Written Answers Nos. 37-56
37. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress being made to reduce waiting times for assessment of need, including the current average waiting period nationally; the immediate measures being implemented to ensure children are not disproportionately affected by delays in accessing diagnostic and therapeutic supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42816/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that there are unacceptable delays in accessing Assessments of Need.
It is important to emphasise that children do not require an Assessment of Need report to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services, or education supports.
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.
The HSE reports that, in the first three months of this year, the national average time needed to complete the assessment process was 23.81 months. As this is a national figure, there will be regional variations with some AONs being delivered within a shorter timeframe.
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 over 5,900 reports completed nationally in 2025. This is a 43% increase compared to the number completed in 2024. The HSE reports that 1,528 Assessment of Need reports were completed in the first 3 months of this year compared to 1,402 in Q1 2025. This improvement is welcome and must continue.
In December 2025 Government announced a series of improvements to the Assessment of Need process which will make the process more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment.
The proposed legislative 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. The Joint Committee on Disability Matters has published its report, following pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, and the Department is considering its recommendations. An FAQ document has also been published, providing information on Assessment of Need and the proposed changes.
Legislation is only a part of the response. The Department is working with the HSE to identify further opportunities to enhance processes, improve training, and increase administrative supports for HSE Assessment Officers who are responsible for the production of assessment reports. This includes the establishment of working groups to address learning and development needs and to develop statutory guidelines.
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 by the HSE in 2026. This should make it easier for families to be referred to the right service, whether that is primary care, CDNT or mental health services. 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 by the HSE, launched in May. The Protocol will provide a standardised assessment process across primary care, 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 AON, providing clinical guidance and administrative supports.
The delivery of an effective, efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
38. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to increase the affordability of childcare for families across the country in 2026 and 2027. [46783/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraShaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 report (published on 17th December 2025) sets out measures to achieve key Programme for Government commitments on the affordability, quality, and accessibility of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC). The Action Plan adopts a phased approach that enables action to be taken in 2026 while allowing adequate time for a broad public consultation and analysis on longer-term actions. Results of this consultation, as well as additional analysis, will inform Phase 2 of the Action Plan. Phase 2 actions will be published later in 2026 and will be undertaken from 2027 through to the end of 2029.
A central objective of Shaping the Future is to reduce parental fees to an upper limit of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government. The fee-freeze and maximum fee-caps required for Core Funding have been key to the progress in recent years in making ELC and SAC services more affordable. 2026 actions on affordability will include further reduction in some of the highest fees paid by parents by lowering the maximum fees that Core Funding Partner Services can charge. In addition, from autumn 2026 we will reduce out of pocket costs for lower-income families through the National Childcare Scheme.
These measures include:
- An increase to the lower (base) income threshold of the income-assessed subsidy from €26,000 to €34,000, to ensure that families with incomes below the relative income poverty line receive the maximum subsidies.
- An increase to the upper income threshold (income limit) of the income-assessed subsidy from €60,000 to €68,000, to extend income-assessed subsidies to more families.
- An increase to the multiple child deduction (MCD) component of the income-assessed subsidy for families with two children under the age of 15 from €4,300 to €5,500, and for families with three or more children under the age of 15 from €8,600 to €11,000.
I recently announced the details of a further reduction in maximum fee caps for the Core Funding programme year 2026/2027, beginning September 2026. These latest maximum fee caps, which apply to all Core Funding Partner Services, will place a limit on the maximum fees that can be charged. Under the new maximum fee caps, the highest possible upfront cost for a typical full day place of 45 hours per week will drop from around €198 per week to €183.70 per week, with universal subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme. Higher subsidies are available for many parents, depending on their level of income and the age and number of children in their family.
39. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she intends to undertake a review of the Bia Blasta Pre-school Nutrition Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46787/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the start of the programme in October 2025, Bia Blasta has been providing nutritious meals to children who are attending Equal Start services. These early learning and childcare services are focused on serving disadvantaged communities around the country. Bia Blasta has been received very positively by educators, children and parents. Bia Blasta will continue to be expanded incrementally, subject to funding, with the objective of providing nutritious meals to children most in need. 450 services and almost 12,000 children are currently engaged in the programme.
Officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are now undertaking a year one review with service providers of the Bia Blasta pre-school nutrition programme following the completion of its first full active year. DCDE has recently held two consultation groups with early years educators, and a survey will be launched through Better Start to receive feedback from service providers on the programme so far. The National Lead Dietician for children established through the programme, is conducting visits to services around the country to offer support and learn how services are implementing the programme and what can be improved.
Bia Blasta programme supports are provided to services through the Bia Blasta Dietitian through specially developed resources available on the Nurturing Skills professional learning hub with health and safety training being developed by Safe Food. Bia Blasta has now expanded beyond just Equal Start services, adding 80 new pre-school services since April, with more joining in September.
40. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on assessment of need waiting lists in County Meath; the way in which she plans to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46891/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that there are unacceptable delays in accessing Assessments of Need. The Department and the HSE are working together intensively to address these delays.
Children do not require an Assessment of Need report to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams, Mental Health Services, or education supports. However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and families exploring all options to access services for their child.
While the HSE do not provide Assessment of Need data by county, data is provided by Regional Health Area and Local Health Office (LHO). The most recent data shows 1,324 reports were overdue for completion in Meath LHO at the end of March this year.
There has been intensive work by the Department and the HSE to address delays in the provision of Assessments of Need to children and their families and progress is being made. We have seen a notable increase in the number of completed AON reports nationally over the past two years. Over 5,900 reports were completed in 2025 – a 43% increase compared to 2024, and an 85% increase compared to 2023.
The most recent HSE data reports that 1,528 Assessment of Need reports were completed nationally in the first 3 months of this year. This improvement must continue.
In December 2025, Government announced a series of improvements to the Assessment of Need process. This includes legislative and operational changes which will make it more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment.
Importantly, the proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child. They will also not alter the six-month timeline in the Act.
The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill has been published on the Department’s website. The Joint Committee on Disability Matters has published its report, following pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, and the Department is considering its recommendations. An FAQ document (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/assessment-of-needs-process-proposed-changes/) has also been published, providing information on Assessment of Need and the proposed changes.
Legislation is only a part of the response. The Department is working with the HSE to identify further opportunities to enhance processes, improve training, and increase administrative supports for HSE Assessment Officers who are responsible for the production of Assessment of Need reports. This includes the establishment of working groups to address learning and development needs and to develop statutory guidelines.
The HSE continues to implement 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 by the HSE. The model will be rolled out this year and will make it easier for families to be referred to the right service as early as possible, whether that is primary care, CDNT or mental health services. 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 last month. This will provide a standardised assessment process for autism across primary care, mental health and disability services.
• The creation of eleven new HSE teams, initially, to support assessment processes, including Assessment of Need, providing clinical guidance and administrative supports.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government. It is the intention that these improvements to the AON process will result in a noticeable reduction in waiting times for children and their families across the country.
41. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the review of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47405/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened for applications in March 2024.
The underpinning legislation for the Scheme provides for a number of reports and reviews to be produced. Section 48 of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act provides for two reviews of the operation of the Scheme, the first of which must commence within 6 months of the second anniversary of its establishment, i.e. by September 2026.
The scope of the review is prescribed in the Act. It is focused on administrative and operational delivery aspects of the Scheme. It will consider issues such as the level of uptake of the Scheme, the experience of applicants, the extent to which payments have been made and if the Scheme is achieving its purpose. I may also consider any other matter relevant to the administration of the Scheme.
While the review has not yet commenced, the preparatory work for it is already well underway.
42. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the work her Department is undertaking to support professionalisation within the childcare sector, including measures to strengthen career pathways and workforce development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47463/26]
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.
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
Another action from the plan currently under development is a communications campaign which will include a series of videos and information packs aimed at promoting the Early Learning and Care and School-age Childcare profession.
The packs 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 Early Learning and Care and School-age Childcare sector.
To further support staff retention and increase the number of degree level graduates in the sector, the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund was established and 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 Government is 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.
Aligned to the Programme for Government commitment to introduce an ‘Earn and Learn’ apprenticeship model enabling staff in this sector to gain qualifications and advance their careers, Pillar 4 of Nurturing Skills includes an action to examine the development of a range of entry routes into the sector, including apprenticeships or other work-based learning, and access programmes in further education and higher education. Research on alternative entry routes was received recently.
