Written Answers Nos. 930-940
931. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any mechanisms in place to support families that experience consistent service failures from their childcare providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37689/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla Early Years Inspectorate, the independent statutory regulator for the sector, is responsible for the implementation of Part VIIA of the Child Care Act 1991. This includes the registration and the inspection of services in line with preschool, school age, and childminding regulations. Inspection reports for registered services are published and available at www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/creche-inspection-reports/
Under the regulations, a service is required to have a complaints policy and procedure in place.The complaints policymust specify howthe complaint will be dealt with by the service and the procedures in place for keeping the complainant informed regarding how the complaint is being managed. The registered provider is also required to keep a written record of all complaints; this record must state how the complaint is managed and the record of complaints must be available for inspection by Tusla Early Years Inspectorate.
If the complaint has not been satisfactorily addressed through the services’ complaints policy and procedures or if the concern cannot be resolved, Tusla EYI, through their feedback and concerns mechanism may be contacted. Further information and contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/parents-guardians/concerned-about-an-early-years-service/
Enforcement of the regulations is also carried out by the Inspectorate with the primary aim of ensuring services are operating safely and appropriately for children in all services under its remit. The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 has given Tusla EYI additional enforcement powers where safety and compliance issues are identified in a service. These include
• Immediate closure powers for unregistered services.
• Ability to request and acquire parents’ contact details.
• Immediate temporary closure powers for services where there is or there is likely to be grave and/or immediate danger to the health and safety of children.
• Extension of the ‘fit person’ regulation to registered providers and persons-in-charge in centre-based ELC and SAC services.
• Putting on a statutory footing ‘immediate action notices’ and ‘improvement notices’. []
In addition, the Department oversees a comprehensive onsite inspection process in which early learning and childcare services in receipt of funding under one of the Department’s schemes are inspected by Pobal Visiting Officers.
Compliance Inspections by Pobal are a key priority area for the schemes/programmes under the Department's remit. There are several main purposes of Compliance visits. One purpose is to protect exchequer funding. Another is to protect service users. There are checks that services are adhering to scheme rules in areas such as fees, staff qualifications and educator: child ratios.
Overall, the annual number of services in receipt of inspection checks equates to approximately 20 percent of all services. The inspection profile coverage includes a large percentage of what are deemed to be higher risk services as well as random inspections and referrals. Inspections are unannounced to provide a realistic view of day-to-day operations and reduce any potential manipulation or concealment.
Inspections also check that all staff in the service have the necessary staff qualifications as per Tusla regulations and any instances of staff found working without the required qualifications are escalated to Tusla.
The Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) to act as its local agent in the delivery of the national early learning and childcare programmes and the implementation of Government policy.
The role of the CCC is to provide support and guidance to local service providers and parents in relation to the various early learning and childcare programmes and support quality in keeping with national practice frameworks and policy objectives.
CCC act as local agents for the Department in:
• Supporting families in accessing early learning and childcare services;
• Supporting early learning and childcare services regarding quality of provision, compliance with programme rules and new service providers in their start-up;
• Delivering training and continuing professional development opportunities for providers and their staff;
• Identifying and assisting the Department in resolving supply management issues at a local level;
• Supporting implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding at local level and administering the Childminding Development Grants funded by the Department.
932. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any initiatives that seek to increase the number of people working in the childcare sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37690/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of the early years educator and school-age childcare practitioner are valuable ones, and they play an important part in supporting children's development, learning and care.
In a very competitive labour market and with low levels of unemployment, recruitment and retention is a challenge for all employers.
The current Annual Early Years Sector Profile data shows that the number of educators/practitioners working with children in the sector has increased by over 8% between 2024 and 2025 and has increased by over 33% since 2022 while the national average turnover rate has fallen by 1.3% to 24.5% in 2025.
However, it is acknowledged that many early learning and childcare services report recruitment and retention issues. In general, these challenges are not caused by insufficient supply of staff, but by high levels of turnover mainly due to low pay and conditions.
Although the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot directly set wages or conditions.
The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders, and is independent in its functions. 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.
I recently announced, as part of launch of Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan in December, 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.
A longer-term workforce strategy for the sector is in place: "Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028". Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in the sector.
One of the five "pillars" of Nurturing Skills comprises commitments aimed at supporting recruitment, retention and diversity in the workforce, and it includes actions to raise the profile of careers in the sector.
In December 2023, a Sub-Group of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum was established to address recruitment and retention challenges. The group has advanced initiatives including:
• A Student Fast-track Process for recognition of studies to work in service out of term,
• The assessment of unfinished qualifications, where people who may have started a relevant qualification but did not get to finish it, can have what they completed assessed for meeting qualification requirements
• An agreement to promote careers in the sector.
A communications campaign is currently under development and will include a series of videos aimed at promoting careers in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) sector.
In addition, a careers information pack is being developed to support promotion of the sector. The pack will be provided to career guidance counsellors and other key bodies who support individuals in making education and employment decisions, with the aim of raising awareness of career opportunities and pathways within ELC and SAC.
To further support staff retention, the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund enables educators who continue to work within the sector to pursue Level 7 and 8 qualifications by funding up to 90% of their tuition costs. Over 700 staff are now supported through the Nurturing Stills Learner Fund.
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund demonstrates how we are already delivering on our Programme for Government commitment to ‘remove barriers in education and training for early years educators to broaden access to the profession.
