Written Answers Nos. 2821-2840
2821. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of partner services that have indicated an intention to withdraw from Core Funding for the 2026/2027 programme year; the Department's assessment of the impact of the non-availability of the fee increase assessment process on withdrawal decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56062/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdherence to the Core Funding fee management system is a primary condition of receiving the significant State funding that is available through the scheme. The fee management system requires compliance with the fee freeze and maximum fee caps. This helps ensure that taxpayers’ money is being used in a way that sustains services while not excessively increasing their private profit.
Previously in Programme Year 3 a Fee Increase Assessment was initiated to allow services whose fees may have been frozen at unsustainably low levels to raise their fees to an approved level, while remaining in Core Funding. The Fee Increase Assessment process was an objective assessment that used data available to the Department to determine if a Fee Increase is needed by the service to remain viable. 898 services were approved to increase at least one fee through this process.
Per the Core Funding Funding Agreement, a new fee increase assessment could be run, at the Minister’s discretion. There will be a Sustainability Review 2026/2027 process in advance of the beginning of Programme Year 5, with any sanctioned fee increases being implemented after September 2026. The criteria for this process has been finalised, with the aim of identifying and supporting services whose fees remain at very low levels.
An announcement informing services of the new Sustainability Review process will issue through the Department and also through the Early Years Hive. Eligible Partner Services will be contacted by their local CCC in the coming week to inform them of their eligibility and to see if they wish to undertake the assessment.
While the Department cannot mandate providers to participate in the Scheme, every effort has been made to carefully design Core Funding to meet the policy objectives including to achieve high levels of participation by providers.
Under the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, Partner Services must comply with the rules of the Core Funding scheme, such as the associated fee management measures and minimum notice periods. In line with the Core Funding Partner Service Agreement, services considering withdrawing from the scheme during a programme year must give 3 months’ notice of their intention to withdraw to the scheme administrator, and 3 months’ written notice to parents/guardians.
However, if an existing Partner Service decides not to enter a contract for the new programme year starting on 1 September, they, as private businesses, would no longer be subject to the provisions of the Core Funding Agreement and, by extension, the required minimum notice period to the scheme administrator and parents/guardians. They are also not required to provide a reason for choosing not to reapply for Core Funding to the scheme administrator.
According to information provided by Pobal, the scheme administrator, 8 services notified Pobal of their intention to withdraw from Core Funding in 2026. Of these, 3 subsequently cancelled their withdrawal or re-joined the scheme, and 1 is still in the process of withdrawing. As a result, data indicates that a total of 5 services will have withdrawn from Core Funding in 2026 according to currently available data.
As of July 2026, we are seeing the highest numbers of services participating in the Core Funding scheme since the scheme was launched, with 93% of all eligible providers signed up to the fourth year of Core Funding which equates to over 4,600 services.
Partner Services facing sustainability concerns can also avail of supports through the Department’s established case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committees and Pobal work together to assess and provide support including financial support to services experiencing difficulties.
All services are encouraged to avail of these supports if they are facing difficulties with the sustainability of their business. Contact details for the CCCs can be found at the www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/city-and-county-childcare-committees/ page on gov.ie
2822. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider allowing providers greater flexibility to make reasonable fee adjustments where necessary, while ensuring childcare remains accessible and sustainable for all involved as in the case of a creche (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56096/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdherence to the Core Funding fee management system is a primary condition of receiving the significant State funding that is available through the scheme. The fee management system requires compliance with the fee freeze and maximum fee caps. This is to ensure that the State’s significant investment is not absorbed by unnecessary fee increases.
In addition to the year-on-year increases in the Core Funding allocation, the Department has made changes to improve the sustainability of providers through, for example, targeted measures for small and sessional services, and a fee increase assessment and approval process for services with fees frozen at unsustainably low rates.
Under the 2024/2025 Fee Increase Assessment process, services charging historically low fees could apply to increase their fees up to an approved level, subject to a unit-cost analysis of their business by the Department. I note that The Kilns Créche & Montessori applied to the 2024/2025 Fee Increase Assessment process, and were granted approval to increase the fees of all eligible sessions.
Per the Core Funding Funding Agreement, a new fee increase assessment can be run at Ministerial discretion. This would provide an avenue for eligible Partner Services to increase their fees to an approved level. There will be a Sustainability Review 2026/2027 process in advance of the beginning of Programme Year 5, with any sanctioned fee increases being implemented after September 2026.
