Written Answers Nos. 616-636
616. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on funding secured for the proposed upgrade of the crane at Kilmackillogue, County Kerry; and the amount of funding allocated and the source of the funding. [68578/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. As such, Kilmackillogue (Kilmacalogue) Pier is under the remit of Kerry County Council. The primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
However, as part of the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has, in previous years, provided funding to assist coastal local authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership. The Department co-funds up to 75% of the eligible project costs (up to a maximum of €187,500 funding per project provided by DAFM) with the local authorities providing the balance.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that under the 2025 Programme Kerry County Council was reimbursed a total of €595,383 upon completion of 6 approved projects. This included funding of €84,801 to install a lifting arm (crane) at Kilmackillogue Pier to facilitate loading and unloading of equipment and catch.
Under the 2026 Programme announced in May this year, Kerry County Council received an offer of €495,750 to undertake 5 approved projects this year. The offer includes an allocation of €38,250 to upgrade the Kilmackillogue Pier lifting arm. I understand from the latest progress report submitted by Kerry County Council that the upgrade works have commenced with completion scheduled for early October 2026.
While this Department is administering this Scheme, each local authority is responsible for governance and delivery of its own projects and so Kerry County Council are best placed to provide further details on individual projects.
617. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the target payment date operated by his Department for each CAP-supported scheme, including BISS, CRISS, Eco-Scheme, ANC, ACRES and TAMS, this year and in each of the last five years; the percentage of applicants paid by the target date in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68618/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below shows the target payment dates across the main CSP schemes and their predecessors from the previous CAP. My Department has agreed a Charter of Rights for farmers with the farming organisations. Achievement on the targets set down within that Charter is managed through a Monitoring Committee which is independently chaired and meets four times per year.
BISS and CRISS
|
Year |
Target Date for commencement of Payments |
Actual date of commencement |
% of participants paid in 1st Payrun |
|
2026 |
16th October 2026 |
TBC |
TBC |
|
2025 |
16th October 2025 |
16th October 2025 |
94% |
|
2024 |
16th October 2024 |
16th October 2024 |
93% |
|
2023 |
24th October 2023 |
24th October 2023 |
90% |
BPS and Greening
|
Year |
Target Date for commencement of Payments |
Actual date of commencement |
% of participants paid in 1st Payrun |
|
2022 |
17th October 2022 |
17th October 2022 |
95% |
|
2021 |
18th October 2021 |
18th October 2021 |
94% |
ANC
|
Year |
Target Date for commencement of Payments |
Actual date of commencement |
% of eligible participants paid in 1st payrun |
|
2026 |
16 September 2026 |
16 September 2026 |
91% |
|
2025 |
17 September 2025 |
17 September 2025 |
92% |
|
2024 |
18 September 2024 |
18 September 2024 |
91% |
|
2023 |
17 October 2023 |
17 October 2023 |
90% |
|
2022 |
20 September 2022 |
20 September 2022 |
91% |
|
2021 |
15 September 2021 |
15 September 2021 |
91% |
Eco Scheme
|
Year |
Target Date for commencement of Payments |
Actual date of commencement |
% of participants paid in 1st payrun |
|
2026 |
16 October 2026 |
TBC |
TBC |
|
2025 |
23 October 2026 |
22 October 2025 |
93% |
|
2024 |
23 October 2026 |
21 October 2024 |
94% |
|
2023 |
31 October 2026 |
31 October 2023 |
89% |
|
2022 |
Eco-Scheme did not exist |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
Eco-Scheme did not exist |
N/A |
N/A |
ACRES
|
Scheme & year |
Target Date for commencement of Payments |
Actual date of commencement |
% of participants paid in 1st payrun |
|
Scheme & year |
Target Date for commencement of Payments |
Actual date of commencement |
% of participants paid in 1st payrun |
|
2026 |
End of November 2026 |
TBC |
TBC |
|
2025 |
End of November 2025 |
6th November 2025 |
65% |
|
2024 |
End of November 2024 |
20th November 2024 |
51% |
|
2023 |
End of November 2023 |
15th December 2023 |
37% |
GLAS
|
2022 |
October 2022 |
11th November 2022 |
75% |
|
2021 |
October 2021 |
6th November 2021 |
73% |
TAMS
|
Year |
Farm Scheme |
Payment Dates/Targets |
|
|
Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme |
Payments approved within two months of a *valid claim and issued within three weeks of claim approval in line with the Farmers’ Charter |
|
2026 |
TAMS 3 |
73% of all claims received |
|
2025 |
TAMS 3 |
64% of all claims received |
|
2024 |
TAMS 3 |
65% of all claims received |
|
2025 |
TAMS II |
71% of all claims received |
|
2024 |
TAMS II |
82% of all claims received |
|
2023 |
TAMS II |
81% of all claims received |
|
2022 |
TAMS II |
78% of all claims received |
*Valid Claims are claims that have passed all Department checks with all queries fully resolved. Figures provided are based on claims received before queries have been resolved. It is important to note that applications that my Department have queried, will have a longer processing period as there will be a hold on these TAMS applications until such time as the query is resolved by the beneficiary and/or his or her FAS Advisor.
