and their families in your constituency.
Officials from this Department contacted Tusla regarding its withdrawal of the foster care support service you have referenced, which I understand services the Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary area. Tusla has advised that this decision was taken following a review of fostering supports across the organisation, in light of changes to its service provision.
As you may know, Tusla has embarked on a nationwide programme of reform of its services. As part of this reform programme, Tusla has stated that it has introduced a range of nationwide supports for foster carers, including the national foster care peer support service. The service has been expanded to include six peer support workers across the southeast and southwest regions. Tusla has advised that local peer support arrangements are also available where necessary. An out-of-hours contact line is also in place to support foster carers outside of regular working hours.
Tusla has further advised that it has improved its suite of training supports on a national level for foster carers, with access to online learning, webinars and in-person training and development available through Tusla’s online Foster Care Hub.
The Department has also overseen a significant increase in investment in foster care supports, including in relation to the Foster Care Allowance. The Foster Care Allowance is a weekly payment to foster carers in respect of the child in their care. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax. At the end of 2024, the allowance was increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. As a result foster carers now received €22,100 per annum in respect of a foster child over 12, and €20,800 per annum for a foster child under 12.
In 2025 the Government also introduced funding for the Initial Placement Payment to foster carers at the beginning of each initial foster care placement. Provision was also made for additional mileage support for foster carers who have significant travel responsibilities for children in their care.
I can also advise that the Department secured funding of €300,000 through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) Action Plan for 2026, to be directed towards foster care counselling and psychological supports. This measure will be used to provide counselling support for foster carers and foster children. This would help address the social disadvantage experienced by children in care and their foster carers. This is a one-year measure to help foster carers, children in care, and to inform future service provision.
The Programme for Government 2025 sets out the Government’s intention to provide further support for foster carers, including a commitment to examine pension provision for foster carers. I also plan to bring forward new measures to support foster carers under the Alternative Care Policy Framework, which is currently being developed within the Department.
While I appreciate that this change may have introduced uncertainty for foster carers and their families, Tusla has stated that it is putting transitional arrangements in place and will work directly with affected families during this period. Tusla has also said that the learnings from this particular service will continue to inform the development of its nationwide fostering supports.
154. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that have closed in County Mayo in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12184/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
156. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average wait time in 2025 for a child to be seen for a first appointment by a CDNT. [12459/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
157. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will examine the feasibility of establishing a cross-border pathway for timely assessments for children with disabilities, in light of ongoing delays in the assessment-of-needs process; if her Department would engage with the Department of Health and the HSE on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12386/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that there are unacceptable delays in accessing Assessments of Need. The Department and the HSE are committed to addressing these delays.
It is important to note that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.
However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years. This reflects both the increase in population and families exploring all options to access services for their child. This has led to a growing backlog of applications and long waits for children and their families.
An Assessment of Need is a specific, formal process to determine if a child has a disability as defined under the Disability Act 2005. If it is determined that the child has a disability as defined under the Act, the Assessment of Need process should identify any health and/or education needs, as well as the health services required to meet these needs.
The HSE is the body responsible for the administration of the Assessment of Need process, with HSE Assessment Officers responsible for the production of Assessment of Need reports. As part of the process, Assessment Officers may request a clinical assessment to inform their report.
These clinical assessments can be requested from HSE services such as Primary Care or Children’s Disability Network Teams or can be sourced from private providers. The HSE must ensure that any such providers are appropriately qualified, registered with professional bodies, where appropriate, and garda vetted.
The HSE has advised that it sought legal advice on the applicability of the Cross Border Directive Scheme and the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme for clinical assessments under Assessment of Need.
The legal advice received by the HSE is that clinical assessment for an Assessment of Need under Section 8(2) of the Disability Act must be arranged by the HSE Assessment Officer. As such, the HSE Cross Border Directive scheme and the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme are not appropriate for commissioning Assessments of Need.
I appreciate the frustration of parents and families seeking to access timely assessments for their children. Applications for Assessment of Need have risen from 4,700 in 2020 to over 13,000 in 2025. Unfortunately, this demand is outpacing the capacity of the system to respond. More positively, there has been continued improvement in the number of completed AON reports with over 5,900 completed in 2025, 43% more than 2024.
This improvement has been achieved by several measures, including the Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative, which resulted in over 7,700 clinical assessments sourced from approved private providers since June 2024. These clinical assessments are used by HSE Assessment Officers to inform the production of an assessment of need report.
The initiative will continue this year with €20 million provided for the delivery of some 6,000 clinical assessments, with a specific focus on autism assessments.
