Written Answers Nos. 165-184
165. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the work undertaken by her Department in regard to the possibility of the introduction of menstrual leave for workers; if her Department will consider progressing legislation to this effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40390/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to supporting women in the workplace and recognises that menstruation can be a key health concern for some women.
The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was launched on 18 November 2025 and the first Action Plan to oversee monitoring and implementation is currently in development. The Strategy is a whole of Government roadmap to closing gender gaps, including in the workplace, in education and in healthcare.
As part of the first Action Plan, the Department will be commissioning research with a view to providing a range of advice to employers to better support employees suffering from severe menstrual symptoms or going through menopause. It will focus on understanding employees experiences of menstruation and menopause in the workplace and how symptoms limit their daily activities. It is planned that this study will begin later this year.
166. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of introducing paid menstrual leave for those suffering debilitating period pain; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40484/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to supporting women in the workplace and recognises that menstruation can be a key health concern for some women.
The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was launched on 18 November 2025 and the first Action Plan to oversee monitoring and implementation is currently in development. The Strategy is a whole of Government roadmap to closing gender gaps, including in the workplace, in education and in healthcare.
As part of the first Action Plan, the Department will be commissioning research with a view to providing a range of advice to employers to better support employees suffering from severe menstrual symptoms or going through menopause. It will focus on understanding employees experiences of menstruation and menopause in the workplace and how symptoms limit their daily activities. It is planned that this study will begin later this year.
167. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps taken by the HSE to identify, assess and engage potential private providers in relation to the proposed outsourcing of occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services for the Children’s Disability Network Team in North Kildare; the considerations that informed the decision not to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40534/26]
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.
168. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current number of residential respite beds available for adults with disabilities in the HSE South-West region; the projected number of additional beds expected to come on stream through current developments (details supplied); the forecasted demand for residential respite placements in the region over the next three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40564/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
169. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the current status of ongoing discussions regarding additional residential respite capacity for adults with disabilities in the HSE South West region, as referenced in the HSE South West Cork Oireachtas Briefing of 18 May 2026; the timeline within which any additional capacity is expected to be confirmed and made operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40565/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
170. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will outline the immediate and short-term plan to address the confirmed inability of agencies to provide transport solutions for new school leavers with disabilities in Cork and Kerry, given that HSE South West has acknowledged in its Cork Oireachtas briefing of 18 May 2026 that agencies can no longer provide transport due to the complexity and cost of managing fleets and escorts; if she will outline what alternative arrangements are being explored including the proposed engagement with Local Link and other transport providers; the timeline that has been set for putting sustainable individualised transport solutions in place for this cohort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40568/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Specialist Disability Budget supports a range of services funded through the HSE and delivered by Section 38 and Section 39 organisations, as well as the HSE. This includes, among other services and supports, Day Services and Rehabilitative Training for people with specialist disability service requirements.
The provision of transport is not part of core services funded by the HSE. As a general rule, public transport is used in all circumstances where it is an option. This is in keeping with the principle of mainstreaming, with a clear focus on ensuring persons with a disability have access to the normal range of services and participate in community life as far as possible. In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.
Under Pillar 5 of the Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, the Department of Transport has lead responsibility for reducing and, where possible, eliminating transport barriers faced by disabled people. Under Pillar 5, there is a commitment to personal mobility, and supporting those who cannot use or easily access any public transport through the provision of enhanced personal mobility options.
It is recognised that viable public transport options are not always available throughout the country and that transport support needs vary between individuals. In the absence of transport options being made available by the National Transport Authority (NTA), some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a case-by-case basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different Health Regions. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.
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.
171. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total number of business cases submitted by agencies in the HSE South West region seeking additional funding to meet the changing and additional support needs of day service attendees previously funded under the legacy block-funding model; the number of those business cases have been approved, are pending or have been refused; given that demand continues to exceed available funding; the additional resources that are being allocated to address this deficit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40569/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHSE-funded day programmes for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, or complex physical disabilities include a range of centre-based and community-based activities. Access to services is based on an individual’s needs rather than on their diagnosis. The focus is on supporting people to participate in the mainstream activities and in the life of their community, in line with their wishes and needs.
Day services are a vital support for adult with disabilities to participate in the life of their community and to realise their own ambitions and desires. The majority of young people due to leave school in a given year that require a HSE funded day service have been profiled by the end of the previous year to establish their support needs. Once needs are identified, referrals are made to the service provider of choice, funding is committed and negotiations are concluded with providers by end of May to confirm placements to young people and their families. In many instances young people due to leave school at end of June are introduced to their day services for trialling purposes during April, May and June so there is a natural transition into day services in September.
