Written Answers Nos. 175-199
175. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the proposals to address the gap in levels of funding for childcare against the increased costs borne by providers. [29118/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCore 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, and significant improvements to pay and conditions in this valued sector.
Within the Core Funding allocation for the 2025/26 programme year, €45 million has been ringfenced to support employers in meeting the costs of further increases to the minimum rates of pay in the sector, as set out under the Employment Regulation Orders.
This ringfenced allocation supports an average 10% increase to minimum hourly rates of pay for all roles outlined in the Employment Regulation Order that came into effect on 13 October 2025.
The allocation for Core Funding for year 5 of the Scheme will increase again by 23% to over €480 million. This allows us to 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.
The base rates in Core Funding have been developed using the various components associated with the cost of delivery of service provision such as: staff pay and conditions (including contact and non-contact time, holiday pay, sick pay and other employer costs such as pension contributions); administrative staff/time, and non-staff overhead costs. These components have been factored into the calculation of the budget for Core Funding since the scheme began in 2022.
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.
Full details of Core Funding 2026/2027 will be made available to the sector in the coming months.
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.
176. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress that has been made on recruiting speech therapists for children with disabilities in Laois; the number of these posts that were advertised; the number that have now been filled in Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29031/26]
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.
177. 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. [28424/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
178. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the level of capital funding allocated in each of the past five years, and planned for the coming three years, to support the delivery of small-scale community based housing for persons with intellectual disabilities, both at a national level and, specifically, for the north Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29157/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality, alongside the HSE, is continuing to work to increase funding resources to assist those who are most vulnerable in our society and who urgently require residential services.
The National Housing Strategy 2022 to 2027 places responsibility for the provision of housing with the Department of Housing and it is the responsibility of the HSE to provide additional supports related to care needs. The HSE and Local Authorities are working together to map the need and to develop plans for delivering housing to people with disabilities and to advance those plans.
The recent National Development Plan (NDP) review has significantly increased the funding ceiling for Disability Services Capital over the next five years leading to a total possible investment of €278 million by 2030. The Department's Sectoral Capital Plan, published on 27 November 2025, sets out at a high level the infrastructure development plans for the Specialist Disability Sector. The first NDP ceiling is reflected in this year’s capital budget, where a total of €43 million has been allocated for 2026.
The vision for the Strategy is:
• To facilitate disabled people to live independently with the appropriate choices and control over where, how and with whom they live, promoting their inclusion in the community.
• To further enable equal access for disabled people to housing with integrated support services.
Ireland is one of the few countries that has a specific strategy for housing for disabled people. The development of this second housing strategy specifically for disabled people demonstrates the Government’s commitment to providing equal access to housing for all.
This Government recognises the vital work carried out by family carers, as well as the impact that caring can have on carers' physical and mental health. It recognises too, the importance of the voice of the person with the disability and that they may have certain wishes about their own future.
According to data from the National Ability Support System (NASS) 2024, there are over 2,000 adults with an intellectual disability whose primary carer is aged over 70 in Ireland.
This Government is aware that some people will require a residential place as their parents age and the HSE, alongside contracted service providers, make every effort to provide the correct supports for individuals when needed. Supports include day services, respite services, residential services, home support and personal assistance. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Housing Authorities, and the HSE, to explore means of responding to the need for additional capacity, which can assist forward planning and cost-effective placements.
Please note that while the question relates specifically to intellectual disability, residential infrastructure is tracked as a whole and not by service group by the HSE.
For the years in question, I am informed by the HSE, that HSE Specialist Disability Services Capital expenditure for residential infrastructure over the past five years (exclusive of minor capital infrastructure upgrade works) is as below:
|
Capital Expenditure (€m) for residential infrastructure over the past five years (exclusive of minor capital infrastructure upgrade works) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
National |
6.4 |
4.9 |
6 |
8.1 |
7 |
|
North Dublin |
0.001 |
0 |
0.05 |
0.57 |
0.09 |
179. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress on the evaluation framework for Core Funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29166/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn evaluation of the first year of Core Funding and the development of an evaluation framework for Core Funding is currently underway. This project will examine the early implementation of Core Funding and make recommendations for future evaluations of the grant. Findings from the project are expected in the coming months.