In December 2025, Government announced a series of changes to the Assessment of Need process intended to improve access to both assessments and therapies for children who need them.
These changes include targeted amendments to Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which provides for Assessments of Need.
It should be noted that the proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child nor will they alter the statutory six-month timeline set out in the Disability Act.
The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill has been published on the Department’s website. An FAQ document has also been published, providing information on Assessment of Need and the proposed changes for parents and any other interested stakeholders.
It is important that we recognise that legislation is only a part of the response. The HSE continues to work on a number of significant non-legislative actions to address the wider issue of access to services and supports for children with disabilities including:
• The creation of eleven new HSE teams, initially, to support assessment processes, including Assessment of Need, providing clinical guidance and administrative supports.
• Implementation of the Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathways Protocol by the HSE in early 2026. The Protocol will provide a standardised assessment process across primary care, mental health and disability services. It will be the preferred assessment route for autism.
• Introduction of a Single Point of Access system by the HSE in 2026. This should make it easier for families to be referred to the right service, whether that is primary care, CDNT or mental health services. It aims to streamline referrals and reduce duplication, so children do not end up on multiple waiting lists.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be an absolute priority for the Government.
158. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there are additional supports available to assist with ageing parents of adult children with intellectual disabilities, as represented by the Before We Die campaign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13271/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government recognises the vital work carried out by family carers of people with disabilities. It recognises too the importance of the voice of the person with the disability and that they may have certain wishes about their own future.
I recognise the concerns raised by the members of the Before We Die Campaign and greatly value the voices of family carers and the insight they provide. I recently met the campaign group, along with Department officials to discuss their campaign and advocate for their children's futures, as well as the need for more support to be provided to family carers in order for them to continue to be able to carry out this vital work.
This Government acknowledges the ongoing work of the Before We Die group, in advocating for increases in the provision of residential services for people with disabilities and to bring awareness to the issues many of the parents involved are facing.
The Programme for Government commits to develop a multi-year capital plan for investment in residential and independent living options for both adults and children, and to tackle waiting lists for specialist disability services by implementation of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-6, and resourcing and delivering on its targets.
There are currently a number of supports available to assist ageing parents in supporting their adult children with disabilities. These supports include day services, respite services, home support services, personal assistance and residential supports.
These supports are aimed at supporting people with disabilities to remain in their family homes for as long as they and their families wish. However, I acknowledge that in most cases, a person with an intellectual disability will require full-time residential care once their primary carer is no longer able to.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality, alongside the HSE, is continuing to work to increase provision in order to assist those who are most vulnerable in our society, and who urgently require services.
The HSE, together with approximately 90 service providers are providing 8,911 residential places to people with disabilities. From 2020 to 2025, 955 new residential places have been provided to people with disabilities.
In Budget 2026, approximately €3.8 billion of funding has been allocated to Specialist Disability Service’s. In addition to funding ongoing residential placements for almost 9000 current residents, €65m has been allocated to Disability Residential Services in 2026 for new developments, which includes €40m of funding that will provide in the region of 199 residential responses. This includes 72 new planned placements and 80 new unplanned urgent placements, a total of 152 new placements, as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026.
The 2026 National Service Plan includes details of a move towards a more planned and responsive system of service provision and includes an increased emphasis on longer term planning for residential placements, with strengthened operational processes being put in place to respond to the current high demand.
Funding of €25m has been provided in 2026 in order to increase the provision of respite services, including 10,000 additional respite overnights, and 25,000 additional day only respite sessions. Additionally, in 2026, €12.09m has been provided in order to increase the provision of Home support and Personal assistance hours for people with disabilities. Funding for these measures will help to assist people with disabilities who have ageing parents and require supports in order to have more independence in their daily lives.
It is important to note that currently, demand for residential placements is extremely high and exceeds that which can be currently provided. The provision of residential services has come under increasing pressure in the past few years due to a number of impacting factors. This Government is actively working to address these challenges in order to provide people with disabilities with the services that they require.
The HSE and service providers are experiencing ongoing challenges recruiting and retaining staff across the disability sector. The HSE is also reporting changing support needs of current service users, resulting in increased costs for additional adaptions and services to meet changing needs. The cost of new residential placements has increased significantly over the last few years. The average full year cost of a new placement increased by 39% between 2019 and 2025. The availability of suitable housing also presents a challenge.
In order to address issues in relation to availability of suitable housing, the Department is engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Housing Authorities, and the HSE, to explore means of responding to the need for additional capacity, which can assist forward planning and cost-effective placements.
