resource centres in Portlaoise and Mountmellick are doing excellent work that is making a real difference in local communities with services such as childcare, counselling, health and well-being programmes, adult learning, social inclusion and much more. They are right where it matters
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In debates
with energy and cost of living and some of them are not related to energy, such as things like income tax proposals and childcare costs. People do not look at what they have at the end of the week or month based on which Department did what. They
pressures they face today. However, as the Tánaiste knows, many working families are feeling under pressure due to the rising cost of groceries, childcare and energy. He might give me some comfort that the budget will see measures that will support and help working families to not just
course of the past year to invest public money for the first time in capital projects in terms of the development of childcare facilities as well. This is a key issue. We also have to recognise that it is up to a parent as well
means for their families. If we can reduce the income tax burden and look at the challenges and costs that families face around childcare and the like, that too can help.
In 12 days' time, the budget will be delivered. Energy will be a big part
work hard in this county can get ahead and not just get by. We are going to make progress in areas like childcare and there will be a significant package of supports for energy in the budget in 12 days' time.
I know we have this debate regularly
they are going to be helped to get through the winter, if they will have more of their take-home pay, if their childcare bill is going to come down and if somebody is going to do something in this global chaos of energy to try to suppress
commute huge distances in extreme traffic every day. His wife is considering staying at home to save the costs on the cars and childcare. They have had no holidays in the past two years. They have good salaries but they are paying everything out. Hardworking people in this
heating, to face another winter. It means recognising that many households are already struggling with bills such as mortgages, rent and childcare and cannot face any more. Some 500,000 people are in arrears on their energy bills. We need real action, not more words. The Government
budget day. It is why we will respond to affordability challenges that young couples with children face when it comes to progress on childcare, for example. We want to ensure that the sentiment of young people is responded to in this budget with, again, improved housing supply
enable it to get those properties. Ultimately, many of our towns have growing communities, growing populations and growing needs. We need more childcare facilities and new family resource centres. If our towns and villages are going to be emptier, we need to put in place facilities in these
reward work, support workers across the economy and give people a break. It will drive affordability across different areas of service provision, including childcare and the cost of disability, and using the social protection package to help those most in need and most pressurised by the increased cost
money for all these price increases? They are already trying to cobble together the cash to meet rising rents, mortgage payments, groceries and childcare costs. If they are relying on home heating oil, they will have seen the cost to fill soar by €700.
The pressure on individuals
context in advance of budget 2027.
We are also looking at how we can drive affordability in the provision of different services, including childcare, the cost of disability and other mechanisms through our social protection system to help those most in need. It is unfair to say that
spit-balling the idea of special investment accounts for those who already have money in the bank but, meanwhile, families cannot afford childcare costs or to put food on the table. Almost 70% of young people are looking beyond our shores for a better life, as the youth
able to do, that we need a more sustainable, long-term way of addressing spiralling energy bills and spiralling housing and childcare and grocery costs too. That is where our costed alternative budget that we will be launching next week will be putting forward constructive measures that
week to week. Families are cutting back on groceries to save for the delivery of oil. People are already struggling with rents, mortgages, childcare and rising energy bills, but look around for help from the Government, which has a record surplus, and there is nothing.
The cost
hard work in their own pay packets. Our priority is to reward work and to reduce everyday costs facing families, including energy and childcare costs. We are also very much focused on supporting older people, carers and people with disabilities, recognising their contribution and the security they deserve
easy alternative to using a car. They have to drive to work and they have to bring their children to school or childcare. They have to travel to access healthcare, shops and essential services, yet they are being asked to absorb additional costs that many simply cannot afford
that. All those workers and middle-income people who do not get fuel allowance are caught with increased rents, mortgages, college fees, insurance, childcare, grocery, and public transport costs, at the very time when we are trying to reduce carbon emissions and to get people onto public transport
Minister already listed an income tax package to reward workers and a Government response on the cost of disability and the cost of childcare. He also said that the wider issue of taxation on fuel and energy was under review, and that the Government was giving specific consideration
making impossible choices – basically a choice between heating or eating. They must decide between topping up the oil tank, paying for school costs, childcare expenses and weekly grocery bills. Older people living alone, working families on modest incomes and those depending on social welfare are all exposed
family. I ask the Minister for an update on the eight locations that will be chosen for the first time for State-led childcare facilities
whole House sends our best wishes.
