Written Answers Nos. 655-674
657. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28650/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Programme for Government, “Securing Ireland's Future”, was published in January 2025. Of the 122 actions in the Agriculture and Food, and the Fisheries and Marine sections, my Department was identified as the lead organisation for 105 of these. 32% of the actions are either ‘Target achieved’ or ‘Substantial action undertaken & ongoing’, with another 61% reported as ‘Action commenced & progressing’.
The table below provides a status overview of these actions.
|
Action Status |
Number of Actions |
|
Action Status |
Number of Actions |
|
Total actions where DAFM is the lead Department |
105 |
|
Target achieved |
5 |
|
Substantial action undertaken and ongoing |
28 |
|
Action commenced and progressing |
64 |
|
Action not yet commenced |
8 |
Some of the main achievements since January 2025 include:
• Continued Government support for farmers under the €9.8 billion CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and via specific sectoral supports.
• Preparations for a new round of CAP post-2027 have commenced.
• Ireland has secured the continued availability of the Nitrates Derogation for a further three years.
• Ongoing implementation of Food Vision 2030, our shared stakeholder-led strategy for the continuing development of the agri-food sector, including progress across the dairy, beef & sheepmeat, tillage, horticulture, organics, forestry and fishery sectors. A new dashboard to track economic, environmental and social progress has been launched. A mid-term review of Food Vision has also been announced. A 'Food Vision Seafood Sector Group'was established.
• My Department issued more than €2.18 billion in payments to farmers and fishers over the course of 2025.
• The launch of the Bovine TB Action Plan.
• The launch of the second National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy(2025-2030).
• Ongoing market access work, including the opening of the Thai and Vietnamese markets for Irish beef exports, priority export markets for the beef sector.
• The announcement of a new €30 million National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme.
• The publication of the Report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming.
• The re-establishment of a dedicated Minister of State for Fisheries and Marine issues.
• The allocation of €27.75 million for capital projects in Ireland’s publicly owned harbours through the 2025 Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
• The signing of a €105 million Partnership Agreement with the World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, over the period 2025 to 2027.
• The launch of Phase 2 of the €26.2 million Vista Milk Research Ireland Centre and the launch of DAFM’s €30 million Thematic Research Call 2025.
• The opening of the National Centre for Brewing and Distilling in Oakpark, Teagasc, which has been allocated funding of €2.3 million by my Department since 2020.
• The establishment of the One Health Oversight Committee.
I will continue to lead the development of the agri-food and fisheries sector in collaboration with stakeholders and to deliver on our Programme for Government commitments.
658. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the data available to his Department on salary levels for registered veterinary nurses in Ireland; whether he accepts that current pay levels do not reflect the qualifications, clinical responsibilities, and regulatory requirements of the profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28683/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra659. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has undertaken an assessment of the growing retention crisis within the veterinary nursing profession, including evidence of emigration and exits from the sector; the risks this poses to animal welfare and service provision [28684/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra660. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he will undertake a review of employment practices within the veterinary sector to ensure veterinary nurses are afforded fair pay, proper recognition, and sustainable working conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28686/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment Departments have no role in setting, prescribing or regulating salary scales for employees of private sector organisations, including those working in privately-operated veterinary practices.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 658, 659 and 660 together.
Pay and conditions in the veterinary sector are matters for individual employers and employees, or their representative bodies, and are determined through normal contractual arrangements and labour-market negotiations.
The Veterinary Council of Ireland which regulates the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing has no statutory function in relation to remuneration and neither does my Department. Accordingly, any salary structures or pay scale considerations for Registered Veterinary Nurses or other staff within private veterinary practices remain entirely outside the remit of Government pay policy.
661. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of families in Meath west where elderly parents are providing care for their adult children with learning difficulties without the prospect of planned, supported residential care when the parents are no longer able to provide this care. [28708/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
662. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children on CDNT waiting lists in Donegal, broken down by team and by length of time, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27903/26]
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.
663. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in relation to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme, the mechanisms that are in place, in relation to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme, to ensure fairness is applied in the case whereby siblings were separated and one was moved to and continues to live in another country; if all siblings entitled to the same level of compensation in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27905/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I try to be helpful at all times in the parliamentary process, the Deputy will be aware that I cannot be involved in individual cases and I cannot comment on same.