To address these issues and increase the capacity of service providers, the HSE with the support of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality have initiated a number of actions including the significant increase in investment in Disability Services in 2026. A key focus in 2026 will be to ensure the budget meets the real cost of service, ensuring a stable base upon which to plan and expand services now and into the future.
Additionally, the department is continuing to engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to improve access to capital for service providers through local authority funding schemes.
The HSE Disability programme leads are developing a procurement framework for residential placements with for-profit agencies which will focus primarily on purchasing placements on a group basis. This is expected to improve the ability of the HSE to negotiate more cost-effective placements.
159. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a timeline for the implementation of European disability cards in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12904/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Disability Card and European Parking Card Directive was published in November 2024. Member States have until 5 June 2027 to transpose the Directive into national law and until 5 June 2028 to introduce the Cards. It is my intention that Ireland transpose and implement the Directive within these deadlines.
The European Disability Card is an important EU initiative which will make travel easier for disabled Irish citizens by removing barriers to travel across all Member States.
This standardised card will ensure that when a disabled Irish person travels to another EU Member State for a short stay, and uses transport or avails of culture, arts, leisure or sport services, they will be able to easily access any special conditions or preferential treatment available to a disabled citizen of that country. This could include, for example, reduced entry fees when visiting a museum or priority entry or access to dedicated seating areas when attending a sporting event or concert.
The Card will be available in both physical and digital format.
There are often barriers to travel for disabled people, and I absolutely recognise the importance of the European Disability Card for many disabled people as a step towards removing some of those barriers.
As a standardised card, with a recognisable format across the EU, it will simplify the recognition of disability status, enable free movement across the EU, encourage participation in cultural, leisure and sports activities, and ultimately achieve a more inclusive society.
The European Disability Card will be complemented by an enhanced European Parking Card, which has also been established by the same Directive. In a similar way to the European Disability Card, this enhanced parking card will have a standard format across all Member States, making it easier for disabled Irish citizens to travel, secure in the knowledge that their card will be recognised in their destination Member State. This Card is within the remit of the Minister for Transport.
My Department is leading on the transposition of the Directive. As the Directive is broad in its scope, covering transport, arts, culture, officials will be engaging with all relevant departments throughout the transposition process, as well as with Disabled Persons Organisations.
160. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl den Minister for Children, Disability and Equality an bhfuil sí ar an eolas faoi na deacrachtaí a bhaineann le hearcú foirne do chúram leanaí agus naíonraí sa Ghaeltacht; cad iad na hiarrachtaí atá ar siúl chun a chinntiú go bhfuil daoine ar fáil [13020/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCuireann an Rialtas luach ar fhoireann na luathfhoghlama agus cúraim leanaí mar phríomhghné de sholáthar ardchaighdeáin agus tá sé ag obair chun dul i ngleic le dúshláin earcaíochta agus coinneála, atá nasctha le pá agus coinníollacha oibre.
Cé gurb é an Rialtas príomh-mhaoinitheoir na hearnála, ní hé an fostóir é agus ní féidir leis an Roinn leibhéil phá ná coinníollacha oibre a shocrú go díreach.
Is é an Comhchoiste Saothair an sásra foirmiúil trínar féidir le hionadaithe fostóirí agus fostaithe idirbheartaíocht a dhéanamh ar rátaí íosphá, a leagtar amach in Orduithe Rialála Fostaíochta, agus tá sé neamhspleách ina fheidhmeanna.
Tháinig an Orduithe Rialála Fostaíochta is deanaí i bhfeidhm i mí Deireadh Fómhair 2025, feictear mhéadú ar rátaí íosphá de thart ar 10% ar an meán agus méadóidh sé pá do níos mó ná 67% d’fhoireann sa earnáil.
Tacaíonn an Rialtas le torthaí phróiseas an Comhchoiste Saothair trí Bunmhaoiniú. Sa bhliain chláir 2025/26, méadaíodh an Bunmhaoiniú faoi 6% go dtí thart ar €350 milliún, agus cuireadh €45 milliún breise de Bunmhaoiniú fáinne-scartha ar fáil chun tacú le seirbhísí costais mhéadaithe na n-íosrátaí pá san earnáil a chomhlíonadh.