The criteria for this process has recently been finalised, with the aim of identifying and supporting services whose fees remain at very low levels. An announcement informing services of the new Sustainability Review process will issue through the Department and also through the Early Years Hive. Eligible Partner Services will be contacted by their local CCC in the coming week to inform them of their eligibility and to see if they wish to undertake the assessment.
As per the table below, The Kilns Creche & Montessori’s projected full-year Core Funding allocation for year 4 of the scheme is €128,315.70, representing an increase of 34% since joining the scheme. The projected allocation for this programme year figure includes funding specifically ringfenced for improvements to staff pay, to support the Employment Regulation Order that came into effect on 13 October 2025.
|
Name of provider |
2022/2023 Core Funding received |
2023/2024 Core Funding received |
2024/2025 Core Funding received |
2025/2026 Core Funding Contract Value (22 June 2026) |
Difference in grant value between 2022/2023 and 2025/2026 |
% change in grant value between 2022/2023 and 2025/2026 |
|
The Kilns Creche & Montessori |
€ 96,072.79 |
€ 113,101.46 |
€ 122,370.60 |
€ 128,315.70 |
€32,242.91 |
34% |
This Core Funding allocation for The Kilns Creche & Montessori is paid to the services regardless of whether the places are filled or not filled. This provides services a guaranteed minimum income, supporting stability where attendance may be fluctuating.
While 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 the first year of the scheme to over €390 million for the current fourth year of the scheme). This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in four years.
The allocation for Core Funding for year 5 of the Scheme will increase again by 23% to over €480 million. This will support the maintenance of fees at 2021 levels in Year 5 (guaranteeing that Core Funding’s monetary protections will continue to be passed on to families), support further improvements in pay for staff, and support services in adhering to reduced maximum fee caps from September 2026 – ensuring sustainability and stability for the sector.
Partner Services facing sustainability concerns can also avail of supports through the Department’s established case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committees and Pobal work together to assess and provide support including financial support to services experiencing difficulties. There are also wider financial supports from the Department for services experiencing financial difficulty.
These supports can be accessed through the Department’s case management process, which can be accessed while remaining in Core Funding.
All services have been encouraged to avail of these supports as an alternative to withdrawing from Core Funding and removing the benefit of Core Funding to children and their families.
Moreover, the annual changes to the allocation model and in the conditions attached to the funding has ensured the Scheme remains responsive, balancing the needs of providers while seeking also to meet a range of other objectives. Among these objectives is ensuring taxpayers’ money is being used in a way that sustains services while not excessively increasing their private profit.
Participation in Core Funding is optional, but it remains open to all Tulsa registered providers, subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the Core Funding Agreement. It is a matter for providers to decide whether they wish to sign up to Core Funding and benefit from the significant financial supports it offers to providers and the certainty it gives to parents through the associated fee management measures.
2823. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider allowing providers (details supplied) greater flexibility to make reasonable fee adjustments where necessary, while ensuring childcare remains accessible and sustainable for everyone involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56100/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is fully committed to promoting affordability for parents and viability for businesses, with the State providing significant investment into the early learning and childcare sector through Core Funding to support services in providing this important public good.
A key condition of receiving the significant State funding that is available through the Scheme requires that a Partner Service adhere to the Core Funding fee management system, which includes a freeze on fees at 2021 levels and fee caps. This is to ensure that the State’s significant investment through the Scheme is not absorbed by unnecessary fee increases. This approach to stabilising fee rates in the sector is in line with the recommendations outlined in Partnership for the Public Good, the Expert Group report which was accepted by all of Government in December 2021.
In addition to the year-on-year increases in the Core Funding allocation, the Department has made changes to improve the sustainability of providers through, for example, targeted measures for small and sessional services, and a fee increase assessment and approval process for services with fees frozen at unsustainably low rates.
Under this Fee Increase Assessment process, services charging historically low fees could apply to increase their fees up to an approved level, subject to a unit-cost analysis of their business by the Department. I note that Malahide Marina applied to the 2024/2025 Fee Increase Assessment process and were granted permission to increase for all fee-paying sessions.
