This Annual Report highlights activities and achievements during the year in meeting the objectives of the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2023 – 2025.

Among the achievements delivered by the Department in 2024 were:

Government continued to make good on its commitment to Early Learning and Care with a 24% increase in Budget 2025, securing an unprecedented €1.37 billion budget for the sector. This included support for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme a review of which highlighted the very positive impact of ECCE on children’s development, school readiness and accessibility for parents.

A 12 per cent increase in funding for disability services with €3.2 billion secured in Budget 2025.

A 14% increase in funding for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, with an allocation of €1.1 billion in Budget 2025.

Publication of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II 2024-2028 intended to create a more inclusive and fair Ireland for Traveller and Roma communities.

Enactment of the Maternity Protection, Employment, Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024 which allows women to postpone their maternity leave in cases of serious illness, and it also introduced maternity leave for Oireachtas members. There was also an increase in Parent’s Leave to 9 weeks per parent of a child under two.

The opening of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, providing financial payments and health benefits to eligible applicants. The Payment Scheme received 5,997 applications by the end of 2024 and made payments totalling €53,733,500 (general and work-related payments).

14,750 applications for birth information processed by Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland in line with the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022.

Appointment of the Director of the Guardian ad litem (GAL) National Service to set up office to ensure that the voice and best interests of children are always at the heart of public childcare proceedings and will provide a high quality, standardised service to the courts and to children and young people who are the subject of these proceedings.

Establishment of an Interagency Group on Vulnerable Children which brings together stakeholders from across Government and its Agencies to address issues affecting vulnerable children and young people in care.

National Review of Home Visiting Services and establishment of the Tusla National Home Visiting Programme which will help develop a sustainable national approach to home visiting services to improve outcomes for parents and their children.

The publication of The Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-Making Action Plan 2024-2028 to support our young people and maximise their potential contribution to society and its development.