The Department is reviewing the research, with a view to using it to inform next steps. While Nurturing Skills commits to examine alternative entry-routes, the development of an apprenticeship would rely on the formulation of proposals by the sector and would require approval by the National Apprenticeship Office.
43. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in Cavan and Monaghan who received an assessment of need within the statutory timeframe in the years 2024 to date; and the number that did not. [47501/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that there are unacceptable delays in accessing Assessments of Need.
It is important at the outset to reiterate that children do not require an Assessment of Need report to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams, Mental Health Services, or education supports. However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and families exploring all options to access services for their child.
While the HSE do not provide Assessment of Need data by county, data is provided by Regional Health Area and Local Health Office (LHO) area. The most recent data provided by the HSE is for Q1 2026.
The number of Assessment of Need reports completed both within and outside the statutory timeframe in Cavan/Monaghan LHO from 2024 – Q1 2026 are as follows:
|
- |
Assessment of Need reports completed within the statutory timeline |
Assessment of Need reportscompleted outside the statutory timeframe |
|
Total 2024 |
7 |
59 |
|
Total 2025 |
0 |
21 |
|
Q1 2026 |
1 |
11 |
There has been intensive work by the Department and the HSE to address delays in the provision of Assessments of Need to children and their families, and progress is being made. While there is regional variation, overall there has been a notable increase in the number of completed AON reports nationally over the past two years. Over 5,900 reports were completed in 2025 – a 43% increase compared to 2024, and an 85% increase compared to 2023. However it is acknowledged that there are some regional variations on this completion rate, as evidenced above in 2025.
The most recent HSE data reports 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. This improvement must continue.
In December 2025, Government announced a series of improvements to the Assessment of Need process. This includes legislative and operational changes which will make it more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
44. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports available to people looking at setting up creches and afterschool services, particularly in locating and paying for spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47283/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department supports the ongoing development of existing and new services in the sector through its range of funding schemes and support infrastructure including City and County Childcare Committees.
In particular the Core Funding scheme, which has operated since 2022, offers supply side funding to services. 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 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.
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 will open for applications in 2026. The Building Blocks Extension Scheme Phase 2 will provide grants for community and private early learning and childcare services who are Core Funding partner services to increase their capacity by means of extensions to their existing premises.
Separately, in January, I 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.
With regard to locating and paying for spaces, local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects so in the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or project should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee.
The contact details for the City/County Childcare Committees may be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/.
45. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the transposition of the EU Pay Transparency Directive as the deadline approaches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43030/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra75. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the Government will implement the EU Pay Transparency Directive which aims to combat pay discrimination and help close the gender pay gap in the European Union. [45479/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 75 together.
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.
The full and complete 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. While the June 7 date for full transposition of the Directive has not been achieved, the remaining work to achieve transposition is a priority for the Department.
The Department continues to engage constructively with the European Commission to advise of the ongoing work to transpose the directive as soon as possible, with partial transposition already notified to the Commission.
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. 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 Department will also continue to work with employers, employees and their representatives to support to enable implementation of the Directive, which will be on a phased basis once the passage of the legislation is complete.
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 Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021, employers will be obligated to report that information to the Minister via the dedicated Gender Pay Gap Portal for the 2026 Reporting Cycle.
46. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she will take to make childcare more affordable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47542/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraShaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 report (published on 17th December 2025) sets out measures to achieve key Programme for Government commitments on the affordability, quality, and accessibility of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC). The Action Plan adopts a phased approach that enables action to be taken in 2026 while allowing adequate time for a broad public consultation and analysis on longer-term actions. Results of this consultation, as well as additional analysis, will inform Phase 2 of the Action Plan. Phase 2 actions will be published later in 2026 and will be undertaken from 2027 through to the end of 2029.
A central objective of Shaping the Future is to reduce parental fees to an upper limit of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government. The fee-freeze and maximum fee-caps required for Core Funding have been key to the progress in recent years in making ELC and SAC services more affordable. 2026 actions on affordability will include further reduction in some of the highest fees paid by parents by lowering the maximum fees that Core Funding Partner Services can charge. In addition, from autumn 2026 we will reduce out of pocket costs for lower-income families through the National Childcare Scheme.
These measures include:
- An increase to the lower (base) income threshold of the income-assessed subsidy from €26,000 to €34,000, to ensure that families with incomes below the relative income poverty line receive the maximum subsidies.