Per the Core Funding Funding Agreement, a new Fee Increase Assessment-type exercise can be run within the Programme Year at Ministerial discretion. This would provide an avenue for eligible Partner Services to increase their fees to an approved level. There will be a Sustainability Review 2026/2027 process in advance of the beginning of Programme Year 5, with any sanctioned fee increases being implemented after September 2026.
The criteria for this process has recently been finalised, with the aim of identifying and supporting services whose fees remain at very low levels. An announcement informing services of the new Sustainability Review process will issue through the Early Years Hive. Eligible Partner Services will be contacted by their local CCC in the coming week to inform them of their eligibility and to see if they wish to undertake the assessment.
As per the table below, Malahide Marina Creche & Montessori’s projected full-year Core Funding allocation for year 4 of the scheme is €247,871.62, representing an increase of 46% since joining the scheme. The projected allocation for this programme year figure includes funding specifically ringfenced for improvements to staff pay, to support the Employment Regulation Order that came into effect on 13 October 2025.
|
Name of provider |
2022/2023 Core Funding received |
2023/2024 Core Funding received |
2024/2025 Core Funding received |
2025/2026 Core Funding Contract Value (22 June 2026) |
Difference in grant value between 2022/2023 and 2025/2026 |
% change in grant value between 2022/2023 and 2025/2026 |
|
Malahide Marina Creche & Montessori |
€ 169,872.30 |
€ 170,882.17 |
€ 219,783.94 |
€ 247,871.62 |
€77,999.32 |
46% |
This Core Funding allocation for Malahide Marina Creche & Montessori is paid to the service regardless of whether the places are filled or not filled. This provides services a guaranteed minimum income, supporting stability where attendance may be fluctuating.
While 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 the first year of the scheme to over €390 million for the current fourth year of the scheme). This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in four years.
The allocation for Core Funding for year 5 of the Scheme will increase again by 23% to over €480 million. This will support the maintenance of fees at 2021 levels in Year 5 (guaranteeing that Core Funding’s monetary protections will continue to be passed on to families), support further improvements in pay for staff, and support services in adhering to reduced maximum fee caps from September 2026 – ensuring sustainability and stability for the sector.
Partner Services facing sustainability concerns can also avail of supports through the Department’s established case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committees and Pobal work together to assess and provide support including financial support to services experiencing difficulties. There are also wider financial supports from the Department for services experiencing financial difficulty.
These supports can be accessed through the Department’s case management process, which can be accessed while remaining in Core Funding.
All services have been encouraged to avail of these supports as an alternative to withdrawing from Core Funding and removing the benefit of Core Funding to children and their families.
Moreover, the annual changes to the allocation model and in the conditions attached to the funding has ensured the Scheme remains responsive, balancing the needs of providers while seeking also to meet a range of other objectives. Among these objectives is ensuring taxpayers’ money is being used in a way that sustains services while not excessively increasing their private profit.
Participation in Core Funding is optional, but it remains open to all Tulsa registered providers, subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the Core Funding Agreement. It is a matter for providers to decide whether they wish to sign up to Core Funding and benefit from the significant financial supports it offers to providers and the certainty it gives to parents through the associated fee management measures.
2824. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a fee increase assessment will be included in the 2026/2027 core funding scheme, similar to 2024, or a mechanism that supports providers in genuine financial need on a sustainable basis. [56141/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the development of the Core Funding fee management system, in Programme Year 3 (2024/25), the Department ran a Fee Increase Assessment process. Partner Services charging fees below the county average were eligible to apply to be assessed for a fee increase. This process ensured that services, who had fees which may not have been sustainable, were given the opportunity to apply for a fee increase.
Per the Core Funding Agreement , a new fee increase assessment can be run at Ministerial discretion. This would provide an avenue for eligible Partner Services to increase their fees to an approved level. There will be a Sustainability Review 2026/2027 process in advance of the beginning of Programme Year 5, with any sanctioned fee increases being implemented after September 2026.
The criteria for this process has recently been finalised, with the aim of identifying and supporting services whose fees remain at very low levels. An announcement informing services of the new Sustainability Review process will issue through the Department and also through the Early Years Hive. Eligible Partner Services will be contacted by their local CCC in the coming week to inform them of their eligibility and to see if they wish to undertake the assessment.
Partner Services facing sustainability concerns can also avail of supports through the Department’s established case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committees and Pobal work together to assess and provide support including financial support to services experiencing difficulties.
