Claire Kerrane
Ceist:95. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will ensure Budget 2027 invests in not-for-profit residential care for children in the care of the State. [65904/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild and Family Agency
Ceisteanna (95)
Freagraí scríofa
The preferred setting for children coming into the care of the State is foster care. This is where almost nine in every ten children in care are placed, however Tusla operates in a very challenging and demand led environment providing vital services to children, young people and families who often present with very complex needs.
Tusla has acknowledged the need to increase its provision of residential placements, including those provided by community and voluntary organisations. Staff in community and voluntary organisations do incredible work to provide safe, supportive placements for children in care. I was delighted to meet with representatives of the community and voluntary sector earlier this year to discuss matters affecting them and the children for whom they provide such excellent care.
It is important to note that the State has invested significantly in the community and voluntary care provision, with the sector being allocated an increase in funding of €5.2m in 2023, to ensure its ongoing sustainability. I also welcomed the fact that community and voluntary workers agreed to a pay increase of 9.25% last year, ensuring that voluntary workers are better paid for their valuable work.
I am conscious that Tusla is independent in its functions and it is a matter for the Agency to manage and allocate resources, including voluntary residential provision, to address areas of greatest need while managing within its allocated budget. In 2025, Tusla reported that it provided funding for community and voluntary residential provision of just under €30m.
The Department continues to support Tusla in the provision of the funding and resources needed to carry out its functions. It is committed to ensuring the continuity of Tusla's work in supporting vulnerable children and families, as evidenced by the year-on-year increases in funding provided to Tusla.
In Budget 2026, an overall increase of €177m was secured for Tusla, which amounted to a 14% increase in Tusla’s budget over its 2025 allocation. This brought Tusla’s total funding to over €1.4 billion for 2026. This investment will help increase the overall availability of residential placements for children in need to over 800.
The Deputy will appreciate that as the 2027 Budget process is ongoing, I cannot at this stage comment in respect of future funding.
However, work is underway on Ireland's first National Policy Framework for Alternative Care. The Framework will aim to articulate a Whole of Government vision for the future of alternative care in Ireland, delivering on a Programme for Government commitment in this area.
I can advise that officials have had constructive engagement with the community and voluntary sector throughout the consultation process. The Framework will provide the basis for future investment in the care system and I want to acknowledge all of the contributions that have been made to support this process in recent months. I expect that the Framework will be ready for delivery in the coming months.
96. Reply not received from Department.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (97)
Grace Boland
Ceist:97. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider introducing multi annual funding arrangements for capital projects undertaken by disability service providers and disability organisations, in order to provide greater funding certainty and enable more effective planning and delivery of essential disability infrastructure. [65122/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
2026 is the first of a five-year capital investment plan out to 2030, supported by €278 million in funding which I secured through the National Development Plan. The HSE are currently working on drafting a disability specific multi-annual capital plan which will strategically plan for the current and future disability capital needs across the 4 pillars: Specialist Residential Care, Residential Respite, Day Services and Assessment and Multi-disciplinary Teams, as well as Infrastructure Risks and Climate Action out to 2030.
Earlier this year, I announced €43 million in capital investment for much needed disability services in 2026, the first year of the National Development Plan. This represents a substantial increase in investment when compared with capital expenditure of previous years; €27 million in 2025, €23 million in 2024, €15 million in 2023 and €5.2 million in 2022.
The growth over the last number of years, and the capital secured under the National Development Plan demonstrates the Government’s firm commitment to support and expand disability services.
The Department’s Sectoral Capital Plan, published on 27 November 2025, also sets out at a high level the infrastructure development plans for the Specialist Disability Sector across the areas of residential, respite, day services and supports for multi-disciplinary teams.
It is important to note that while the strategy, policy direction and overall allocation for the disability sector is set at Ministerial level, funding allocations and management of individual capital projects is a matter for the HSE, as the funding and governance authority, on behalf of the State.
Service providers and disability organisations should reach out to their local HSE office for next steps on submitting proposals for capital projects and how to access necessary funding.
98. Reply not received from Department.
99. Reply not received from Department.
100. Reply not received from Department.
Detention Centres
Ceisteanna (101)
Mark Ward
Ceist:101. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a resolution has been agreed with her Department and a union (details supplied) on the ongoing industrial action in Oberstown Children Detention Centre; to comment on the number of work related injuries sustained by staff since 2020; and the steps she is taking to improve safe working conditions in the centre for both staff and the young people detained there. [65888/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following extensive engagement between Fórsa representatives, Oberstown senior management and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) officials, agreement was reached to suspend industrial action, including an immediate cessation of the work-to-rule, in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on 27 August 2026. This agreement was put to a ballot of Fórsa members at Oberstown and, on recommendation by Fórsa officials, was accepted by members on 29 August.
