I wish Deputy Ennis well in his new position as spokesperson for his party on all matters to do with children. I acknowledge his predecessor, Deputy Farrelly, who gave 110% to his spokesmanship. I wish him well in his new appointment. I think he is in transport now, is he?

Sentiment score: 0.34

I wish him well regardless of where he has moved to. Anyway, I welcome Deputy Ennis. In relation to the question he has asked, I have always been clear in communicating that the €200-per-month programme for Government commitment is to be achieved over the lifetime of this Government. Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 Report, published last December, sets out measures to achieve key programme for Government commitments on the affordability, quality and accessibility of early learning and care and school-age childcare. The action plan adopts a phased approach that enables action to be taken in 2026 while allowing adequate time for a broad public consultation and analysis on longer term actions. The consultation process has a number of channels designed to facilitate the participation of a wide range of stakeholders. It includes an online survey which has received more than 11,000 responses; 56 local consultation events right across the country; an art-based engagement exercise with children; and a national consultation event, which is scheduled to take place later in the year. Results of this consultation, and additional analysis, will inform phase 2 of the plan. Phase 2 will set out actions to be undertaken from 2027 right through to the end of 2029. The fee freeze and maximum fee caps required for core funding have been key to the progress in recent years in making ELC and SAC services more affordable. The 2026 actions on affordability will include further reduction in some of the highest fees paid by parents by lowering the maximum fees that core funding partner services can charge. In addition, from autumn 2026, we will reduce out-of-pocket costs for lower income families through the national childcare scheme.

Sentiment score: 0.26

In the interests of clarity, we must be clear that after any election there is a negotiation with various parties to make up a Government. As part of that, a programme for Government is written down and committed to. Those are the plans which will be committed to over the lifetime of the Government. I was involved in the writing of the programme for Government. When that was being done, the commitment was clear. This Government involves a number of parties and individuals. The programme for Government lays out that over the lifetime of the Government, the cap of €200 will be achieved. There is no deviation in that regard. There is no equivocation. It was made clear when the Government was formed. As already stated, there has been progress in terms of a reduction in costs for low-income families. The lower income threshold for the income-assessed subsidy has been increased from €26,000 to €34,000 in order to ensure that families with incomes below the relative poverty income line receive the maximum subsidy. There has also been an increase in the upper threshold.

Sentiment score: 0.22

I look forward to working with the Deputy at the committee. Just to be clear, 25% of families are already on the €50 per week or are paying less than that. I absolutely accept that there is much more work to do. In recent weeks, we have introduced the fee caps. The full cost for families availing of just less than 50 hours' service - this is the full day service that the vast majority of parents are availing of - is €198 per week. That is when the national childcare subsidy is included. That will now be reduced to €183 per week. We are seeing progress. I already mentioned something that has been fought very hard for by so many different people in terms of children at risk of disadvantage, namely that the thresholds have been increased from €26,000 to €34,000 and from €60,000 to €68,000 in order to maximise people's access to the national childcare subsidy. Some progress has been made. There is more progress to be made, and we will continue that through phase 2 of the action plan.

Sentiment score: 0.13

I appreciate the Deputy's interest in this matter. She has advocated very strongly in respect of it. I can confirm that €135 million is being made available between 2026 and 2030 for the State-led early learning and childcare capital programme to facilitate the provision high-quality and accessible early learning and childcare. The process begins this year, with investment in buildings in what is a groundbreaking initiative for the Department of children. Capital funding will be used to acquire and-or fit out buildings depending on requirements. The Department will work with not-for-profit providers to design, open and operate services. These will be not-for-profit services. To assess potential sites, a forward planning model has been developed. The model seeks to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country, and how that aligns with the number of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local level. An extensive data analysis exercise has been undertaken to map available publicly subsidised supply. As well as a forward planning model, a suite of appraisal criteria and tools is being developed in order to assess potential adjustment and alignment of projects with Department goals of promoting equality, inclusion, accessibility and affordability. The Department is assessing project options in order to identify which are best placed to deliver on the goals of the programme. Analysis of project options is advancing well. Project proposals can be brought to the attention of the Department through completion of a preliminary appraisal form, which is available from the city and county childcare committees. When a suitable project is brought to the Department, the forward planning and delivery unit develops a preliminary business case. The preliminary business case assesses the building and the location associated with the project against the programme's appraisal criteria, as well as analysing cost, value for money and the quality of the proposed building. The preliminary business case is considered by a capital steering group comprising senior Department officials and members from the Office of Public Works and the Department of Education and Youth. It can then be submitted for approval in principle. It is important to note that this is not a guarantee of funding for a project; it is, rather, another step along the way. Following approval in principle, a final business case is developed for the project which includes selection of an eligible operator, agreement of investment or purchasing a building, and detailed building design and costing work.