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.
172. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the waiting times for adults with complex progressive or acquired neurological conditions seeking access to the Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Team service in the HSE South-West region; whether the current capacity of the service is sufficient to meet demand across Cork and Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40571/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
173. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will confirm whether a formal reallocation policy exists within HSE South West whereby residential respite places for children that become available at short notice due to cancellation or non-attendance are offered to other children on the waiting list; if no such policy exists, if she will outline the steps that are being taken to ensure no respite capacity goes unused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40572/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
174. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current number of children on the waiting list for overnight residential respite in Cork; the average waiting time for a child to access a suitable respite placement given that placements are not allocated in strict chronological order but on a compatibility matching basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40573/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
175. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will outline the new residential and alternative respite developments that are currently planned for children with disabilities in the HSE South-West region; the timeline that has been set for their delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40574/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
176. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the number of assessment of need reports overdue for completion in Cork increased by approximately 600 cases from 1,193 in Q1 2025 to 1,872 in Q1 2026; the additional resources that are being allocated to address this backlog given that applications received also increased by 31% from 1,568 in 2024 to 2,056 in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40575/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the number of assessment of need cases overdue to commence Stage 2 in Cork more than doubled from 43 in Q1 2025 to 93 in Q1 2026, representing an increase of over 100%; the specific measures that are being put in place to address this acceleration in delays at Stage 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40576/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
The 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 they 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, or education supports.
There has been intensive work by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the HSE to address delays in the provision of Assessments of Need. This is evident in the continued improvement in the number of completed Assessment of Need reports with 5,939 reports completed nationally in 2025. This is a 43% increase compared to the number completed in 2024. The latest HSE data shows that 1,528 Assessment of Need reports were completed nationally in the first 3 months of this year compared to 1,402 in Q1 2025. Improvement can also be seen in the Cork LHOs with 258 AON reports completed in Q1 2026 compared to 198 in the same period last year – an improvement of 30%. This improvement is welcome and must continue.
However, 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 over 21,700 applications overdue for completion nationwide at the end of March 2026. In the Cork Local Health Office (LHO) area, 1,894 applications were overdue for completion in the same period. These numbers indicate very clearly that more change is needed.
The Department and the HSE have been working intensively to address delays and improve processes so that children and young people can receive the supports and therapies they need as early as possible.
Measures introduced to address these delays include the Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative, introduced by Government in May 2024. Under this Initiative, the HSE procures clinical assessments from approved private providers to support the delivery of Assessments of Need to families who have been waiting the longest for an AON. These providers are reimbursed by the HSE for clinical assessments undertaken as part of the Assessment of Need process. By the end of 2025, over 7,700 clinical assessments had been commissioned from private providers since the Initiative started.
Funding of €20 million is being provided this year to continue the Targeted Waitlist Initiative, enabling the delivery of approximately 6,000 clinical assessments with a specific focus on autism assessments. These clinical assessments will inform the Assessment of Need process and support the completion of AON reports.
While it is important to use private capacity to support the completion of Assessments of Need into 2026, we cannot rely on the private sector indefinitely and we must ensure that the public system can meet the clearly growing demand.
This Department continues to work with the HSE to ensure the delivery of actions to support the delivery of Assessments of Need within the public system. This includes improved training for staff involved in the delivery of Assessments of Need, additional administrative supports, and changes to processes where necessary to ensure an efficient and effective system.
As well as these operational measures, officials in the Department are working on legislative changes to Part 2 of the Disability Act, which provides for Assessments of Need. The proposed changes are intended to support more effective delivery of Assessments of Need, and to provide clearer guidance and supports so that the process can be made more efficient, reduce delays and allow therapists to spend more time delivering services. Importantly, these 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 along with an FAQ document, providing information on Assessment of Need and the proposed changes for parents, families and any other interested stakeholders. They are available on the Department website under Publications:
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/
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. This should make it easier for families to be referred to the right service or services, whether that is a Primary Care Service, or a Children’s Disability Network Teams and/or a Mental Health Service. 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, which was launched on 26 May 2026. The Protocol will provide a standardised assessment process across Primary Care Services, 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 Assessment of Need, providing clinical guidance and administrative supports.
The delivery of an effective, efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
178. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a schedule of contracts will be provided that her Department and bodies under her aegis have had with an organisation (details supplied) and/or its subsidiaries; the value of each; the type and-or name of each project; if any project has been abandoned, paused, put on hold and completed; if any projects over ran on cost and delivery; and if so, the details of same. [40411/26]
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.
179. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 974 of 12 May 2026, the engagement there has been with the management of a childcare centre (details supplied) in relation to their planned withdrawal from core funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40435/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra181. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding flexibility within the core funding model for a childcare centre (details supplied) to increase their pricing in the context of significant running cost increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40437/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 974 of 12 May 2026, the engagement there has been with the management of a childcare centre (details supplied) in relation to increased prices for parents to accommodate their own increase in running costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40438/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 181 and 182 together.
I am aware that Sharavogue School has regrettably signalled to families that they do not intend to rejoin Core Funding in the 2026/2027 programme year, commencing in September.
The Department, through the local Childcare Committee (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, particularly when details of the Year 5 Core Funding allocations are made available to providers in the coming weeks.
A key condition of receiving the significant State funding available through the Core Funding Scheme requires that Partner Services adhere to the Core Funding fee management system, including a freeze on fees at 2021 levels and fee caps. These measures support the Department’s ongoing policy developments in relation to achieving standardisation of fees charged to parents and of income received by Partner Services.
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.
Balancing affordability for parents with viability for businesses remains a key priority for the Department.
The introduction of Core Funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector. €259 million of funding was made available for services in year 1 of the scheme, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding to the sector.
That annual allocation has increased each year since and has exceeded €390 million for year 4 of the Scheme, which started in September. 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 €90 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.
The Fee Increase Assessment process required applicant services to demonstrate an objective case for a fee increase through submission of financial and operational data, which was then subject to a standard unit-cost analysis by the Department. This process opened on 31 July 2024 and closed on 29 November 2024.
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, an increase of over 7%.
The Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement allows for the recommencement of a further Fee Increase Assessment-type exercise, subject to Ministerial discretion. The details of this undertaking are being developed by the Department and will be made available to the sector once finalised.
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.
It should be noted that where a provider intends to withdraw or not contract into Core Funding, they currently remain eligible to provide the National Childcare Scheme and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme.
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 the Core Funding fee management framework.
It should be noted that uptake of Core Funding remains strong. As of 25 May, 93% of all eligible providers have signed up to the fourth year of Core Funding, which equates to 4,639 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: it shows that 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.
180. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanisms in place to allow for price increases by childcare centres that are within the core funding model; if there is a maximum increase allowable within the contract; the way in which that is calculated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40436/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCore Funding is a supply-side grant to early learning and childcare providers towards their operating costs, designed to promote affordability for parents and sustainability for providers through increased funding to the sector.
When first introduced in 2022, Core Funding had an annual allocation of €259 million; €210.8 million of which was entirely new funding to the sector. That annual allocation has increased each year since and has exceeded €390 million for the current fourth year of the Scheme. This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in three years.
A key condition of receiving the significant State funding that is available through the Scheme requires that a Partner Service adhere to the Core Funding fee management system, which includes a freeze on fees at 2021 levels and fee caps. This is to ensure that the State’s significant investment through the Scheme is not absorbed by unnecessary fee increases. This approach to stabilising fee rates in the sector is in line with the recommendations outlined in Partnership for the Public Good, the Expert Group report which was accepted by all of Government in December 2021.
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.
In addition to the year-on-year increases in the Core Funding allocation, 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.
The Fee Increase Assessment process required applicant services to demonstrate an objective case for a fee increase through submission of financial and operational data, which was then subject to a standard unit-cost analysis by the Department. This process opened on 31 July 2024, and closed on 29 November 2024.
The Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement allows for the recommencement of a further Fee Increase Assessment-type exercise, subject to Ministerial discretion. The details of this undertaking are being developed by the Department and will be made available to the sector once finalised.
The allocation for Core Funding’s fifth programme year will include €20.6m in brand new full-year funding to support services to maintain fee management conditions, such as the fee freeze and new maximum fee caps supporting affordability for parents. 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.
Full details of Core Funding programme year 2026/2027 will be made available to the sector in the coming weeks.
Partner Services facing sustainability concerns can also avail of supports through the Department’s established case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committees and Pobal work together to assess and provide support including financial support to services experiencing difficulties.
All services are encouraged to avail of these supports if they are facing difficulties with the sustainability of their business. Contact details for the CCCs can be found at the City and County Childcare Committees page on gov.ie (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/city-and-county-childcare-committees/).
183. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of currently vacant posts within Kildare CDNT; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40485/26]
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.
184. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a child in County Kerry (details supplied) will receive an educational placement along with the level of consistent therapeutic and medical support that is urgently needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40651/26]
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.