It is also important to note that TAMS payments are processed on submissions of receipts, so payments are continuous all year round.
My Department takes the issuing of payments across Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 schemes very seriously as can be seen from delivery of payments on time and to a very high percentage of applicants. In terms of Member States that pay the earliest, pay the most amount of farmers, the greatest percentage amount of money due, Ireland consistently comes out on top. In the context of 2026 payments which already commenced on time with ANC on 16th September 2026, farmers are reminded to respond promptly to any queries that have issued by my Department to them to ensure that payments are not held up.
618. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding his Department's input into the regulatory framework governing the biomethane sector in Ireland; to outline the actions his Department is responsible for within that framework; and to provide an update on its progress. [68685/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile overall national energy policy formation is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), my Department works closely with DCEE on energy related matters from an agricultural perspective, together with a wide range of industry and other stakeholders.
My Department co-published the National Biomethane Strategy with DCEE in May 2024. The Irish Government is committed to supporting delivery of up to 5.7TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030, as set out in the National Climate Action Plan. A first key step to delivering on this ambitious target was the publication of the National Biomethane Strategy.
The Strategy sets out the necessary policy and regulatory measures, for Ireland to develop a sustainable biomethane sector and a roadmap to achieve the Climate Action Plan targets. The Strategy contains 25 key strategic actions and the Biomethane Implementation Group, chaired by DCEE, was set up to oversee the implementation of these actions.
Of the 25 actions, my Department is responsible for 7, ranging from research on feedstock and digestate to funding for infrastructure. The National Biomethane Strategy 2025 Annual Progress Report is available here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/63d67ef8/Irelands_National_Biomethane_Strategy_-_Action_Progress_Report.pdf, which covers all actions in the Strategy and gives significant detail on the actions assigned to my Department. My Department is currently working with DCEE on the 2026 progress report, which is due for publication later this year. A key action in the Strategy for my Department was the delivery of the first Biomethane Capital Grant scheme. This scheme has now concluded with approximately €19 million in funding issued to 7 projects producing an additional 620GWh of biomethane per annum. My Department continues to engage with DCEE in contributing to the development of the second Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme, which DCEE expect to launch later this year.
619. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason unsuccessful applicants under the fuel income support scheme are not currently being notified that their applications were unsuccessful; and if these applicants will be notified at a later date. [68692/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe vast majority of payments under the Fuel Income Support Scheme have now been issued, however there are a small number of cases where processing of applications is ongoing. Typically these are cases where the applicant has been asked for some documentation to show they are carrying out agricultural activity or contracting. At this point, resources are prioritised to ensure payment of eligible applicants and resolving query cases can proceed as quickly as possible.
A batch notification to all unsuccessful applicants will issue as soon as practical after finalisation of query cases. If an applicant has any outstanding documentation/query requests, I would ask that they supply these as soon as possible so that their application can be processed. My Department is ready to assist those with queries on their application through the dedicated email address fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie.
620. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the impact of delays in processing grant applications on project costs arising from inflation, contractor availability and material price increases; whether any such analysis has been carried out in relation to TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68620/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra623. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the longest, shortest and average processing time recorded for approved TAMS applications in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the reasons for significant delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68609/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra624. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average time taken to process and determine applications under TAMS in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of applications in each year that took longer than 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks and 52 weeks respectively to determine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68607/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 620, 623 and 624 together.
The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
To date, over 55,000 approvals have issued to farmers allowing them to proceed with their investments. Payments of over €193 million have issued to TAMS 3 participants since payments commenced in 2024, with payments of circa €1.5 million continuing to issue on a weekly basis.