All services are encouraged to avail of these supports if they are facing difficulties with the sustainability of their business. Contact details for the CCCs can be found at the www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/city-and-county-childcare-committees/ page on gov.ie
2825. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to review core funding; if it will be reviewed specifically for services that have frozen fees for a number of years, in light of the rapidly increased costs of running their business; if she is aware some services in Dublin mid-west are leaving the model resulting in parents paying higher fees; if actions are intended to avoid services being forced to leave the funding model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56150/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that a small number of services are regrettably considering withdrawing from or no longer participating in the Core Funding scheme.
The Department, through the local Childcare Committees (CCCs), engages directly with any such service to highlight the benefits of staying in Core Funding, not only for their service but also for the families who avail of them. I am hopeful that the providers may reconsider their decision.
As Core Funding is an optional scheme, services have the autonomy and business freedom to not participate in or withdraw from Core Funding.
However, as of July 2026, we are seeing the highest numbers of services participating in the Core Funding scheme since the scheme was launched, with 93% of all eligible providers signed up to the fourth year of Core Funding which equates to over 4,600 services.
While 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 year 1 to over €390 million in year 4). This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in three years.
I was pleased to recently announce the details of further investment for the upcoming Core Funding programme year. The additional funding being made available will see the allocation for Core Funding increase to over €480 million from September 2026. That is an additional €90 million on the current full year allocation, or a 23% increase.
This increased investment will allow for further increases in capacity across the sector, with €21.4 million specifically set aside to support Partner Services in adhering to Core Funding fee management conditions, including reductions in the maximum fee caps, from September 2026. This will guarantee that Core Funding’s monetary protections will continue to be passed on to families while ensuring sustainability and stability for the sector.
For the majority of services, they will see an increase in their Core Funding to help them to continue to adhere to the fee freeze. A minority of services (about 12%), who will be required to reduce their fees under the maximum fee caps, will receive increased Core Funding to offset the reduced fee income they would have received from parents. No service will be left behind because of Core Funding fee management.
In addition to this increased allocation, being in Core Funding unlocks additional supports for services to access, including:
• access to wider financial supports where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability;
• 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 the year-on-year increases, the Department has made changes to improve the sustainability of providers through, for example, targeted measures for small and sessional services and a fee increase assessment and approval process for services with fees frozen at unsustainably low rates.
A key condition of receiving the significant State funding that is available through the Scheme requires that a Partner Service adhere to the Core Funding fee management system, which includes a freeze on fees at 2021 levels and fee caps. This is to ensure that the State’s significant investment through the Scheme is not absorbed by unnecessary fee increases.
Under the 2024/2025 Fee Increase Assessment process, services charging low fees could apply to increase their fees up to an approved level, subject to a detailed assessment process by the Department
The Core Funding Funding Agreement allows for the launch of a fee increase assessment type exercise, subject to Ministerial discretion. The criteria for the Sustainability Review 2026/2027 process has recently been finalised, with the aim of identifying and supporting services whose fees remain at very low levels. An announcement informing services of the new Sustainability Review process will issue through the Early Years Hive. Eligible Partner Services will be contacted by their local CCC in the coming week to inform them of their eligibility and to see if they wish to undertake the assessment.
There are also wider financial supports available where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability. These supports can be accessed through the Department’s case management process, which can be accessed while remaining in Core Funding.
All services have been encouraged to avail of these supports as an alternative to withdrawing from Core Funding and removing the benefit of Core Funding to children and their families.
Since Core Funding was introduced, its effectiveness has been subject to ongoing assessment, which has facilitated the iterative evolution of this scheme.
An evaluation of the first year of Core Funding and the development of an evaluation framework for Core Funding is currently underway. This project will examine the early implementation of Core Funding and make recommendations for future evaluations of the grant supporting efficient and expedient reviews of subsequent years of the scheme.
Moreover, the annual changes to the allocation model and in the conditions attached to the funding has ensured the Scheme remains responsive, balancing the needs of providers while seeking also to meet a range of other objectives. Among these objectives is ensuring taxpayers’ money is being used in a way that sustains services while not excessively increasing their private profit.
The Department will explore further changes based on the operation of year 5 of the Scheme as well as stakeholder input and income and cost data from providers. The Department will continue to engage with the sector and continue to develop the scheme so that it can continue to see the high uptake levels it has seen this year, and indeed since it was launched in 2022.
