Written Answers Nos. 762-781
762. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the eligibility criteria for aquaculture producers and vessel owners under the fishing and aquaculture registered vessel fuel support scheme, including the requirement for vessels to be on the Irish fleet register; if alternative criteria will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45932/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fishing and Aquaculture Registered Vessel Fuel Support Scheme is a scheme directed at those vessels most impacted by the sudden increase in the cost of fuel. Bord Iascaigh Mhara are to operate this scheme on behalf of my Department. The scheme is designed to assist owners of fishing and aquaculture vessels to offset the increased cost of fuel experienced as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. The scheme will cover the months of March up to the end of July, which are a critical time in the fisheries calendar.
The eligibility criteria includes
Owners of fishing vessels:
• which must be registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats and Fishing License is in date on the closure date of the Scheme; and who must have been actively fishing from March to July in 2025
I met with Industry representatives on June 11th and in conjunction with BIM we agreed to the following:
• Extend the deadline of the current scheme to Wednesday 17th June (previously Friday 12th June).
• Work with representatives of the Aquaculture sector whose vessels are not required to be on the Irish Fishing Boat Register to provide access to the relevant funding for their receipted fuel use. A separate scheme will be developed by BIM to facilitate these applications.
• BIM will deal with specific queries in relation to eligibility of vessels following sale/purchase on a case-by-case basis.
BIM also issued a communication to applicants on 5th June to alert them that in addition to fuel purchased within Ireland, fuel purchased outside of Ireland is now eligible under the scheme. This amendment is being applied retrospectively and will benefit those vessel owners who fish in waters further from Ireland. BIM has confirmed that those who have already submitted an application will be contacted and given an opportunity to amend their application if applicable.
763. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if it is the policy of her Department that Waterford and the south-east will not be provided with a community neurological rehabilitation team; and the engagement she has had with the HSE, University Hospital Waterford and other stakeholders with regard to the provision of such a service. [44942/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
764. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will request all HSE health regions to issue a memo to local service providers instructing them to fill out the disability support application management tool form as soon as a child turns 18, similar to that recently issued by the Dublin North East Health Region, in order to contribute to a central register of individuals requiring placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45295/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
765. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to continual room closures at a childcare facility in Dublin south-west (details supplied) since it was acquired by a new provider; the steps she is taking to address issues around pay and recruitment and retention issues affecting the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44897/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI believe the roles of the early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners are valuable ones, and they play an important part in supporting children's development, learning and care.
In setting regulatory requirements for early learning and care and school-age childcare services, the primary consideration must be children’s health, safety and well-being.
The minimum adult-to-child ratios for pre-school services are set out in Schedule 6 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. The ratios set the maximum number of children allowed per staff member working directly with the children, and services can choose to have fewer children per staff member if they wish. There are no plans at present to revise the minimum adult-to-child ratios for pre-school services.
However, currently it is 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.
I do 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.
Through the budget 2026 process I was successful in securing 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.
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.
766. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to address the shortage of childcare places in Harold's Cross and surrounding areas. [44900/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 25% from the 2021/22 programme year.
However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service
The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner Services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises. The Scheme will deliver up to 1,500 full-day care places for 1- to 3-year-olds.
Following on from the success of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, a further Building Blocks scheme is open for applications. This round of capital funding will focus on funding extensions to existing premises to allow for increased numbers of children to be offered places on a full-time basis. Community and private providers who are currently Core Funding partner services will be eligible to apply for this scheme. Details can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/building-blocks-extension-scheme-phase-2/
Separately, I recently announced €135 million of capital investment over the coming five years for State-led services to provide high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030.
The Department also 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. The contact details for the Dublin City Childcare Committee may be found at www.childcareonline.ie/
767. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the new national service for guardian ad litem will not accept records relating to children in their new service, and do not intend on holding records on children who have a guardian ad litem; her views on the importance of creating a safe and secure archive repository for records for these children, to have a record of their wants and needs, correspondence they may seek to share with a judge and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44934/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department recognises the importance of records generated by Guardians ad litem, both in safeguarding children’s rights and in preserving their voice in proceedings affecting them. The current system in place for Guardians ad litem up until now has meant that each Guardian ad litem have always been independent data controllers. The establishment of the Guardian ad litem National Service will mean that from 23 June there will be a central repository where the records of authorised Guardians ad litem will be safely stored and managed in line with GDPR.
