Green Party calls on Government to “show their hand” on Childcare, Disability and Equality funding in National Development Plan
Green Party Spokesperson on Children and Equality Councillor Lourda Scott has welcomed the €795 million capital funding commitment for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality under the National Development Plan (NDP) Review 2025, but has raised concerns about the lack of transparency in how this funding will support childcare infrastructure and equality measures.
Councillor Scott said:
“The NDP review brings vagueness to a new level. We know that access to affordable, high-quality childcare remains a major issue for families across Ireland. While extra funds is welcome, it is vital that we understand how this is going to be spend to support the development of new early years facilities, improve accessibility, and meet the needs of children with additional needs. The lack of measurable outcomes does not bode well for the real capital investment that this area needs”
She also highlighted the need for a stronger focus on equality:
“The NDP references equality in principle, but it remains unclear how this funding will address barriers faced by marginalised groups, including Traveller families, children with disabilities, and anyone experiencing poverty or exclusion. Equality must be a practical outcome, not just a policy intention. Families deserve transparency and accountability. If we are to meet demand and address inequality in access to services, we need a clear breakdown of where this funding is going and what it will deliver,” she added.
Councillor Scott is calling for the publication of a detailed implementation plan outlining how the Department’s capital allocation will support inclusive, community-based childcare provision, and advance real equality outcomes on the ground."
Green Party spokesperson for Disability Cllr Maria Dollard has describes as ‘completely inadequate’ the funding allocated across three department areas of Children, Disability and Equality.
“While much of the focus on this Review of the NDP has been on the lack of detail and vagueness of the plan, it is clear to me that this allocation will not address the massive gap between the services available and what is required in law and most importantly for a healthy and just society. There has been much attention given to the failure of the state to meet the legal requirements to an Assessment of Needs for young children and rightly so. If we consider the vast majority of a person’s life is as an adult, then the reality of how disabled people are supported post 18 lays, bare the reality of the investment needed. We are obliged by the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities to meet those needs. One in five people in Ireland are disabled and based on the needs of 20% of the population it’s clear that much more investment is needed, for a growing population base.
She also highlighted the failure of the state to understand the role of society in disabling people and using an out of date view of disability as the individuals ‘tragedy’, when speaking and addressing the needs of disabled people.
“Disability is complex and messy and people do not fit neatly into service providers categories. People with mental health impairment are particularly forgotten and there is a desperate need for a move from the medical model to a social model for this group of people. Unless we understand this idea at government level we will continue to invest in the wrong things. I see little evidence in the commentary of government TD’s that there is any basic understanding of this fundamental mind shift. This means investment in changing systems including changing mindsets. Adult Day and Residential services are also under enormous pressure to deal with historic underfunding, an emerging regulatory landscape and growing demand. I want to see the detail of how this €775 is expected to meet the infrastructure needs of disabled children and people post 18, given growing demand for service provision and escalating costs as well as the infrastructure demands of the department of Children and Equality. The recent highly criticised Farrelly Commission report tells us, disabled people have tolerated too much for too long and if this Government truly understands its obligation for truth, justice and the rights of people under the UNCRPD, then lets see your hand”
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