Written Answers Nos. 181-200
181. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications are awaiting appropriate assessments at the Marine Institute; if there is an update on prioritisation to deal with these applications in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35718/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence determinations issued by his Department since November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35719/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra183. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications that are awaiting determination with his Department ; the efforts that are being made to address delays in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35720/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra184. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications processed with appropriate assessments completed by the Marine Institute and his Department since November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35721/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 182, 183 and 184 together.
My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process is complex and involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations.
My Department has allocated funding under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) to enable the Marine Institute to recruit two additional technical experts to focus solely on the completion of Appropriate Assessments for Aquaculture Licensing. This resource will be targeted to deal with those applications on hand, and those anticipated to be received in the coming years. Additionally, my Department has engaged the services of an external environmental consultant to assist with clearing the current back log of Appropriate Assessments, as appropriate.
The number of aquaculture licences: (i) awaiting Appropriate Assessment (AA) at the Marine Institute: (ii) determinations issued by my Department since November 2025: (iii) applications awaiting determination: and (iv) applications processed with AAs completed by the MI since November 2025 are provided in the table below:
|
Type |
AA Screening Requests with MI |
Stage 2 AA Requests with MI |
Determinations since November 2025 |
Pending Applications / Awaiting Determination |
Applications Processed with AAs completed by MI Since November 2025 |
|
Marine Finfish |
2 |
12 |
0 |
35 |
0 |
|
Land-based |
0 |
0 |
0 |
22 |
0 |
|
Shellfish and Aquatic Plants |
52 |
80 |
0 |
520 |
0 |
185. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when will the sustainable aquaculture scheme be open for applications in 2026; will the eligibility criteria be revised given the unreasonable delays in the aquaculture licensing system which is impacting aquaculture producers awaiting licensing renewals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35722/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Aquaculture scheme which is co-funded by the Irish government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). It is administered by BIM on behalf of my Department, who have confirmed the scheme is expected to open for applications in July.
To be eligible for aid under this scheme the applicant must have a statutory consent to engage in aquaculture and must also have a consent under the Foreshore Acts. The terms of this scheme provide that operators who are operating in a Natura 2000 site and are awaiting a determination of an aquaculture licence application/renewal made under Section 10 of the Fisheries Amendment Act 1997 are not eligible for aid under this scheme.
My Department, as the managing authority for the Seafood Development Programme 2021-2027, is obligated to implement the EMFAF Regulation and in particular, Article 12(1)(c), which stipulates that Member States may only select operations that are in compliance with applicable Union law – in this case the relevant Union law being the Birds and/or Habitats Directives. Therefore, only operators who hold a licence that is in compliance with these Directives may receive funding.
It is possible for aquaculture business to operate lawfully in this State while awaiting licence renewal determinations that have been fully assessed to be in compliance with the Birds and Habitats Directives. This is currently made possible by section 19A(4) of the 1997 Act. Consequently, aquaculture businesses operating lawfully but not pursuant to up to date licenses that are in compliance with the Birds and Habitats Directives are necessarily excluded from receiving funding under the scheme.
My Department has been working very closely with BIM to identify what funding supports can be put in place for the aquaculture sector, within the parameters of the EU State Aid Regulations governing aid in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
186. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that the European Commission has now triggered Article 26 of the EMFAF Regulation allowing for compensation for fisheries and aquaculture for income forgone and additional costs during exceptional events, will the Minister establish a funding mechanism to assist aquaculture producers facing increased costs impacting their business such as, increase in feed costs, energy costs, transport & logistics costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35723/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 15 April 2026, the Commission adopted an Implementing Decision, C(2026) 25131, under Article 26(2) of Regulation (EU) 2020/1139 establishing the occurrence of an exceptional event, to trigger the crisis mechanism of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
The support package as announced by Minister Heydon on 12 April 2026 will focus on fuel costs for registered fishing and aquaculture vessels and is being implemented under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF). The Government has focused on alleviating the impact of the increase in the price of fuel as efficiently and effectively as possible. No consideration is being given to implement a further scheme under Article 26(2) of the EMFAF Regulation.
187. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a new plan will be provided for children with additional needs in areas where the afterschool and weekend supports have been closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35754/26]
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.
188. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the funding and delivery of residential places for adults with intellectual disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35454/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of February 2026, 8,927 specialist disability residential places are being delivered by approximately 90 service providers. Since 2020, additional funding provided to the HSE has supported the creation of almost a thousand additional residential places for people with disabilities.
Approximately €3.9 billion of funding has been allocated to Specialist Disability Services in 2026. 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.
In addition to funding for existing residential placements, €65 million has been allocated to Disability Residential Services in 2026 for new developments, which includes €40 million of funding that will provide in the region of 199 new residential responses. This includes 152 newly created residential places including 72 planned places and 80 unplanned places to meet urgent need, as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026. This 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.
In addition to funding for new residential responses, Budget 2026 allocated €3 million to support the transition of 58 people living in congregated settings to more appropriate homes in the community and a record €10million to the HSE’s Under 65s (U65) programme.
In respect of the funding for the U65 programme, €8 million will enable 45 people under the age of 65, 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 almost €750k, which will be directed towards once off funding for EQLS.
EQLS are aimed at improving an individual’s quality of daily life while they continue their placement in a nursing home and increasing social access. Where appropriate EQLS will also support individuals prior to a transition out of a nursing home, to prepare for a move back into the community. Specifically, these EQLS supports range from iPads, Laptops, Audio Books & Headphones, TV in own room, Motorised Wheelchairs, Mobility/Communication devices, Exercise Bikes, Personal Assistance, Therapeutic Supports and Allied supports such as dentistry or transport etc.
Regarding future funding, consideration of Specialist Disability Services and funding requirements occurs annually as part of the Estimates process. Engagement will take place between the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the Health Service Executive later this year in respect of funding for 2027.
189. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total funding provided for childcare in each Budget between 2016 and 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35558/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is committed to ensuring high quality early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) is accessible and affordable as demonstrated by unprecedented increases in State investment in recent years.
In Budget 2026 the Department secured a budget allocation of €1,524m in funding for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC). This will allow this Department to bring forward a substantial and comprehensive package of developments to achieve significant progress on its policy priorities of affordable, high quality, inclusive and sustainable ELC and SAC.
The table below sets out the total funding allocated to ELC and SAC from 2016 to 2026.
|
Year |
Supplementary Budget Allocation? |
|
2026 |
€1,524m |
|
2025 |
€1,375m |
|
2024 |
€1,159m |
|
2023 |
€1,005m |
|
2022 |
€730m? |
|
2021 |
€640m |
|
2020 |
€590m? |
|
2019 |
€571m |
|
2018 |
€515m |
|
2017 |
€466m |
|
2016 |
€344m |
Notes:
The Supplementary Budget allocation figures include funding for dormant accounts.
This includes €707m investment plus once off €23m in Covid-19 supports.
This includes €481m investment plus once off €109m in Covid-19 supports.
190. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total funding provided for core funding for each year between 2022 to 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35559/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of Core Funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259m of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme, of which €210.8m was entirely new funding.
Core Funding increased by 11% to reach €287m for the second year, and by a further 15% to €331m for the third year of the scheme. The allocation of this additional funding in year 2 and 3 of was informed by the data from previous years, feedback from stakeholders as well as an independent financial review of sessional services by Frontier Economics.
Moreover, changes to fee management were introduced in year 3, enabling low fee services to apply for a fee increase.
The full year allocation for year 4 of Core Funding is over €390 million. This includes funding specifically ringfenced to support employers to meet the costs of increases to the minimum rates of pay in the sector that came into effect on 13 October. The use of this increased funding was informed by data from previous years as well as stakeholder feedback.
The total allocation for Core Funding in 2026/2027 programme year will increase to over €480 million, an additional €89.3 million, or 23%, on the current full year allocation. Full details of Core Funding 2026/2027 will be made available to the sector in the coming weeks and will be informed by emerging insights from the ongoing operation and evaluation of the scheme.
191. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total funding provided for the National Childcare Scheme for each year between 2019 and 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35560/26]
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 to all families in Ireland is €2.14 per hour, which is available for up to 45 weekly hours. Depending on the child's age and the family's income, an additional income assessed subsidy may be available to provide additional support. This subsidy can be as much as €5.10 per hour, also for up to 45 weekly hours.
For your information, please see the table below which details the total funding provided for NCS from 2019 to 2026. Please note that this table refers to the budget allocation provided.
NCS - Budget Allocations (Funding provided)
|
|
2019 |
* 2020 |
2021 |
* 2022 |
* 2023 |
* 2024 |
* 2025 |
2026 |
|
Budget Provided |
35,000,000 |
145,230,000 |
205,526,000 |
210,775,000 |
332,362,000 |
425,572,000 |
530,765,000 |
593,890,000 |
*Indicates years of Supplementary Budgets
192. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality based on current numbers, the estimated full year cost of increasing the universal hourly subsidy of €2.14 available under the National Childcare Scheme by €0.75; by €1; by €1.50; by €2 hour for a maximum of 45 hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35561/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy has requested the estimated full year cost of increasing the universal hourly subsidy available under the National Childcare Scheme by €0.75, €1, €1.50 and €2 per hour for a maximum of 45 hours.
NSC Full Year Cost for 2025
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.
Currently, all families with children attending a registered 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 early learning and 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 number of children using the Scheme has grown by over 70% since 2022 due to enhancements further improving the affordability of early learning and childcare for families. 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. This growth was further supported by Core Funding, which aims to ensure affordability for families 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.
Estimated Full Year Cost of Increasing NCS Universal Subsidy
The ESRI SWITCH model has been used to estimate the impact of increasing the universal subsidy by €0.75, €1, €1.50 and €2 and applied to the Department's baseline NCS cost for 2026. The cost of the proposed changes was estimated at €156.04 million for a €0.75 increase, €210.24 million for a €1 increase, €319.01 million for a €1.50 increase, and €436.88 million for a €2 increase. Please see the information in tabular form below.
|
Proposed increase per hour |
Proposed hourly rate |
Estimated cost per year (millions) |
|
€0.75 |
€2.89 |
€156.04 |
|
€1 |
€3.14 |
€210.24 |
|
€1.50 |
€3.64 |
€319.01 |
|
€2 |
€4.14 |
€436.88 |
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 early learning and 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 childcare for the first time.
193. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the level of consultation she has had with childcare providers in relation to the Government's commitment to reduce childcare fees; if she will outline the details on all regional and national consultation events being held as part of phase 2 of Shaping Our Future; the dates and locations for each consultation event; how the events are being promoted and advertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35562/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the National Conversation on Education: the First 5 years and School-Age Childcare, the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality (DCDE) is undertaking a public consultation process on the future of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) including childminding. This broad consultation process seeks views not only from early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners and childminders, but also from parents, providers, and community members. Input gathered during the National Conversation will inform both Phase 2 of Shaping the Future—the Government’s Early Years Action Plan—and the successor to the First 5 Strategy, Ireland’s Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.
The consultation process has a number of channels designed to facilitate the participation of a wide range of stakeholders. These include a national online survey on ELC and SAC, which has now closed and received 11,724 responses. The large majority of responses were from parents and there were also responses from providers, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, childminders, academics and other stakeholders.
In addition, a survey of a nationally representative sample of parents was conducted through a telephone poll of 500 households with children under 14 years of age, seeking parents’ experiences and perspectives on early learning and childcare. An art-based engagement exercise with children also formed part of the consultation process.
54 consultation events took place took place between 20 and 30 April. These events were organised in collaboration with the City and County Childcare Committees. 53 were local in-person events (with at least one in every county) and one was an online consultation session which took place through the Irish language. The large majority of events were held in the evening to facilitate attendance by working parents, providers, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners and childminders. Registration for events was not restricted to participants’ local area, and attendees were free to register for events in other locations where this better suited their availability. A full list of the local consultation events held is set out in a table below.
