Written Answers Nos. 169-188
169. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of community services awarded the building blocks grants in 2025; the number of these services that have subsequently decided not to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13304/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched in late 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January 2025. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received with 50 applicants approved to progress to the next stage of the grant process. Following approval, applicants were required to finalise the legal formalities of the scheme and projects are now commencing.
Of the 50 applications which were approved for progression, 43 came from Community services across the country. This represents 86% of all applications approved. These can be broken down into 24 Community Extension projects, 15 Community Construction projects, and four Community Purchasing projects. The remaining seven approved applications came from private services seeking to extend their premises.
Of these 43 community applications, regrettably two community services have since informed the Department that they cannot go ahead with their projects.
Combined, the remaining 41 community projects are anticipated to deliver over 1,200 new full day places for children aged under 3 across Ireland.
Following on from the success of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, a further Building Blocks scheme will open for applications in 2026. This round of capital funding will focus on funding extensions to existing premises to allow for increased numbers of children to be offered places on a full-time basis. I expect to announce details of the next Building Blocks scheme in the coming weeks.
Separately, the Department is embarking on programme of capital investment in State-led early learning and childcare which will make investment in buildings to support the expansion of full day places, particularly for young children. This investment will constitute purchase and/or fit out of buildings depending on the specifics of particular projects. Details of this programme were announced by the Department on 21st January.
170. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider extending the duration of paternity leave in cases of multiple births for example, twins or triplets, in recognition of the additional care and support needs that arise for parents of multiples; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1438/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant improvements have been made in the entitlements to both paid and unpaid leaves in recent years, including by extending paid parent's leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their babies during their earliest years.
The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with 26 weeks of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks after the return to work, which have been extended to two years following the birth of the child, through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Furthermore, since 20 November 2024, employees can postpone their maternity leave if they require ongoing treatment for a serious health condition as set out in the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024.
While the Maternity Protection Acts 1994-2004 do not explicitly refer to multiple births, the entitlement arises from the pregnancy and confinement, which are treated as a single event, regardless of the number of children arising. This applies also to the unpaid leave.
The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides the relevant parent (other than the mother of the child) with 2 weeks paid paternity leave. S.6(5) of the Act limits this entitlement in the case of multiple births to a single period of leave.
While the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 limits parent's leave to a single birth, since August 2024 the entitlement is nine weeks of paid leave for each relevant parent for each child, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
Under the Parental Leave Acts, 26 weeks of 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 16, where the child has a disability or long-term illness. This allows a parent more time in which to avail of the extended leave entitlement. This leave entitlement is for each eligible child.
S.7(3) of the Parental Leave Acts also provides that the amount of parental leave in the case of more than one child is limited in a particular year, unless the children are of a multiple birth in which case this limit does not apply.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 complements existing family leaves and other entitlements already in place and provides additional flexibility to ensure that parents and carers can be supported to balance their working and family lives. Under this legislation, parents and carers have a right to request flexible working in line with Article 9 of the Directive EU 2019/1158. Five days leave per year for medical care purposes was also introduced under this Act.
A key priority in First 5, the whole of Government strategy for babies, young children and their families (2019-2028) is support parents to look after their babies at home for the whole of their first year, given the benefits of parental care in that first year for children’s outcomes.
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to examine the possible extension of parent's leave and benefit and additional flexibilities. The next National Strategy for Women and Girls, which was launched November 2025, will consider ways to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work through its two dedicated Actions Plans, the first of which is due to be published in early 2026.
171. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has assessed the significant level of demand for childcare services in north Dublin in its plans for State-led facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13362/26]
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 specific project 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. The forward planning model seeks to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level. An extensive data analysis and cleaning exercise has been undertaken to map available publicly subsidised supply. This involved combining data from multiple administrative sources, including child population data, using GIS (Geographical Information System) mapping tools.
Work is continuing on the next stages of development of the Forward Planning Model, which will incorporate future demographic trends and new housing developments, among other features.
The forward planning model enables officials to better understand the nature of supply/demand misalignment and to inform decision making about capital investment. Analysis is ongoing of the data in this model in order to identify appropriate areas for the development of State-led capital projects.
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.
172. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current status of Ireland’s implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the specific measures that have been implemented to date; the measures that remain outstanding; the timelines for their delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12384/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international human rights agreement which sets out the rights of children and young people under the age of 18. The articles of the UNCRC are wide-ranging and cover a number of areas including health, housing, social security, education, leisure and play, child protection and welfare, criminal justice, international protection as well as access to information and participation in decision-making. Ireland ratified the UNCRC in 1992.
In February 2022, Ireland submitted its combined fifth and sixth periodic reports under the Convention to the UN Committee. In February 2023, the Committee published its Concluding Observations on the Irish reports, in which they welcomed the progress Ireland has made in respecting children’s rights, and highlighted areas where more needs to be done.
The process of implementation of the UNCRC into national law depends on the national traditions and systems of implementation of international treaties, most notably, whether the legal system of the State is monist or dualist. Ireland has a dualist approach to international law which means that the terms of an international agreement do not become part of the domestic law of the State unless expressly incorporated by or under an Act of the Oireachtas. While Ireland is legally bound by the obligations set out in treaties that it has ratified, those treaties are not directly applicable in Irish law. In order to be enforceable domestically, a treaty must be domestically incorporated, either through an Act of the Oireachtas or an amendment to the Constitution.
I am aware that in their concluding observations on the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Ireland, the United Nations Committee recommended that the Ireland “fully incorporate the Convention into national legislation, (and) conduct a comprehensive review of all its legislation to align it with the Convention.”
The Department has commissioned research on Ireland’s legislative compliance with the UNCRC, which will support the identification of gaps in existing legislation and give recommendations for new or revised legislation to uphold the UNCRC. Following this, the Department will review the findings and consult with the Attorney General’s Office in relation to any legislative gaps identified, to seek advice on next steps.
173. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she has taken to improve CDNT access in Cork. [12460/26]
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
174. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she has plans to introduce new rules to regulate non-refundable childcare deposits, given that they can be substantial, particularly for families who join multiple waiting lists in order to secure a childcare place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12391/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Core Funding, in which over 93% of the sector participates, providers agree that all deposits must be returned to the parent/ guardian once the child’s registration is approved on the Hive or within four weeks of the child taking up the place, whichever is sooner.
Additionally, providers must agree that they will not charge any non-refundable deposits (including administration/registration fees/waiting list fees, etc.) to parents/guardians in respect of their early learning and childcare service for which the deposit was paid.
In instances where a child does not take up a place for which a deposit was paid, there is no onus on a provider, under the Core Funding rules, to return the deposit to the parent/guardian.
The Department is committed to ongoing engagement on this matter and will consider wider changes to Core Funding deposit rules for the 2026/2027 programme year. These considerations will include a review of the restrictions around deposits.
Work on reviewing Core Funding policy for Year 5 is ongoing. Full details of Core Funding 2026/2027 will be made available to the sector in the coming months.
In relation to ECCE deposits, an ECCE Approved Provider may charge a refundable booking deposit to hold an ECCE place for a child. The maximum deposit a provider may charge is equivalent to 4 weeks ECCE payment. The full ECCE deposit must be returned to the parent once the child's ECCE registration is approved.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) does not stipulate any rules regarding deposits except in relation to sponsored children, where it is not permitted to charge deposits.
175. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will outline her Department’s plans to invest in more Tusla mainstream residential cares centres for children and young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13267/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality has resourced Tusla to maintain and expand its provision of services through significant additional funding across successive Budgets. In Budget 2026, an overall increase of €177 million was secured for Tusla, representing a 14% increase in Tusla’s budget over its 2025 allocation. This brings Tusla’s total funding to over €1.4 billion for 2026. This increase includes an additional €53 million for mainstream residential care. Tusla plans to invest a total of €286 million in expanding mainstream residential care in 2026, increasing the number of placements for children in need to over 800.
The Department will continue to prioritise residential care in the National Development Plan 2026-2030. In 2026, Tusla will be provided with a capital allocation of €35m. The allocation represents a considerable capital investment in Tusla. This will allow Tusla to significantly increase the purchase of premises for both residential and step-down care. Increased capital investment in Tusla’s own facilities will facilitate a move away from reliance on private providers.
