Written Answers Nos. 890-909
891. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the policy for compassionate leave for preschool staff (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37122/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently awaiting clarification on the information provided by the Deputy and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy in due course.
892. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the case of a child (details supplied) who has been on the waiting list for Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) services for seven years and has only received two speech and language therapy appointments during that time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37124/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra893. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason a child (details supplied) who has been at crisis point since October 2025 has not received a full psychological assessment through the public system despite repeated engagement with CDNT services; the reason mandatory psychological reassessments, which should be provided every 12 months by the CDNT, have not been carried out in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37125/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra894. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she will take to ensure that children awaiting disability services are not forced into private assessments due to failures in the public system (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37126/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra895. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if emergency intervention will be provided in the case of a child currently at risk of school expulsion while awaiting appropriate behavioural and psychological supports (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37127/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 892, 893, 894 and 895 together.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
896. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current average waiting time in the Dublin North region CH09 for psychological assessments through CDNT services; the number of children waiting longer than five years for assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37128/26]
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.
897. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if additional resources will be allocated to CDNT services in Balbriggan and North Dublin CH09 to address severe delays in speech and language therapy, psychology, and behavioural supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37129/26]
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.
901. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality regarding special arrangements under the national childcare scheme for vulnerable children, facilities in the Dublin mid-west constituency that currently have placement availability remaining under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37176/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help reduce the cost of early learning and childcare for parents. A component of the Scheme is a sponsorship referral which makes special provision for vulnerable children.
The NCS Sponsorship arrangement allows designated bodies to refer children to the Scheme where childcare is needed on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. Where a referral is made by a Sponsor body, the family will automatically qualify for a subsidy without having to satisfy the Scheme’s eligibility, income or enhanced hours requirements.
Families can use a valid CHICK with any Tusla-registered provider that has a place available, including childminders, regardless of whether this relates to a universal or income-assessed application or a sponsorship referral. The Sponsor CHICK is used to register a child as standard, depending on the availability of a place with the families chosen early learning and childcare provider.
The number of early learning and childcare services participating in the NCS in 2026 (YTD) in the Dublin Mid-West constituency is 102 - a 5% increase on the previous year. A total of 5,087 unique children benefitted from an NCS claim in this area for 2026 (YTD), which is a 10% increase on the previous year. Specifically relating to sponsorship, 293 unique children have benefitted from an NCS Sponsor claim in 2026 (YTD) compared to 234 children in the previous year - a 25% increase.
Specifically regarding vacancies, each year, Pobal compiles data from early learning and childcare providers as part of the Early Years Sector Profile. The published capacity data in the Early Years Sector Profile provides an estimate of the number of children enrolled in services and the percentage of services with at least one vacant place at a given time.
Data for the Early Years Sector Profile is typically captured in May/June of each programme year. It should be noted that data is not collated by the Department according to constituency, and the most closely aligning data available to address the Deputy's question relates to South Dublin. On the basis of data for the 2024/25 programme year, it is indicated that 35% of services in South Dublin had at least one vacant place.
The Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance. Contact details for the City/County Childcare Committee may be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees.
902. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality regarding special arrangements under the national childcare scheme for vulnerable children, if she is aware that some service providers refuse the enrolment of vulnerable children due to funding shortfalls; if she intends to address this to ensure increased places are available to vulnerable children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37177/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra927. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which a person (details supplied) can access an available childcare placement under special arrangements for vulnerable children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37682/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 902 and 927 together.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents reduce the cost of early learning and childcare through a subsidy paid directly to the childcare provider.
In the case of children sponsored by approved bodies, the NCS covers the full cost of early learning and childcare. The rate of this coverage increased in 2024 to reflect a €5.30 hourly rate for all children over 1 year old. Sponsored children under 1 year old continue to receive an hourly rate of €5.87.
As part of their participation in NCS, providers agree not to charge the parent of a sponsored child any co-payment, regardless of if the provider’s normal rates are greater than the sponsor subsidy rate. It is also a contractual requirement of the NCS that providers must not exclude children from the service for the reason of sponsorship. If a provider accepts a co-payment for a sponsor child, excludes a child from the service for the reason of a sponsorship award, or requests that a sponsor child register under a universal or income assessed award instead of a sponsor award, then the provider is violating the NCS rules. If a service is also a Core Funding partner service, additional rules apply.
Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare, brings together five major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), Core Funding and Equal Start.
Core Funding is a grant to Partner Services. To become a Partner Service an approved provider must enter into a Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement with the Department and comply with a range of conditions. Clause 4.6.13 of this Funding Agreement, states that “The Partner Service must offer the NCS (including income assessed, universal and in particular “sponsor” NCS arrangements) to all children up to the age of 15 within its service where it provides an ELC and/or SAC service to eligible children.
Parents can use the www.ncs.gov.ie/en/childcare-search/to find Core Funding Partner Services in their area, or to determine whether a specific provider is Partner Service.