The local consultation events were formally announced through a Departmental press release issued on 26 March 2026, which was carried in a number of regional and national media outlets. The full text of the press release is available online (at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/press-releases/lets-talk-early-years-minister-foley-launches-the-national-conversation-on-education-the-first-five-years-and-school-age-childcare/). The Department and the City and County Childcare Committees also issued social media posts encouraging parents, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, childminders, providers, and others with an interest in the future of ELC and SAC to share their views by attending the consultation events.
In addition, the Department undertook targeted engagement and outreach with a range of relevant representative and stakeholder organisations to encourage and support local participation. This included engagement with member organisations of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF), which were asked to disseminate information through their respective networks and to encourage participation at local level.
A national consultation event, the Shaping the Future National Forum: Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, will also take place later in the year.
It should be noted that the ELCSF continues to be the main consultation mechanism between the Department’s ELC/SAC Division and stakeholders in the ELC and SAC sector, and this will remain the case throughout the development of Shaping the Future Phase 2. The primary focus of upcoming ELCSF meetings will be consultation on the development of Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan. While ELCSF members could also participate in the other elements of the consultation process, including the local consultation events and the national forum, ELCSF meetings provide a key forum for stakeholders to inform the planning process.
The feedback gathered through the consultation process will inform Phase 2 of Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan and will also support the development of the successor to First 5, Ireland’s whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families (2019–2028). The Department will continue to engage closely with the sector as this work progresses.
|
City / County Childcare Committee area |
Day and Date |
Full name of venue |
Address (Incl Eircode) |
Time - start and end time |
|
Carlow |
Tuesday, 28th April |
Woodford Dolmen Hotel |
Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Ireland, R93 N207 |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Cavan |
Thursday 23rd April |
Kilmore Hotel |
Dublin Rd. Cavan H12 F6Y7 |
7:00pm - 9:00pm |
|
Clare |
Wednesday, 29th April |
Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis |
The Square, Ennis, Co, Clare V5HOXK |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Cork City |
Tuesday, 28th April |
Clayton Hotel Silver Springs |
Tivoli, Cork T23E244 |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Cork County |
Monday, 20th April |
Charleville Park Hotel & Leisure Centre |
Limerick Road, Charleville, Co. Cork P56 V268 |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Cork County |
Tuesday, 21st April |
Talbot Hotel |
Old Cork Road, Midleton, Co. Cork P25 AX67 |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Cork County |
Monday, 27th April |
The Maritime Hotel |
The Quay, Bantry, West Cork P75 XW35 |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Cork County |
Tuesday, 28th April |
Castle Hotel & Leisure Centre |
Main Street, Macroom, Co. Cork P12ED78 |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Dublin City |
Tuesday, 21st April |
DCCC Training room |
OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3 |
10.30am – 12.30pm |
|
Dublin City |
Saturday, 25th April |
DCCC Training Room |
OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3 |
10.00am-12.00pm |
|
Dublin City |
Saturday, 25th April |
DCCC Training Room |
OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3 |
1pm-3pm |
|
Dublin City |
Wednesday, 29th of April |
DCCC Training room |
OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3 |
10.00am – 12.00pm |
|
Dublin City |
Wednesday, 29th April |
DCCC Training Room |
OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3 |
1pm-3pm |
|
Dublin City |
Thursday, 30th April |
DCCC Training Room |
OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3 |
6pm-8pm |
|
Dublin South |
Tuesday, 21st April |
Green Isle Hotel |
Dublin 22 |
10:30pm - 12:30pm |
|
Dublin South |
Tuesday, 28th of April |
Green Isle Hotel |
Dublin 22 |
5.30pm- 8.00pm |
|
Donegal |