Currently there is an existing dedicated Early Learning and Care 'Earn and Learn' Programme in place under the Community Employment scheme, operated by the Department of Social Protection. It aims to help people who want a career in early learning and care by providing real work experience while attaining the minimum Level 5 qualification in Early Learning and Care.
This scheme enhances the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing community-based work experience and training opportunities. In addition, Community Employment supports long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return-to-work routine.
Complementing wider Departmental policies to streamline administration and regulation, to reduce stress and to support wellbeing in the sector, the Department is committed to roll out an employee assistance programme nationally in the near future.
933. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any support networks in place for childcare centres that are experiencing staff shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37691/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn a very competitive labour market and with low levels of unemployment, recruitment and retention is a challenge for all employers.
The current Annual Early Years Sector Profile data shows that the number of educators/practitioners working with children in the sector has increased by over 8% between 2024 and 2025 and has increased by over 33% since 2022 with the national average turnover rate falling by 1.3% to 24.5% in 2025.
However, it is acknowledged that many early learning and childcare services report recruitment and retention issues. In general, these challenges are not caused by insufficient supply of staff, but by high levels of turnover mainly due to low pay and conditions.
Although the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot directly set wages or conditions.
The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders, and is independent in its functions.
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.
I recently announced, as part of launch of Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan in December, 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.
A Sub-Group of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum was established to address recruitment and retention challenges. The group has advanced initiatives including:
• A Student Fast-track Process for recognition of studies to work in service out of term.
• The assessment of unfinished qualifications, where people who may have started a relevant qualification but did not get to finish it, can have what they completed assessed for meeting qualification requirements.
• An agreement to promote careers in the sector.
A longer-term workforce strategy for the sector is in place: "Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028". Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in the sector. One of the five "pillars" of Nurturing Skills comprises commitments aimed at supporting recruitment, retention and diversity in the workforce, and it includes actions to raise the profile of careers in the sector.
A key action in Nurturing Skills to support staff retention is the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund which enables educators who continue to work within the sector to pursue Level 7 and 8 qualifications by funding up to 90% of their tuition costs. Over 700 staff are now supported through the NSLF scheme.
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund demonstrates how we are already delivering on our Programme for Government commitment to ‘remove barriers in education and training for early years educators to broaden access to the profession.
A communications campaign is currently under development and will include a series of videos aimed at promoting careers in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) sector.
In addition, a careers information pack is being developed to support promotion of the sector. The pack will be provided to career guidance counsellors and other key bodies who support individuals in making education and employment decisions, with the aim of raising awareness of career opportunities and pathways within ELC and SAC.
The Department also funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. Additional support for queries relating to the registration of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is available through the local City/County Childcare Committee.
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
934. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to review correspondence (details supplied); if she will contact TUSLA to arrange a meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37693/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
935. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether consideration will be given to reviewing the core funding policy in circumstances where a new provider takes over an already established early education and care service and fee increases arise; whether such cases can be assessed on an individual basis to ensure the ongoing financial viability of the service, while also safeguarding continuity of access for families and ensuring that children do not lose their childcare place as a result of provider change or increased costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37751/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCore Funding, the supply-side grant to providers, requires that all 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.
The Core Funding terms and conditions specify that a service opening in a location where a service has been operating will not be considered a new service and must abide by the fees as charged at the established level in accordance with the fee freeze. This is set out in the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement and Core Funding Rules Document, which distinguishes New Partner Services as:
“.. services that were not in existence on 30 September 2021 and who joined Core Funding in the intervening years”.
The definition of New Partner Service further details that:
“Services that have made changes such as name, address, owner, or legal structure do not qualify as New Partner Services. If a Partner Services […] has been closed for over 6 months and has fully deregistered with Tusla, and subsequently a new services registers in the same location under Tusla, this will be considered to be a New Partner Service”.
The Department is conscious of the importance of promoting affordability for parents without compromising the viability of businesses in the sector, and appropriate safeguards are carefully considered during planning for new developments.
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 €90 million on the current full year allocation, or a 23% increase.
Within this, over €20 million in brand new full-year funding was secured to support providers in adhering to Core Funding fee management conditions. This is to support Core Funding’s monetary protections continuing to be passed on to families while ensuring sustainability and stability for the sector.
There is a safety net in place for the small number of services who may for any number of reasons require additional supports, to ensure that they can continue to provide this vital service for the public good without needing to withdraw the benefits that Core Funding achieves for parents, such as the fee freeze and fee caps.
All services are encouraged to avail of these supports through their local City/County Childcare Committees if they are facing difficulties with the sustainability of their business. Contact details for the these Committees can be found at the City/County Childcare Committees page on gov.ie.
936. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children referred to the National Placement Team in Tusla for whom a long-term residential placement has yet to be identified; and the length of time these children have been waiting. [37758/26]
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.
937. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children placed in special emergency arrangements in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [37759/26]
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.
938. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of money allocated to voluntary, not-for-profit residential care services in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [37760/26]
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.
939. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the companies who were paid for providing accommodation as special emergency arrangements in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the type of accommodation each provided, that is B&B, apartment, hotel and so on, in tabular form. [37761/26]
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.
940. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total amount spent on private companies who were providing accommodation as special emergency arrangements in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [37762/26]
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.