The issue raised by the Deputy concerns the potential transfer of pre-existing records into the National Service, including current and archival files generated by Guardians ad litem, as independent data controllers, prior to commencement.
The Service operates under a distinct statutory framework, with the Department as data controller. The position in relation to records is as follows:
• Children’s information generated by Guardians ad litem prior to the commencement of the 2022 Act will not be transferred into the systems of the National Service as the incorporation of privately held records would give rise to significant legal and governance risks, including under data protection law.
• Guardians ad litem who hold such records do so as independent data controllers and remain responsible for them in accordance with GDPR, including in respect of retention, security, access and deletion. Any transfer of records must consider the independence of the Guardian ad litem, the in-camera rule and legal privilege.
• Where relevant information from earlier proceedings is required, it may be accessed by a Guardian ad litem through established lawful channels, including court records, Tusla records, and statutory information-sharing provisions such as section 35K and section 35G of the Child Care Acts 1991-2024 which makes provision for a Guardian ad litem to have access to records in the performance of their function.
Notwithstanding this position, I acknowledge the Deputy’s point regarding the importance of maintaining a clear and accessible record of a child’s wishes, experiences and interactions with their Guardian ad litem over time. The preservation of such information, in a manner that is safe, lawful and centred on the best interests of the child, is an important consideration.
In that context:
• Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has a statutory responsibility to retain records relating to children in care in perpetuity. The statutory framework provides for the maintenance of a comprehensive record of the child’s life and circumstances. Tusla, as the State agency with responsibility for child welfare and protection, maintains secure and enduring records relating to the child, including their care history, needs and interventions over time in line with Article 13 of S.I. No. 260/1995.
• A child’s wishes, needs and experiences, as conveyed through the Guardian ad litem, are captured in court reports prepared for proceedings. These form part of the official court record and remain accessible, as appropriate, to the Court, and to Tusla in the exercise of its statutory functions.
• The Department will generate and maintain records in respect of all children for whom a Guardian ad litem is authorised and appointed by the Guardian ad litem National Service under the Child Care Acts. The National Service operates within a clear data governance framework and will maintain records in line with its statutory functions and legal obligations.
• As part of the transition to the National Service, the Department is seeking to ensure continuity of relevant and up-to-date information through lawful mechanisms, including the provision of the most recent court report and, where appropriate, a transfer summary of relevant information under section 35K of the Child Care Acts.
• As part of the transition to the National Service, arrangements are in place to ensure continuity of relevant and up-to-date information where a Guardian ad litem appointed under section 35Q becomes an employee of the National Service. This includes, through lawful mechanisms, the provision of the most recent court report and, where appropriate, a transfer summary of relevant information under section 35K of the Child Care Acts.
I can assure the Deputy that the National Service places the child at its centre, ensuring that their voice is consistently heard in current proceedings, while their broader life experience and history are safeguarded through established statutory records and court processes. This approach ensures clear accountability for children’s data, maintains strong safeguards around sensitive information, and supports the delivery of a consistent, legally robust and child-centred Guardian ad litem National Service.
768. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will impose restrictions under core funding on the maximum deposit amount a childcare provider can charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44939/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra769. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will amend the core funding rule to only allow childcare providers without waiting lists retain the deposits of families who choose not to take the place provided for their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44940/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 768 and 769 together.
Under Core Funding, in which over 93% of the early learning and childcare sector participates, Partner Services sign a legally binding Funding Agreement, through which they agree that all deposits must be returned to the parent/ guardian once the child’s registration is approved on the Hive or within four weeks of the child taking up the place, whichever is sooner.
Additionally, providers must agree that they will not charge any non-refundable deposits (including administration/registration fees/waiting list fees, etc.) to parents/guardians in respect of their early learning and childcare service for which the deposit was paid.
While current rules do not prescribe a maximum monetary value for deposits, the requirement for services to refund any deposits charged, and to do so within a defined timeframe, significantly limits the financial burden that deposit costs may place on families.
In instances where a child does not take up a place for which a deposit was paid, there is no onus on a provider, under the Core Funding rules, to return the deposit to the parent/guardian.