Participation in Core Funding is optional, but it remains open to all Tulsa registered providers, subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the Core Funding Agreement. It is a matter for providers to decide whether they wish to sign up to Core Funding and benefit from the significant financial supports it offers to providers and the certainty it gives to parents through the associated fee management measures.
I am confident in the adequacy of Core Funding for this sector. However, there is a safety net in place for the small number of services who may for any number of reasons require additional supports, to ensure that they can continue to provide this vital service for the public good without needing to withdraw the benefits that Core Funding achieves for parents such as fee freezes and maximum fee caps.
Under the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, Partner Services must comply with the rules of the Core Funding scheme, such as the associated fee management measures and minimum notice periods. In line with the Core Funding Partner Service Agreement, services considering withdrawing from the scheme during a programme year must give 3 months’ notice of their intention to withdraw to the scheme administrator, and 3 months’ written notice to parents/guardians.
However, if an existing Partner Service decides not to enter a contract for the new programme year starting on 1 September, they, as private businesses, would no longer be subject to the provisions of the Core Funding Agreement and, by extension, the required minimum notice period to the scheme administrator and parents/guardians. They are also not required to provide a reason for choosing not to reapply for Core Funding to the scheme administrator.
As of November 2025, 15 services based in South Dublin had left Core Funding at one point over the lifetime of the scheme to this date but later rejoined. A further 16 services had left and continued to operate outside of the scheme. Information provided by Pobal, the scheme administrator, indicates that no additional services have formally withdrawn from the current year of the scheme to date.
2826. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports that can be accessed by private full day care providers as of 16 July 2026. [56152/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of €1.48 billion in current funding has been allocated for early learning and childcare in 2026. The majority of that funding is allocated through Together for Better, the funding model for early learning and childcare, which comprises five schemes/programmes that are open to full time providers – both community and private - that meet the relevant eligibility criteria and contractual requirements: the National Childcare Scheme, the ECCE programme, Core Funding, AIM and Equal Start. The specific details of the allocation are:
€594 million to support the implementation of the National Childcare Scheme.
€259 million to support the implementation of the universal Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
€405 million, through Core Funding in 2026 – an increase of 15% or almost €52 million on the 2025 allocation - to support a range of important priorities, including:
• Quality through support with the costs of the new Employment Regulation Orders (ERO) that commenced on 13 October 2025 through which approximately 67% of staff working in the sector are seeing an increase in pay.
• Accessibility for families through funding for growth in the sector at 4.2%.
• Affordability to support services to sustainably maintain fee management conditions, including new maximum fee caps benefiting parents facing with the highest fees across the country.
The allocation for Core Funding of €393 million in year 4 (September 2025-August 2026) will rise to over €480 million in year 5 (September 2026-August 2027).
€86 million will support approximately 8,400 ECCE-aged children with a disability to benefit from the highest level of supports provided by the Access and Inclusion Model, enabling their meaningful participation in early learning and care. It will also support a 10% increase in the AIM Level 7 capitation rate (for the full year), to bring these rates into line with the new hourly rate of pay in the ERO for educators which commenced on 13 October 2025.
€22.3 million will support children experiencing disadvantage to access and participate in early learning and childcare through a suite of Equal Start supports. This allocation funds staffing supports for an increased number of services with a priority designation under Equal Start. The allocation also provides for a higher rate of funded additional staffing hours to Tier 1 and Tier 2 Equal Start services to bring that rate into line with the new minimum hourly rates of pay under the new ERO for educators. The increased allocation also funds the full year delivery of the Bia Blasta preschool nutrition programme.
In addition to the Together for Better schemes/ programmes, there are a range of other supports available to full day providers, including access to mentoring and training, employee assistance supports and Case Management supports, which assist providers with interpreting aspects of their business model including analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
Approximately €44 million in capital funding is also being made available in 2026. This funding allocation will, inter alia, allow Building Blocks Extension Scheme projects approved in 2025 which have run over into 2026 to continue to be funded, delivering 1,500 places. The Building Blocks Extension Scheme was open to full time providers – both community and private - that met the relevant eligibility criteria and contractual requirements. A further Building Blocks scheme opened for applications in recent months, focusing on extensions and modifications to existing premises to allow for increased numbers of children to be offered places on a full day basis. Again, this scheme is open to full-time providers, both community and private, that meet the relevant eligibility criteria and contractual requirements.