- An increase to the upper income threshold (income limit) of the income-assessed subsidy from €60,000 to €68,000, to extend income-assessed subsidies to more families.
- An increase to the multiple child deduction (MCD) component of the income-assessed subsidy for families with two children under the age of 15 from €4,300 to €5,500, and for families with three or more children under the age of 15 from €8,600 to €11,000.
I recently announced the details of a further reduction in maximum fee caps for the Core Funding programme year 2026/2027, beginning September 2026. These latest maximum fee caps, which apply to all Core Funding Partner Services, will place a limit on the maximum fees that can be charged. Under the new maximum fee caps, the highest possible upfront cost for a typical full day place of 45 hours per week will drop from around €198 per week to €183.70 per week, with universal subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme. Higher subsidies are available for many parents, depending on their level of income and the age and number of children in their family.
While the majority of parents are already paying below the new maximum fees and will continue to benefit from the fee freeze introduced in 2022, a parent currently paying the maximum fee of €354 for 50 hours of care or more per week will see their weekly costs reduce by €18, in line with the reduction in the maximum fee for that level of care, to €336 from September. If this parent is availing of the full NCS subsidy entitlement, under the universal subsidy, their maximum out-of-pocket weekly costs will not exceed €239.70.
47. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports her Department is considering for parents whose childminders are not participating in the Core Funding scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47469/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraChildminders are a hugely important part of early learning and care and school-age childcare provision, and they continue to be the option of choice for many families.
Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 Report, published in 2025, makes clear that childminding remains central to the Government's vision for the future of early learning and care and school-age childcare. Shaping the Future sets out an ambitious process of reform to benefit children, parents and families, and those working in the sector.
Shaping the Future involves a phased approach. The Phase 1 Report commits to actions in 2026 to make services more affordable, accessible and improve quality, while a consultation process will be undertaken during 2026 to inform the development of Phase 2 actions for the years 2027-2029.
The Phase 1 Report includes a commitment to restructure the Core Funding pilot for registered childminders, noting that the Core Funding pilot aims to strengthen childminders' sustainability while helping parents to benefit from the fee-freeze and fee-caps. Further information will be issued later in 2026.
All paid, non-relative childminders who work in their own homes can now register with Tusla and access the National Childcare Scheme.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to also benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered childminders are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla. The 2024 Act, under which the timeframes are established, provides for a transition period of three years, to September 2027, after which registration is due to become mandatory.
Supports are available to assist childminders to register, at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including the short pre-registration training course.
48. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on her plans to roll out a new autism protocol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46890/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn May 26th I was pleased to launch the new Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol (Autism Protocol) with the HSE and my Government colleagues Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister for Disability, Emer Higgins.
The new protocol represents an important step in ensuring children and adults have access to appropriate and timely autism assessment processes.
The new protocol will, for the first time, provide a standardised assessment process across children’s disability network teams, primary care and mental health services.
Evidence tells us that some presentations of autism are easier to identify that others. Informed by this evidence the HSE have designed a protocol that will introduce a three-tiered approach to autism assessment
It will match the intensity of assessment to the complexity of the presentation, as decided by the assessing clinicians.
It is a pathway designed specifically for autism assessment, and this includes differential assessment and diagnosis, as required; as well as the development of a formulation to provide clearer understanding of the person’s lived experience, and the services and supports they require.
The Autism Protocol has been developed over a period of 5 years, with input from people with lived experience, civil society, all clinical disciplines involved in such assessments, as well as managers and service leaders across disability, primary care and mental health services.
To support implementation the Department secured funding in Budget 26 for In-Reach Teams, consisting of a Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist and an administrator. These teams will work with Health Areas to support and build capacity within community services, including mental health and primary care teams.
Implementation planning for the protocol within the regions will commence in Quarter 3 2026, to include relative briefing and training within the Regional Healthcare Areas
It is expected that when fully rolled out, each of the 20 Integrated Health Areas will have one established In-Reach Team. The final design and respective roles of the teams are currently being finalised. Recruitment for the In-Reach teams will commence in Quarter 3 to Quarter 4.
