doubt there are countless examples around the country where unfortunately because of the medical or additional need of a child, there is no childcare setting that can support him or her. That is not something we should be able to support as a State
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In debates
experiencing double digit rent inflation increases. That is because the Government will not enact our legislation to ban rent increases. We have crippling childcare costs despite the Government's commitment to reduce them. We still do not have a plan to do that. The Minister's party promised
Finance his views on the way in which the tax system through, for example, tax relief could help increase the number of childcare places in communities, such as those in west Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28065/25
because all three of these elements are required to underpin the development of all economic and social infrastructure, whether in healthcare, housing or childcare, and to support our economy's competitiveness.
As noted, the terms of reference for the task force have been established and agreed with
Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the immense challenges facing the childcare sector, including a lack of spaces, will be considered by the new infrastructure division of his Department and by the new accelerating infrastructure task force
meet ordinary living expenses last year and one fifth of households struggled to make ends meet.
The costs of fuel, rent, housing, food, childcare and basic services are rising. Deputy Nash gave some examples. Another example is coffee. Coffee is now 200% more expensive than it was when
over, it is not that they will be getting social welfare or anything like that. They will be able to work or organise childcare, whichever the case may be. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland made a submission and the point on this is that granting immediate family reunion
remember too that employees are left devastated when they lose their jobs. They have rent or mortgages to pay as well as childcare and the usual costs of living. This is at least one way of protecting the employee.
The Bill also recognises sole traders in insolvency arrangements
through SICAP contribute directly and indirectly to addressing the priority areas identified by the Deputy, including income supports and joblessness, early learning and childcare, reducing the cost of education, addressing family homelessness and, in particular, integrating our public health and family support services. We will continue to support
fact that they are not-for-profit. The scheme must be extended to include these buildings. We are faced with losing community centres, childcare centres, leisure centres and adult further education centres. If we do not address these issues, our community centres in Donegal will tumble
today is that the Government is committed to working constructively with them and others to try to find that way forward, through the childcare committee and Pobal in the first instance. I assure the Deputy of my ongoing personal interest, that of the Minister, Deputy Foley, and that
issue impacting many people in north Kildare. Most likely it is impacting people throughout the country. This is the provision of childcare facilities. I have spoken to parents in Kilcock, Leixlip, Celbridge and Maynooth who are really struggling. It is a key issue in the programme for Government
been progress, but serious issues remain with capacity, access and core funding that need to be fixed. Today, I am hosting local childcare providers and parents in the audiovisual room. We will focus on a payscale that reflects qualifications and expertise, pressures they are facing with recruitment, making
station, The Sidings, where there are no parking spaces provided whatever. There are growing families, workers with vans renting houses together and insufficient childcare facilities and a lack of public transport. It is not a panacea. People need to be able to drive but they also need
children to the Department of Justice. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth had a lot on its plate with Tusla, childcare, mother and baby homes, Green Party leadership and failed Government referendums in the previous Government. There is no doubt about that. There were huge
Early intervention is the key. I could not agree more. We need to expand early childcare services for children with additional needs, particularly early childhood education provision for those children. We are doing that and will continue to expand services there. The HSE is not in a position
planning, investment and development, RAPID, programme which used to fund programmes and infrastructure in disadvantaged urban areas. It funded such programmes as childcare facilities, back-to-work employment schemes and also infrastructure such as libraries and sports facilities. I would like the Government to look at reinvesting
Tuam in the run-up to the local elections last year there were lots of issues discussed, such as housing, homelessness, migration and childcare, and, of course, early years intervention was one of the priorities. Then at the back end of last year when we had the general
cannot understand why the Taoiseach cannot accept people's experiences as bona fide. They include renters, people struggling to pay mortgages and childcare costs and people struggling to put bread on the table, pay the electricity bill and keep the show on the road. There is ample evidence
summer because the level of service currently being provided simply is not good enough. We are denying people access to employment, education and childcare and it cannot continue.