Wednesday, 22nd of April |
Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town |
Diamond, Donegal, F94 AP8W |
6:00pm - 8:00pm |
|
Donegal |
Thursday, 23rd of April |
Dillon's Hotel, Letterkenny |
27 Upper Main St, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 E30F |
6:00pm - 8:00pm |
|
Donegal |
Wednesday, 29th of April |
Inishowen Gateway Hotel |
Railway Rd, Ballymacarry Lower, Buncrana, Co. Donegal, F93 PPH9 |
6:00pm - 8:00pm |
|
Fingal |
Monday, 20th of April |
The Riasc Centre |
Feltrim Road, Swords, Co Dublin, K67 PX85 |
3:00pm - 5:00pm |
|
Fingal |
Monday, 20th of April |
The Riasc Centre |
Feltrim Road, Swords, Co Dublin, K67 PX85 |
6:00pm - 8:00pm |
|
Galway |
Monday, 27th April |
Clayton Hotel Galway |
Monivea Road, Ballybrit,Galway H91D526 |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Galway |
Wednesday, 29th April |
Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe |
Canel Drive, Marino Point, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Kerry |
Tuesday, 21st April |
Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee |
Oaklands, Tralee, Co. Kerry V92 DC83 |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Kildare |
Monday, 20th April |
Clanard Hotel |
Athy, R14FY90 |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Kildare |
Wednesday, 22nd April |
Glenroyal Hotel |
Maynooth, W23C2V1 |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Kildare |
Wednesday, 29th of April |
Keadeen Hotel |
Newbridge, W12T925 |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Kilkenny |
Tuesday, 21st April |
Ormonde Hotel Kilkenny |
Ormonde Street, Kilkenny R95 Y5CX |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Laois |
Thursday, 23rd April |
The Midland Park Hotel |
Jessop Street Portlaoise R32 KV20 Laois |
7.00pm-9.00pm |
|
Leitrim |
Tuesday, 28th of April from |
Landmark Hotel |
Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim N41 N9W4 |
7:30 – 9:30pm |
|
Limerick |
Tuesday, 28th April |
Longcourt House Hotel, Newcastle West |
Newcastle West, Co Limerick V42 TD72 |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Limerick |
Wednesday, 29th April |
Great National Southcourt Hotel |
Raheen Roundabout, Co. Limerick V94 E77X |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Longford |
Wednesday, 22nd of April |
Longford Arms Hotel |
25 Main Street Longford N39 X4H6 |
6:00pm - 8:00pm |
|
Louth |
Wednesday, 22nd of April |
The Gateway Hotel Dundalk |
Inner Relief Rd, Marshes Upper, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 EF88 |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Louth |
Tuesday, 21st of April |
Donegans Inn, Monasterboice Drogheda |
Bawntaffe, Monasterboice, Drogheda A92 A59E |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Mayo |
Wednesday 29th April |
Ellison Hotel |
Lannagh Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. F23 V279 |
7:00pm - 9:00pm |
|
Meath |
Tuesday, 21st April |
Pillo Hotel |
Ashbourne Co. Meath A84 KR91 |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Meath |
Wednesday, 22nd April |
Ardboyne Hotel |
Navan, Co. Meath C15 C9YA |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Meath |
Thursday, 23rd April |
Knightsbrook Hotel |
Trim Co. Meath C15 WYF4 |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Monaghan |
Tuesday, 21st of April |
Four Seasons Hotel & Leisure Club, Monaghan |
Coolshannagh, Monaghan, H18 Y220 |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Offaly |
Tuesday, 28th of April |
The Bridge House Hotel |
Bridge Steet, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 K2T9 |
7:00pm – 9:00pm |
|
Roscommon |
Wednesday, 22nd of April |
Hannons Hotel |
Athlone Rd, Acres, Roscommon, Co Roscommon, F42PH33 |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Sligo |
Tuesday, 21st of April |
Sligo Park Hotel |
Pearse Rd, Cornageetha, Sligo F91 Y762 |
3:00pm – 5:00pm |
|
Sligo |
Tuesday, 21st of April |
Sligo Park Hotel |
Pearse Rd, Cornageetha, Sligo F91 Y762 |
6.30pm- 8.30pm |
|
Tipperary |
Monday, 27th April |
Talbot Hotel Clonmel |
Cahir Road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary E91 X0N7 |
6.30pm- 9.00pm |
|
Tipperary |
Tuesday, 21st April |
Abbey Court Hotel & Leisure Centre |
Dublin Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary E45 KA99 |
6.30pm- 9.00pm |
|
Waterford |
Wednesday, 22nd April |
Park Hotel, Dungarvan |
Shandon Road, Shandon, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35CC97 |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Waterford |
Wednesday, 29th April |
Woodlands Hotel, Waterford |
Dunmore Road, Waterford X91VC2R |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Westmeath |
Thursday, 30th April |
