Written answers
Thursday, 23 April 2026
Department of Children, Disability and Equality
Childcare Services
Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
485. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a national policy framework exists governing the pricing of private residential childcare placements funded by the State; and if she will outline the key components of that framework. [29297/26]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Thank you, Deputy, for your question.
The Department is currently developing Ireland’s first National Policy Framework for Alternative Care which will include:
- A short-term action plan addressing current issues in accessing appropriate alternative care places, and:
- A long-term vision for how the alternative care system will operate into the future.
As an independent agency under the provisions of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla is independent in the performance of its functions. Tusla procures services from external suppliers in compliance with relevant legislation and procurement rules to ensure value for money. Tusla is committed to achieving value for money in procuring all goods and services.
Tusla, as an independent body, requires the autonomy and flexibility to make decisions within the budget allocated in discharging its statutory responsibilities. Under the Child Care Act, Tusla must have the best interests of the child as its paramount consideration. It actively monitors every placement of every child in care to ensure its appropriateness to the needs of that child, and any concerns or breaches of standards or regulations are addressed in this context.
The Department works proactively and constructively with Tusla at all levels to address issues related to the provision of alternative care services, safeguard the needs of vulnerable children and families and secure value for money.
Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
486. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether standardised national pricing bands, cost ceilings, or benchmark rates are applied to private residential childcare placements; and if so, the basis on which such rates are determined. [29298/26]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Thank you Deputy, for your question. As this relates to an operational matter within Tusla I have referred your question to Tusla to reply directly to you.
Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
487. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the approval process required where the cost of a private residential childcare placement exceeds any standard or indicative rate; and the level of authorisation required in such cases. [29299/26]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Thank you Deputy, for your question. As this relates to an operational matter within Tusla I have referred your question to Tusla to reply directly to you.
Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
488. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total annual expenditure by Tusla on private residential childcare placements for each of the past five years, in tabular form. [29300/26]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
489. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average weekly cost per private residential childcare placement for each of the past five years; and the range between the lowest and highest weekly placement costs in each year. [29301/26]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
490. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department or Tusla has identified any upward trend in the cost of private residential childcare placements; and if so, the factors identified as driving such increases. [29302/26]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
491. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of private providers currently delivering residential childcare placements funded by the State; and the proportion of all placements delivered by private providers versus public provision. [29303/26]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
No comments