2827. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 1 July 2026, to clarify, whether Tusla involvement is effectively required in practice to access YAPAbility; the ‘exceptional circumstances’ criteria for HSE-funded YAPAbility placements; who makes decisions regarding eligibility and funding; the intensive family supports that are available for disabled children who do not meet Tusla thresholds; the way in which the Government intends to ensure that access to these supports is based on need rather than the funding stream available; the way in which the HSE measures access to intervention; and whether parent education programmes are being counted alongside direct therapeutic intervention when reporting improvements in waiting times and service access. [56153/26]
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.
2828. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the breakdown of the €25 million allocated for respite services in 2026; the proportion of this funding allocated to overnight, centre-based respite beds compared to daytime, alternative, or recreational summer initiatives; the total number of overnight respite beds currently open and staffed nationally; the number of children currently on waiting lists for overnight respite care; the specific steps being taken to address the acute shortage of overnight respite for families caring for children with high-level behavioural and complex needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56157/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
2829. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the transport options available to a person (details supplied) to travel to adult day services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56194/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Specialist Disability Budget supports a range of services funded through the HSE and delivered by Section 38 and Section 39 organisations, as well as the HSE. This includes, among other services and supports, Day Services and Rehabilitative Training for people with specialist disability service requirements.
The provision of transport is not part of core services funded by the HSE. As a general rule, public transport is used in all circumstances where it is an option. This is in keeping with the principle of mainstreaming, with a clear focus on ensuring persons with a disability have access to the normal range of services and participate in community life as far as possible. In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.
Under Pillar 5 of the Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, the Department of Transport has lead responsibility for reducing and, where possible, eliminating transport barriers faced by disabled people. Under Pillar 5, there is a commitment to personal mobility, and supporting those who cannot use or easily access any public transport through the provision of enhanced personal mobility options.
It is recognised that viable public transport options are not always available throughout the country and that transport support needs vary between individuals. In the absence of transport options being made available by the National Transport Authority (NTA), some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a case-by-case basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different Health Regions. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2830. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the staff positions currently filled in North Tipperary CDNT; to provide a breakdown of staff vacancies on North Tipperary CDNT; the length of time each of the vacancies has been in existence; the length of time the recruitment process has been ongoing; to provide an update on recruitment efforts for each of said posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56219/26]
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.
2831. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department is aware of the current wait time issues in childcare caused by delays in the processing of Garda Vetting forms for childcare workers; if she will consult with the Minister for Justice Home Affairs and Migration to introduce a separate vetting section for childcare workers to ensure applications are processed in a timely manner, given the issues with childcare spaces and availability caused by this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56231/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGarda Vetting is a legal requirement for all people working directly with children and vulnerable adults under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts, 2012-2016. This Act falls under the remit of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
The Department is, however, committed to engaging with the relevant officials in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and officials from both Departments have met recently to discuss these issues.
Early Childhood Ireland, who the Department funds to administer Garda vetting for staff working in Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings, have advised that a standard fully complete Garda vetting application currently takes 15-20 working days to process by the Garda National Vetting Bureau.
If the applicant has lived and/or lives in another EU country or the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), their Garda Vetting application can take up to 10 additional working days for EU countries and up to 20 additional working days for the UK. These processing times are across all Garda Vetting applications and are not sector specific.
Processing times are also advised to this Department by the Garda National Vetting Bureau and are in line with Early Childhood Ireland timelines given above.
The Department does recognise the challenges for Early Years providers in recruitment and retention of staff in such a competitive labour market. However, safeguarding children and ensuring their safety is a priority and appropriate vetting must be in place for anyone working directly with children.
The Department engages on an ongoing basis with the Garda National Vetting Bureau to discuss operational issues and to ensure the sector is kept up to date on any vetting changes affecting Early Years services.
At a recent meeting, officials from the Garda National Vetting Bureau assured officials from this Department that every possible resource that can be deployed is being deployed to deal with Garda Vetting applications in the short term, and that it is anticipated that the impact of new resources should see an improvement in the turnaround times of Garda Vetting applications sometime this Autumn.
