Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline progress on the delivery of the children's disabililty network team in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25919/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are available for people currently seeking international protection who are unaccommodated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25933/23]
View answerAs at 24 May the Department has been unable to offer accommodation to 217 international protection applicants (IPAs). Since 24 January, a total of 1063 people who were previously unaccommodated have subsequently been offered accommodation
All IPAs who cannot be accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) are registered at the International Protection Office (IPO), have their contact details recorded and are provided with an initial food voucher to the value of €50 and then they receive a weekly voucher for €50 which is paid fortnightly at present.
A payment equivalent to the Daily Expense Allowance payments has also now commenced for those IPAs who are unaccommodated and has been backdated to the date of arrival.
They receive information relating to homeless day services.
IPAS has an agreement in place with Mendicity to make its drop in services available to non-accommodated persons including information, a meal, Wi-FI and shelter. As well as the Capuchin Day Centre, Merchant's Quay Ireland and Tiglin have also agreed to make their services available to unaccommodated persons. Merchant's Quay Ireland has also arranged with Safetynet for weekly clinics to be provided to unaccommodated persons.
IPAs who have an additional financial need can also apply for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Scheme.
63. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures being taken to alleviate the high rates of vacancy across children's disability services which is affecting the role of children's disability network teams. [17097/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
64. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will reform the distribution of personal assistant, PA, hours to enable parity of services across CHO areas, meeting the social, personal and employment needs of those who avail of PA services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25991/23]
View answerThe Personal Assistant (PA) service was developed to provide a service for adults with physical disabilities that enables them to live their lives as independently as possible and take decision making control. The person with the disability either directly employs the PA or is involved in the process of selecting the PA to work with them. The person with the disability determines the support they need and the activities they need support with. PA and Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers.
In accordance with the National Service Plan 2023, the HSE will deliver an additional 70,370 personal assistant hours to expand and enhance the supports for people to live self-directed lives in the community.
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.
65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether local authorities and public servants delivering services should be required to put the rights and best interests of the child first when helping families presenting as homeless, including factors such as access to their school, medical and therapeutic needs, and also supporting family relationships and wider social support; if he agrees that every child who needs timely access to a child support worker should have it; if he will ensure that these supports for children facing homelessness are enacted immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25936/23]
View answerThe primary responsibility for housing and managing homelessness lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the local authorities.
This area of work requires a whole-of-Government approach, with a multitude of key stakeholders playing a vital role in addressing the fundamental issues arising in addressing homelessness.
Tusla provides family support and prevention and early intervention services for children and their families through a multiagency and coordinated response. Tusla works in partnership with Local Authorities, the HSE and the community and voluntary sector focusing on prevention and early intervention community-based family support through Children and Young People's Services Committees and Child and Family Support Networks.
Furthermore, the National Childcare Scheme includes specific arrangements for vulnerable children and families to be referred to the Scheme by certain statutory bodies. This arrangement (commonly referred to as a 'sponsor referral') will enable such children to avail of free or additional childcare under the Scheme. Under this arrangement Local Authorities can refer homeless persons with children who are homeless or moving out of homelessness to enable them access childcare services.
A key theme of the next national policy framework for children and young people is that the rights and best interests of the child should be a central consideration in all decision making which affects them. The Blueprint for the Framework, published last year, commits to a number of high level systemic actions which address how children's rights are taken into account in how government does business. These actions are based largely on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the General Measures of Implementation. They include the development of Child Rights Impact Assessments, a review of legislation for compliance with the UNCRC, the development of child budgeting, and further development of the participation of children and young people in decision making.
66. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in CHO 9, Dublin currently awaiting an appointment for treatment and therapies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25994/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
67. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the roll out of the baby bundle pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25947/23]
View answerFrom February 2023, 350 expectant parents from the Rotunda Hospital Dublin and 150 parents from Waterford University Hospital were offered an opportunity to participate in the First 5 Little Baby Bundle pilot project.