Sentiment score: 0.25

I agree entirely in terms of what we are seeking to achieve in early years. It is equality of opportunity for children in the first instance. That is probably the most important element, but it is much more as well. It is also equality of opportunity for women in many respects in order to allow them, as the Deputy outlined, to go out and take up other opportunities should they choose to do so. I want to comment on where we are at currently. The final business case is considered by the capital steering group prior to being submitted for approval. Only once a final business case has been developed, which provides full details of a project, can final approval for funding be sought. To date, four projects have received approval in principle and are being developed. A further five projects are being prepared for submission for approval in principle. No final decisions have been made on the specific projects, but I look forward to sharing the details of the projects as they are agreed. Local city and county childcare committees are supporting the development of projects. In that context, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers and others who might have suitable premises or projects should contact their local committee. On building blocks, everything is being considered in the context of the budget. We will see how we go with that.

Sentiment score: 0.37

I acknowledge the Deputy's advocacy on an ongoing basis. I get that from Deputy Martin Daly, from councillors and from everybody across the system. They are very well situated to advocate. I get it from my Fine Gael colleagues as well. We are very conscious of the fact that State-led is one element while Building Blocks is another. If we can pour more into both or, indeed, other initiatives, we are happy to do so. It is a significant step forward in terms of State-led. We have never done this before and we are able to stand up eight this year. The Deputy specifically referenced buildings being made available. That is the purpose of State-led at this point, in that where buildings are readily available, we can access them quite quickly and move on to finding not-for-profit providers. Be assured that everything is in the mix for this forthcoming budget and we consider everything, including Building Blocks. We have had a scheme this year and in the previous year.

Sentiment score: 0.12

I have raised the matter with the Minister for Health. Indeed, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to her for her attention because it is a matter that is more directly within her remit. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality does not determine the use of buildings when it is not involved in funding them. The design of buildings and the designation of space within them, including for the purposes of early learning and childcare, is a matter for the owners of the building in accordance with the wider planning legislation. Individual planning decisions are a function of planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála is statutorily independent in the performance of these functions. The 2001 planning guidelines for local authorities and childcare facilities were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 by the Minister for housing. The guidelines are intended to ensure a consistent approach to the treatment of planning applications in respect of the land use planning aspects of early learning and childcare provisions. The guidelines propose appropriate locations for early learning and childcare facilities, including in the vicinity of concentrations of workplaces where significant numbers of staff are employed. While the 2001 planning guidelines have contributed to the delivery of a substantial level of early learning and childcare infrastructure, I am also aware that there are challenges in implementing the guidelines. The Government is committed to reviewing the guidelines to ensure early learning and childcare spaces are provided and put into use. The Planning and Development Act 2024 and the revised national planning framework, along with the ongoing work on Shaping the Future, the phase 2 action plan for the development of the early learning and childcare sector, provides a strong basis from which to pursue this work. Separately, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has been liaising with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the planning process as set out in the planning and development regulations of 2001. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has confirmed that the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality will be designated as a prescribed body to be notified by local authorities of planning applications that might give rise to a change in the demand from early learning and childcare provision. This is a really positive step forward for us in the Department.

Sentiment score: 0.20

To be fair to the Minister for Health, this has just been brought to her attention. She is going to look into it, she has a copy of the Deputy's question and I have no doubt she will revert. We would have to examine whether this the norm in hospitals across the country. Only the Minister for Health can confirm that. I have to say that the guidelines themselves actually refer to within "the vicinity". I am not saying that these guidelines are perfect, and we have had discussions here before where we were looking for them to be updated. I have raised the matter with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and there is a piece of work ongoing on that. I appreciate the Deputy's bona fides in raising this matter. It is outside my remit but I accept the goodwill of the Minister for Health, who has said that she will look at it.