My Department’s analysis of any pause in the processing of TAMS applications is largely due to the submission of applications which are complete and a delayed response to queries, raised by my Department to the applicant.
The approval process of applications commences following the ranking and selection (RASS) of all eligible applications received in a particular tranche period. The average weekly time period for approval of applications ranges from 5 weeks in 2022 to eleven weeks in 2023 as outlined in the Table 1 below. This is in line with the set targets in the Farmers’ Charter where it is agreed that approvals are issued within 3 months of the ranking and selection of files under each tranche.
The number of applications in which the approval process took longer than 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks and 52 weeks are set out in Table 2 below. The delays in processing for these applications is largely due to the fact that insufficient documentation has been provided by the applicant or their advisor to allow the progression of the application.
The longest, shortest and average processing dates for payment claims submitted following the approval of applications to payment are set out in Table 3 below. Applicants in TAMS 3 have one year from the date of approval to complete their investments and submit a payment claim.
The figures only include applications where a payment claim has been submitted as the farmer may have decided not to proceed with their proposed investment within the required timelines.
These payment claim applications have also been processed in line with the agreed targets of payment approval within two months of receipt of a valid claim, and payment issuing with three weeks of claim approval as set out in the Farmers’ Charter.
It should also be noted that applications that my department have queried will have a longer processing period as there will be a hold on these applications until such time as the query is resolved.
A thorough examination of all investment costs was conducted by my Department last year, resulting in the updating of reference costs. My Department continues to monitor costs on an on-going basis, which will be adjusted as appropriate. I acknowledge that difficulties may arise in securing contractors at certain times so I would urge farmers to submit their application in sufficient time to ensure they can plan their proposed investments accordingly.
Table 1 - Average weeks from RASS to Approval
|
Scheme |
Year |
Average Weeks from RASS to Approval |
|
TAMS II |
2022 |
5 |
|
TAMS 3 |
2023 |
11 |
|
|
2024 |
7 |
|
|
2025 |
10 |
|
|
2026 |
6 |
Table 2 - Breakdown of weeks from RASS to Approval
|
Scheme |
Year |
Weeks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 and under |
13 to 24 |
25 to 36 |
37 to 52 |
Over 52 |
|
TAMS II |
2022 |
7810 |
534 |
57 |
17 |
9 |
|
TAMS 3 |
2023 |
9173 |
3344 |
348 |
100 |
41 |
|
|
2024 |
13849 |
2312 |
359 |
84 |
34 |
|
|
2025 |
15448 |
5105 |
652 |
137 |
11 |
|
|
2026 |
4089 |
220 |
|
|
|
Table 3 - Weeks from Claim submitted to Payment
|
Scheme |
Year of Claim |
Longest |
Shortest |
Average |
|
TAMS II |
2022 |
179 |
1 |
8 |
|
|
2023 |
155 |
1 |
8 |
|
|
2024 |
98 |
1 |
11 |
|
|
2025 |
37 |
2 |
16 |
|
TAMS 3 |
2024 |
111 |
1 |
12 |
|
|
2025 |
75 |
1 |
11 |
|
|
2026 |
34 |
1 |
9 |
621. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants in ACRES who experienced delays in receiving payments in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of participants awaiting payment for more than four weeks, eight weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks beyond the scheduled payment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68613/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, or ACRES, is the flagship environmental scheme provided under the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan, with €1.5 billion in Exchequer and EU funding allocated over the course of the scheme. There are currently just over 53,000 participants in ACRES.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold data on the specific periods for which ACRES payments remain outstanding. It is my ambition to process payment for as many participants as possible as quickly as possible. This ambition is demonstrated by both the advance and balancing payments issuing earlier and to a higher number of participants in each year of the scheme to date. As there are a variety of reasons why a participant may not be included on the initial payment run such as outstanding documentation or issues that my officials must investigate within ACRES systems it is not possible to provide the data requested.
Over 99% of all participants in ACRES are fully paid in respect of their participation in the Scheme in respect of 2023 and 2024, while almost 98% of the participants are now also fully paid up to date in respect of 2025.
These payments will bring the amount paid in respect of ACRES since its commencement in 2023 to €788.2 million. A further sum of almost €9.5 million has been paid to farmers in the ACRES Co-operation approach for the implementation of approved non-productive investments under the Scheme.