I would encourage this parent, as well as any others facing similar issues, to get in touch with their local City and County Childcare Committee (CCC). Across the country, CCC support parents and guardians to understand their early learning and childcare options. They also support a range of policies and programmes, as well as help to ensure that providers are compliant with all relevant Government schemes. Contact details for the CCC may be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees
It is deeply regrettable that the family referenced by the Deputy has struggled to access the sponsorship subsidy that they have been given. Children in receipt of sponsorship have been identified as in particular need of the supports that childcare providers offer. The NCS rules have been designed to protect the interests of both children and service providers, and the Department of Children, Disability provides significant value to the childcare sector, both in terms of subsidies paid directly to providers and grants paid to support providers.
903. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has any usage policy on or if it sanctions for official purposes the use of messaging apps (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37195/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has a mobile phone policy in place governing the use of official mobile devices issued to staff. The policy provides that such devices are for official business and must be used in a lawful, secure and appropriate manner, in line with the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.
In relation to messaging applications such as WhatsApp or Telegram, the Department's policy does not sanction their use for the conduct of official business, except in exceptional circumstances. Staff are reminded of Circular 09/2019 on the use of private email and other private messaging services, which sets out the applicable requirements, including obligations under Freedom of Information and National Archives legislation.
All applications on official devices are subject to the Department’s ICT Acceptable Usage Policy and associated security requirements. The policy also provides that the Department may monitor usage of official devices to ensure compliance and to prevent misuse. Any breach of the policy may result in appropriate action, including withdrawal of services and disciplinary measures in line with Civil Service procedures.
904. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she plans to deliver specialist community-based neurorehabilitation teams for paediatric neurological services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37250/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
905. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated to disability in 2026 with the subcategory allocated to respite, home support, P.A. hours and so on, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37251/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past five years, significant resources have been invested into specialist HSE Disability Services, with core funding increasing from €2.2bn in 2021 to €3.9bn in 2026.
Broadly, these specialist disability services include residential services, day services, respite, personal assistance and home support services, and multi-disciplinary support and services which are largely associated with children’s services.
The increase in 2026 represents a €628m or 20% increase on 2025 funding levels and reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening the funding provided for the disability sector and to addressing the shortfalls identified in the Disability Capacity Review.
The Government is committed to the improvement of disability services across Ireland and the programme for government clearly reflects this. The recent publication of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 also provides a guideline for service improvement and strategic goals for the coming years.
The HSE is limited in its ability to disaggregate the Disability Services budget into specific service areas due to system and structure constraints. Due to this it is not possible to determine the exact cost of each category of service, but it can be estimated.
Using the % breakdown supplied by the HSE, the estimated split of the total annual allocation by service area, provided by the HSE, is set out in the Table below. Due to data constraints, these figures are to be taken as broadly indicative.
|
Specialist Disability Services |
% of allocation |
2026 in €m |
|
Residential Services |
58% |
2,217 |
|
Day Services |
25% |
956 |
|
Respite Services |
4% |
153 |
|
Personal Assistance and home Support Services |
5% |
191 |
|
Multi-disciplinary Supports & Services |
6% |
229 |
|
Community Supports & Services |
2% |
76 |
|
Total |
100% |
3,822 |
A further €43 million has been ring-fenced for capital funding to support Community Based Specialist Disability Services in 2026, the details of which can be found in the recently published HSE Capital Plan 2026.
906. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will clarify whether it is the policy of the HSE to require a person with a physical disability, who is in receipt of personal assistant hours for essential daily living tasks, to 'bank' or reduce their existing daily allocated P.A. hours in order to attend medical or other vital appointments which require assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37252/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra907. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she acknowledges that such a practice may leave a person with a disability without the necessary supports to carry out essential daily activities within their home and community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37253/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra908. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the pathway that exists for a person with a disability to secure additional assistance or support from the HSE to attend vital appointments where attendance is not possible without support from a personal assistant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37254/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra909. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if any national policy or guidance has been issued to disability services regarding supports for attendance at medical, therapeutic, hospital, social care, or other essential appointments. [37255/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra910. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide details of any review being undertaken into the adequacy of personal assistance hour allocations for people with complex physical disabilities who require support beyond basic daily living tasks, including attendance at appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37256/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra911. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reasons the HSE only allows clients in receipt of personal assistant support hours to bank unused hours for use within the same week only, even in circumstances where the service provider may be in a position to facilitate those hours at a later date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37258/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra912. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if consideration will be given to introducing greater flexibility in the use of banked personal assistance hours for people with disabilities who may require support for vital medical appointments, social participation, education or other essential activities outside of the same weekly period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37259/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra913. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will clarify whether a client whose care package is temporarily paused or underutilised can later access unused funding from their allocated yearly HSE budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37260/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra914. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding unused funding remaining within an individual's allocated yearly budget; whether those funds are returned to central HSE budgets, reallocated elsewhere, or carried forward in any capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37261/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913 and 914 together.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