On the Deputy's question, substantial progress has been made in the State-led early learning and childcare capital programme, which was launched at the end of January. The full business cases are being developed for a number of projects in preparation
this initiative, it being the first time that the State is actually stepping in this area with the State-led early learning and childcare initiative. I intend to make the announcement in the coming weeks. I am conscious of the case the Deputy makes about her own area
In parliamentary questions
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average weekly cost per private residential childcare placement for each of the past five years; and the range between the lowest and highest weekly placement costs in each year. [29301/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department or Tusla has identified any upward trend in the cost of private residential childcare placements; and if so, the factors identified as driving such increases. [29302/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of private providers currently delivering residential childcare placements funded by the State; and the proportion of all placements delivered by private providers versus public provision. [29303/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any analysis has been conducted on market concentration within private residential childcare provision; and if so, whether any risks relating to provider dependency or limited competition have been identified. [29304/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the State has a strategic plan to reduce reliance on private residential childcare placements through expansion of public provision; and the timeline for such measures. [29305/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the procurement model used by Tusla in securing private residential childcare placements, including whether competitive tendering processes are applied. [29306/26
Barry Ward
Written
with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality on this proposal to reflect the serious impact that processing delays are having on the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29106/26
Barry Ward
Written
Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any engagement she is having with the childcare sector regarding delays in processing Garda vetting applications for new hires and the knock on impact this is having for families who cannot access these services
John Clendennen
Written
John Clendennen asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the implementation of the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme announced in January 2026, and specifically its implementation as it applies to rural areas and particularly Offaly; and if she will make
John Paul O'Shea
Written
Children, Disability and Equality the actual full year cost incurred in 2025 from increasing the universal hourly subsidy available under the national childcare scheme from €1.40 to €2.14; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27918/26
John Paul O'Shea
Written
Children, Disability and Equality based on current numbers, the estimated full year cost of increasing the universal hourly subsidy available under the national childcare scheme by €1 to €3.14 per hour for a maximum of 45 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27920/26
John Paul O'Shea
Written
Children, Disability and Equality based on current numbers, the estimated full year cost of increasing the universal hourly subsidy available under the National Childcare Scheme by €2 to €4.14 per hour for a maximum of 45 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27921/26
John Paul O'Shea
Written
asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of expressions of interest her Department has received in respect of State led childcare facilities; the locations that have expressed an interest, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27922/26
Robert O'Donoghue
Written
number of services registered to each registered provider; the type of service provided (that is, sessional, part time, full time, school age childcare); and type of service (private or community), in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28314/26
Denise Mitchell
Written
Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when she intends to provide all county childcare committees with the Shaping the Future - Early Years Action Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27432/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Equality whether any independent or externally commissioned value-for-money review has been conducted on the use of private providers for residential childcare placements funded by Tusla since 2020; if so, to provide the dates, authors, scope and key findings of each review; and if she will make
Ken O'Flynn
Written
asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the outcome measures used at Departmental level to assess the effectiveness of privately delivered residential childcare placements funded by Tusla; whether such outcome measures are formally linked to funding allocations or contract renewals; and if she will make a statement
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department requires Tusla to assess the underlying cost structures, including profit margins, of private providers of residential childcare placements as part of value-for-money considerations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27507/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
audit, or examination by the Comptroller and Auditor General has been carried out on the cost-effectiveness or value-for-money of private childcare placements funded by Tusla since 2020; if so, to provide details and findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27508/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of private providers contracted to deliver residential childcare placements funded by Tusla; the proportion of total placements accounted for by the five largest providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the policy basis on which pricing for private residential childcare placements is set by Tusla, including whether pricing is benchmarked against international comparators or independently validated cost models; and if she will make a statement
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total additional Exchequer funding approved to support increases in rates paid to private providers of residential childcare and foster care placements in each of the years 2023 to 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27511/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has considered publishing summary value-for-money assessments or aggregated cost data relating to private childcare placements funded by Tusla, in the interest of transparency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27512/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether there is a defined national policy framework governing the reliance on private providers for residential childcare placements, including any targets, limits, or strategic objectives in relation to public versus private provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter
Sorca Clarke
Written
Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of childcare facilities operating in a HSE owned facility who are now facing eviction due to the HSE decision to sell this property; if she has engaged with the provider; if she has considered selling
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