In accordance with the Programme for Government commitment, the Department has commenced the development of a National Policy Framework for Alternative Care. The Framework will articulate the State’s vision for alternative care, focus efforts to address existing challenges, and most importantly look to improve outcomes for children and their families. While the framework will not resolve all of the current or future challenges in Alternative Care, it will however address key issues in the care system, and provide a considered, cohesive and well-communicated vision and direction of travel for Alternative Care in Ireland.
176. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to improve provision in the early years sector for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12772/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model or AIM is a programme of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities or additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education or ECCE programme. The goal of AIM is to empower early learning and care providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early learning and care in any mainstream service participating in the ECCE programme.
A core feature and strength of AIM is that it does not require a diagnosis. Instead, resources are allocated based on a child’s individual needs.
Since AIM was first launched in 2016, more than 40,900 children have received targeted AIM supports in over 4,900 settings nationally and many more children have benefited from its universal supports.
The AIM budget for 2026 is €86.05 million — an increase of 50% since 2024. This funding will support up to 9,000 children to access the ECCE programme in 2026 through targeted AIM supports, as well as a 10% increase in the capitation rate for AIM Level 7, which was introduced from October 2025.
An independent evaluation of AIM was undertaken in order to inform an extension of AIM beyond the ECCE programme as well as any potential enhancements to the model.
The findings from the evaluation were published in January 2024 and have informed the phased extension of AIM. Since September 2024, AIM has expanded beyond time spent in the ECCE programme for ECCE-aged children. This allows children to access early learning and childcare for up to an additional 3 hours in term and 6 hours out of term.
It is intended that over time, all children with additional needs registered in early learning and care services will have access to supports under AIM.
Officials in the Department are engaging in a comprehensive policy development process during 2026 to extend AIM to children aged under three, which will be underpinned by consultations with key stakeholders.
Consideration will be given at a future date to options and mechanisms for extending AIM to children in school-age childcare.
It is critical that these models will be strongly evidence-based and reflective of the needs of children. This requires tailoring of the Access and Inclusion Model and differentiation of approaches for each of these two separate age cohorts. Funding will be sought through the annual budget process on a phased basis for these further extensions of AIM.
An action plan is underway to address other Evaluation-identified improvements.
Two notable steps already achieved in this regard include:
• The publication of Introductory Guidelines for the inclusion of autistic children in early learning, school-age childcare, and childminding settings (in collaboration with AsIAm).
• The recent launch of the updated LINC Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years Inclusion Coordinator INCO programme, with a focus on autism and the development of supplementary CPD materials.
177. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will outline the scheme, or schemes, of grant aid that will be available this year for the upgrading or provision of new childcare accommodation, both for community providers and private providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13005/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is currently in operation. Successful applicants are in the process of finalising the legal formalities associated with the scheme, with some services already actively delivering their projects.
Following on from the success of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, a further Building Blocks scheme will open for applications in 2026. This round of capital funding will focus on funding extensions to existing premises to allow for increased numbers of children to be offered places on a full-time basis. Community and private providers who are currently Core Funding partner services will be eligible to apply for this scheme. It is intend that this scheme focus on enabling additional places to be delivered.
I expect to announce details of the next Building Blocks scheme in the coming weeks.
Separately, the Department is embarking on programme of capital investment in State-led early learning and childcare which will make investment in buildings to support the expansion of full day places, particularly for young children. This investment will constitute purchase and/or fit out of buildings depending on the specifics of particular projects. Details of this programme were announced by the Department on 21st January.
178. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if any of the State’s acquisition of buildings intended for the purpose of developing early child care facilities will be located in Kerry. [13365/26]
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.
179. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan 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 nionraí sa Ghaeltacht, cad iad na hiarrachtaí atá ar siúl chun a chinntiú go bhfuil daoine ar fáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13381/26]
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’’.
180. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently in State care; the number who are in foster placements; and the number who are in other placements. [12165/26]
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.
181. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has carried out any research on a social media ban for children, either in Ireland or internationally; and if she will share such findings. [13266/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has not undertaken any research on a social media ban for children.