The parameters of this review were limited to the first year of Core Funding, activities, and expenditure. As such, I do not anticipate this review providing a comprehensive set of recommendations for immediate implementation. Rather, the project will highlight remedial actions that can be incorporated without disruption to the ongoing operation of Core Funding. This review will provide a mechanism that will allow the Department to conduct more robust assessments of the efficacy and efficiency of Core Funding on an ongoing basis.
This review will set out an evaluation framework for Core Funding so that subsequent medium and long-term evaluations can ensure the scheme is meeting its intended objectives and that it remains an efficient use of exchequer funding. Where relevant, it will also highlight data gaps that exist, and further data that may require collection to comprehensively evaluate the scheme.
This project is being undertaken by Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service or IGEES policy analysts working in the Research and Evaluation Unit of this Department.
IGEES is an integrated cross-government service established in 2012 with the objective of enhancing the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making. It is part of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), policy analysts working in the research and evaluation unit of my department, are nearing completion of the Core Funding Year 1 evaluation. It is anticipated that an evaluation report will be submitted for my review in the very near future, with arrangements for publication to be made shortly thereafter.
It is envisaged that the future evaluations will have a broader scope and will be governed by a Steering Group. The terms of reference for future evaluations will be informed by the recommendations arising from the evaluation of the first year of the grant.
In addition to this project, I wish to remind the Deputy that the effectiveness of Core Funding has been subject to ongoing review since its introduction in 2022 and the Scheme itself has evolved year on year in response.
181. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether it is Government policy to phase out, regularise, or continue the use of unregulated special emergency arrangements by Tusla; the timeline for any legislative or regulatory change; and the reason such settings do not fall under the remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority, despite accommodating children in State care. [29220/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile Tusla, supported by the Department, are working to reduce reliance on SEAs, the Agency is facing significant and ongoing challenges in sourcing appropriate placements for children in the care of the State. This is due to a number of factors, including difficulties in recruiting staff, the complexity of the presentation of some children, and the unprecedented number of Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) requiring Tusla services. In 2025, child protection and welfare referrals to Tusla rose by 10%, to over 106,000 , as compared to over 89,000 in the same period in 2024.
Both Tusla and I as Minister share a common aim to meet the needs of all children in mainstream alternative care placements, and to reduce Tusla's operation of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs). I have invested significantly in Tusla to this end.
In 2026, Tusla's overall funding was raised to €1.37 billion, an increase of 14% or €177 million compared to 2025, which was itself a year of record investment. This increase includes an additional €53 million for mainstream residential care. This additional funding will provide for the full year costs of residential places opened in 2025, in addition to 30 new residential places over the course of 2026. Tusla’s capital budget has also been expanded to €35 million in 2026, which represents growth of 100% since 2024.
Tusla has been working to invest in increasing residential care capacity and reduce reliance on SEAs. Tusla’s residential care house purchase and refurbishment programme is ongoing in 2026 and will continue throughout the lifetime of the National Development Plan. 9 houses were purchased in 2025 with a further 9 houses planned for 2026. This capital investment seeks to rebalance provision in favour of care provided directly by the State in line with Tusla’s strategies, Ministerial priorities and Programme for Government commitments.
Where Tusla is required to place a child in a Special Emergency Arrangement (SEA), the Agency has advised that it follows specific safeguarding procedures. Tusla has developed Standard Operating Procedures for these placements, which detail extensive checks that any prospective SEA provider must adhere to, including in relation to records management and staff vetting. Tusla has advised that all SEA providers are vetted by its Central Compliance Unit (CCU), which ensures that Garda vetting and appropriate qualifications are in order before any child is placed with a prospective provider. The CCU also carries out spot checks to validate staff on active duty. Tusla has said that young people in SEAs are also visited weekly by a social worker or delegated person to have their voice heard and check on the care being provided.
As part of the process of reducing reliance on SEAs, Tusla has advised that its Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service (ACIMS) has met with each SEA provider to support transition of these providers to registered regulated services.
