Written Answers Nos. 451-470
451. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to correspondence regarding the matter, will she commit to visiting childcare facilities in Donegal affected by defective concrete blocks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15674/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe defective concrete blocks issue is an ongoing wider government matter. Responsibility for defective concrete block remediation and capital reconstruction rests primarily with other government departments and local authorities including Donegal County Council. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality does not have direct responsibility for structural remediation or compensation for buildings affected by defective concrete blocks.
However, the Department works with Pobal and local Childcare Committees to offer Case Management Supports to services in difficulty. Through this, services may also access Sustainability Funding following an assessment of need. There are examples of sustainability funding for services who needed to relocate due to defective concrete blocks.
Any service which is affected by defective concrete blocks should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee in the first instance.
The City/County Childcare Committee will assist the service in finding a suitable alternative location and will engage with Pobal and the Department regarding sustainability funding to facilitate the relocation of the service.
The local City/County Childcare Committees will also source suitable alternative places for children in attendance of these services to ensure minimal disruption to their learning and care, should the service be unable to relocate Local City/County Childcare Committees are engaging with parents affected by defective concrete blocks in order to help find suitable alternative places.
The Department and I are always open to considering requests for meetings and visits, as appropriate. Should affected childcare facilities wish to do so, they should send their request in writing to my office in the Department. In requesting such a meeting it is important to outline any proposals or concerns they may have. It is also important that the correspondence relates to matters within the remit of this Department.
452. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will ensure that the decision of the Ombudsman in relation to a person (details supplied) is put into effect; to ensure the person is provided with the services as recommended by the Ombudsman; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15691/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
453. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to commit to providing a national brain injury case management service to reach every person with a brain injury regardless of location; the specific provision that will be made to care for children with a brain injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15699/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
454. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans and the timeline to phase out long-term care in a nursing home for younger people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15701/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government acknowledges that a nursing home can be an appropriate care option where the person concerned has a clinically assessed complex medical and social care requirement that cannot be supported in the person’s home.
However, as identified in the Ombudsman Report “Wasted Lives: Time for a better future for younger people in Nursing Homes,” for the majority of people under the age of 65 nursing homes are not an appropriate placement and alternative, more sustainable supported living solutions are needed to give them greater independence and choice in their daily lives.
The Programme for Government commits to continue to work to end the practice of placing young people with disabilities in nursing homes. In recognition of this commitment In 2026, The HSE National Service Plan allocated a record €10m to the under 65s work programme. €8m of this funding will enable 45 people who are inappropriately placed in a nursing home to transition to more appropriate living arrangements.
The remaining €2m will provide Enhanced Quality of Life Supports (EQLS) to those who remain in nursing home settings. In addition, the U65 programme has also been awarded Dormant Account Funding for 2026 of €750k. This funding will be directed towards once off funding for EQLS.
EQLS are aimed at improving an individual’s quality of daily life in a nursing home, increasing social access and where appropriate, to support the pre-transition work, to help individuals prepare for a move back into the community.
Specifically, these EQLS supports range from iPads, Laptops, Audio Books & Head Phones, TV in own room, Motorised Wheelchairs, Mobility deceives, Communication devices, Exercise Bikes, PA (until year end), Therapeutic Supports, Allied supports e.g. Dentistry, Transport, Support Chairs etc.
Data from the HSE indicates that as of December 2025, there are 1,209 people under 65 in Nursing Homes, 14% of whom are under 50. As of December 2025, A total of 121 people have transitioned to homes of their choosing in the community since the start of the programme in 2021.
Additionally, over 300 individuals have received additional enhanced quality of life supports (EQLS), while they are currently continuing their placement in a Nursing Home.
Based on data from the U65 Operational Tracker, the majority of those continuing a Nursing Home placement due to their current personal will and preference (which Disability Services review regularly in recognition that will and preference may change with time).
A further cohort will remain due to their assessment of needs requirements. Such complex medical and social care needs may require intensive nursing and medical care that cannot be provided in a home setting or by family members.
Preventing entry to nursing home facilities requires a model of service that supports the changing needs of individuals and allows them to continue to live a life of their choosing in the community.
Therefore, the HSE along with Voluntary and Private organisations are providing a variety of supports to people with disabilities including Personal Assistants, peer supports, respite, day services, home supports, Advocacy and Digital and Assistive Technology. These supports are governed by a diverse range of health and social care policies and ongoing programmes and aim to enable young persons from entering nursing homes where possible.