329 expectant mums from the Rotunda hospital and 148 mums from Waterford applied to participate. Included in this number is 8 sets of twins who will each receive a bundle. The Little Baby Bundle has begun to be delivered to the homes of participating parents at a time of their choosing. To date 235 bundles have been delivered.
Parents participating in the pilot initiative will subsequently be asked to share their views and experiences of the Baby Bundle and its contents, which will inform the development of proposals for a potential wider national roll-out.
The Little Baby Bundle has an estimated value of €300 and will be filled a range of useful items, including play items to encourage early communication and bonding, household items for help with safe bathing and safe sleep, as well as a range of other items to support new parents after the birth. This welcome gift from the State for a new arrival to a family acknowledges this very significant and special moment for parents. The initial feedback has been very positive.
68. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the issues regarding a pre-school (details supplied); if any supports will be provided to the pre-school from his Department; the steps he will take to prevent similar issues from arising elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25996/23]
View answerI am aware of the challenges a service can face when there is an unexpectant lose of premises. While decisions about the day-to-day running of services, including the choice of location, contracts, leases for premises and any decision to close, ultimately lie with the provider, my Department can provide support through the City and County Childcare Committees (CCC) in such a scenario.
In order for a service to receive this support, I would advise any affected service to contact their local CCC. Once a service engages with their local CCC, they will be able to provide support through the Case Management process. As part of this process, the local CCC and Pobal will work together with a service to provide support in identifying alternative premises if deemed necessary. In some instances, the CCC will also work with parents to locate alternative early learning and childcare places.
I would advise affected services to avail of support through this aforementioned Case Management process.
69. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that are being taken to address the shortage of respite services for adults and children in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25939/23]
View answerAs the query relates to service matters, I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
70. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are being put in place to assist the childcare sector, which is struggling to recruit and retain staff in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, which takes in parts of south Donegal and north Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25943/23]
View answerI acknowledge that many early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services report staffing difficulties in relation to recruitment and retention. In general, staffing pressures in the sector are caused not by insufficient supply of qualified personnel, but by high levels of staff turnover.
However, providers of ELC and SAC are private businesses. As the State does not employ staff in ELC and SAC services, neither I or my Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.
Recruitment and retention difficulties are undoubtedly linked to pay and conditions. There is now, through the independent Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates for different roles in ELC and SAC services.
On 15 September 2022, two Employment Regulation Orders for Early Years Services, negotiated through the JLC, came into effect, providing for minimum hourly rates of pay for various roles in ELC and SAC services.
The Orders are being supported by Core Funding – which has an allocation of €259 million in its first year – to support amongst other things, improvements in staff wages, alongside a commitment to freeze parental fees and support for sustainability of services. As announced in Budget 2023, the Core Funding allocation will increase by €28 million for the second year.
I understand that the JLC for Early Years Services is continuing to meet in relation to possible future pay negotiations.
I am also committed to addressing other challenges which may impact on the recruitment and retention of staff in the sector. In December 2021, I published "Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for ELC and SAC, 2022-2028". Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in the sector. One of the five "pillars" of Nurturing Skills comprises commitments aimed at supporting recruitment, retention and diversity in the workforce, and it includes actions to raise the profile of careers in the sector.
71. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the efforts being made by his Department to tackle the huge waiting lists for needs assessments, speech and language therapy services and related services for children in County Louth, CHO 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25899/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
72. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps his Department is taking to reduce instances of child trafficking in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25793/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
A 'separated child' is someone under 18 years of age who is outside their country of origin and separated from both parents or their previous legal / customary primary caregiver, but may arrive with other relatives or known (non-related) adults, including when those relatives or known adults have been provided with authorisation to travel with or care for the child.
An 'unaccompanied minor' refers to third-country nationals or stateless persons below the age of eighteen, who arrive on the territory of the Member States unaccompanied by an adult responsible for them.