I gcomhréir leis an gClár Rialtais agus an tiomantas leanúint de thacaíocht a thabhairt d’Orduithe Rialála Fostaíochta, d’fhógair mé le déanaí, mar chuid de sheoladh An Todhchaí a Mhúnlú: Plean Gníomhaíochta Luathbhlianta i mí na Nollag, leithdháileadh breise suas le €15 milliún de mhaoiniú fáinne-scartha ó Mheán Fómhair 2026, a sroicheann suas le €45 milliún don bhliain chláir iomlán, chun tacú le sholáthraítí seirbhíse leis na costais a bhaineann le méaduithe féideartha ar rátaí íosphá a socraíodh trí idirbheartaíocht tríd an bpróiseas neamhspleách den Comhchoiste Saothair.
I mí na Nollag 2023, bunaíodh Foghrúpa d’Fhóram Páirtithe Leasmhara na Luathfhoghlama agus an Chúraim Leanaí chun dul i ngleic le dúshláin earcaíochta agus coinneála. Tá tionscnaimh curtha chun cinn ag an ngrúpa, lena n-áirítear:
• Próiseas meara do mhic léinn chun staidéir a aithint le haghaidh oibre lasmuigh den téarma.
• Conairí measúnaithe do dhaoine aonair a bhfuil cáilíochtaí neamhchríochnaithe acu.
• Iarracht chomhordaithe chun gairmeacha san earnáil a chur chun cinn.
Tá an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobal agus Gaeltachta (RFTPG) freagracht as an Ghaeilge. Tugann RFTPG tacaíocht sa bhreis do sheirbhisí Foghlaim agus Cúram na Luath- Óige trí mhéan na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltachta tríd a gníomhaireachtaí agus a heagraíochtaí.
I Meitheamh 2024, d’fhógair an RFTPG maoiniú cúig bliana chun seirbhís chuimsitheach tacaíochta agus forbairtí do naíonraí taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, le riaradh ag Gaeloideachas.
Thug an Roinn Leanaí, Míchumais agus Comhionannais maoiniú do Ghaeloideachas in 2025 agus 2026 chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do seirbhísí Foghlaim agus Cúram na Luath-Óige trí mhéan na Gaeilge.
Ag teacht leis na gealltanais a tugadh sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta 5 Bliana don Ghaeilge, tá mo Roinn ag obair i gcomhar le Ranna agus gníomhaireachtaí ábhartha eile chun plean cuimsitheach a fhorbairt chun forbairt sholáthar na Gaeilge san earnáil ELC agus SAC a chur chun cinn.
Meastar go dtacaíodh an pléann náisiúnta le cur chun feidhme dhá ghealltanas Na Chéad 5: Straitéis Uile-Rialtais do Naíonáin, Leanaí Óga agus a dTeaghlaigh: ‘‘Bearta a thabairt isteach leana chinntiú go mbeidh rochtain ag leanaí i gceantair Ghaeltachta i soláthar Foghlaim agus Cúram na Luath-Óige lán- Ghaeilge’’ agus ‘‘Meicníochtaí a fhorbairt chun tacaíocht Gaeilge a chur ar fáil do sholáthar Foghlaim agus Cúram na Luath-Óige in áiteanna a bhfuil céatadán ard leanaí ag foghlaim trí mheán na Gaeilge’’
Meastar freisin go dtacóidh an plean le seachadadh gealltanas sa Chlár Rialtais: ‘‘Tacú le Naíonraí agus le creis chun rochtain ar luathoideachas a chinntiú i bpobail Ghaeltachta agus níos faide’’ agus ‘‘Pleanáil a dhéanamh ar fhorbairt áiseanna faoi cheannas an Stáit i gcomhar le clár tógála na scoileanna, naíonraí lán- Ghaeilge san áireamh’’.
161. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality how Ireland’s first National Equality Data Strategy will enhance the delivery of public services, particularly in identifying and addressing barriers faced by different groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13256/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Equality Data Strategy has been developed by the Central Statistics Office and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality in partnership with a working group drawn from across Government, as well as civil society and research bodies.
Equality data refers to any piece of information that is useful for the purposes of describing and analysing the state of equality. The protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Acts (gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community) act as a foundation, but equality data is not limited to these characteristics.
Equality data provides policymakers with the information they need to identify and analyse barriers faced by different groups. This helps the development of well-informed and effective policies to address these barriers and to protect against discrimination and exclusion in our society.
The National Equality Data Strategy requires all Government Departments to make a commitment to collect, use or disseminate equality data and to develop the organisational capacity to fulfil this commitment. It further requires Government Departments to support public bodies under their aegis in the collection or use of equality data.