Bloomfield House Hotel |
Mullingar N91 HP8E |
6.30pm – 8.30pm |
|
Westmeath |
Tuesday, 28th April |
Raddison Blu Hotel |
Athlone N37 A8X9 |
6.30pm – 8.30pm |
|
Wexford |
Wednesday, 22nd April |
Ambersprings Hotel |
Wexford St, Knockmullen, Gorey, Co. Wexford.Y25 FY07 |
6.30pm – 8.30pm |
|
Wexford |
Wednesday, 29th of April |
Riverside Hotel & Leisure Club |
The Promenade, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.Y21 T2F4 |
6.30pm – 8.30pm |
|
Wicklow |
Monday, 27th April |
Glenview Hotel |
Glen of the Downs, Co Wicklow A63 DC95 |
7.00pm- 9.00pm |
|
Online Irish language consultation |
Thursday, 30th April |
Online |
Online |
7.00pm- 8.30pm |
194. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the review into childminding regulations will commence; her views on the low level of registrations from childminders to date; her views on how this can be addressed ahead of the September 2027 deadline so that valuable childminders are not lost from the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35563/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla.
The childminding-specific Regulations are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. The regulations differ substantially from regulations for centre-based childcare.
The regulation of childminding services is critical to the safeguarding of children. The route to registration under the new regulations requires childminders to undertake pre-registration training, as well as meeting certain regulatory requirements including Garda vetting, proof of insurance, first aid certification and child safeguarding training.
Childminders were consulted on and involved in all aspects of the development of the regulations. Both the Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, and the Advisory Groups that have supported it, have included childminders, as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland.
The 2024 Act, under which the timeframes are established, provides for a transition period of three years, to September 2027, before registration becomes mandatory. This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
As of end-Feb 2026, 166 childminders were registered with Tusla, and 718 childminders have completed the Pre-Registration Training.
The Department has committed to undertake a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations during the transition period. The review will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders. The review will provide an important opportunity to learn lessons from initial experiences with the regulations.
As I have said previously, the review will commence as early as possible in 2026. The timing of the review is crucial. In addition to hearing from childminders who have not yet registered, it is important that the review adequately captures, and benefits from, the experiences of those who have registered and been through the registration process and who have operated within the new Regulations.
The Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, which includes individual childminders as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland, met on 24 March, when they reviewed plans for the Review of the Initial Implementation of the Childminding Regulations, which we hope to commence in the coming weeks.
I believe that communications will be essential to addressing many childminders' concerns and to increasing the levels of registration. The Steering Group also reviewed a new draft communications plan devised to strengthen engagement and registration of childminders. Work to realise this plan has commenced.
195. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the engagement she has had with childcare providers who have expressed concerns in relation to core funding; if her Department has engaged with a provider (details supplied) who has recently advised parents that they are leaving core funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35564/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that Sharavogue School has regrettably signalled to families that they do not intended to rejoin Core Funding in the 2026/2027 programme year, commencing in September.
The Department, through the local Childcare Committees (CCC), has engaged directly with this service to highlight the benefits of staying in Core Funding, not only for their service but also for the families who avail of them. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown CCC has confirmed that the service does not intend to enter contract for the 2026/2027 programme year. However, I remain hopeful that the provider may reconsider their decision and have asked the CCC to engage further with the provider.