When a separated child seeking international protection or unaccompanied minor arrives at an Irish port, The International Protection Office, An Garda Síochána or the Border Management Unit contact Tusla, the Child and Family Agency to assess the child’s circumstances and determine whether the child requires services under the Child Care Act.
Under Tusla’s obligations re the Child Care Act, 1991, and Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2015, Tusla considers the risk of harm that a young person(s) may be in, including working with other state agencies on the possibility that the child may have been trafficked.
Tusla’s assessment of the child’s circumstances includes an assessment into how the child arrived in Ireland, and any concerns in relation to child trafficking. Separated children may present for reunification, sometimes with an agent, to be reunified with a family member in Ireland.
If required, the child is received into care until a more extensive child protection and welfare assessment can be undertaken and inter-agency working continues as required. If the outcome of the Social Work assessment is that the child is at risk of harm and should not be reunified with the alleged guardian/parent, then in accordance with Tusla and An Garda Síochána joint working protocol, Tusla forwards notifications of child abuse (indicating suspected trafficking) to An Garda Síochána, who determine if a crime has been committed. Criminal investigations into trafficking are a matter for An Garda Síochána to investigate.
The Government is firmly committed to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, several legislative measures have been implemented which were necessary to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. Enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 were significant steps on the pathway to the ratification of the Optional Protocol.
Further smaller legislative amendments relating to the extra-territorial jurisdiction requirements under Article 3.1 will ensure that the State is in compliance with certain outstanding aspects of the Protocol. These amendments are included in the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2022, which underwent pre-legislative scrutiny in December 2022. The Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice was published on 8 March 2023 and can be found at www.oireachtas.ie/en/committees/33/justice/. The Report is being reviewed by the Department of Justice and all recommendations therein are being carefully considered as drafting of the text of the Bill is finalised.
The Minister for Justice, Mr Simon Harris, TD hopes to secure government approval to publish the text of the Bill in the coming months after which it will be introduced into the Oireachtas. Once enacted, Ireland should be in a position to ratify the Second Optional Protocol.
The Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2022 will also put a revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) on a statutory footing, making it easier for victims of trafficking to come forward, be identified, and access support.
The NRM is the framework through which the State fulfils its obligations to protect and promote the human rights of trafficking victims, working in partnership with civil society.
The proposed new NRM was approved by Government in May 2021 and is a key component in combating human trafficking. It is a clear demonstration of Ireland’s commitment to identifying and supporting victims of this abhorrent crime and it will strengthen our international reputation in this area.
In addition to this, work to develop a new National Action Plan on human trafficking is advanced.
This whole of Government plan sets out how the multi-agency work to combat this criminal activity and support victims will be taken forward.
The Department of Justice advises that it has engaged with a working group to draft the new National Action Plan high-level goals and outcomes. A draft Action Plan has been prepared and engagement with stakeholders is continuing.
The forthcoming National Action Plan on trafficking will further reflect our commitment to maintain a close working relationship with our colleagues in Northern Ireland, including the development of joint projects where relevant. One of the draft actions of the National Action Plan is to explore how we can further work together to identify key learning points and common themes from victim referrals.
It is expected the new Action Plan will be finalised and submitted to Government shortly for approval to publish.
73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 27 of 30 March 2023, the status of the review of the projected timelines for the implementation of the White Paper to end direct provision and establish a new international protection support service; if the review has been completed to date; the timeline for the publication of the review; if he will outline the revised timelines, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25918/23]
View answerSince publishing A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a New International Protection Support Service, my Department has placed a significant focus and drive on delivering these reforms.
As will be appreciated the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on the timelines and deliverables for the White Paper. Alongside this, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking International Protection with over 15.000 new people seeking accommodation in 2022. This increase in numbers has huge implications for the implementation of the White Paper as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year, which is based on 20 years of data.
