cost of living is having a huge impact on workers and families. Every week, people are struggling to pay their bills, food, heating, childcare, fuel - the list goes on. In a recent budget, families were looking to the Government for a helping hand, but they got absolutely nothing
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In debates
need not put on the record of the House how important childminders are to the childcare sector in this country. It has been the subject of many conversations we have had here. The Minister is right to say there are concerns among childminders right across the country
That is a positive thing in terms of registration.
Again, there are specific people available through the city and county childcare committees, childminding development officers, who are available on the ground to offer support.
A communication strategy is being developed. I am absolutely engaged with the Minister
future of their childminding service, and the impact that childminders leaving the sector would have given the already severe lack of childcare capacity; if she will meet with an organisation (details supplied) which represents childminders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61735/25
earlier - it just so happens that these two questions are coming one after another - childminding development officers employed by the city and county childcare committees are on the ground to support anyone who is having any difficulties or challenges. I ask them to engage directly
then the review will be almost a waste of time. At a time when we are short about 40,000 or 50,000 childcare places in this State, we have childminders who have given 17, 18 and 19 years of service. They are signing up for regulations, including
years for a new build. Schools cannot build and develop what they need to and we are talking about extensions. We need childcare places tomorrow. Extensions to schools, if there is permission from schools in the first instance, involve planning permission and building work. How long will
This will strengthen the child protection legal framework and the powers available to Tusla. I also intend to bring forward amendments via the childcare Bill 2025 to place the national review panel on a statutory footing. This will further enhance the work of the national review panel
work as well, but that we would speak of months rather than anything else.
I will provide briefings and so forth on the childcare amendment Bill. It is an ideal opportunity now for us now to tighten up where we need to from a legislative point of view
question relates to the promised reduction of childcare costs to €200 per child per month, which we all campaigned for and we much anticipate. Will the Minister give us an update on the progress towards achieving that goal
cannot mandate them to get involved, what incentives are being put in place? What specifically is the Government doing to target those childcare providers who are saying they cannot do this, that they cannot operate within this framework and that they are out? What are we doing
with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with respect to changing or improving planning rules to ensure delivery of childcare facilities in housing developments; the progress she can report on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61618/25
must be to address the housing crisis. If we get these guidelines improved, they can contribute to the delivery of thousands of new childcare spaces. The developers are not going to do this themselves and to be honest, the Department of housing is not going
like Fingal are going to be included and will meet the criteria, and set out a timeline for when we can see more childcare places actually delivered on the ground
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has addressed the IT issue whereby historical fee data was unavailable on the national childcare scheme website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61745/25
Minister if she or the Department have addressed the IT issue whereby historical fee data was unavailable on the national childcare system website
October, just a short while ago. If parents need any additional information or assistance, I suggest that they contact the city and county childcare committees, which are available to assist them with fees data or indeed with any query, question or complexity they might face. If they feel
Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to address the shortage of early childcare places, particularly for children between the age of 0 to two years which is preventing many parents, especially women, from returning to work; and if she will make a statement
pockets across the country where the demand is far in excess of the places that are available. In County Louth we have 114 childcare services but only 31 of those offer places for children under the age of two. That equates to less than 30%. While maternity leave
said that the hand that rocked the cradle had rocked the system. If we do not address this issue and find childcare places for the young babies and toddlers of this generation of young women, the only thing they will be doing in the future is rocking
manifesto. It says that this will happen each and every year. You are the fella who promised to parents that you would cap childcare fees within 100 days of going into government, but you broke that promise. You are the guy who promised students that you would reduce
also seeks to make amendments to the Child Care Act and the Family Courts Act in regard to Tusla. It seeks to extend childcare by Tusla when there is an upcoming court case and I have concerns about this, which have already been relayed. A ten-year
other parts of the country but for some reason Kildare needs to put up with it time and time again.