The legislation underpinning the Payment Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 - provides for the explicit independence of the Chief Deciding Officer in administering the application process and making decisions on applications. That said, I will try to be helpful in general terms.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is open to all eligible survivors and former residents both in Ireland and abroad. The Scheme provides payments and health benefits to people who spent time in any of the Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions that were identified by the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children.
To be eligible for benefits under the Payment Scheme you will need to have spent a certain amount of time in one (or more) of these institutions as set out in Schedule 1 to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023. Those who spent longer periods of time in these institutions, and endured the harshest conditions, receive the highest level of support. The same payment is applicable for all survivors and former residents who meet the eligibility criteria, no matter where they live now.
Additionally, those who spent at least 180 days as a mother or child in one of the scheduled institutions, are eligible for the health benefits in the form of a medical card for life. Those living outside of Ireland can accept a one-off health support payment in lieu of the medical card.
664. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actual full year cost incurred in 2025 from increasing the universal hourly subsidy available under the national childcare scheme from €1.40 to €2.14; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27918/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents reduce the cost of early learning and childcare.
Subsidies are available for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. The minimum rate available is €2.14 per hour, which is available for up to 45 weekly hours.
The value of NCS claims in 2025 was €527,682,404. Please note that this year end figure is not yet finalised and is subject to change.
The number of children using the Scheme has grown by over 70% since 2022 due to enhancements further improving the affordability of childcare for parents. These include the extension of the upper age eligibility for the Universal award from 3 years of age to 15 years of age in August 2022. There have also been two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy rate bringing it up to the current rate of €2.14. Since September 2024, all childminders are able to register for the NCS making the scheme more accessible to more parents.
This growth was further supported by Core Funding, which aims to ensure affordability for parents through fee management conditions and ensuring that providers offer NCS and ECCE to all eligible children.
All of these changes have contributed to significant growth within the Scheme. For this reason, it is not possible to isolate the total cost incurred by a single change, such as increasing the subsidy from €1.40 to €2.14 an hour.
665. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality based on current numbers, the estimated full year cost of reducing the maximum fee cap for services participating in core funding from €295 to €200 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27919/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is fully committed to promoting affordability for parents through Core Funding. This is driven by the Core Funding fee management system, which includes fee caps and a freeze on fees at September 2021 levels. Adherence to the fee management system is a key condition of receiving the significant funding available through the Scheme.
Any estimate for the full-year cost of a fee cap reduction from €295 to €200 would be contingent on the type of costs being assessed and service-specific operational factors. However, considerations of this nature are being factored into planning for future developments in the Core Funding fee management system.
Promoting affordability for parents is a key priority of the Department the investment of €1.48bn secured in the 2026 budget for early learning and care and school-age childcare will allow the Department to build on recent progress in the gradual reduction of fees for parents, while also supporting supply and the quality of provision.
The additional funding will see the allocation for Core Funding in the next programme year, which begins in September 2026, increase to over €480 million. That is an additional €87.6 million on the current full year allocation, or a 22% increase.
Within this, €20.6 million in brand new full-year funding was secured to support providers in adhering to Core Funding fee management conditions, including further reductions in the maximum fee caps in the fifth year of the Scheme. This will guarantee that Core Funding’s monetary protections will continue to be passed on to families while ensuring sustainability and stability for the sector.
This will enable Core Funding to continue to support fee-control measures and will also allow for growth in the sector. The allocation for Core Funding in 2026 will ensure fees remain at 2021 levels for a majority of providers. As well as this, there will be a new maximum fee cap set to reduce costs for families paying the highest fees across the country. Further details of the new, lower maximum fee caps will be announced in the coming months.
Shaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 report (published on the 17 of December 2025) sets out measures to achieve key Programme for Government commitments on the affordability, quality, and accessibility of early learning and care and school-age childcare. One of the central objectives of Shaping the Future are to reduce parental fees to a maximum of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government.
The Action Plan adopts a phased approach that enables action to be taken in 2026 while allowing adequate time for a broad public consultation and analysis on longer-term actions. In line with the Programme for Government commitment, a broad public consultation process is currently underway. An online survey has been completed, with more than 11,000 responses. Phase 2 actions will be published later in 2026 and will be undertaken from 2027 through to the end of 2029. Phase 2 actions will include a roadmap to reduce parental fees to a maximum of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government.
666. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality based on current numbers, the estimated full year cost of increasing the universal hourly subsidy available under the national childcare scheme by €1 to €3.14 per hour for a maximum of 45 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27920/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra667. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality based on current numbers, the estimated full year cost of increasing the universal hourly subsidy available under the National Childcare Scheme by €2 to €4.14 per hour for a maximum of 45 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27921/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 666 and 667 together.
The Deputy has requested the estimated full year cost of increasing the universal hourly subsidy available under the National Childcare Scheme by €1 to €3.14 per hour, and by €2 to €4.14 per hour, for a maximum of 45 hours.
Currently, all families with children attending a registered childcare provider or childminder can avail of €2.14 per child per hour towards their costs under the universal subsidy for a maximum of 45 hours per week. This subsidy can contribute up to €96.30 per week for families availing of 45 hours of childcare per week. The most recent increase of the universal subsidy was implemented in September 2024, when the rate increased 53% from €1.40 to €2.14.
The ESRI SWITCH model has been used to estimate the impact of increasing the universal subsidy by €1 and applied it to the Department's baseline NCS cost for 2026. The annual cost of the proposed change was estimated at €210.24 million.
The same process using the ESRI SWITCH model has also been used to estimate the impact of increasing the universal subsidy by €2 and applied it to the Department's baseline NCS cost for 2026. The cost of the proposed change was estimated at €436.88 million.
It is important to note that this costing is made on the basis of a static system. This means that the model assumes that the current uptake of eligible childcare does not increase or decrease. In addition to annual growth in NCS demand over time, the changes to subsidies presented above would create changes in the behaviours of families. For example, it may influence parents’ decisions to return to or increase their labour force participation, meaning some families may use formal Early Learning and Care for the first time.
668. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of expressions of interest her Department has received in respect of State led childcare facilities; the locations that have expressed an interest, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27922/26]
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.
The Department has received project proposals from a number of sources since the programme was launched which, along with projects which the Department was aware of prior to the programme launching, includes 79 potential projects across the country as of 15 April 2026.
Projects come to the attention of the Department by a number of routes, including
• Preliminary Appraisal Forms submitted to the local City/County Childcare committee
• Direct engagement by the Department with other public bodies such as the LDA or local authorities
• Engagement with Approved Housing Bodies who deliver early learning and childcare
• Projects which applied but were ineligible for a previous Building Blocks grant scheme
• Other projects brought to the attention of the Department before the programme was launched
These projects are in very different stages of development. Some relate existing buildings ready to occupy or fit out, while others are longer-term prospects for future years. Not all proposals align with the programme objectives and some may be funded by other means including the next round of Building Blocks. Some projects are proposed by an existing early learning and childcare service provider, while others relating to a building/property only and a separate process to identify an operator would be required.
The Department is aware that this is not an exhaustive list of all projects that could form part of this programme of investment, and will continue to seek potential projects for consideration.
Please find a table below detailing the number of options by county:
|
Type |
Number |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
|
Cork City |
8 |
|
Cork County |
1 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Dublin City |
13 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
4 |
|
Fingal |
7 |
|
Galway |
9 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Meath |
1 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Silgo |
1 |
|
South Dublin |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
|
Total |
79 |
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects. In the first instance, anyone who might have a suitable premises or project should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee whose details can be found here: [https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees]
669. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children waiting for assessment of need in Donegal; the number that have been waiting, by month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27929/26]
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.
Under the Disability Act, an Assessment of Need is an assessment process carried out by the HSE where a person is of the opinion that he/she may have a disability, for anyone born after 1st June 2002. It first establishes whether the person has a disability (as defined within the Act). It then identifies the health and education needs of the person with a disability and the services required to meet those needs.
It is important to note that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including HSE Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.
Demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and the number of families exploring all options to access services for their child. Unfortunately, this demand is outpacing the capacity of the system to respond with the result that there were 20,209 applications overdue for completion nationwide at the end of 2025, according to the most recently available HSE data.
On a positive note, there has been continued improvement in the number of completed assessment of need reports with 5,939 reports completed in 2025. This is a 43% increase nationally compared to the number completed in 2024.