Whilst it is not possible quantity impact at this stage, it is anticipated that the successful implementation of the Autism Protocol will help to reduce demand for Assessments of Need, through the provision of a more direct and clearer path to Autism assessment for children and their families. Clearer access pathways through existing services, such as Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams and CAMHS, should provide parents with an appropriate route to such an assessment, rather than through the more complex Assessment of Need system.
49. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to detail the actions that will be taken to entice childcare providers who have exited core funding back into core funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47286/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the State cannot mandate providers to participate in the scheme, Core Funding has been designed with maximum participation of providers in mind as reflected in the year-on-year growth of investment in the Scheme (rising from €259 million in 2022 to over €390 million in 2025). This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in three years.
I was delighted to announce further investment in Core Funding in Budget 2026. The additional funding being made available 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 increase of over €90 million, or 23%, on the current full year allocation.
I have shared the details of the upcoming programme year with the sector. They include an investment of €21.4 million in brand new funding to support providers in adhering to Core Funding fee management conditions. All early learning and childcare services will see an increase to their Core Funding through an enhanced Base Rate.
A new strand of the Core Funding scheme, has also been developed to distribute up to €45 million in full-year funding to the sector in Year 5, to support Core Funding Partner Services to meet the costs of increasing rates of pay when new Employment Regulation Orders are negotiated by the Joint Labour Committee. In effect, I have secured and ringfenced a total of €90 million in the last two budgets, specifically to support pay and conditions in the sector.
In addition to this increased allocation, participation in Core Funding unlocks additional supports for services to access, including access to enhanced support for services caring for concentrated numbers of children facing disadvantage through Equal Start and opportunities to apply for capital grants through the Department. In addition to this funding, there are wider financial supports available where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability that are only accessible to services in Core Funding.
Core Funding has enjoyed high participation from the sector since its launch in September 2022. As of 15 June, there were 4,647 services signed up to the fourth year of Core Funding which represents 93% uptake by eligible 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 continue to benefit from the scheme’s fee management conditions.
The Department is always exploring the potential for further changes to enhance Core Funding. Any changes for future programme years would be based on the operation of year 5 of the Scheme starting in September as well as stakeholder input.
Moreover, the Phase 1 report of Shaping the Future states that a roadmap will be set out in Phase 2 to ensure that all publicly funded providers are supported to take part in Core Funding. As noted in the Phase 1 report, this will include measures to reduce the administrative burden for providers of participating in publicly funded schemes.
Phase 2 of Shaping the Future is in development and will be published by year end.
50. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if equine therapy facilities will be developed at the HSE’s Toghermore campus in Tuam, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46888/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for your question in relation to the Toghermore health campus. Department officials have linked in with HSE colleagues and the following outlines the current position.
The tender competition for Health Planner Consultancy Services closed in March 2026 for the entire Tuam Community Health area. The HSE completed the tender evaluation of all returned tenders to identify the successful tenderer.
The tender process is ongoing to issue the necessary successful and unsuccessful letters and following the mandatory standstill period, the HSE will proceed to award the contract to the successful Health Planning Consultant. The Health Planning Analysis will commence thereafter.
The purpose of the Health Planning Analysis is to develop a Development Control Plan for the community health area, to inform future needs of HSE services in the area. Toghermore House and the surrounding lands will be considered as part of this analysis.
A decision on the development of an equine therapy service will be made following the necessary Health Planning Analysis and in conjunction with the necessary services in the HSE.
I trust this information is of some assistance to you.
51. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will report on the engagement she has to date with childminding organisations regarding the issues impacting the sector. [47223/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsultation and collaboration with stakeholders is a consistent feature of the work of the Department.
Childminders, and childminding representative organisations have and continue to be involved in all aspects of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, from drafting through to implementation.
In addition, childminders and childminding representative organisations were consulted with and participated in all aspects of the development of the Childminding-specific Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024.
Both the Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, and all the Advisory Groups and Working Groups that have operated under the National Action Plan, have included individual childminders as well as members of childminding representative organisations. This continues to be the case.
These groups have met on 71 occasions, between the launch of the National Action Plan for Childminding in April 2021 and the introduction of Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations in September 2024. In addition, there were a number of meetings directly between supporting organisations and Department officials throughout this time frame, as well as meetings with the then Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
The introduction of the Childminding-specific Regulations in September 2024 marked the on-time completion of Phase 1 of the National action Plan and the commencement of Phase 2. Work in Phase 2 continues to be overseen by the Steering Group. In addition, new task and time limited Project Working Groups have been established, all include Childminding Ireland representatives, collectively these groups have met 14 times since the start of phase 2.