The agreement reached follows significant and positive engagement to address challenges raised by union representatives, against a backdrop of broader national challenges regarding supply of suitably qualified staff and public sector pay talks.
In line with the agreement reached and the Campus’s overarching legislation, Oberstown officials are preparing to submit a business case for consideration to DCDE and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation (DPER).
Officials of DCDE will in-turn critically assess the business cases and engage constructively with the team in DPER, in respect of appropriate approvals.
The Department has provided €2.176 million in additional funding in Budget 2026 for Oberstown to increase staffing levels, including funding for 11 additional whole-time equivalent staff posts. This includes additional Day Supervising Officers (support staff) and Assistant Unit Managers.
In the first six months of 2026, Oberstown has been successful in recruiting the majority of those extra staff, despite tight labour market conditions. This brings Oberstown's total funding for 2026 to €31.607 million in current funding, in addition to €7 million capital funding.
The Department works in close collaboration with Oberstown to ensure staffing levels meet operational needs, to strengthen workforce planning, and to provide appropriate support to staff in what is a particularly demanding environment.
In March 2026, capacity arrangements in Oberstown were changed from 40 boys and six girls (46 spaces) to 42 boys and four girls (46 spaces) given the higher demand for spaces for boys in Oberstown.
The safety, wellbeing and support of both staff and the young people in Oberstown's care remain the highest priority. During the recent industrial action, which included work-to-rule action, work stoppages and a 12-hour strike on 26 August 2026, Oberstown activated its Business Continuity Plan to ensure essential services and campus safety were maintained. While no critical service failures occurred, operational restrictions were required on strike days, resulting in restricted regimes for young people, including reduced access to normal activities and extended periods in residential units.
In relation to work-related injuries, any incident involving a member of staff or a young person is taken extremely seriously and is subject to review. Oberstown's incident reporting data for 2026 shows a decrease in serious incidents or injuries and records reductions across a number of key measures when compared with the same period in 2025. Year-to-date data shows an overall reduction in recorded incidents, a reduction in staff-related incidents and a reduction in incidents involving direct physical assault on staff.
|
Year |
Number of Incidents of Assault – children against staff |
Number of Incidents of Injuries sustained during Physical Intervention |
|
2020 |
7 |
27 |
|
2021 |
15 |
32 |
|
2022 |
4 |
12 |
|
2023 |
10 |
47 |
|
2024 |
5 |
25 |
|
2025 |
26 |
31 |
|
2026 |
2 |
3 |
Oberstown continues to take a wide range of measures to ensure safe working conditions for staff and safe care for young people. These measures include ongoing investment in staffing, training, health and safety systems, incident management processes, staff wellbeing supports and business continuity planning. In April 2026, Oberstown issued a clear operational position setting out how staffing arrangements would support a planned increase in capacity for boys. This position was informed by a robust suite of health and safety measures designed to protect staff wellbeing, maintain campus stability and ensure the safe operation of the Oberstown campus.
Oberstown will continue to work closely with staff representatives, trade unions, the WRC, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and other stakeholders to support a safe working environment for staff and the delivery of safe, stable and appropriate care for the young people detained on campus.
102. Reply not received from Department.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (103)
Albert Dolan
Ceist:103. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the assessment undertaken of childcare capacity in Galway East; the measures being taken to create additional childcare places in rapidly growing communities; and if consideration is being given to targeted supports for childcare providers operating in rural towns and villages. [64934/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving 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 for the 2024/25 programme year estimated that there were 247,011 children enrolled in early learning and care and school age childcare, a 25% increase from 197,186 estimated enrolments in the 2021/22 programme year.
In County Galway, estimated enrolments increased by 28%, from 13,047 in the 2021/22 programme year to 16,716 estimated enrolments in the 2024/25 programme year.
This data also indicated that 41% of services nationally and 45% of services in County Galway had at least one vacant place in the 2024/25 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 fifth 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.
This Department is supporting the expansion of early learning and childcare capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks capital funding schemes have been in operation since 2024.
Up to €10m has been set aside for the Building Blocks Extension Scheme Phase 2, which will operate in 2027. Applications under Phase 2 are currently being appraised by the Department with input from the Office of Public Works. Services will be notified of the outcome of this appraisal process shortly.