The Department is committed to ongoing engagement on this matter, with any potential refinements to rules surrounding deposits forming part of the broader annual review of Core Funding policy and fee management conditions.
770. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1087 of 26 May 2026, her views on the upcoming evaluation of the national childcare scheme; specifically; the scope of review due to be taken in respect of the matters raised; and the level of public consultation that will take place in respect of same. [45005/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) evaluation aims to assess the performance of the NCS to date and its operation within the wider early learning and childcare funding and policy environment. The evaluation will examine whether the NCS, as part of the wider funding model, is making high-quality early learning and childcare more accessible and affordable, particularly for families in the lowest income groups and the most disadvantaged households. It will also identify any improvements that could be made to enhance accessibility and affordability and to ensure that the NCS is working for as many families as possible. As part of this, the hours-based model of the NCS will be reviewed.
The Evaluation process commenced in March 2026 and will include consultation and engagement with parents, educators, practitioners, providers and representative organisations. This will include surveys and interviews with educators, practitioners and providers, surveys and interviews with parents and carers, and interviews with relevant representative bodies and advocacy groups. The consultation phase will be informed by a literature review and scoping phase. The scoping phase includes stakeholder mapping to identify and prioritise stakeholders to be engaged with through surveys and interviews.
771. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the 'Living my Life' pilot housing project for people with intellectual disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45017/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
772. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated first year and full-year cost of increasing the affordable childcare subsidy for children under three years of age by €1 per hour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45046/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
773. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated first year and full-year cost of increasing the ECCE capitation grant by 10%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45047/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme scheme is a universal scheme which provides 2 years of free preschool to children in the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months. The Department funds private early learning and care service providers to provide the ECCE programme at a standard rate of €69 per week per child attending the ECCE programme.
The Deputy requested the estimated first year and full-year cost of increasing the ECCE capitation grant by 10%. To calculate the first year cost, officials in the Department used the ECCE allocation for August 2026 to December 2026 which is €102 million. Using this allocation the estimated first year cost of increasing ECCE capitation by 10% would be €10.2 million. Therefore, a 10% increase to the ECCE capitation would bring the total August 2026 to December 2026 allocation to an estimated €112.2 million.
In calculating the full year cost, officials in the Department used the total budget allocation for the ECCE scheme for 2026 which is a total of €259 million. Using this allocation the estimated full year cost of increasing ECCE capitation by 10% would be €25.9 million. Therefore, a 10% increase to the ECCE capitation would bring the total full year allocation to an estimated €284.9 million.
It is important to note that these estimates does not account for change in usage resulting from this proposed subsidy increase. Any changes to subsidies may create a change in behaviours, for example, an increase in the number of services offering the scheme or families availing of ECCE for the first time.
774. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has undertaken any review of the eligibility age criteria for the early childhood care and education scheme since 2020; the number of children who have missed eligibility for an ECCE programme year by less than seven days, 14 days and 30 days respectively, in each year since 2020; whether consideration has been given to introducing a flexibility, appeals or exceptional-circumstances mechanism for children who narrowly miss the qualifying age threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45085/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will be issued to the Deputy as soon as possible.
775. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is concerned that Ireland has missed the 7 June 2026 deadline to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive into Irish law (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45087/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pay Transparency Directive is crucial to empower workers, and especially women, to enforce their right to equal pay through a set of binding measures on pay transparency, to strengthen the transparency of pay systems, to improve public understanding of the relevant legal concepts, and to enhance enforcement of the rights and obligations relating to equal pay. It is also crucial to the financial and economic empowerment of women – a key objective under the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030. The 2024 gender pay gap in Ireland is estimated at 8.3% – this means that, on average, women are paid 8.3% less per hour than men. There are many likely reasons for this, including that women’s earning power can be impacted by periods of unpaid leave or part time work for caring responsibilities. Women are also under-represented in higher-paid decision-making roles, and there is evidence that, as prospective employees, women may be less likely than men to negotiate higher starting salaries with prospective employers.
The Government is fully committed to the complete and meaningful implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive.
The Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 transposed a large portion of the Pay Transparency Directive, particularly in relation to Article 9 on Gender Pay Gap Reporting. The implementation of the Gender Pay Gap Information Act and associated regulations require employers to report their gender pay gap each year, and the measures that are being taken to eliminate or reduce the gap.