In this vastly changed context an overall review of the projected timelines and deliverables is currently underway. The review is also considering the prioritisation of certain aspects of the White Paper reforms over others. The objective of such an approach would be to progress with key reforms that are achievable in the current altered context and build must needed accommodation capacity in the system. This could enable progress on a meaningful reform programme that adheres to the key principles of the White Paper.
The review will also focus on identifying new approaches that will help the system to manage with the uncertainty and its demand led nature and address future needs including assessing the requirement for An Agency.
It is anticipated the review will be completed in quarter two and the recommendations brought at that point to Government.
While the review is ongoing certain aspects of the White Paper are progressing. This includes:
• The significant development of a new local integration model in collaboration with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), the City and County Management Association (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The integration model has been agreed and work is currently on going to operationalise the new model and to have the it in place by the second part of 2023.
• The roll out of a national Integration Fund offering grants to civil society organisations for initiatives aimed at supporting the integration of International Protection applicants. Over €1.6m in funding was awarded to 67 organisations in 2022 through this new scheme. A second call for proposals to the scheme was launched in April 2023;
• The launch in April of a €1.3m funding framework to support the Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) in further developing, enhancing and expanding the provision of their support services to children, young people and their families in International Protection accommodation settings. Funding to the CYPSCs will be allocated before the end of May;
• The development of the community accommodation model with the purchase of 37 properties. The properties are spread across the country and are a mixture of 2,3,4 bed houses and apartments and two larger 10 bed properties.
• An Expression of Interest competition was launched late last year in collaboration with the Housing Agency to commission Approved Housing Bodies to operationalise the properties purchased as supported accommodation for vulnerable applicants. Two Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have been commissioned through this process and are currently working with the Housing Agency and this Department to operationalise the properties. The properties will be operationalised on a phased basis in the second half of 2023.
• The delivery of a dedicated accommodation for Victims of Trafficking. The delivery of the unit is planned for mid-August 2023.
• The development of Phase One sites, using Rapid Build technologies, under the auspices of the Accommodation Working Group established to develop accommodation capacity for Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applicants.
• The development of an International Protection Information Hub to function as a resource for applicants, facilitating their integration to life in Ireland including an orientation programme and English language supports;
• A focus on increasing the state accommodation owned capacity including progressing the buying of pre-existing buildings and advancing the planning process for the construction of purpose built centres.
While the delivery of the White Paper has been impacted by the war in Ukraine, the implementation of the new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants is and will continue to be a key priority for my Department. As I have, highlighted work is progressing in key areas, that I believe will have a positive impact on the system and improve the lives of those living in international protection accommodation.
74. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a detailed briefing on plans to provide floating accommodation for international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25749/23]
View answerThe Department has received a number of offers of ‘floating accommodation’ in recent times. The consideration of such proposals comes in the wake of an unprecedented accommodation crisis.
Following detailed investigation and analysis of its use, and in consultation with various stakeholders including the Maritime Unit in the Department of Transport and various Port Authorities, the Department is expected to publish a Request For Tender on e-Tenders, seeking floating accommodation for international protection applicants (IPAs) in the coming weeks.
Details of where this accommodation will be berthed are still being finalised. Several sites are under consideration for berthing floating accommodation with discussion and engagement currently taking place with several Port Authorities.
76. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the services for speech and language therapy; the current waiting list figures for this service; if he will provide an update on the recruitment of personnel to help with these long waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25800/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
77. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the likely priorities for the national development plan capital budget for childcare. [25581/23]
View answerSome €69 million was allocated to the Early Learning and Childcare sector in the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars: (1) Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, (2) Building Blocks - Capacity Grant and (3) Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
The €9 million Building Blocks - Improvement Grant was launched by my Department late last year and applicants were advised of the outcome on 4th April. This scheme is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for early learning and childcare under the National Development Plan designed to meet current and long-term early learning and childcare infrastructure needs.
The design of both the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant scheme and the Innovation Scheme are currently underway. A working group has been established comprising officials of my Department, representatives of the County Childcare Committees and Pobal.