The main source of admissions of people under the age of under 65 in to nursing homes is discharges from acute hospital settings where the individual has a complex medical need such as an acquired brain injury. HSE data shows the impact that wider policies have on the numbers of U65s in Nursing Homes, with particular focus on the Acute Hospital winter discharge programme and its sustained focus on increased discharge rates and turnaround times from Acute hospitals.
Due to the work of the Under 65s Integrated Steering Committee and project team, there is a greater awareness across HSE Acutes, Older Persons and Disability services of the need to prevent people under the age of 65 from being placed in Nursing Homes.
The National Clinical Programme for People with a Disability (NCPPD) is in the early stages of developing A Place to Call Home and its associated Guidance Notes - a rights-based model for all adults with a disability, supporting people of any age to live, age and thrive in their own communities. Together, this work will set out, in a clear and practical way, the full range of community-based alternatives to nursing home admission for people under 65.
Grounded in the Programme’s commitment to preventing unnecessary institutionalisation and enabling adults with a disability to exercise their right to live in the community rather than in long-term residential care, in accordance with their will and preference, the Programme is identifying the key supports, pathways and services required to uphold this right. This includes personalised supports, appropriate and accessible housing, enhanced home support, personal assistance, rehabilitation pathways and strengthened cross-sector collaboration — all central elements of the emerging model.
As the work progresses, the Programme will bring together research, data, stakeholder input and alignment with National reforms across health, disability, housing and social care to produce a clear, evidence-informed picture of the community options needed to ensure that adults with a disability can live independently and participate fully in society.
455. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to detail her plans and timeline to expand AIM support to children with additional needs in afterschool settings to ensure that they have continuity of support post early years/pre-school while in primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15757/26]
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 ECCE.
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.
Officials in the Department will be engaging in a comprehensive policy development process during 2026 to extend AIM to children aged under three in future years, which will be underpinned by consultations with key stakeholders. It is critical that the new model will be strongly evidence-based and reflective of the developmental stages of children not yet in ECCE.
It is also intended to give consideration at a later date to an extension of AIM for children attending school-age childcare (SAC).
It is critical that both of these policy responses are strongly evidence-based and reflective of the needs of children. This requires tailoring of AIM and differentiation of approaches for each age cohort. Funding will also be required through the annual budget process.
456. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the roll out of regional assessment hubs; the location and status of each; the details of who will be working out of these hubs, and their roles; the completion date for roll out, as per location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15818/26]
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.
457. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department formally requires Tusla, under the oversight agreement or any governance framework, to provide annual or periodic age-disaggregated statistical data on applications for emergency care orders under section 13 of the Child Care Act 1991, including a specific category for children under one year of age; and if not, whether she will consider introducing such a reporting requirement [15821/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra464. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the Oversight Agreement or Performance Framework between her Department and Tusla requires the formal notification to the Department of governance, safeguarding or regulatory compliance concerns relating to privately operated children’s residential providers funded by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15843/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra466. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the contractual governance, audit, and performance reporting requirements are imposed at Departmental policy level on Tusla in respect of its procurement and funding of privately operated residential care providers; and whether these requirements have been reviewed since 2020. [15845/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 457, 464 and 466 together.
May I thank you for the opportunity to address how the Department oversees important areas of Tusla's work while both understanding the requirement to follow directions of the courts and respecting Tusla's independence in exercising professional judgement.
Emergency care orders under section 13 of the Child Care Act 1991.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, holds statutory responsibility under the Child Care Act 1991 and other legislation to safeguard children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. This means assisting children, who have been, or are at risk of being abused, neglected or otherwise harmed, or whose parents are unable to provide adequate care or protection. The aim is to intervene early to provide a timely response that is appropriate and proportionate to the identified need. Tusla conducts this work in partnership with other statutory services, such as health, education, An Garda Síochána, local authorities, the voluntary sector and most importantly families and their communities.
Section 13 of the Child Care Act 1991 allows the District Court to grant an emergency care order to Tusla if there is reasonable cause to believe a child faces immediate and serious risk to their health or welfare. Section 12 of the Act relates to the removal of a child by An Garda Síochána where there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of a child.
Tusla had advised that in practice, this means that where a child is believed to have been subjected to harm where the impact of that harm has posed an immediate and serious risk to the child, and that no other measure could be established that removes the likelihood of a such a risk of future harm occurring, the Agency has a statutory duty to make an application to the court under Section 13 of the Act. Section 13(1) of the Act sets out the thresholds that need to be met before the District Court can grant an emergency care order. Tusla is then bound by the court decision.