In terms of actions in the medium to long term, the Garda National Vetting Bureau are working on improvements to their IT systems and making it easier overall to engage with the Garda Vetting system without reducing the safeguarding barrier. We will continue to liaise with the Garda National Vetting Bureau to support the sector.
2832. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the locations overseas where CDNTs within CHO9 went on recruitment campaigns seeking to recruit additional staff to work within CDNTs in CHO9 in the years of 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [56287/26]
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.
2833. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being considered to reduce childcare costs for families in Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56344/26]
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.
To deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to progressively reduce parental fees to €200 per child per month, 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.
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.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is currently available to parents regardless of whether or not the early learning and childcare service their child is attending is participating in Core Funding.
The NCS has undergone a number of enhancements in recent Budgets with the minimum NCS subsidy steadily rising from €0.50 in 2022 to €2.14 in September 2024 alongside extensions to eligibility. Additionally, since September 2024, the NCS has been open to Tusla-registered childminders who wish to participate in the scheme. Families availing of childminders who are participating in the NCS can claim a subsidy towards their costs. Further enhancements to the income-assessed subsidy are being introduced from September 2026, raising the base threshold from €26,000 to €34,000 and the maximum threshold from €60,000 to €68,000, with additional increases to the multiple child discounts.
2834. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of people waiting for CDNT services in the south-west region, by IHA at the end of July 2026 compared to July in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form. [56353/26]
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.
2835. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to urgently address issues raised by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to respite and disability services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56364/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have spoken directly with individual involved and discussed the matters raised with him.
2836. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to address serious issues raised in relation to respite and disability services and the lack of new frontline services for example only funding for four new long-term residential places in Kerry for 2026 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56365/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have spoken directly with individual involved and discussed the matters raised with him.
2837. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the statutory basis on which privately operated children's residential centres are registered and inspected by the alternative care inspection and monitoring service rather than by the health information and quality authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56386/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra2838. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has assessed the governance implications of an arrangement whereby the Child and Family Agency both contracts with, and acts as the inspecting body for, privately operated children's residential centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56387/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2837 and 2838 together.
The Child Care Act 1991 is the statutory framework for child welfare and protection in Ireland. The legislation places a statutory duty on Tusla to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. It sets the legislative provisions in relation to taking children into care, and the responsibilities of the State in that regard, which aim to improve outcomes for looked after children.
The placement of children in Residential Care is governed by the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres 2018, and underpinned by the Child Care (Placement in Residential Care) Regulation 1995, and the Child Care (Standards in Children’s Residential Centres) 1996. The placement of children in Special Care is governed by the National Standards for Special Care Units 2014, as well as the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Children in Special Care Units) Regulations 2017, Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Children in Special Care Units) (Amendment) Regulations 2018, and the Health Act 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres) (Special Care Units) Regulations 2017.
HIQA carries out announced and unannounced inspections of statutory Children’s Residential Centres and Special Care units. HIQA carry out these inspections against the identified Regulations and Standards. Pursuant to Part VIII of the Child Care Act, 1991, Tusla are currently responsible for inspecting non-statutory centres for children that are operated by private and community organisations.
The foregoing sets out the safeguards are in place with regard to all placements of children in residential and special care. Tusla in discharging its statutory responsibilities under the Child Care Acts must have the best interests of the child as its paramount consideration. It actively monitors every placement of every child in care to ensure its appropriateness to the needs of that child, and any concerns or breaches of standards or regulations are addressed in this context. Tusla's Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service carried out an extensive programme of inspection in 2025.
Officials within the Department are currently developing a National Policy Framework for Alternative Care. As part of this process, the monitoring and inspection processes in respect of private and voluntary providers is being considered. The Framework is due for publication later this year.
Both Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and this Department remain committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of Alternative Care. This is achieved through the application of Regulations and Standards that govern the placement of children and young people.
2839. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the rate of compliance with the National Standards for Children's Residential Centres 2018 and the Child Care (Standards in Children's Residential Centres) Regulations 1996 recorded across privately operated children's residential centres for each of the years 2021 to 2025, expressed as a percentage, in tabular form. [56388/26]
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.
2840. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 935 of 12 May 2026, whether the figure of 243 registered centres refers to privately operated centres only or to the total residential centre estate; the breakdown of that figure between statutory, community and voluntary, and private centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56389/26]
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.