Work is ongoing at pace to develop the necessary legislation to transpose the remaining provisions of the Pay Transparency Directive as soon as possible, including the obligation for employers to carry out Gender-Neutral Job Evaluation and to categorise employees and calculate the gender pay gap in such categories.
Officials were working towards the June 7 deadline for implementation. However, a number of factors impacted on this work. A series of European workshops on the transposition of the Directive were not completed until late September 2025, and the employer guidance and toolkit developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) and the European Commission was not published until the end of March this year. A dedicated Irish Employer Gender-Neutral Job Evaluation toolkit, based on the recently published EIGE toolkit, is being commissioned by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Employers will be invited to attend training workshops based on this adapted toolkit.
The implementation of the EU Pay Transparency directive is a challenge for many EU member states, with the majority indicating they were not in a position to meet the June 7 deadline, including Ireland. The Department continues to engage constructively with the European Commission to advise of the ongoing work to transpose the directive as soon as possible.
The Department will work with employers, employees and their representatives to support and enable implementation of the Directive, which will be on a phased basis once the passage of the legislation is complete. It is imperative that supports and information are in place to assist employers to engage and comply with these new requirements, particularly for small and medium-sized organisations.
Employers will not be penalised for not having all elements of Directive completed in June 2026 and the Department has been working with stakeholders to communicate this message.
At present, employers will remain obligated to calculate and publish information on their gender pay gap by the end of November and, following a small amendment to the Employment Equality Act 1998, employers will be obligated to report that information to the Minister via the dedicated Gender Pay Gap Portal for the 2026 Reporting Cycle.
776. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is satisfied that no national review of permanency planning outcomes for children in care has been undertaken since 2020; if she will commission such a review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45093/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra784. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department will establish a national reporting framework for permanency outcomes for children in State care, including reunification, adoption, guardianship and long-term foster care outcomes; whether annual national reporting will be introduced on these outcomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45322/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 776 and 784 together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, publishes annual data in relation to children in care on its website: www.tusla.ie/publications/review-of-adequacy-reports/. This data includes information regarding the length of time children in care have spent in alternative care, at a given point in time. In addition, in 2022 the Department launched a research and data programme, Care Experiences: Journeys Through the Irish Care System, which is being run in close collaboration with Tusla. The Care Experiences Programme comprises a combination of primary research and administrative data analysis to examine and better understand the lives of children and young people in care and aftercare and adults who were in care as children, including permanency and their pathways through care more generally.
Tusla has advised that all placements of children in care are subject to review on a six-monthly basis for the first two years, and annually thereafter. These reviews consider and take account of the care plan for each child, including the permanency plan. Additionally, Tusla has developed a policy and operational document relating to permanency planning for children in care, the Pathways to Permanency Handbook. This document supports social work practitioners and decision makers in their aim to ensure stable and safe care placements for children.
Tusla has further advised that the objective of permanency planning is to provide children with the opportunity of reaching their full potential in a safe and secure base and secondly, to prevent drift in care when other more appropriate care solutions could be sought. A key component of permanency planning is concurrent planning which is an approach that involves social workers considering and pursuing all reasonable permanency options at the same time for children as soon as the children are admitted to care.
Tusla is required by law to be independent in its work as set out in Section 8(11) of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. It would not be appropriate for the Department to interfere with the professional judgement of Tusla staff in relation to specific cases. Rather than seeking to intervene in the day-to-day operations, and in keeping with the provisions of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the Department’s governance of Tusla is captured within its Oversight Agreement. The Department’s oversight of Tusla extends to the control environment it has in place including the work of its Audit and Risk committee which, in turn, is responsible for the identification and management of risks in the organisation.
Bringing a child into the care of the State and maintaining them there is a significant matter, which requires careful consideration of the specific circumstances of each individual child and their family. This consideration, whether by the Child and Family Agency or the Courts in relation to orders under the Act, must also have regard to the constitutional rights of all parties as they arise in each individual case. Within this context, the Department is advancing proposals within the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 to support permanency for children in alternative care. This includes proposals to impose a maximum duration on Interim Care Orders and amendments to clarify the criteria and purpose of Voluntary Care Arrangements, which will be subject to regular review.
777. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Tusla intends to establish a national reporting framework identifying the principal causes of delays in permanency planning for children in care, including court delays, placement shortages, staffing vacancies, assessment backlogs and lack of therapeutic services; the timeline for implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45096/26]
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.
778. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether for procurement spend, a purchase order can be raised within her Department's financial management systems without reference to a contract, framework agreement, procurement process or other authorising arrangement; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45158/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPurchase orders in the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality are raised by purchasing units either using a legacy system or via the bespoke Digital Payment Authorisation Form (DPAF) system. The processing of payments must be authorised in line with Departmental policy and financial controls, including authorisation oversight and approval for each purchase order raised, and under the relevant OGP guidance. Once authorised, payments are processed via the Financial Management System (FMS).
779. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether an invoice can be paid by her Department without an associated purchase order having first been raised; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur; the number and value of payments made during quarter one of 2026 which were not associated with a purchase order; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45176/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Disability, and Equality’s Financial Policies and Procedures have robust checks and financial controls in place ensuring that invoices can only be processed when quoting a valid and authorised purchase order. There have been no invoices processed during quarter one of 2026 that did not have an associated and authorised purchase order.
780. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions are being taken to address difficulties in securing childcare places under the NCS sponsorship scheme; if funding levels have been reviewed; whether incentives for providers to accept sponsored children are being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45226/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) Sponsorship arrangement provides fully funded early learning and childcare for vulnerable children who are referred to the Scheme by designated Sponsor Bodies. Referrals are made where childcare is needed on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. Where a referral is made by a Sponsor Body, the full cost of an agreed amount of childcare hours is paid for by the State with no contribution required of the family.
I am aware that some concerns have been expressed regarding the availability of early learning and childcare places for children supported through the Sponsorship arrangement. While Sponsorship ensures that the cost of childcare is met for children referred to the Scheme, the availability of places is dependent on wider capacity within the early learning and childcare sector. That said, improving access to quality early learning and childcare is a key priority of the Government and my Department continues to invest significantly in the sector through, for instance, Core Funding and capital funding, aimed at supporting the expansion of capacity.
The efficacy of Sponsorship arrangements is kept under review by my Department and, importantly, my Department has reviewed Sponsorship funding levels. As a result, from 2 September 2024, the Sponsorship rate for children aged between 52 weeks-15 years increased to €5.30 per hour. Children aged between 24-52 weeks receive €5.87 per hour. This represents a 23% increase for certain age categories, such as school-aged children. In the case of a sponsored child, awards may be granted for a maximum of 45 hours, depending on the determination made by the referring Sponsor Body. The most recently published fee data for the 2024/25 programme year indicates that the average (median) weekly fee per child before subsidies was €200 for full day early learning and childcare. Bearing this in mind, the Sponsorship rates compare favourably with the median weekly fee charged for full-day early learning and childcare services.
The Sponsorship arrangement continues to support a significant number of vulnerable children. The enhancements outlined above, coupled with a Core Funding requirement on services to offer the Scheme to all eligible families (including those in receipt of Sponsorship) has helped to lead to a 9% increase in services offering the NCS in 2025 compared to the previous year. The number of children benefitting from Sponsorship also increased by 24% for the same period. In 2026 (YTD), a total of 9046 children have benefited from Sponsorship arrangements – note, this figure is expected to increase over the coming months.
Finally, in relation to incentives for providers, my Department keeps all aspects of the Scheme under review. Recent increases to Sponsorship rates, together with broader investment in the sector through Core Funding, are intended to support Provider sustainability and participation in Government programmes.
An independent evaluation of the NCS has commenced this year which will review how the Scheme has performed to date and identify any potential improvements that could be made to better support families. The findings of this evaluation will inform potential enhancements to the NCS to continue to support families with accessing early learning and childcare.
Finally, my Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of CCCs 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.
I encourage those families having trouble sourcing an early learning and childcare place for their child to contact their local CCC for assistance. Details of which may be found on www.gov.ie here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/.
781. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding allocated to CDNT within CHO7 in 2025 and 2026; and the estimated funding required to eliminate waiting lists currently within this CDNT. [45242/26]
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.