Growing Up in Ireland is the national longitudinal study of children and young people. This study provides data on the issues facing children and young people today. Details of external research publications can be found at the Growing Up in Ireland website: www.growingup.gov.ie
182. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline any measures to support early years service providers to meet the increased costs of operating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13375/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department supports the ongoing development of existing and new services in the sector through its range of funding schemes and support infrastructure including City/County Childcare Committees.
In particular, Core Funding offers supply-side funding to services to support them with their operational costs. Core Funding operates alongside all other early learning and childcare programmes and constitutes additional income to services on top of these programmes (and parental fees) towards their operating costs.
When first introduced in 2022, Core Funding had an annual allocation of €259 million, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding to the sector.
That annual allocation has increased each year since and exceeds €390 million for the fourth and current year of Core Funding. This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in three years. The additional funding is supporting further capacity growth, the maintenance of a fee management system to benefit families and significant improvements to pay and conditions in this valued sector.
The allocation for Core Funding for year 5 of the Scheme will increase again by 22% to over €480 million. This allows us to maintain fees at 2021 levels in Year 5, support further improvements in pay for staff, and support services in adhering to reduced maximum fee caps from September 2026 – ensuring sustainability and stability for the sector.
In addition to increased funding, the Department has also made changes to improve the sustainability of providers through, for example, targeted measures for small and sessional services, and a fee increase assessment and approval process for services with fees frozen at unsustainably low rates.
Participation in Core Funding also unlocks additional supports for services, including access to support for services caring for concentrated numbers of children facing disadvantage through Equal Start, and opportunities to apply for capital grants through the Department.
Core Funding 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.
The Department will explore further changes for year 5 of the scheme – from September 2026 - based on the operation of year 4 of the Scheme as well as stakeholder input and income and cost data from providers.
The Department will also continue to oversee the Case Management process through which local City/County Childcare Committees and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to early learning and care services experiencing difficulties.
The sustainability fund for service providers is a support mechanism introduced to ensure the stability and viability of early learning and childcare services for those participating in the Core Funding model.
The fund is accessed through a collaborative process involving the service, their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC), and Pobal, who assess financial eligibility and need. Any service experiencing financial difficulty and who would like support should contact their CCC to access case management supports.
I am confident in the adequacy of Core Funding in supporting the sector to meet rising costs.
183. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on how deposits for childcare services will be managed under Core Funding 2026-2027. [13316/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Core Funding, in which over 93% of the sector participates, providers agree that all deposits must be returned to the parent/ guardian once the child’s registration is approved on the Hive or within four weeks of the child taking up the place, whichever is sooner. Additionally, providers must agree that they will not charge any non-refundable deposits (including administration/registration fees/waiting list fees, etc.) to parents/guardians in respect of their early learning and childcare service for which the deposit was paid.
The Department is committed to ongoing engagement on this matter and will consider wider changes to Core Funding deposit rules for the 2026/2027 programme year. These considerations will include a review of the restrictions around deposits.
Work on reviewing Core Funding policy for Year 5 is ongoing. Full details of Core Funding 2026/2027 will be made available to the sector in the coming months.
184. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality provide an update on progress of new childminding regulations in light of concerns raised by the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13370/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla.
The childminding-specific Regulations are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. The regulations differ substantially from regulations for centre-based childcare.
Childminders were consulted on and involved in all aspects of the development of the regulations. Both the Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, and the Advisory Groups that have supported it, have included childminders, as well as organisations representing childminders.
On 8 February 2024, a 12-week public consultation on draft childminding regulations was launched. The draft regulations were published along with a draft guidance document and an easy read summary. In response to the public consultation, which ended 2 May 2024, a number of key changes were made to the draft regulations.
The full Report on the Draft Childminding Regulations Consultation has been published online (at assets.gov.ie/static/documents/report-on-the-draft-childminding-regulations-consultation.pdf). In addition, a detailed Response to the Consultation Findings has also been published online (at assets.gov.ie/static/documents/response-to-the-consultation-findings.pdf).
In addition to the public consultation, an independent external review of the draft regulations was carried out by Dr Bill Maxwell, the former CEO of Education Scotland, former Chief Inspector in both Scotland and Wales, and OECD consultant, which confirmed that the approach was proportionate for childminding in Ireland. The external review was commissioned in 2024 by the then Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an independent, external assessment of the Draft Childminding Regulations before their finalisation. The Independent External Review of the Draft Childminding Regulations has been published online (at assets.gov.ie/static/documents/9cefb5a5/Dr._Bill_Maxwell_-_Feedback_on_Draft_Childminding_Regulations_for_Ireland_June_2024.pdf).