As a first step, I have asked the working group to provide me with options for the delivery of a capital funding scheme which will aim to address capacity gaps by providing funding in areas where they are most needed. Some €20m has been made available to my Department in 2024 with a further €45m available in 2025 for this purpose.
To this end his working group has commenced a needs analysis of the Early Learning and Childcare sector. This analysis will look at undersupply by region and by age category and will ensure that my Department can fund additional capacity where it is most needed.
I hope to provide more details of these two grant schemes in the coming months.
78. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps his Department is taking to provide timely information to communities that are accommodating Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, which takes in parts of south Donegal and north Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25942/23]
View answerMy Department is now accommodating approximately 84,000 persons between those fleeing the war in Ukraine (BOTPs) and those seeking international protection (IPAs).
While efforts are made to notify public representatives and State agencies in advance of utilising a building for accommodation of IPAs, the emergency nature of the response required means that advance communications are not always as comprehensive or as early as the Department would like.
Due to the sheer scale of the present crisis this inevitably means that emergency accommodation of those seeking refuge must be occupied on a faster timeline than would otherwise be the case.
Before the opening of any facility my Department engages with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible following the agreement of terms with contractors.
These constraints limit the time window for advance consultation, however, my Department are cognisant of these issues and are working towards improving advance communications for elected representatives, local authorities and local communities in this regard.
Regarding BOTP accommodation, my Department is regularly in contact and meets with local authorities under the aegis of the City and County Manager’s Association. My officials communicate and discuss accommodation requirements and local authorities have contributed greatly in assisting my Department provide emergency accommodation to those seeking shelter. My Department also engages regularly with key stakeholders in terms of assisting support provision by providing advance notice of relocations to various accommodation locations. This includes liaising with the Department of Social Protection, the Health Service Executive and An Garda Síochána.
The cross-Government response is being supported by the Community Response Forum, a local authority-led programme providing assistance to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. The Forum includes representatives from volunteers, NGOs, the HSE and others at community level across the country who are contributing so much to welcoming and helping those arriving.
I and my officials have also met and briefed public representatives and local communities in respect of the implementation of the Rapid-Build Homes Programme and we will continue to do so as further sites come on stream.
The standard of the response to this unprecedented humanitarian crisis has only been possible due to the remarkable contributions of communities’ right across the country.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of An Taoiseach is developing a Communications Strategy and Campaign that will assist with the provision of information to communities on new centres.
79. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current WTE staffing levels in each of the children's disability network teams in CHO 4, in tabular form. [25905/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are in place for working parents who cannot source placements in childcare facilities for their children due to full capacity. [26036/23]
View answerThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare is a key Government priority. The Department monitors early learning and childcare capacity on an ongoing basis, with a particular focus on responding to the unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
The annual data captured by Pobal on behalf of my Department - through the Early Years Sector Profile Survey - is one important data source that allows us to monitor supply and demand. In addition to this survey data, the Department also relies on data from the register of services held by Tusla, data provided by services as part of their application for Core Funding and has also conducted several surveys with parents. Since 2020, five parent surveys have been undertaken by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of the Department.
Data captured from the 2021/22 iteration of the Early Years Sector Profile, indicated that the vacancy rate is 16% on average across the country. This data does not take account of increases in capacity since the introduction of Core Funding. Data collection for the 2022/23 Early Years Sector Profile is currently underway and will give an updated position.
A series of steps are being taken to address issues of undersupply.
The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Under the National Action Plan for Childminding, there is a commitment to open up access to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) to parents who use childminders following the extension of regulation to childminders.
Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places.
My Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, is in the process of updating the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings. As part of this work, my Department has been included in the updated list of prescribed bodies that need to be notified on certain planning matters, including the formulation of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans.
In addition, Core Funding - introduced in September 2022 - has already proven to be effective in expanding capacity, particularly in areas of undersupply and additional funding secured in Budget 2023 for year two of Core Funding provides further funding to invest in capacity growth of 3%.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