Under the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, Partner Services must comply with the rules of the Core Funding scheme, such as the associated fee management measures and minimum notice periods. In line with the Core Funding Partner Service Agreement, services considering withdrawing from the scheme during a programme year must give 3 months’ notice of their intention to withdraw to the scheme administrator, and 3 months’ written notice to parents/guardians.
However, if an existing Partner Service decides not to enter a contract for the new programme year starting on 1 September, they, as private businesses, would no longer be subject to the provisions of the Core Funding Agreement and, by extension, the required minimum notice period to the scheme administrator and parents/guardians. They are also not required to provide a reason for choosing not to reapply for Core Funding to the scheme administrator.
As per the table below, Sharavogue School’s projected full-year Core Funding allocation for year 3 of the scheme is €617,603.64, representing an increase of 34% on the first year of Core Funding. The projected allocation for this programme year figure includes funding specifically ringfenced for improvements to staff pay, to support the Employment Regulation Order that came into effect on 13 October 2025.
|
Name of provider |
2022/2023 Core Funding received |
2023/2024 Core Funding received |
2024/2025 Core Funding Contract Value (Aug 2025) |
2025/2026 Core Funding Contract Value (24 Apr 2026) |
Difference in grant value between 2022/2023 and 2025/2026 |
% change in grant value between 2022/2023 and 2025/2026 |
|
Name of provider |
2022/2023 Core Funding received |
2023/2024 Core Funding received |
2024/2025 Core Funding Contract Value (Aug 2025) |
2025/2026 Core Funding Contract Value (24 Apr 2026) |
Difference in grant value between 2022/2023 and 2025/2026 |
% change in grant value between 2022/2023 and 2025/2026 |
|
Sharavogue School |
€461,010.82 |
€492,774.14 |
€551,848.52 |
€617,603.64 |
€156,592.82 |
34% |
This Core Funding allocation for Sharavogue School is paid to the services regardless of whether the places are filled or not filled. This provides services a guaranteed minimum income, supporting stability where attendance may be fluctuating.
Core Funding has been designed with maximum participation of providers in mind as reflected in the year-on-year growth of investment in the Scheme (rising from €259 million in year 1 to over €390 million in year 4). This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in three years.
Further investment in Core Funding was announced in Budget 2026. The additional funding being made available in 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 €89.3 million on the current full year allocation, or a 23% increase.
In addition to the year-on-year increases, the Department has made changes to improve the sustainability of providers through, for example, targeted measures for small and sessional services and a fee increase assessment and approval process for services with fees frozen at unsustainably low rates.
Sharavogue School's application for a fee increase was approved in 2024. As part of that approval, the full-time fee increased from €285 to €307.73 per week.
There are also wider financial supports available where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability. These supports can be accessed through the Department’s case management process, which can be accessed while remaining in Core Funding.
All services have been encouraged to avail of these supports as an alternative to withdrawing from Core Funding and removing the benefit of Core Funding to children and their families.
While the State cannot mandate providers to participate in Core Funding, the scheme remains open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the Scheme.
It should be noted that where a provider intends to withdraw or not contract into Core Funding, they remain eligible to provide the National Childcare Scheme and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme.
The ECCE Programme, which provides two years of pre-school without charge, enjoys participation rates of 96%. Over 70% of families on low-income report that they would not be able to send their child to pre-school without this Programme.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) complements the ECCE Programme, providing subsidies – both universal and targeted - to reduce the costs to parents for children to participate in early learning and childcare.
The NCS has undergone a number of enhancements in recent years to further improve affordability for parents. These include the extension of the universal subsidy to all children under 15 and two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy, which is now worth a minimum of €96.30 per week for 45 hours. The NCS increases since 2022 are there to benefit all families using registered childcare.
These schemes have made a significant impact on improving affordability of early learning and childcare for families and work more favourably for parents when they are offered as part of Together for Better, where parents are protected though Core Funding’s fee management framework.
The Department has also published the ‘Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan’ (Phase 1 Report). It sets out plans to achieve key Programme for Government commitments on the affordability, quality, and accessibility of early learning and childcare.