HIQA carries out announced and unannounced inspections of statutory Children’s Residential Centres. HIQA carries out these inspections against the identified Regulations and Standards. Tusla is the statutory regulator of Private and Voluntary Children’s Residential Centres, and is therefore responsible for the registration and inspection of these centres in accordance with the relevant regulations, standards, and the provisions of the Child Care Act 1991.
The record level of investment in Tusla outlined above will support the Agency to increase capacity in its mainstream services and to reduce its reliance on SEAs, within the context of the ongoing high level of demand for its services. 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.
182. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding developments towards reaching the commitment to reducing childcare costs to €200 per child, per month, in the context of a number of childcare providers pulling out of the core funding scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27968/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Phase 1 report of Shaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan was published on 17 December. The report sets out the next steps in the delivery of a number of Programme for Government commitments relating to Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare.
A central objective of Shaping the Future is to reduce parental fees to an upper limit of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government.
The Phase 1 report focuses on short-term actions to be undertaken in 2026 within the budgetary resources available for the year. Phase 1 actions on affordability in Shaping the Future will deliver tangible steps towards the €200 commitment in 2026.
Phase 1 actions will include co-funding the expansion of existing providers as well as increasing supply through investment in State-led ELC and SAC services. The allocation for Core Funding will be increased to €482m for programme year 2026-27 (an increase of up to 23%) to support capacity growth in the sector and sustainability of providers, and to support providers to meet the costs of increases in staff minimum wage rates through a possible 2026 round of negotiations for new Employment Regulation Orders.
It is important to stress that both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan are being informed by an extensive range of research, data-analysis, and public consultation processes that have been undertaken over recent years and that continue.
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. Local consultation events will take place between the 20 - 30 April 2026 and are being organised with the City and County Childcare Committees.
Results of this consultation process, as well as additional analysis, will inform Phase 2 of the Action Plan. Phase 2 actions will be undertaken from 2027 to 2029. The Action Plan adopts a phased approach that enables action to be taken in 2026 while allowing adequate time for the broad public consultation and analysis on longer-term actions, which will be set out in a second report, to be published by the end of 2026.
A key feature of Core Funding is the introduction of a system of fee management, which includes a fee freeze at September 2021 levels and maximum fee caps.
Maximum fee caps, which were introduced for new entrants to the Scheme in Year 3, have been reduced and extended to all new and existing Core Funding Partner Services in Year 4.
Under these new fee caps, the fee for a full day place – of between 40-50 hours per week, the most common full day care operating hours – can be charged at no more than €295 per week (before State subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme are deducted), with a fee cap of €354 for more than 50 hours of care.
€20.6 million in brand new full-year funding was secured in Budget 2026 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.[]
I am aware that a small number of services have regrettably chosen to withdraw from the Core Funding scheme. The Department, through the local Childcare Committees, engages directly with any such service to highlight the benefits of staying in Core Funding, not only for their services but also for the families who avail of them.
It should be noted that of the 592 services that have left the scheme at one point, some 415 services were contracted to Core Funding as of 3 November 2025 - meaning over 70% of services who left the scheme at one point have now returned to Core Funding.
I wish to remind the Deputy that uptake of Core Funding remains strong. The fourth year of Core Funding began on 1 September and as of 13 April there were 4,630 services signed up to Year 4 of Core Funding. These are the highest numbers of Partner Services in Core Funding at any point since the scheme was launched in 2022 and represent 93% of all eligible services.
I am encouraged by this rate of participation: it shows that Core Funding is working as intended, and the vast majority of families will continue to benefit from the scheme’s fee management conditions.
Regardless of whether the service is participating in Core Funding, services remain eligible to provide the National Childcare Scheme, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme and the Community Childcare Subvention Plus Saver programme.
These schemes have made a significant impact on improving affordability of early learning and childcare for families.
183. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will report on the current funding model for disability support groups (details supplied) in relation to the home support model; and if there are plans to alter this model to ensure the continued viability of the home support model. [29048/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHome support services are provided to both children and adults with a wide range of disabilities from physical and sensory disabilities to intellectual disabilities and autism. The home support service assists the person with everyday tasks to enable them to live at home or with family.