I am probably in one of the lucky areas because it is an urban area and there is alternative transport
must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion regarding childcare. On Wednesday, 7 May, on the question, "That the amendment to the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken
need to resource our planning system, as others have mentioned. Logjams are seriously slowing the process down, and that is before community facilities, childcare, schools, public transport, playing pitches and the other amenities necessary to build communities alongside housing are even considered.
There are also deficits
mins)
- Statements on the Farrelly Commission Report (resumed) (not to exceed remaining time)
Wednesday's private members' business shall be Motion re Childcare, selected by Sinn Féin.
Thursday's business shall be the Motion re Extension of Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (to conclude within 60 minutes
also means they spend a lot of time on the road. Adding the expense of fuel to the high cost of childcare exacerbates the issues the family is having.
A second couple were told there would a two year waiting list, if they are lucky. They tried
Government expect parents to manage? It also affects pensions later in life. I support the affordable €10 per day public childcare model put forward before the November election by Sinn Féin, which the Minister and the Government parties mimicked in their promises but have since drawn back from
In parliamentary questions
Emer Currie
Written
Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total cost of the national childcare scheme universal subsidy, by year from 2020 to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51732/25
Emer Currie
Written
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of granting every recipient the maximum rate of subsidy available under the national childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51733/25
Naoise Ó Muirí
Written
Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the core funding levels of support per hour to childcare providers; the payments for specific additional elements delivered, which will apply for the coming school year; the level of increase in each case compared to last
Naoise Ó Muirí
Written
years; the range of services which are available within ECCE under AIM; the range of services that are now on offer for other childcare settings; and the way in which the number of children served under each element of the programme has grown as a result
Emer Currie
Written
Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department allows for the backdating of payments under the national childcare scheme in cases where administrative errors occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52005/25
Claire Kerrane
Written
Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding streams available for a childcare facility for works (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52069/25
Claire Kerrane
Written
Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding streams available for a childcare facility for works (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52070/25
Liam Quaide
Written
Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the childcare (amendment) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50531/25
Mark Ward
Written
part time attendance, and so charge parents for full time attendance; the way in which this operates in terms of the national childcare scheme; if parents who have no alternative options can qualify for coverage of the full 45 hours; and if she will make a statement
Mattie McGrath
Written
Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason a child with a disability who attends a childcare setting under the NCS is being penalised by a reduction in NCS subsidies due to regular attendance at medical appointments and essential therapies; the reason allowances
Emer Currie
Oral
Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the review of the 2001 planning guidelines for childcare facilities. [50179/25
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Oral
Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being implemented to ensure that the shortage of after-school childcare places does not act as a barrier to parents returning to the workforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50173/25
Emer Currie
Written
Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the action plan for childcare, as per the Programme for Government. [50180/25
Erin McGreehan
Written
Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the action her Department is taking to address the lack of childcare places in County Louth. [50190/25
Roderic O'Gorman
Written
asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps that will be taken in Budget 2026 to advance a public model of childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50106/25
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Written
Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the proportion of early learning and care and school-age childcare services that have signed up for the fourth year of core funding to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50094/25
Aindrias Moynihan
Written
Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions planned to ensure childcare providers participate in the core funding scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50193/25
Keira Keogh
Written
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the measures currently being taken in her Department to reduce the costs of childcare for families; the supports for providers to ensure they can maintain both quality and sustainability; and if she will make a statement
Aisling Dempsey
Written
Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to progressively reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child. [50127/25
Barry Ward
Written
Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the gradual reduction of childcare costs, as committed to in the Programme for Government; the steps she has taken to progress this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49129/25
Aindrias Moynihan
Written
Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to expand on the number of community based childcare providers for County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50194/25
Catherine Connolly
Written
development of the national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in the Early Learning and Care and school-age childcare; the timeline for the publication of the plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49956/25
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Written
Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken by her Department to address significant childcare waiting lists, including the almost 2,400 children currently awaiting a place in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter
Cathy Bennett
Written
Disability and Equality the timeframe in which it is intended to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child. [50184/25
Maeve O'Connell
Written
asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide details regarding her Department’s plans to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child; and if she will provide a timeframe for the delivery of this key Programme for Government commitment. [49996/25
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