The HSE does not provide data on a county basis, however data is provided at Local Health Office (LHO) level. In Donegal LHO, the following are the number of applications that were overdue for completion at the end of 2025, the most recently available data provided by the HSE:
* 373 applications in total
* 17 of these were overdue for less than a month
* 21 were overdue for between 1 and 3 months and
* The remainder, 335, were overdue for over 3 months.
These numbers are stark and each one represents a child or young person. We want to see this situation change so that families do not have to wait so long for their AON application to be processed.
In December 2025 Government announced a series of improvements to the Assessment of Need process which will make the process more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment. This reform includes legislative reform and operational improvements to support the efficiency and effectiveness of the Assessment of Need process.
The proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child. They also will not 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 to recognise that legislation is only a part of the response. The Department is working with the HSE to identify further opportunities to enhance processes, improve training, and increase administrative supports for HSE Assessment Officers who are responsible for the production of assessment reports. This includes the establishment of working groups to address learning and development needs and to develop statutory guidelines.
The HSE is also implementing actions to address the wider issue of access to services and supports for children with disabilities including:
• 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.
• 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.
• The creation of eleven new HSE teams, initially, to support assessment processes, including AON, providing clinical guidance and administrative supports.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
670. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current status of negotiations on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive at Council level; the main barriers to agreement identified by Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27987/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra671. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific actions Ireland intends to take to progress the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27988/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra672. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether advancing the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive is under consideration as part of Ireland’s priorities for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27989/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra710. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether advancing the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive will form part of Ireland's policy priorities during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28585/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra711. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current status of negotiations on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive at the Council level; the main barriers to agreement identified by Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28586/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra712. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanisms in place to coordinate Ireland's position on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive across relevant Departments, including the Department of Children, Disability and Equality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28587/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra713. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps Ireland has taken to engage with other Member States to build consensus on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28588/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 670, 671, 672, 710, 711, 712 and 713 together.
The Equal Treatment Directive, also known as the Anti-Discrimination Directive, was first proposed by the European Commission in 2008 and has been regularly discussed by the Council since then. The Directive seeks to close a gap in EU law, aiming to extend the protection against discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation to areas outside employment.
The proposal falls under Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) (special legislative procedure). This procedure means that unanimity in the Council is required, following the consent of the European Parliament. The European Parliament provided its initial consent in 2009.
Although the proposal has been under discussion for close to 18 years, and almost every Presidency has placed the file on the agenda of the Council, it has not been possible to reach a unanimous agreement to date.
A progress report, by the Danish Presidency of the Council, was presented at the EPSCO Council on 1 December 2025. The Presidency outlined that, while a very large majority of delegations continue to support the Directive, three Member States maintained reservations on the file.
Ireland has been a long-standing supporter of the adoption of the Equal Treatment Directive. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has lead responsibility for the negotiation of this Directive, and as is usual practice, officials in the Department coordinate Ireland’s position on the file.
The European Commission proposed in February 2025 to withdraw the Directive from further discussion. At the time, as Minister I signed a joint letter with other likeminded Member States urging Commissioner Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, to reconsider the withdrawal and to work with the Council to seek unanimity. The European Commission retracted their withdrawal proposal in July 2025.
Since then, supporting the work of the Danish and the Cyprus Presidency, Ireland has continued to back efforts to reach unanimity at Council. As part of our Presidency preparations, I have met with Commissioner Lahbib to discuss the Directive, and officials are actively engaging with Member States at technical levels.
Reaching unanimous agreement on this Directive at Council has not been possible to date due to the fact of some Member States having long standing reservations. As the Presidency, Ireland will act as an honest broker for the Council during our term, work with all Member States to understand their views, and will seek to progress files and reach agreement where it is possible.
Ireland’s Presidency Programme for the Council of the EU is currently under development, with preparations intensifying across Government. Two cross-departmental groups, chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are co-ordinating this preparatory work. Officials from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are actively engaged in these groups, which focus on the policy and operational aspects of Ireland's Presidency.
Ireland's full policy programme will be published, as is usual practice, shortly before the start of our Presidency term, in June 2026.
673. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of WTE staff, by job title working in each CDNT within Meath, in tabular form. [28008/26]
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.
674. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of WTE social workers, by grade posts filled at Dungarvan CDNT as of 10 April 2026; if she will provide the same figures as of 30 April 2023, in tabular form. [28014/26]
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.
