As Minister for Children, Equality and Disability I acknowledge that the number of homeless children has risen across the country in 2025. Whilst primary responsibility for the issue rests with my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage addressing child homelessness is a matter for all of Government.
Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) waiting lists have fallen 48% since 2023, with 8,648 children waiting for an initial CDNT contact at the end of February 2026. 5,939 Assessment of Needs reports were completed in 2025, a 45% increase on 2024, with 21,782 Assessments overdue for completion at the end of March 2026. The HSE does not record the housing status of children awaiting CDNT services or an Assessment of Need.
The National Childcare Scheme (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. There are currently five groups of children and families supported under the NCS sponsorship arrangements, including: Local authorities: To support homeless persons (within the meaning of the Housing Act 1988) with children that are homeless or moving out of homelessness to access childcare services.
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. For more information on the Sponsor process, the NCS Sponsors Team can be contacted by phone at 01 906 8535 or by email at: sponsors@ncs.gov.ie