In the order of 7,000 people with disabilities in Ireland are in receipt of home support with €3.4m provided under Budget 2026 to deliver approximately 100,000 additional hours this year. Budget 2026 also saw a substantial investment of €15m to increase the rate for service delivery for both home support and personal assistance, helping ensure providers can build and sustain the workforce needed to support people with disabilities every day and fulfilling a key Programme for Government commitment to align the disability rates with the rate paid for similar support services in other sectors.
Notably, a programme of reform is ongoing in the home support sector, encompassing both disability and older persons home support services. The programme has a vision at its centre of an equitable, person-centred, and enabling home support service that enhances service user and staff experience.
The introduction of an authorisation scheme for disability home support services is an important element of this new reform programme. The scheme, which is being developed by the HSE, will change how disability home support services are procured, moving from grant funded and invoiced arrangements to tendered arrangements. Its overarching aim is to ensure that the highest quality service providers are contracted to provide the best quality home support services for people with disabilities.
To support alignment in home support service provision across the sectors, the disability authorisation scheme will adopt the same approach as the authorisation scheme for older persons home support services (which has been in place since 2023) in terms of its specification of requirements and standard operating procedure, thereby ensuring that all home support service providers are held to the same standards for service delivery. While aligned with the older persons scheme, the disability scheme will also be customised to ensure it effectively addresses the specific needs of persons with disabilities.
184. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the status and number of operational respite beds for adults with disabilities in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28743/26]
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 Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to meet the need for long-term residential care for disabled people in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28752/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality, alongside the HSE, is continuing to work to increase provision in order to assist those who are most vulnerable in our society, and who urgently require services.
The Programme for Government commits to developing a multi-year capital plan for investment in residential and independent living options for both adults and children, and to tackle waiting lists for specialist disability services by implementation of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-6, and resourcing and delivering on its targets.
The Programme for Government also recognises the requirement for a whole-of-government approach to advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
In 2025, the Department for Children, Disability and Equality published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with input from disabled people and representative organisations on the issues that matter the most to them.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, will work in collaboration with a number of other Departments and agencies including the HSE and Local Authorities, to advance Pillar 3 of the Strategy, which outlines a collective approach to provide a clear pathway for disabled people to access the supports they require to live independently and address societal barriers that impact on their daily lives.
This Government together with the HSE, acknowledges that demand for residential services is very high. The provision of residential services has come under increasing pressure in the past few years due to a number of impacting factors such as an increase in the number of individuals seeking access to residential services as a reflection of general population increase, changing support needs of service users, recruitment challenges impacting all areas of disability services and the availability of suitable housing. In this regard, the HSE continues to work with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with the budget available.
As of February 2026, approximately 90 service providers are delivering 8,927 specialist disability places. Since 2020, additional funding provided to the HSE has supported the creation of an additional 982 residential places for people with disabilities.
These placements largely support people moving from their family home to a residential service and are in addition to supporting transitions of people from congregated settings to the community and people under the age of 65 out of nursing homes and into more appropriate community-based homes.
Budget 2026 has provided approximately €3.9 billion in funding for Specialist Disability Services. Specialist disability residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, almost 60% (€2.2bn) of the total budget.
€65m has been allocated to Disability Residential Services in 2026 for new developments, which includes €40m of funding that will provide in the region of 199 residential responses. This includes 152 newly created residential placements (72 planned placements and 80 unplanned urgent placements), as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026. Funding will also support new residents in existing placements that have become vacant and require enhancement and in limited circumstances, placements in nursing home settings.
The HSE’s 2026 National Service Plan includes details of a move towards a more planned and responsive system of service provision to include the development of 72 new planned residential placements and progress, reflected in key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure transparency and accountability in meeting service needs.
Residential placements generally respond to residential needs demonstrated on the HSE’s Disability Support Application Management Tool (DSMAT), which provides a list and detailed profiles of people (Adults & Children) who need additional funded supports in each Health Region. Entries to the DSMAT are entered locally by the HSE and represent an indicator of need for people who come forward actively seeking services. These planned places will be able to respond to residential needs demonstrated on the HSE’s DSMAT profiling tool.