The Action Plan adopts a phased approach that allows for actions in 2026 to improve affordability, accessibility and quality, while also ensuring adequate time for a broad public consultation on longer term actions.
The report is available at: Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/shaping-the-future/
It should be noted that uptake of Core Funding remains strong. As of 5 May, 93% of all eligible providers have signed up to the fourth year of Core Funding, which equates to over 4,630 services. These are the highest numbers of Partner Services in Core Funding at any point since the scheme was launched in 2022.
I am encouraged by this rate of participation; the vast majority of families will continue to benefit from the scheme’s fee management conditions.
The Department will continue to engage with the sector and continue to develop the scheme so that it can continue to see the high uptake levels it has seen this year, and indeed since it was launched in 2022.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance. For information, the Department has a list of all Core Funding Partner Services which is updated regularly on the Departments website under [How to Find a Partner Service] https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/how-to-find-a-partner-service/
196. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including early years, childcare and disability infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Galway in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35653/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
197. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the Employment Regulation Order process for the Early Years and School Age Care sector, which appears to have experienced delays; to outline when the Minister expects the process to conclude; and to advise the actions that are being taken to ensure timely progress, given the importance of the ERO to workforce sustainability and pay transparency across Early Years and School Age Care settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35717/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge the important role the Joint Labour Committee and its members are playing in improving wages and working conditions in the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare sector.
In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the Joint Labour Committee is independent in its functions, and neither I nor the Department have a statutory role in its processes. While acknowledging the independent nature of the Labour Court and the JLC process and the hard work of its members in negotiating the pay and conditions for the early learning and childcare sector, I therefore cannot pre-empt an independent process.
The Early Years Service Joint Labour Committee has successfully negotiated three Employment Regulation Orders since its establishment in 2021. These ERO’s have delivered improved pay and conditions, supported career pathways and helped support the recruitment and retention of early years educators and school-age practitioners.
Outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. In this programme year 2025/26 Core Funding has increased by 6% to approximately €350 million with an additional €45 million in ring-fenced Core Funding provided to support early learning and care services in meeting the increased cost of minimum pay rates in the sector negotiated by the Joint Labour Committee.
As part of launch of Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan in December, I announced another allocation of up to €15m of ring-fenced funding from September 2026, which amounts up to €45m for the full programme year, to support service providers with costs associated with possible increases in minimum rates of pay negotiated via the independent Joint Labour Committee process. Consequently, over 2 years, the Department has made an allocation of €90 million available to support possible increased rates of pay.
In line with the commitment in the programme for Government to continue to support Employment Regulation Orders to attract and retain early years educators, I met with Joint Labour Committee representatives recently to outline the Government's continued support for the improvement of pay for educators and practitioners working in the sector and the JLC process.
The Department continues to support the JLC and the negotiation process by fulfilling data requests which it has received from the JLC members.
198. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the 12 planned residential places announced by the Minister; the percentage prescribed to Section 39A providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35750/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of February 2026, 8,927 specialist disability residential places are being delivered by approximately 90 service providers. Since 2020, additional funding provided to the HSE has supported the creation of almost a thousand additional residential places for people with disabilities.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality continues to engage with the HSE, to expand and develop residential services for people with disabilities. A number of actions are underway to move towards a more planned approach to providing residential care.
Approximately €3.9 billion of funding has been allocated to Specialist Disability Services in 2026. 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.
In addition to funding for existing residential placements, €65 million has been allocated to Disability Residential Services in 2026 for new developments, which includes €40 million of funding that will provide in the region of 199 new residential responses. This includes 152 newly created residential places including 72 planned places and 80 unplanned places to meet urgent need, as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026. This 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.
Work is underway in the HSE on building the capacity of Section 38 and 39 providers, to deliver more residential services. HSE regions are working collaboratively with voluntary service providers in each Integrated Healthcare Area to identify individuals with urgent need to ensure plans are in place before a crisis arises.
Additionally 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.
199. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for a breakdown of moneys spent on child and adult residential services over the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35751/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
200. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of private companies who have provided residential placements in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35752/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