That said, Tusla's management of children subject to care orders is the subject of regular engagement with the Department including about its capacity to respond to the these orders and the provision of appropriate settings to children who are the subject of such orders.
Governance, audit, and performance reporting requirements in respect of Tusla's procurement and funding of privately operated residential care providers:-
Section 21 (2) of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 provide, inter alia, that the The Board of Tusla is responsible for promoting high standards of corporate governance and the integrity of the Agency's accounting and reporting systems. This extends to the oversight of its procurement processes. It is also worth noting that Tusla is subject to annual audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The Department’s oversight of Tusla extends to the control environment Tusla has in place including the work of Tusla's Audit and Risk committee which, in turn, is responsible for the oversight of the identification and management of risks in the organisation.
Tusla must comply with public procurements rules in its engagement of private residential care providers.
Tusla is continuously striving to improve in respect of its procurement and funding reporting requirements. In the 2024 Annual Report & Financial Statements addition appendix were included to detail amount spent by individual provider.
The appendix referenced can be found below.
Tusla Annual Report 2024.pdf
Appendix 1 Independent Placement Provision Summary by Region pg 198
Appendix 2 Summary of Independent Placement Provision by Providers pg 199
Under the provisions of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla is independent in the performance of its functions. The Department does not direct the day to day operations of Tusla. In keeping with the provisions of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the Department’s governance of Tusla is captured within its Oversight Agreement.
The Oversight Agreement includes references to
• the reporting arrangements between the Department and Tusla,
• the roles and responsibilities of key parties including the role of the Board of Tusla, its Audit and Risk Committee, its Chief Executive Officer and Executive Management team,
• how Tusla’s annual business plan and longer term strategy are aligned with the priorities of the Minister and of the Government
• the monitoring arrangements including the formal engagements and different meetings between senior Departmental Official and staff in Tusla to ensure that its actions are properly aligned.
While the Oversight Agreement does not place an obligation on Tusla to provide statistical data of a specific or general nature on applications for emergency care orders under section 13 of the Child Care Act 1991, its management of children subject to care orders is the subject of regular engagement between with the Department.
The Performance Framework is also a key part of the accountability and oversight structure between the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality and Tusla. It provides direction for the work of Tusla for a period of 3 years outlining both the principles and priorities that will structure the development of Tusla’s Corporate Plan and its consequent implementation.
458. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether emergency child removal decisions under sections 12 and 13 of the Child Care Act 1991 are explicitly identified within Tusla’s corporate risk register as a governance or systemic risk category; whether the Tusla board reports trend analysis on such removals to her Department; and if she will outline the reporting mechanism involved [15823/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question referencing Tusla's corporate risk register relates to operational information held by Tusla, it has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
Under the terms of its Oversight Agreement with the Department, Tusla is required to share information with the Department of any significant risks including reputational risks, in a timely manner. I can advise that, while Tusla's management of children subject to Section 13 care orders is the subject of regular engagement with the Department, trend analysis is not sought or provided on a recurring basis.
Subsequent to the enactment of the Child Care Act amendments the Department will seek regular reporting in this space from Tusla so that it may monitor and review the legislative impact on practice.
459. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Tusla’s internal audit function, or any external audit process since 2018, has examined evidential thresholds, proportionality standards, or quality assurance mechanisms in relation to section 13 emergency care order applications; and whether any reports or recommendations were made available to her Department [15824/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, this question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
460. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any national policy guidance approved, noted or overseen by her Department requires Tusla to apply disability-informed assessment protocols, reasonable accommodation standards, or specialist procedural safeguards when child protection proceedings involve a parent with a diagnosed autism spectrum condition or intellectual disability; and if she will outline the relevant framework [15826/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy, for your question relating to Tusla’s disability-informed assessment protocols, reasonable accommodation standards, or specialist procedural safeguards when child protection proceedings involve a parent with a diagnosed autism spectrum condition or intellectual disability.
Tusla is an agile and responsive organisation and is well placed to tailor its services to address the needs of those requiring its services, and the broader public.
Ensuring access to Tusla services is the responsibility of all Tusla staff. In the majority of cases the access needs of persons with disabilities or challenges are met by their frontline services on a day-to-day basis but sometimes additional support is required.
To help provide this support and to fulfil their responsibilities under Section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005, Tusla has identified 33 Disability Access Officers across their services throughout the country.
When required, their Disability Access Officers are there to help arrange and co-ordinate the provision of additional assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities or challenges in accessing their services. They can also act as a point of contact for people with disabilities or challenges wishing to access Tusla services.