In 2026, with allocated funding, the HSE has begun work to establish Residential Placement Planning & Review Teams in each Regional Health Area. The aim of these teams will be to ensure that individuals are appropriately assessed in relation to support needs prior to placement in residential services and reviewed in a timely manner for duration of the placement in respect of quality of care and support needs.
HSE Disability programme leads are developing a procurement framework for residential placements with for-profit agencies which will focus primarily on purchasing placements on a group basis. This is expected to improve the ability of the HSE to negotiate more cost-effective placements. The procurement framework is expected to be in place by Quarter two 2026.
187. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to report on her engagement to date with the Irish Foster Care Association; and if she will outline the work her Department has done to support foster carers in Ireland and to recruit additional foster carers. [28593/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFoster carers play a vital and valued role in the care of the most vulnerable children in our society. Foster care is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their family of origin, and foster carers provide a safe, secure and stable home environment for these vulnerable children and young people.
This Department has overseen record investment in foster carers, including a 21% increase to the foster care allowance over the past two years, resulting in the current weekly allowance for children in foster care of €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. This means that foster carers now receive between €20,800 and €22,100 per year for each child in their care, depending on the age of the child.
Additionally, in 2025 a bonus payment at the start of each initial foster care placement was introduced. This payment aims to alleviate the substantial out-of-pocket expenses that can be incurred by foster carers during the initial period after a child is placed in their care.
A revised Mileage Payment Scheme for foster carers also came into effect in April 2025. This broadens the categories of journeys which may be considered eligible for payment under the Foster Care Travel Payments Scheme. Additionally, the cumulative weekly travel distance to qualify for these payments has been reduced from 300km to 250km.
There has been extensive engagement between the Department and the Irish Foster Care Association. In 2025, I attended the launch of the IFCA's Strategic Plan, and separately met with the CEO of the IFCA to discuss issues impacting on foster carers. Last month, I was was delighted to provide a message for the IFCA's Focus on Foster Care week, thanking foster carers for all the dedication and support they provide to the children and young people in their care.
The Programme for Government 2025 introduced a number of commitments relating to foster care. This included commitments to examine and develop a pension solution for foster carers, in recognition of the enormous contribution they make to vulnerable children in our society.
Additionally, work is underway within the Department on the development of a National Policy Framework for Alternative Care, which will deliver on a Programme for Government commitment to develop a national plan on alternative care. Officials of the Department are developing this Framework on the basis of evidence and robust consultation with stakeholders, care experienced individuals, and the public.
The consultation process has included a number of constructive engagements with foster carers and their representative bodies, including the IFCA. In December 2025, officials attended the IFCA's Fostering Insights webinar to provide information to IFCA members about the National Policy Framework and what it will mean for foster carers.
Department officials and I will continue to listen carefully to what foster carers and their representative organisations have to say, including in relation to eligibility for the State pension and other key matters. I will continue to work closely Government colleagues regarding the progression of Programme for Government commitments to deliver for foster carers.[]
188. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to identify health regions where significant discrepancies in staffing exists between CDNTs; and the recruitment steps she will take to address the matter. [28747/26]
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.
189. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current staffing levels at CNDT services in the CHO3 area; and if there are plans to increase these staffing levels. [29049/26]
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.
190. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of complaints made directly by children to Tusla in each of the past five years; the categories of complaints received; the process available to children to make a complaint; and whether any element of that process is independent of Tusla management structures. [29222/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy, for your question. As this relates to an operational matter within Tusla I have referred your question to Tusla to reply directly to you.
191. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of additional residential placements for persons with intellectual disabilities that are planned or in development by the HSE, by CHO area, including CHO area 9, by year of expected delivery given the exceptional urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28495/26]
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.
192. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of allegations or reports of abuse made by or on behalf of children while in the care of Tusla in each of the past five years, broken down by placement type; the channels through which such reports are made; and whether children in State care have access to an independent body outside Tusla to report abuse or safeguarding concerns. [29223/26]
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.
193. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of unregulated special emergency arrangements used by Tusla to accommodate children in its care; the number of children currently placed in such arrangements; the duration of placement in each case; and whether the Minister will outline why children continue to be placed in settings that are not subject to statutory regulation or inspection. [29219/26]
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.
194. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to deliver State-led early learning and childcare facilities; if there are specific proposals in County Meath, given the shortage of places in many areas in that county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28425/26]
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.
This Department has received project proposals from a number of sources since the programme was launched which, along with projects which my Department was aware of prior to the programme launching, includes 82 potential projects across the country as of 17 April 2026.
These projects are in very different stages of development. Some relate to 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 relate to a building or property only and a separate process to identify an operator would be required.
Currently there is one proposal from County Meath which has been submitted to the Department.
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.
The Department is assessing sites and buildings which align with the goals of the programme and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.
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.
195. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if approval has been given to recruit occupational therapists for paediatrics and younger persons with disabilities in Laois; the number of posts for occupational therapists in Laois advertised since 2025; and the number of these posts that have now been filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29030/26]
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.
196. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if childcare costs will be reduced in light of the worsening cost of living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29067/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraShaping 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 is 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.
Core Funding, the supply-side payment to providers, requires that participating services abide by a system of fee management in return for the significant State funding available through the Scheme. This includes a freeze on fees at September 2021 levels and maximum fee caps.
Additional funding secured through Budget 2026 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.
The 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.
Additionally, as set out in the Action Plan, further enhancements to the NCS income-assessed subsidy will be introduced in September 2026. These include increasing the lower income threshold from €26,000 to €34,000 and the upper threshold from €60,000 to €68,000, improving affordability for up to 47,000 children from lower-income families. Another enhancement will include an increase to the multiple child discount for parents with two children under the age of 15, rising from €4,300 to €5,500, and for parents with three or more children, rising from €8,600 to €11,000.
197. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in Cavan and Monaghan that received an assessment of need within the statutory timeframe in the years 2024 to date; and the number that did not.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29117/26]
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.
In Cavan/Monaghan 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:
No. of reports completed within timeline: 0
No. of applications received:133
Total overdue <1 month: 31
Total overdue 1-3 months: 36
Total overdue >3 months: 453
Applications overdue for completion by end of 2025: 520
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. The Joint Committee on Disability Matters has published its report, following pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, and the Department is considering its recommendations. An FAQ document www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/from-subject-received-size-categories-aoife-carragher-dcde-fw-dcde-website-aon-1532-1-mb/
has 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.
199. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Minister for Children, Disability and Equality an bhfuil sí ar an eolas faoi na deacrachtaí éagsúla a bhaineann le hearcú foirne le haghaidh cúram leanaí agus naíonraí sa Ghaeltacht; an bhfuil srian aoise ar an bhfoireann; cad iad na hiarrachtaí éagsúla atá á ndéanamh chun a chinntiú go bhfuil daoine ar fáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29098/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs mór an luach a bhaineann le róil an oideora luathbhlianta agus an cleachtóra cúraim leanaí in aois scoile, agus tacaíonn siad go mór le forbairt, foghlaim agus cúram leanaí.
Aithnítear nach bhfaigheann na daoine a oibríonn in earnáil fhoghlaim agus chúram na luath-óige agus san earnáil chúraim leanaí in aois scoile an t-aitheantas atá tuillte acu.
I bhfianaise margadh saothair atá thar a bheith iomaíoch agus a ísle is atá na leibhéil dífhostaíochta atá ann, is dúshlán é do gach fostóir baill foirne a earcú agus a choinneáil.
Cé gurb é an Rialtas is mó a chuireann maoiniú ar fáil don earnáil, ní hionann é agus an fostóir agus ní féidir leis pá ná coinníollacha a leagan síos go díreach.
Is é an Comhchoiste Oibreachais an sásra foirmiúil bunaithe faoinar féidir le fostóirí agus le hionadaithe fostóirí íosrátaí pá a chaibidliú, rátaí atá leagtha síos in Orduithe Rialaithe Fostaíochta, agus tá sé neamhspleách ina fheidhm.