In addition, I chair an Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum, as well as an Early Learning and Childcare Provider Consultative Forum. The Stakeholder Forums meets two to three times a year, while the Provider Forum meets at least twice a year. I also met with representatives from Childminding Ireland in March of this year.
The Department's engagement with childminding organisations was also strongly evident in the predevelopment period, preceding the publication of the National Action Plan for Childminding. In 2016, the then Minister invited Childminding Ireland to chair the Working Group on Reforms and Supports for the Childminding Sector. This group published its recommendations in 2018. The Draft Action Plan, published in 2019, was based on the recommendations of this Working Group. In addition, the Draft Action Plan was subject to extensive consultation, which culminated with an open policy debate, in which stakeholder organisations participated.
As we progress through phase 2 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, we will continue to meet with and consult childminders and childminding representative organisations, working together to overcome issues and challenges.
The Department has committed to undertake a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations during the transition period. The Review, which launched last week, will include consultation with childminders, childminding representative organisations, and other stakeholders.
52. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she is taking to cut the cost of childcare for families; if this is forming an important part of her Budget 2027 negotiations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47281/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraShaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 report (published on 17th December 2025) sets out measures to achieve key Programme for Government commitments on the affordability, quality, and accessibility of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC). A central objective of Shaping the Future is to reduce parental fees to an upper limit of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government.
The fee-freeze and maximum fee-caps required for Core Funding have been key to the progress in recent years in making ELC and SAC services more affordable.
The Phase 1 report of Shaping the Future sets out actions which will be carried out in 2026 using existing policy tools. 2026 actions on affordability will include further reduction in some of the highest fees paid by parents by lowering the maximum fees that Core Funding Partner Services can charge. In addition, from autumn 2026 we will lower out of pocket costs for lower-income families through the National Childcare Scheme.
These measures include:
- An increase to the lower (base) income threshold of the income-assessed subsidy from €26,000 to €34,000, to ensure that families with incomes below the relative income poverty line receive the maximum subsidies.
- An increase to the upper income threshold (income limit) of the income-assessed subsidy from €60,000 to €68,000, to extend income-assessed subsidies to more families.
- An increase to the multiple child deduction (MCD) component of the income-assessed subsidy for families with two children under the age of 15 from €4,300 to €5,500, and for families with three or more children under the age of 15 from €8,600 to €11,000
I recently announced the details of a further reduction in maximum fee caps for the Core Funding programme year 2026/2027, beginning September 2026. These latest maximum fee caps, which apply to all Core Funding Partner Services, will place a limit on the maximum fees that can be charged across all types of provision. The fee for a full day place – of between 40 and less than 50 hours per week, the most common full day care operating hours – will be no more than €280 per week (before State subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the ECCE programme are deducted), with a maximum fee of €336 for 50 hours of care or more.
While we need to make progress quickly, the actions we take must be sustainable, underpinned by public consultation and research, and delivered in a way that supports families, the workforce and service providers. That is why a broad public consultation process is currently underway. Results of this consultation, as well as additional analysis, will inform Phase 2 of the Action Plan. Phase 2 actions will be published later in 2026 and will be undertaken from 2027 through to the end of 2029.
Budget 2027 will be considered by Government in the context of the annual estimates process.
53. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific measures being taken to increase childcare capacity in areas of County Cork where shortages have been identified; the timelines for any measures being taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47538/26]
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.
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 Cork County Childcare Committee may be found at: www.corkchildcare.ie/
54. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has considered the role of housing insecurity on child welfare; the additional supports she is proposing to improve child welfare in precarious housing situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47497/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of housing insecurity and supports is, in the main, a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the local authorities. This area does require intervention from other Government Departments such as Department of Social Protection, and Tusla, which comes under the remit of this Department.
The Family Resource Centre Programme and FRCS around the country and which are funded by Tusla, provides information, advice and support to those experiencing homelessness, including signposting to relevant housing services.
Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) can assist local services to co-ordinate their response to the needs of children and young people experiencing homelessness, as part of their broader county-level planning. When homelessness is identified as a local priority, CYPSC brings relevant agencies together through a sub-group to coordinate a collaborative response. CYPSC supports and facilitates this work but cannot assume responsibility. Responsibility remains with the relevant local services. The CYPSC's work relies on partnership with the agencies directly engaged in homelessness services. This response could take the form of a targeted activity/group/programme for affected children and young people, parenting supports, family supports, signposting, research evidencing need, training for local services to support them to support children, young people and families experiencing homelessness, or advocacy work.
The Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government’s housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities recognises that homelessness is the single most pressing social issue that Ireland faces and includes the development of a Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan. I understand this Plan will bring together key stakeholders to drive the continued focus on preventing children and families entering emergency accommodation, providing enhanced supports for children experiencing homelessness, as well as measures to accelerate exits and reduce the time spent by children and their families in homeless emergency accommodation.
Tusla Social Workers when providing interventions and when dealing with families, can assist vulnerable families and those in need, by signposting and assisting with access to services such as homelessness supports and to local authorities on housing requirements.
55. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she is taking to ensure that childminding remains a viable option for families across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46786/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of childminding services is critical to the safeguarding of children. The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to also benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered childminders are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla.
The 2024 Act, under which the timeframes are established, provides for a transition period of three years, to September 2027, after which registration is due to become mandatory. This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
I am aware that the rate of registration thus far has been lower than expected. It is for that reason that I asked my officials to undertake a review of the regulations in advance of the conclusion of the transition period, to understand what barriers may exist, and to address them in a timely fashion.
The review, which will be managed by an external company, launched last week with an open call for submissions. The review will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders and will provide an important opportunity to learn lessons from initial experiences with the regulations.
In addition to hearing from childminders who have not yet registered, it is important that the review adequately captures, and benefits from, the experiences of those who have registered and been through the registration process and who have operated within the new Regulations.
A consultation survey will follow the call for submissions, in addition to focus groups, stakeholder interviews, and case studies. The scope of the review is broader than initially outlined in the National Action Plan for Childminding and will now also examine the effectiveness of supports made available to assist the registration of childminders, as well as examining the barriers to registration and regulatory compliance, including financial and information barriers.
I would encourage every childminder to have their say, and participate in the review. I would also encourage any childminder who has questions or concerns about the new regulations to contact their local Childcare Committee. The Childminding Development Officers are there to provide the most up-to-date, accurate information, and to guide and support childminders at every step of the journey.
56. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the State-led childcare programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47449/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra€135 million will be made available between 2026 and 2030 for the State-led Early Learning and Childcare capital programme, providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare.
The process will begin this year with investment in buildings in what is a ground-breaking initiative for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements. The Department will work with not-for-profit providers to design, open and operate services.
To assess potential sites, a forward planning model has been developed. The model seeks to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level. An extensive data analysis and cleaning exercise has been undertaken to map available publicly-subsidised supply.
As well as the forward planning model, a suite of appraisal criteria and tools have been developed in order to assess the potential alignment of projects with Departmental goals of promoting quality, inclusion, accessibility and affordability.
The Department is assessing project options in order to identify which are best placed to deliver on the goals of the programme. Analysis of project options is advancing well.
Project proposals can be brought to the attention of the Department through completion of a preliminary appraisal form which is available from City and County Childcare Committees.
When a suitable project is brought to the Department, the Forward Planning and Delivery Unit develop a Preliminary Business Case for the project. The Preliminary Business Case assesses the building and the location associated with the project against the programme's appraisal criteria as well as analysing cost, value for money and the quality of the proposed building. The Preliminary Business Case is considered by a Capital Steering Group, comprising senior Department officials and members from the Office of Public Works and the Department of Education and Youth. It can then be submitted for approval-in-principle.
It is important to note that this is not a guarantee of funding for the project as a whole.
After approval-in-principle, a Final Business Case is developed for the project which includes the selection of an eligible operator, agreement of investment/purchasing of buildings, and detailed building design and costing work. The Final Business Case is considered by the Capital Steering Group prior to being submitted for approval. Only once a Final Business Case which provides full details of the project has been developed can final approval for funding be sought.
To date, four projects have received approval-in-principle and are being developed. A further five projects are being prepared for submission for approval-in-principle.
No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
Local City and County Childcare Committees are supporting the development of projects so, in the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or project should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee.