Sentiment score: 0.14

The Deputy and anybody who has served in a local authority will be aware of prescribed bodies that are consulted in terms of what is coming before the local authority. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has consented and confirmed that the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality will now be one of the prescribed bodies to be notified by local authorities of a planning application that might give rise to a change in the demand for early learning and childcare provision. For example, I think we are all very aware that where permission has been granted for a childcare facility for whatever reason, a further application can be made down the line for a change of use, which is something that is granted by local authorities very frequently. This new departure will give us an opportunity to make our observations and make our case that this really should not be allowed. If it is designated as an early years and childcare facility, it should serve the community. That is what it is there for. This will be really helpful and I am appreciative of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in this regard.

Sentiment score: 0.24

I know that the vast majority of Members will agree with me that the preferred option for children coming into the care of the State is foster care. It is the first option. This is where almost nine in every ten children in care are placed. However, Tusla operates in a very challenging and demand-led environment providing vital services to children, young people and families that often present with particularly complex issues, and foster care might not meet their needs. Tusla has acknowledged the need to increase its provision of residential placements, including those provided by community and voluntary organisations. Like the Deputy, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the incredible work done by staff in community and voluntary organisations to provide safe and supportive placements for children in care. I was really pleased to meet with representatives of the community and voluntary sector in January of this year to discuss matters affecting them and the children for whom they provide care. It is important to note that the State has invested significantly in community and voluntary care provision, with the sector being allocated an increase in funding of €5.2 million in 2023 to ensure its ongoing sustainability. I was also pleased to see community and voluntary workers agree to a pay increase of 9.25% last year, ensuring that voluntary workers are better paid for their very valuable work. I am conscious that Tusla is independent in its functions and it is a matter for the agency to manage and allocate resources, including voluntary residential provision, to address areas of greatest need while managing within its allocated budget. In 2025, Tusla reported that it had provided funding for community and voluntary residential provision of just under €30 million. The Department continues to support Tusla in the provision of the funding and resources needed to carry out its functions. It is committed to ensuring the continuity of Tusla's work in supporting vulnerable children and families, as evidenced by the year-on-year increases in funding provided to the agency. In budget 2026, an overall increase of €177 million was provided, which amounted to a 14% increase in Tusla's budget over its 2025 allocation.

Sentiment score: 0.58

To reiterate, there has been a significant year-on-year increase in Tusla funding, with a 14% increase this year, or €177 million, in the context of its overall budget of €1.4 billion for 2026. That will provide Tusla with the opportunity to increase the overall provision of residential placements for children in need to more than 800. The Deputy will appreciate that as the 2027 budget process is ongoing, I cannot give a commitment at this stage in respect of future funding. She can be assured that we have seen increases for Tusla year on year. Work is already under way on Ireland's first national policy framework for alternative care. That is really important and will be to the benefit of children in State care. The framework aims to articulate a whole-of-government vision for the future of alternative care in Ireland, thereby delivering on a programme for Government commitment in this area. We have had excellent engagement from the community and voluntary sector through the consultation process. It is really important that it have a say in shaping the future of the care system in Ireland, including the alternative care system. The framework will provide the basis for future investment in the care system. I acknowledge all the contributions that have been made to support that process in recent months.

Sentiment score: 0.62

To be clear, the additional funding Tusla was given this year allowed it to open an additional 38 residential care placements in 2025, with a prediction that a further 47 will be provided in 2026-27, which gives a total over the two years of 85. The overall budget increase will help Tusla to increase the overall availability of places for children in need to more than 800. Notwithstanding that, I hear the Deputy's point regarding special emergency arrangements being unregulated. I want to be clear that Tusla has done an awful lot of work to ensure all of those SEAs are now regulated. They are either directly under the remit of Tusla itself or are fully regulated themselves. We are very conscious of the excellent work that is done by the voluntary sector. We want to ensure it continues doing that work. I will go into the budget mindful of the need to again seek the maximum funding possible for Tusla to allow it to support everything that falls within its remit, including the voluntary sector in this instance.

Sentiment score: 0.42