While I am pleased with the momentum that has been generated in processing ACRES payments I can assure you that my Department is fully committed to resolving the remaining matters as a priority. ACRES pay runs are taking place regularly across all scheme years and tranches. As is the case with all EU co-funded schemes, ACRES payment claims must pass regulatory controls and validations before payment can issue.
Advance payments in respect of the 2026 scheme year are scheduled to commence in quarter four of 2026, which is in line with previous years.
622. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants under BISS, CRISS and Eco-Scheme who had not received their full scheme payment within four, eight, 12 and 24 weeks of the commencement of payments in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the value of payments outstanding at those dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68611/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department cannot pay applicants who have eligibility queries outstanding and therefore there will always be some small proportion of applicants who do not become eligible for payment on the first day payments commence.
Historical figures for the number of applications who are not yet eligible at 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks are not available.
My Department provides direct phone and in-person supports to farmers and their advisors in such cases to clear payments as quickly as possible.
The following tables show the number of applications for the 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 scheme years for BISS, CRISS and ECO (BPS in the case of 2022) and the number unpaid as of September 2026. It also shows the number of eligible BISS applications in those years and the numbers paid for the four scheme years. 2026 scheme year payments will commence on October 16th 2026.
Scheme payment dates and percentages paid have met or in many cases exceeded the targets set down in the Charter of Rights for Farmers agreed between my Department and the Farming Organisations.
BISS & CRISS Application and Payment Breakdown since 2022 Scheme Year
|
- |
2022 (BPS) |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Total No. of Applications Received (to Date) |
128,862 |
126,479 |
125,105 |
124,260 |
122,847 |
|
Number of Eligible Applications (with Entitlements) |
122,456 |
121,178 |
120,296 |
119,366 |
115,925 |
|
Number of Applications Paid (to Date) |
122,282 |
120,951 |
119,999 |
118,966 |
2026 Scheme Year Payments Commence on the 16th Oct. |
|
Unpaid applicants |
67 |
292 |
331 |
428 |
|
Eco-Scheme
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Total No. of Applications Received (to Date) |
|
121,709 |
120,640 |
120,438 |
119,521 |
|
Number of Eligible Applications (to Date) |
|
120,952 |
119,829 |
119,304 |
117,694 |
|
Number of Applications Paid (to Date) |
No Eco Scheme in 2022 |
120,952 |
119,829 |
119,304 |
2026 Scheme Year Payments Commence on the 16th Oct. |
|
Unpaid applicants |
|
757 |
811 |
1,134 |
|
625. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the top ten countries by volume and value from which Ireland imports Turkish products in 2025 and for the first half of 2026; and the quantity from each country, in tabular form. [68645/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCentral Statistics Office (CSO) trade data identifies the country from which goods are imported into Ireland. It does not identify the country in which those goods were originally produced. Therefore, the requested information is not available from official trade data.
The table below details the value and volume of Irish agri-food imports from Türkiye in 2025, and the first half of 2026, by product category, as reported by the CSO.
|
|
Jan - Dec 2025 |
|
Jan - Jun 2026 |
|
|
|
€000 |
Tonnes |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
Fruit & Vegetables |
13,452 |
4,205 |
5,872 |
1,941 |
|
Fruit & Vegetables Based Products |
8,502 |
3,410 |
4,079 |
1,587 |
|
Forestry & Wood products |
5,288 |
6,513 |
3,292 |
4,438 |
|
Sugar, Sugar Preparation & Honey |
4,873 |
1,889 |
2,109 |
770 |
|
Fish |
3,164 |
340 |
2,322 |
257 |
|
Coffee, Tea, Cocoa & Spices |
2,725 |
198 |
700 |
71 |
|
Cereal & cereal preparation |
1,795 |
313 |
916 |
178 |
|
Crude Animal & Vegetable Material |
670 |
217 |
316 |
114 |
|
Miscellaneous Edible Products & Preparations |
568 |
87 |
621 |
108 |
|
Dairy Produce |
321 |
107 |
225 |
38 |
|
Wool, Flax & Cotton |
288 |
17 |
109 |
6 |
|
Beverages |
238 |
944 |
148 |
428 |
|
Oil, Fats & Oleaginous Fruit |
173 |
43 |
155 |
118 |
|
Poultry |
64 |
6 |
8 |
3 |
|
Animal Feed |
33 |
21 |
105 |
163 |
|
Pigmeat |
6 |
0.5 |
- |
- |
|
Animal Skins & Furs |
4 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
0.0 |
|
Beef |
0.4 |
0.0 |
- |
- |
|
Live Animals |
- |
- |
1.1 |
0.1 |
|
Egg |
- |
- |
0.1 |
0.0 |
|
Grand Total |
42,165 |
18,311 |
20,979 |
10,221 |
It should be noted that CSO trade data may be subject to revision.