On childcare infrastructure, it is impossible for young parents to find a crèche. There is no primary care centre in Maynooth or in Leixlip even though both towns
this State are under savage pressure. They are being hit from every direction: soaring rents, sky-high energy bills, rip-off groceries, childcare that costs more than a mortgage, and insurance premiums that are through the roof. Yesterday’s Future Forty report from the Department of Finance clearly
free VAT cut, costing €681 million per year, and not to invest in tackling the housing crisis or the crisis in healthcare and childcare. Yesterday’s report should increase the Government’s ambition, not temper its expectations. Will the Government now correct its course and deliver a truly
In parliamentary questions
Cathy Bennett
Written
Bennett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if consideration will be given to opening applications for core funding early, as some childcare providers who have not increased their fees for a number of years are struggling to remain open; and if she will make a statement
Barry Heneghan
Written
Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions her Department is taking in response to reports from early-years childcare operators that rising costs are placing unsustainable pressure on services, resulting in over 150 creches withdrawing from the Government scheme (details supplied
Barry Heneghan
Written
Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department will take to address the warnings from childcare operators that parents' bills could rise to €1,400 per month due to support funding not keeping pace with costs, leading to fears of closures
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if Tusla has completed any value-for-money assessments on the use of private subcontractors for childcare placements, and if she will publish the assessments. [64896/25
Michael Murphy
Written
Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the contingency measures which are in place to support families who lose childcare places as a result of providers withdrawing from core funding or ceasing operations; the extent to which her Department is tracking the emerging capacity
Michael Murphy
Written
Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has met with representative bodies for private childcare providers in recent months to discuss concerns regarding staffing costs, administrative burden, and funding adequacy under the core funding scheme; the outcomes of those engagements
Michael Murphy
Written
Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her Department's long-term vision for childcare sector reform, including the way in which she plans to balance affordability for parents with sustainability for providers; if further structural changes to the funding model are under consideration
Donna McGettigan
Written
Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the efforts her Department is making to address the fact that childcare is a barrier for women taking up apprenticeships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64042/25
Mark Wall
Written
Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria for selecting locations for the forthcoming public childcare pilot scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64130/25
Ryan O'Meara
Written
builds; if the funding will allow for the purchase and renovation of an existing property for conversion into a preschool and-or childcare facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64168/25
Robert Troy
Written
Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the assessment process for fee increase requests on behalf of childcare facilities participating in core funding will be announced; her views on whether it may have been premature to put in place a wage increase
Erin McGreehan
Written
Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently availing of the national childcare scheme in County Louth; if she will provide a breakdown by full-time, part-time and sessional hours; and if she will make a statement
Erin McGreehan
Written
Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early learning and childcare providers in County Louth that are in receipt of Core Funding; the proportion of total providers this represents in the county; and if she will make a statement
Erin McGreehan
Written
Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of additional childcare places created in County Louth since the introduction of Core Funding in year one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62864/25
Erin McGreehan
Written
Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early learning and childcare providers in County Louth that have applied for, or are currently receiving, Sustainability Funding; the primary reasons cited for such applications; and if she will make a statement
Erin McGreehan
Written
Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the Forward Planning and Delivery Unit has identified specific capacity gaps in childcare provision in County Louth; to detail the areas of greatest pressure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62868/25
Erin McGreehan
Written
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if County Louth will be included in the initial phase of State-led or State-owned childcare facility development; if the county has been prioritised given its population growth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62869/25
Erin McGreehan
Written
Disability and Equality the number of services in County Louth shortlisted under the building blocks extension grant scheme; the estimated number of new childcare places expected to be delivered locally under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62870/25
Liam Quaide
Written
Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers registered with Tusla; and where this involves multi-site owners, the number of services in that group. [63140/25
Liam Quaide
Written
Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are full day care only and are registered with Tusla; and of these, the number of services that are not in core funding. [63141/25
Liam Quaide
Written
Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are part-time only and are registered with Tusla; and of these, the number of services that are not in core funding. [63142/25
Liam Quaide
Written
Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are sessional only and are registered with Tusla; and of these, the number of services that are not in core funding. [63143/25
Liam Quaide
Written
Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are community-run services; and of these, the number of services that are not in core funding. [63144/25
Liam Quaide
Written
Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are in core funding; and of these, and the number of services that are sessional services. [63145/25
Barry Ward
Written
Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the adequacy of the aspect of the core funding childcare scheme, related to the time thresholds for each band (details supplied); the actions she will take to address these concerns; and if she will
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