If anyone has additional needs in accessing Tusla services due to disability, they can contact one of the Disability Access Officers to discuss their needs and appropriate supports.
461. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she has, at any time since 2013, issued a general policy direction under section 8 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 in relation to evidential standards, proportionality assessment, or quality assurance in emergency child removal cases; and whether she is considering issuing such a direction [15827/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 8 of the Child and Family Act sets out the functions Tusla is required to perform in supporting and promoting the development, welfare and protection of children, and support and encourage the effective functioning of families. Section 8 of the Act also provides that Tusla is independent in the performance of its functions.
General policy direction from the Minister is delivered to Tusla through the Performance Framework which covers a 3 year period as well as the Annual Performance Statement. These fundamentally important documents outline the Minister's priorities and expectations for Tusla across the areas outlined in Section 8 of the Act and including Child Protection and Welfare, Alternative Care, Family Support, Adoption, Educational Support Services, Counselling and Therapeutic Supports and Children’s Service Regulation. The Agency responds to children, families and communities across a continuum of response pathways, which are designed to promote consistent and integrated responses to ensure children, young people and families received the right response and the right service.
462. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total Exchequer expenditure in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 on placements purchased from privately operated children’s residential centres; the proportion this represented of total residential care expenditure in each year.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15841/26]
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.
463. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department maintains a formal risk register entry relating to reliance on privately operated children’s residential centres; if so, the risk categorisation and mitigation measures identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15842/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy for your question regarding to privately operated residential centres and risk registers.
The Department's operates robust Risk Management processes. Its Risk Committee meets regularly to consider how foreseeable events may impact on the achievement of its goals and objectives and whether there are appropriate plans in place to mitigate against the likelihood of these risks arising and/or their impact.
Amongst the priority areas set for Tusla is to increase the overall capacity in residential care and reduce its reliance on private provision.
As you will be aware, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and the Department are committed to promoting safe and high-quality practice in all areas of Alternative Care. This is achieved through the thorough application of regulations and standards that govern care placements on behalf of the State.
Tusla is the statutory regulator of both Private and Voluntary Children’s Residential Centres and is therefore responsible for the registration and inspection of these centres in accordance with Regulations, standards, and the relevant provisions of the Child Care Act 1991.
This Act is the statutory framework for child welfare and protection in Ireland. The legislation places a statutory duty on Tusla to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. It sets the legislative provisions in relation to taking children into care, and the responsibilities of the State in that regard, which aim to improve outcomes for looked after children.
Tusla, in discharging its statutory responsibilities under the Child Care Acts, must have the best interests of the child as its paramount consideration. It actively monitors every placement of every child in care to ensure its appropriateness to the needs of that child, and any concerns or breaches of standards or Regulations are addressed in this context.
The placement of children in Residential Care is governed by the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres 2018, and underpinned by the Child Care (Placement in Residential Care) Regulation 1995, and the Child Care (Standards in Children’s Residential Centres) 1996.
Regarding the provision of placements by external providers, Tusla procures these services in compliance with relevant legislation, procurement rules, and government Circulars in relation to grant funding. I can advise the Deputy that this Department does not directly monitor companies contracted by Tusla to provide placements for children in care. However, the Department does have regular engagement with Tusla at all levels to address issues related to the provision of services.
465. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department maintains or receives a consolidated annual report aggregating safeguarding, compliance, or regulatory concerns relating to privately operated children’s residential centres funded in whole or in part by the Exchequer; and if not, whether she intends to establish such a reporting mechanism in the interests of governance transparency and value-for-money oversight. [15844/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy for your question.
As you are aware, Tusla was established as an independent agency under the aegis of this department, to promote the development, welfare, education and protection of children and young people, and to provide supports to vulnerable children and families.
Each year Tusla publishes it's annual report which will include high level information on the number of inspections Tusla has conducted on residential care centres. There are robust procedures in place for the monitoring of service provision.
Tusla’s Practice Assurance and Service Monitoring (PASM) team undertakes reviews of Tusla funded services. It conducts practice audits focussing on governance, risk management, and internal control systems. Where issues or concerns arise, Tusla takes action to minimise risk.
In addition, the Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service is responsible for the inspection of non-statutory children’s residential services.
The National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres, 2018 (HIQA) provide the framework against which inspections are carried out and provide the criteria against which centres’ structures and care practices are examined. The Child Care (Standards in Children’s Residential Centres) Regulations, 1996 provide the regulatory framework against which registration decisions are primarily made.
During inspection, inspectors use the standards to inform their judgement on compliance with relevant regulations. Inspections are carried out against specific themes and may be announced or unannounced.