We are now in a 3-year transition period (to September 2027) during which childminders are being encouraged and supported to register, but registration is not yet mandatory.
This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
The Department has committed to undertake a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations during the transition period. The review will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders. The review will provide an important opportunity to learn lessons from initial experiences with the regulations. In addition to hearing from childminders who have not yet registered, it is important that the review adequately captures, and benefits from, the experiences of those who have registered and been through the registration process and who have operated within the new Regulations. The review will commence in 2026.
185. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the lack of respite available to children with disabilities across County Donegal; and to outline her plans to address this serious shortfall. [3633/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
186. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her proposals to provide additional respite capacity for adults and children with disabilities in County Monaghan. [13203/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
187. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria being used to select family resource centres for funding via the National Forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13215/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to clarify that the Family Resource Centre National Forum does not fund Family Resource Centre Programme members. Core funding of the Programme members is an operational matter for Tusla, which is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Family Resource Centre Programme. Tusla is also responsible for the commissioning of new Family Resource Centres.
In relation to the expansion of the FRC Programme over 2025 and 2026, a comprehensive national application and assessment process was undertaken, which was led by Tusla and independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick. All applications were reviewed and scored against the clearly defined and published criteria, including population need, level of deprivation, child population data, existing service provision and existing service gaps. Decisions on the successful services were made by the assessment panel.
The following were the criteria set out as part of the Tusla application process:
• Willingness to engage with Tusla on funding for children and family support services.
• It is desirable for a Board of Management to be in place (as opposed to a partnership company). Where a Board of Management is not in place, successful organisations will be timebound to form their own Board of Management with the capacity to develop services.
• Have existing facilities suitable to deliver the programme.
• Demonstrate the ability to deliver outcomes driven service based on evidence based or evidence informed delivery model.
• The absence of a sustainable alternative service providing a range of services similar to those provided by existing FRCs.
• CYPSC Plan and/or Tusla Area Commissioning Plan, will be considered where in place.
• Evidence of a large population or socio-economically disadvantaged population currently without a sufficient service to meet needs.
• Evidence of a lack of locally available services to provide a range of children and family supports reflective of the local community.
188. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will outline each section of enacted legislation, where the responsibility lies in the Minister to commence that section, that has not been commenced; if she will outline each section of enacted legislation which provides for the making of regulations by the Minister that have not been made by the Minister; if she will outline all sections of enacted legislation or secondary legislation which provide for the publication of guidelines by the Minister that have not been published, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13506/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no enacted legislation, commencement of which is the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, which has not yet been commenced.
There are a number of legislative provisions that empower the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to make orders or regulations under which the Minister has yet to make an order or regulations, in particular sections 5 and 6 of the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967, sections 3 and 10 of the Jurisdiction of Courts (Maritime Conventions) Act 1989, section 6 of the Maintenance Act 1994, section 8 of the Geneva Conventions (Amendment) Act 1998, section 3 of the Criminal Justice (Illicit Traffic by Sea) Act 2003, and section 24 of the Arbitration Act 2010.
There are no provisions of primary or secondary legislation which provide for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to publish guidelines which have not yet been published.
The relevant information is set out in tabular form below and a comprehensive list of all legislation for which the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible is available on the Department’s website.
|
(i) Enacted legislation, commencement of which is the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, which has not yet been commenced. |
(ii) Legislative provisions that confer an order or regulation making power expressly on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, which has not yet been exercised |
(iii) Legislation which provides for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to publish guidelines which have not yet been published. |
|
None |
sections 5 and 6 of the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967 |
None |
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|
sections 3 and 10 of the Jurisdiction of Courts (Maritime Conventions) Act 1989 |
|
|
|
section 6 of the Maintenance Act 1994 |
|
|
|
section 8 of the Geneva Conventions (Amendment) Act 1998 |
|
|
|
section 3 of the Criminal Justice (Illicit Traffic by Sea) Act 2003 |
|
|
|
section 24 of the Arbitration Act 2010 |
|