The Strategy is built around Four Strands:
• Collection of Equality Data
• Standards and Classifications
• Use of Equality Data
• Monitoring and Oversight of the Strategy
The Actions proposed under each Strand are intended to provide the building blocks for the development of a whole-of-Government system to collect and use equality data.
The Strategy is intended to provide a general approach for identifying and filling current gaps in equality data, as well as developing standard practices in classification. It aims to improve Ireland’s collection, disaggregation and use of equality data to enable policymakers to develop sound and inclusive evidence-informed policies to improve service delivery and outcomes across Ireland.
162. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the delivery of the public model of childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13305/26]
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.
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.
There will be a particular focus in the new State-led facilities on providing places for 1-3 year old children, with capacity for these children to continue in the service until they start school, because this is where the need is greatest. The aim of delivering additional supply of this type in suitable locations will include both rural areas and urban areas which are not well served at the moment.
A suite of appraisal tools have been developed, including a forward planning model, in order to select projects that align with programme objectives. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
This Department is in the advanced stage of assessing sites and buildings and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.
Further detail on the programme objectives, models of delivery and criteria for assessment of business cases is outlined in the programme booklet:
assets.gov.ie/static/documents/bab6176f/20260121_State_led_Early_Learning_and_Childcare_Capital_Programme.pdf
163. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the difficulty posed by auto enrolment for TUSLA-funded projects (details supplied). [12268/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality welcomes the Auto-Enrolment Retirement Savings System launched in January 2026. The Auto-Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) will have responsibility for employer compliance, with Revenue providing support by supplying payroll data for identification and enrolment purposes.
All employers are required to comply with the legislation underpinning MyFutureFund, regardless of their status or funding arrangements. This requirement applies equally to employers including where employees are on short term contracts or working multiple part-time jobs. MyFutureFund will be central to helping people increase their financial security in their retirement years.
Agencies, organisations and charities that will be covered by the new auto-enrolment scheme are generally funded under Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. These organisations receive a portion of their funding from Tusla to deliver agreed services. Funding is provided to organisations by Tusla through the grant process.
These organisations are independent entities, and as such employment contracts and obligations (e.g. auto-enrolment, pay, pensions) are matters between the employer and their employees. As these staff are not public sector employees, responsibility for meeting obligations under the new auto-enrolment scheme rests with their respective employers.
I appreciate the critical functions these organisations carry out and would like to thank the staff and volunteers in all those providers for the key work, care and support they give to improve people’s lives.
Tusla continues to engage with organisations it funds and will look at the level of need in this area. It is anticipated that Tusla will gather information from organisations with a view to preparing a comprehensive business case to put forward as part of their estimates bid for budget 2027.
164. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the efforts her Department is making to address the shortage of respite places for children with disabilities in Kerry. [13301/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
166. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the efforts her Department is making to address the shortage of respite places for children with disabilities in Cork. [13388/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
167. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider purchasing a building (details supplied) for the purposes of establishing a community childcare facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13328/26]
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.
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.
There will be a particular focus in the new State-led facilities on providing places for 1-3 year old children, with capacity for these children to continue in the service until they start school, because this is where the need is greatest. The aim of delivering additional supply of this type in suitable locations will include both rural areas and urban areas which are not well served at the moment.
A suite of appraisal tools have been developed, including a forward planning model, in order to select projects that align with programme objectives. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
This Department is assessing sites and buildings and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.
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.
168. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Willie O'Dea den Minister for Children, Disability and Equality an bhfuil sí ar an eolas faoi na deacrachtaí a bhaineann le hearcú foirne do chúram leanaí agus naíonraí sa Ghaeltacht; cad iad na hiarrachtaí atá ar siúl chun a chinntiú go bhfuil daoine ar fáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13010/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCuireann an Rialtas luach ar fhoireann na luathfhoghlama agus cúraim leanaí mar phríomhghné de sholáthar ardchaighdeáin agus tá sé ag obair chun dul i ngleic le dúshláin earcaíochta agus coinneála, atá nasctha le pá agus coinníollacha oibre.
Cé gurb é an Rialtas príomh-mhaoinitheoir na hearnála, ní hé an fostóir é agus ní féidir leis an Roinn leibhéil phá ná coinníollacha oibre a shocrú go díreach.
Is é an Comhchoiste Saothair an sásra foirmiúil trínar féidir le hionadaithe fostóirí agus fostaithe idirbheartaíocht a dhéanamh ar rátaí íosphá, a leagtar amach in Orduithe Rialála Fostaíochta, agus tá sé neamhspleách ina fheidhmeanna.