Faoi na hOrduithe Rialaithe Fostaíochta (ORFanna) is déanaí a tháinig i bhfeidhm i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2025, tháinig méadú 10% ar an meán ar íosrátaí pá, agus beidh pá méadaithe ag os cionn 67% de na baill foirne san earnáil.
Tacaíonn an Rialtas le torthaí an phróiseis sin de chuid an Chomhchoiste Oibreachais trí Bhunmhaoiniú.
Tháinig méadú 6% ar an mBunmhaoiniú go dtí €350 milliún sa chlárbhliain seo, 2025/26, agus tugadh €45 milliún eile i bhfoirm Bunmhaoiniú a bhí curtha i leataobh chun tacú le seirbhísí agus iad ag coinneáil suas leis an gcostas méadaithe a bhaineann leis na híosrátaí nua pá san earnáil.
Agus An Todhchaí a Mhúnlú: An Plean Gníomhaíochta Luathbhlianta á sheoladh agam i mí na Nollag, d’fhógair mé go gcuirfear suas le €15 mhilliún de mhaoiniú atá curtha i leataobh ar fáil ó mhí Mheán Fómhair 2026, arb ionann é agus suas le €45 milliún don chlárbhliain iomlán, chun tacú le ORF breise.
I mí na Nollag 2023, cuireadh Foghrúpa de chuid an Fhóraim Páirtithe Leasmhara sa Luathfhoghlaim agus Cúram Leanaí ar bun le dul i ngleic le dúshláin na hearcaíochta agus na coinneála. I measc na dtionscnamh atá curtha chun cinn ag an bhfoghrúpa tá:
Mearphróiseas do Scoláirí chun aitheantas a fháil ar staidéir sheachthéarma.
Conairí measúnaithe do dhaoine aonair a bhfuil cáilíochtaí neamhchríochnaithe acu.
Iarracht i gcomhar a chéile chun gairmréimeanna san earnáil a chur chun cinn.
Níl aon srian sonrach ó thaobh aoise de ar oibrithe in earnáil na Foghlama agus an Chúraim Luath-Óige, agus an Chúraim Leanaí in Aois Scoile. Tagann fostaíocht daoine faoi bhun 18 mbliana d’aois faoi réir na gcoinníollacha a leagtar amach san Acht um Chosaint Daoine Óga (Fostaíocht), 1996.
Ní mór do gach duine a oibríonn le leanaí sna seirbhísí luathfhoghlama agus cúraim bunriachtanais a chomhlíonadh ó thaobh cáilíochtaí de. Tugadh isteach an méid sin in 2016 d’fhonn caighdeán an tsoláthair a fheabhsú agus torthaí níos fearr a bhaint amach do leanaí.
Is ar an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta atá an fhreagracht as an nGaeilge. Cuireann an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta tacaíochtaí breise ar fáil do sheirbhísí Fhoghlaim agus Chúram na Luath-Óige trí mheán na Gaeilge laistigh den Ghaeltacht, trí mheán a cuid gníomhaireachtaí agus eagraíochtaí. I mí an Mheithimh 2024, d’fhógair an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta maoiniú chun seirbhís chuimsitheach tacaíochta agus forbartha a chur ar fáil do naíonraí lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht ar feadh cúig bliana, arna riar ag Gaeloideachas.
Tá maoiniú curtha ar fáil do Ghaeloideachas ag An Roinn Leanaí, Míchumais agus Comhionannais sna blianta 2025 agus 2026 chun tacú le suíomhanna Fhoghlaim agus Chúram na Luath-Óige trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Mar gheall ar an bPlean Gníomhaíochta 5 Bliana don Ghaeilge, tá an Roinn ag obair le Ranna agus Gníomhaireachtaí ábhartha eile chun plean náisiúnta a fhorbairt le tuilleadh forbartha a dhéanamh ar sholáthar na Gaeilge in earnáil Fhoghlaim agus Chúram na Luath-Óige agus in earnáil an Chúraim Leanaí in Aois Scoile.