Further information on Agri-food sector trade can be found in chapter six of the Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and Marine 2024 - 2025, my Department’s flagship economic publication, which is available at Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2024-2025
(www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/annual-review-and-outlook-for-agriculture-food-and-the-marine-2024/).
626. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the number of horses exported for slaughter to date. [68731/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of horses certified for intra-community movement for slaughter from Ireland from 2024 up to 25 September 2026 is set out in the table below. This data is taken from the TRACES system, the European Commission's online platform for animal and plant health certification. This is a live system and the figures below might be subject to minor change.
|
- |
Horse Exports for Slaughter 2024 to 25 Sept 2026 |
|
|
|
|
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Total |
165 |
821 |
333 |
627. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the number of thoroughbreds rehomed through Treo Eile and the Irish horse welfare trust in 2026. [68732/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
628. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the breakdown of facilities, that is, toilets, eating areas with benches, caravan parking, showers and so on, in each of the Coillte managed forests. [68941/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte was established as a commercial state company with private limited status under the Forestry Act, 1988, to become custodian and manager of the national forest estate. The company's day-to-day operations, such as the facilities provided in their recreational forests, are entirely a matter for the company.
I have accordingly asked Coillte to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter raised.
629. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to give a detailed report in relation to the action being taken to tackle the ever increasing number of accidents involving deer on public roads; if he will expedite the introduction of preventive measures before a fatality occurs or a member of the public is seriously injured; to provide a detailed progress report on the implementation of the Deer Management Strategy Report; and will he make a statement on the matter. [68900/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage established the Irish Deer Management Strategy group to develop a strategy for the sustainable management of deer in Ireland. The Group comprised representatives from my Department, National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte. A report was published into “Developing a Sustainable Deer Management Strategy for Ireland” in December 2023.
The report listed 16 Actions, 8 of which are recommended in the short term and 8 of which are recommended in the medium term. These recommended actions address a wide range of issues from hunter training and forest design to land use management and the venison market. The report concluded that a formal structure was required to manage deer in Ireland, which involved the appointment of a Programme Manager to implement the recommendations of the report and the establishment of local deer management units in known hotspot areas.
My Department is committed to progressing the implementation of the actions identified by the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group (IDMSG) in this report. The Programme Manager works closely with the IDMSG, my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in prioritising and implementation of the short term recommendations identified in the report.
The locations of the deer management units (DMUs) have been finalised and these units are now established. The locations of the DMUs is in response to what might be referred to as deer hotspots. These DMUs aim to give the best geographic coverage in order to reduce the density of deer in these areas.
The Programme Manager, through the local deer management units, liaises with licensed hunters and landowners in relation to the management of deer populations within the deer management units. Deer continue to be culled by appropriate licensed hunters within the hunting season and with the use of Section 42 licenses issued by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) outside the hunting season.
Any queries in relation to safety on public roads should be directed to the Department of Transport who has responsibility for the Road Safety Authority.
630. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality what supports are currently available through the HSE for families of children who are at significant risk of wandering or absconding, including access to suitable locating technology; whether the Government would consider developing a national framework to support access to such technology for appropriately identified vulnerable children; whether the Minister would be willing to meet with representatives of autistic families to hear directly about these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68043/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
631. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current status of the Programme for Government commitment to bring home-based childcare within a regulated and grant-accessible framework. [68073/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll 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. 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.
As of end-August 2026, 202 childminders were registered with Tusla, and 878 childminders have completed the Pre-Registration Training.
The National Action Plan for Childminding distinguishes childminding which involves care in the childminder’s home from care that takes place in the child’s home, which may be carried out by a nanny, au pair or babysitter. This distinction is also reflected in the legal definition of a childminder set out in the primary legislation. The employment relationship and the legal and regulatory context are different between childminders who work in the childminder’s home and someone who works in the child’s home (e.g. nannies and au pairs). A childminder working from the childminder’s own home is self-employed, whereas someone caring for a child in the child’s own home is regarded as an employee of the child’s parents. In addition, because they work in the parents’/child’s home rather than their own home, au pairs and nannies cannot be held responsible for the safety or suitability of that home for the purpose of early learning or childcare. Furthermore, the employment of someone in the child’s home may involve a combination of caring with other roles, e.g. cleaning or other domestic duties. This would require a different regulatory and funding approach, which has not yet been scoped.
