Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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2497. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she plans to sanction the final €5 million in funding needed to complete a complex (details supplied) which would, upon completion, serve to considerably reduce waiting times for assessments and therapies for children with disabilities.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43837/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Sensational Kids is a not-for-profit organisation delivering interventions to children over the last 10 years. It operates as a child development centre, providing subsidised therapy services for children and professional development training workshops for those working with children with special needs.

Sensational Kids employs approximately 30 staff, including a clinical team across child development centres in Kildare, Mayo, Monaghan and West Cork, providing supports such as occupational therapy, speech & language therapy and play therapy.

The HSE advises that it engaged with the CEO of Sensational Kids in 2023 and confirmed its commitment to working with them in supporting children with disabilities to access supports. Further meetings took place between both parties in 2023 and 2024 regarding a waitlist initiative for intervention and a building proposal for a National Child Development Centre and clarification was provided by the HSE regarding the steps and documentation that are required for completion of a capital submission.

To progress matters, it was agreed that the CEO of Sensational Kids would liaise with the Head of Disability Services in CHO 7 with a view towards progressing a Service Arrangement and providing assistance and support for developing a capital submission.

There has been significant engagement with Sensational Kids and HSE disability staff to agree the service required by the HSE in line with the CDNT model and the ability of the organisation to provide service with their existing staffing complement.

With respect to the National Child Development Centre, a meeting was held with Sensational Kids and with Capital and Estates from Dublin Midlands in February 2025 to discuss the Capital application process. At this meeting, Sensational Kids were advised in detail again about the capital application process and templates were shared with them and the HSE await the submission of an application to consider.

A meeting is planned by the HSE with Sensational Kids in due course to discuss their local service provision for the Kildare area.

I acknowledge the importance of all agencies and organisations in the provision of services for children with disabilities and I am supportive of the continuing efforts by the HSE to engage with Sensational Kids, and others, who seek to provide additional services for children with disabilities.

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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2498. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if an annual €3 million funding uplift can be provided to an organisation (details supplied) starting in 2026 on the grant register to address their current funding deficit position and stop the escalating financial losses on funded services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43893/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. I acknowledge and greatly appreciate the work that Barnardos does in providing important services to children and families throughout Ireland.

The challenges facing Barnardos, and other organisations providing services on behalf of Tusla, is of significant concern.

My officials and I have met with representatives from Barnardos on a number of occasions in recent weeks, to discuss funding concerns.

While no commitments have been made in respect of future funding, Tusla will continue to engage with Barnardos on this issue.

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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2499. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider putting in place an annual inflationary increase on section 56 funding as was the practice prior to the 2008 financial crash which would assist certain organisations that support children (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43896/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. I acknowledge and appreciate the work that organisations, funded by Tusla, under Section 56, carry out on behalf of the state, in providing vital services to children and families in Ireland.

The challenges facing such organisations, including Barnardos, is of significant concern.

In recent weeks, my officials and I have met with representatives from Barnardos, and with other representatives of Section 56 funded organisations, as well as Tusla, to discuss funding concerns in the sector.

While no commitments have been made in respect of future funding, my Department and Tusla will continue to engage with funded organisations and colleagues in government to address these matters.