Childcare Services

223. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she has met with (details supplied) concerning the difficulties childminders face under the new childminding regulations; whether she will consider postponing these regulations to ensure that a framework is developed which protects both childminders and the availability of childcare places; and if she wi…

224. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to support childminders during the phased registration period leading to mandatory registration in September 2027; whether the current regulations are sufficiently flexible to ensure home-based childminders can continue to operate without being forced out; the financial assistance, train…

227. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare facilities registered in County Monaghan; the total number of children that can be cared for within those facilities; and the corresponding numbers for February 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15352/26]

228. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare facilities registered in County Cavan; the total number of children that can be cared for within those facilities; and the corresponding numbers for February 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15353/26]

850. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to change policy in relation to preschool provision on school campuses; the details in this regard, including the ways in which she will support preschools on school campuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14113/26]

852. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to extend AIMS support to after-school services, as currently children with additional needs receiving support in preschool and primary school are without needed support in after-school care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14148/26]

854. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if any childminder pre-registration assessments have taken place where requirements were not met; and if so, the number out of the total number of assessments that have taken place. [14209/26]

855. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childminder home visits by the Early Years Inspectorate as part of the registration process that have taken place since the 2024 regulations were introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14210/26]

858. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childminders who are now fully registered. [14213/26]

859. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childminders who are part of the national childcare scheme, broken down by county. [14214/26]

860. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the Steering Group overseeing the implementation of the Childminding Action Plan have met since the introduction of the regulations in September 2024; and when they will meet again. [14215/26]

861. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her Department's position regarding deposits paid to childcare facilities for places; if it is intended to regulate the practice given the widespread use; and given the difference in amounts charged the way in which refunds can be obtained in the case that the childcare place is not used by the family; and if she wil…

862. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if it is correct for a childcare facility (details supplied) to charge €800 deposit; if this deposit can be recouped; if so, the way it can be recouped; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14256/26]

904. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children availing of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in total; the number of children availing of universal NCS subsidy scheme; the number of children availing of the income-based NCS subsidy scheme; in 2024, 2025 and 2026 in tabular form. [15052/26]

905. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of current spending on the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in total in 2024, 2025, and allocation for 2026; the amount of current spending on the universal NCS subsidy scheme in 2024, 2025, and allocation for 2026 ; the amount of current spending on the income-based NCS subsidy scheme in 2024, 2025, and …

906. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the additional spending that will be allocated in 2026 and the cost annually of the proposed increase of income thresholds regarding the income-based National Childcare Scheme (NCS) subsidy, as well as the estimated additional number of children that will be eligible for the income-based NCS subsidy under the newly…

907. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the proposed universal rate under the National Childcare Scheme which will be introduced in September 2026, implied by her announcement of reductions in the highest fees charged to parents across the country from September 2026. [15055/26]

96. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider whether Laois will be given one of the first directly State-led, publicly-owned childcare facilities she announced on 21 January 2026 as Laois is one of the fastest growing counties in terms of population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13846/26]

110. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the efforts her Department is making to address the shortage of childcare places in Cork east. [13389/26]

116. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a provider withdraws from core funding, if they can remain in other schemes, such as the national childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13074/26]

117. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on her efforts to extend the NCS for childminding in the childminder's home and childminding in the family home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13315/26]

118. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to extend the national childcare scheme to childminders in the family home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13322/26]

121. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress to date in identifying the locations of the eight pilot public childcare facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13270/26]

122. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to review the childcare funding models for setting of fee rates in Core Funding and the ECCE programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13371/26]

125. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider purchasing a building (details supplied) for the purposes of establishing a community childcare facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13329/26]