While 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 have 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 will now also examine 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. For further information see www.letstalkchildminding.ie
The review, which is being managed by external research company, commenced on the 19 June with an open call for submissions. 48 submissions have been received, from 39 childminders and 9 support organisations.
A public consultation survey ran from 30 July to 14 September. The survey received 429 responses: 158 from childminders, 256 from parents, and 15 from other stakeholders. A series of in-person and online focus groups are also nearing completion, with stakeholder interviews and case studies ongoing.
A communications campaign, “let’s talk childminding”, to inform childminders and parents about the changes, the supports available, and what to expect, also commenced, increasing in pace and visibility as we move through the stages of the review and as the transition period advances.
Information and support is available for childminders 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. I would 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.
632. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 56219/26, with regards to staffing in North Tipperary CDNT and the recent unsuccessful basic grade social worker post campaign, if an interest was expressed in the post; and when a new campaign will be launched. [68135/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
633. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to PQ56219/26, with regards to staffing in North Tipperary CDNT and the unsuccessful campaigns for 2 Senior Psychologist posts and 1 Basic Grade Psychologist posts, which have all been vacant over 12 months; if any interest was received for any of these posts during their respective campaigns; if any panels were established; if any of these posts were offered; if any were accepted; if the HSE has any insight as to why repeated campaigns have been unsuccessful and if any alterations were made to said posts to address same. [68138/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra634. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to PQ56219/26 and staffing in North Tipperary CDNT, for an update on the repurposement of a currently vacant psychologist post into an early interventionist post. [68147/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra636. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 56219/26 regarding staffing in North Tipperary CDNT and the unsuccessful campaigns for the Senior Social Worker 0.8 WTE post, when will a new campaign will be launched. [68143/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 633, 634 and 636 together.
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.
635. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality clarify the amount of funding that has not been paid to early years educators as a result of the delay in implementing the Employment Regulation Order; what will happen to these unspent funds; whether they will return to the Exchequer or remain within the Department’s budget; and whether the Minister will commit to using any such funding to support early years educators and address the financial pressures facing the sector. [68144/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPay is one of a number of challenges impacting the early learning and care and school-age childcare workforce. The level of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners does not reflect the value of their work for children, families, society and the economy.
Although the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot directly set wages or conditions for any staff in the sector.
The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders, and is independent in its functions.
Pay and conditions are improving. Through the work of the JLC and successive ERO’s, minimum pay rates have now risen three times in four years, delivering an average 15% increase in minimum rates of pay. This marks significant progress in professionalising the workforce. The latest ERO came into effect in October 2025 which saw an increase in minimum pay rates of, on average, 10% and is estimated to have increased pay for over 67% of staff in the sector.
Outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. For programme year 2026/2027, which commenced on September 1st, Core Funding has increased by 23% to €480 million. Included in this is €45 million that has been ringfenced from September to support services in meeting the potential costs of increasing rates of pay, contingent upon new ERO’s being enacted following successful negotiations by the independent JLC.
The JLC has recently put forward new proposals for an increase to minimum rates of on average over 6% for Early Years Educators and School-Age Childcare Practitioners. It is estimated that 65% of the early learning and childcare workforce will benefit from this increase which represents a significant step toward ensuring fair pay for educators and practitioners working in the sector.
I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Independent Joint Labour Committee in these negotiations . If these proposals are implemented through updated Employment Regulation Orders, they will bring much-needed improvements in pay for these dedicated professionals, enhancing the quality of care and education provided to children across Ireland.
I am hopeful that these proposals will soon come into effect, marking a positive change for our dedicated and skilled staff in the early learning and childcare sector and the services that employ them.
It is estimated that a potential €865,000 each week would be available to issue to the sector to support with possible increases in cost where increased minimum rates in place through a new Employment Regulation Order. Currently there is no new Employment Regulation Orders in places and therefore no ringfenced funding can be released.
Under the annual Supply and Appropriation process, as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, Departments may only incur expenditure for the purposes and amounts approved by Dáil Éireann. Any unspent current expenditure forms a surplus on the Vote and is liable for surrender to the Exchequer.