The purpose of the Building Blocks Extension Scheme Phase 2 is to deliver additional capacity in the sector by supporting existing early learning and childcare services to undertake physical extensions to existing premises. The scheme was open to Core Funding Partner Services, both community and private. The aim is to tackle the estimated undersupply of full-time places, particularly within the 1-3-year-old (pre-ECCE) age-cohort. Places for children in other age brackets were also eligible for funding, once the service can create at least the minimum number of places in the priority age-cohort.
Separately, earlier this year, I announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare up to 2030.
Earlier this year, I announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare up to 2030. This is a ground-breaking initiative for Government beginning this year. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the buildings, depending on requirements.
The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 with funding ramping up in the coming years.
There will be a particular focus in the new State-led facilities on providing places for 1–3-year-old children, with capacity for these children to continue in the service until they start school, because this is where the need is greatest. The aim of delivering additional supply of this type in suitable locations will include both rural areas and urban areas which are not well served at the moment.
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 Galway Childcare Committee may be found at https://www.galwaychildcare.com/
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (104)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:104. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on her consultation with childminders. [65901/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As you will be aware the National Action Plan for Childminding committed to a review of the initial implementation of the regulations before 2028. Acting on feedback received from childminders and childminding representative organisations, I brought the review forward, to ensure there is sufficient time to implement any changes arising from the review, before the end of the transition period.
The scope of the review is broader than initially outlined in the National Action Plan for Childminding and now also examines the effectiveness of supports made available to assist with the registration of childminders, as well as examining the barriers to registration and regulatory compliance, including financial and information barriers.
The review, which is being managed by an external company, launched in June with an open call for submissions.
A comprehensive communications campaign has underpinned the review process, with a dedicated website, videos, FAQs, and social media advertisements developed to support childminder and stakeholder engagement and awareness.
48 written submissions have been received, 39 from childminder themselves. A consultation survey went live on 30 July, providing an opportunity for respondents to share their experiences and views on the childminding regulations, including any changes they would like to see considered as part of the review. As of the 14 September there have been 422 responses. Feedback received through the survey will contribute to the evidence base informing the review and future policy development. In-person and online focus groups, stakeholder interviews and case studies are also ongoing.
For further information see www.letstalkchildminding.ie.
105. Reply not received from Department.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (106)
John Clendennen
Ceist:106. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current status of the implementation of the new Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol; and the number of the proposed in-reach teams that have been established to date. [65879/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
107. Reply not received from Department.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (108)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:108. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to increase the availability of afterschool childcare spaces. [65745/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving 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.
This is particularly the case with school age childcare services. Estimated enrolments in school-age childcare, based on Sector Profile data, have grown by 77% over the last three years.
There is evidence that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, and this is particularly so 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 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.
Earlier this year, 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 potential for development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme will be considered as part of the wider capital plans to develop State-led services.
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.
Procedures on the use of school property and school sports facilities outside of school hours are published by the Department of Education and Youth and provide support and encouragement to schools to make available buildings for community use including for early learning and childcare.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance.
109. Reply not received from Department.
110. Reply not received from Department.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (111)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:111. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the urgent additional measures are being taken to bring down the number on waiting lists for assessment of needs in County Mayo. [65971/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department and the HSE are working intensively to address delays in the provision of Assessments of Need to children and their families.
There has been significant increase in demand for Assessment of Need in recent years. Applications for Assessment of Need have risen from 4,700 in 2020 to over 13,000 in 2025, reflecting both the increase in population and the number of families exploring all options to access services for their child.
However, there has been progress over the past two years with a noticeable increase in the number of completed applications. Over 5,900 AON reports were completed in 2025 – a 43% increase compared to 2024. 3,043 assessment reports have been completed in the first six months of 2026. This improvement must continue.
Significant legislative and operational work is underway to improve the AON process and reduce waiting times. This includes continuation of the Targeted Waitlist Initiative, improved training and guidelines for Assessment Officers and targeted amendment of the Disability (Amendment) Bill to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Assessment of Need process.
Of course, improving access to services and supports in the wider disability sector remains a priority. Supports can and do continue through Primary Care, Children’s Disability Services Teams, and CAMHs. Children do not need an Assessment of Need to access any of these services, nor does having an AON speed up access to supports. Families can access and apply for services directly through the HSE.
The HSE is implementing actions to address the wider issue of access to services and supports for children with disabilities including:
• The Single Point of Access referral model is being introduced by the HSE and should make it easier for families to be referred to the right service as early as possible.
• The Autism Assessment and Intervention Protocol is being implemented by the HSE and will be the preferred assessment route for autism assessment.
• The creation of eleven new HSE In-reach teams to support assessment processes, including AON, providing clinical guidance and administrative supports.
These improvements should result in a noticeable reduction in waiting times for children and their families across the country, so that they can access the supports they need as early as possible.