Tháinig an Orduithe Rialála Fostaíochta is deanaí i bhfeidhm i mí Deireadh Fómhair 2025, feictear mhéadú ar rátaí íosphá de thart ar 10% ar an meán agus méadóidh sé pá do níos mó ná 67% d’fhoireann sa earnáil.
Tacaíonn an Rialtas le torthaí phróiseas an Comhchoiste Saothair trí Bunmhaoiniú. Sa bhliain chláir 2025/26, méadaíodh an Bunmhaoiniú faoi 6% go dtí thart ar €350 milliún, agus cuireadh €45 milliún breise de Bunmhaoiniú fáinne-scartha ar fáil chun tacú le seirbhísí costais mhéadaithe na n-íosrátaí pá san earnáil a chomhlíonadh.
I gcomhréir leis an gClár Rialtais agus an tiomantas leanúint de thacaíocht a thabhairt d’Orduithe Rialála Fostaíochta, d’fhógair mé le déanaí, mar chuid de sheoladh An Todhchaí a Mhúnlú: Plean Gníomhaíochta Luathbhlianta i mí na Nollag, leithdháileadh breise suas le €15 milliún de mhaoiniú fáinne-scartha ó Mheán Fómhair 2026, a sroicheann suas le €45 milliún don bhliain chláir iomlán, chun tacú le sholáthraítí seirbhíse leis na costais a bhaineann le méaduithe féideartha ar rátaí íosphá a socraíodh trí idirbheartaíocht tríd an bpróiseas neamhspleách den Comhchoiste Saothair.
I mí na Nollag 2023, bunaíodh Foghrúpa d’Fhóram Páirtithe Leasmhara na Luathfhoghlama agus an Chúraim Leanaí chun dul i ngleic le dúshláin earcaíochta agus coinneála. Tá tionscnaimh curtha chun cinn ag an ngrúpa, lena n-áirítear:
• Próiseas meara do mhic léinn chun staidéir a aithint le haghaidh oibre lasmuigh den téarma.
• Conairí measúnaithe do dhaoine aonair a bhfuil cáilíochtaí neamhchríochnaithe acu.
• Iarracht chomhordaithe chun gairmeacha san earnáil a chur chun cinn.
Tá an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobal agus Gaeltachta (RFTPG) freagracht as an Ghaeilge. Tugann RFTPG tacaíocht sa bhreis do sheirbhisí Foghlaim agus Cúram na Luath- Óige trí mhéan na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltachta tríd a gníomhaireachtaí agus a heagraíochtaí.
I Meitheamh 2024, d’fhógair an RFTPG maoiniú cúig bliana chun seirbhís chuimsitheach tacaíochta agus forbairtí do naíonraí taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, le riaradh ag Gaeloideachas.
Thug an Roinn Leanaí, Míchumais agus Comhionannais maoiniú do Ghaeloideachas in 2025 agus 2026 chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do seirbhísí Foghlaim agus Cúram na Luath-Óige trí mhéan na Gaeilge.
Ag teacht leis na gealltanais a tugadh sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta 5 Bliana don Ghaeilge, tá mo Roinn ag obair i gcomhar le Ranna agus gníomhaireachtaí ábhartha eile chun plean cuimsitheach a fhorbairt chun forbairt sholáthar na Gaeilge san earnáil ELC agus SAC a chur chun cinn.
Meastar go dtacaíodh an pléann náisiúnta le cur chun feidhme dhá ghealltanas Na Chéad 5: Straitéis Uile-Rialtais do Naíonáin, Leanaí Óga agus a dTeaghlaigh: ‘‘Bearta a thabairt isteach leana chinntiú go mbeidh rochtain ag leanaí i gceantair Ghaeltachta i soláthar Foghlaim agus Cúram na Luath-Óige lán- Ghaeilge’’ agus ‘‘Meicníochtaí a fhorbairt chun tacaíocht Gaeilge a chur ar fáil do sholáthar Foghlaim agus Cúram na Luath-Óige in áiteanna a bhfuil céatadán ard leanaí ag foghlaim trí mheán na Gaeilge’’
Meastar freisin go dtacóidh an plean le seachadadh gealltanas sa Chlár Rialtais: ‘‘Tacú le Naíonraí agus le creis chun rochtain ar luathoideachas a chinntiú i bpobail Ghaeltachta agus níos faide’’ agus ‘‘Pleanáil a dhéanamh ar fhorbairt áiseanna faoi cheannas an Stáit i gcomhar le clár tógála na scoileanna, naíonraí lán- Ghaeilge san áireamh’’.