Also HIQA inspections on Tusla services are available publicly and to the Department to further improve sight of any issues that arise in the provision of care.
Both Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and the Department are committed to promoting safe and high-quality practice in all areas of Alternative Care. This is achieved through the thorough application of regulations and standards that govern care placements on behalf of the State.
Tusla is the statutory regulator of both Private and Voluntary Children’s Residential Centres and is therefore responsible for the registration and inspection of these centres in accordance with Regulations, standards, and the relevant provisions of the Child Care Act 1991.
This Act is the statutory framework for child welfare and protection in Ireland. The legislation places a statutory duty on Tusla to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. It sets the legislative provisions in relation to taking children into care, and the responsibilities of the State in that regard, which aim to improve outcomes for looked after children.
Tusla, in discharging its statutory responsibilities under the Child Care Acts, must have the best interests of the child as its paramount consideration. It actively monitors every placement of every child in care to ensure its appropriateness to the needs of that child, and any concerns or breaches of standards or Regulations are addressed in this context.
The placement of children in Residential Care is governed by the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres 2018, and underpinned by the Child Care (Placement in Residential Care) Regulation 1995, and the Child Care (Standards in Children’s Residential Centres) 1996.
Under the provisions of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla is independent in the performance of its functions. In keeping with the provisions of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the Department’s governance of Tusla is captured within an Oversight Agreement. Tusla procures services from external suppliers in compliance with relevant legislation and procurement rules. Consequently, this Department does not directly monitor companies contracted by Tusla to provide placements for children in care. However, the Department does have regular engagement with Tusla at all levels to address issues related to the provision of alternative care services
467. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to address the shortage of childcare places in Carlow. [15956/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra468. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to address the shortage of childcare places in Kilkenny. [15957/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 468 together.
Improving 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.
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. Two services in Kilkenny were approved for funding under the scheme.
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. I expect to announce details of the next Building Blocks scheme in the coming weeks.
Separately, 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.
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.
469. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures she will take to support a vital residential and respite service in Meath (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16071/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
470. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the input, she has to ensure that sports facilities around Ireland are made increasingly accessible, in particular when it comes to State support for such facilities. [16083/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for this question. The Programme for Government commits to supporting the sporting ecosystem so more people, including disabled people, can participate, reap the benefits of sport, and fulfil their potential from grassroots right up to high performance level. This will be achieved through a range of measures including continuing to support the funding of sports capital projects and assessing the distribution of funding to maximise participation in all sports at community and national level, as well as continuing to work with sporting organisations to promote equality of access to sporting facilities and to drive increased participation in sport.
Participation in sport is an important element of both the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the recently published Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 and is a core priority for Government generally and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport in particular.
The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, launched on 3 September 2025, sets out a whole of government approach to advancing further implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The Strategy will advance delivery on actions across five key thematic pillars that collectively capture the full range of issues impacting on the lives of disabled people:
• Inclusive Learning and Education
• Employment
• Independent Living and Active Participation in Society
• Wellbeing and Health
• Transport and Mobility
Pillar Three – Independent Living and Active Participation in Society – contains an overarching commitment to ensuring that disabled people can enjoy full participation in all activities within their local communities, including sporting activities. As such, increasing the accessibility of sport venues, events and facilities is an important part of this wider commitment.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are co-leading on the delivery of Pillar 3 in conjunction with numerous other government departments and public agencies. With specific reference to promoting greater accessibility in sport, I look forward to working with the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport in delivering on priority actions related to that commitment.
Demonstrating its commitment to ensuring that equality, diversity and inclusion are key areas for focus, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport also recently published a new Disability Strategy to promote greater inclusion and participation of disabled people in culture and sporting activities, including communications and media supports. By providing direct investment through Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies under a newly appointed designated disability lead within Sport Ireland, this Strategy has the potential to be transformational in developing and promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport.
Clubs and organisations applying to the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) must be open to new members and must not have any restrictions on who may join or obtain full membership. All CSFF applicants must agree that, from the date of the grant, they will not deny anybody access to any facility. All projects in receipt of CSFF allocations must be accessible to disabled people and capital projects must conform to the seven principles of universal design and all gym equipment funded must be accessible. In addition, the aim of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) is to support investment in sporting infrastructure that will reinforce the principles outlined in the Department’s National Sports Policy including increased active participation in sport by disabled people. In considering investment in infrastructure that meets this aim, one of the main criteria on which LSSIF projects were assessed and scored was their ability to improve the quantity and quality of active participation in sport for disabled people.
