Results 1-20 of 19,925 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Data (26 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: As this relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Pay Dispute (26 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I thank the deputy for his question. The challenges facing organisations that provide services on behalf of Tusla under section 56, including Barnardo’s, is of significant concern. It is important to me that all eligible staff, receive their agreed pay increases, in as timely a manner as possible. Since 2023, my Department has been actively engaged with the WRC process to find...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Site Excavation (26 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I am very conscious of the pain caused by the deaths of children who were resident in the former Mother and Baby institution in Sean Ross Abbey. The investigation of burial arrangements in Mother and Baby institutions, including the former institution at Sean Ross Abbey, was an important part of the work of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. At the request of the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Inquiries (26 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I am committed to ongoing, open engagement with survivors and their representatives and any invitations received are given appropriate consideration. Earlier this week I published four important reports as follows:The First Annual Report of the Special Advocate for SurvivorsThe Third Annual Report on the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Data (26 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Programme for Government sets out the ambition to work with schools to host before and after-school childcare in school buildings as well as planning the development of State-led early learning and childcare facilities in tandem with the school building programme, specifically referencing Irish medium naíonraí. Officials have met a number of times with officials from the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Meetings (26 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 308 together. The 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The Guidelines are intended to ensure a consistent approach to the treatment of planning applications in respect to the land use planning aspects of early learning and...

Seanad: Disability (Personalised Budgets) Bill 2024: Second Stage (25 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I am very pleased to be here to discuss personalised budgets as raised by this Private Member’s Bill. I acknowledge the very heartfelt, sincere and passionate contributions from all Senators and I know there is more to follow. I reiterate my commitment and that of this Government as set out in the programme for Government 2025 to support the roll-out of personalised budgets...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Detention Centres (25 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Oberstown Children Detention Campus is the State’s sole detention centre for children. The maximum occupancy in Oberstown is set by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality by way of a certificate made under the Children Act 2001. This certificate is currently set at 46 (40 boys and 6 girls). Places can be used to accommodate both children on detention orders and children...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: EU Directives (25 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Pay Transparency Directive (officially known as Directive (EU) 2023/970 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms) came into force in June 2023. Member States have three years from that date to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Healthcare Policy (25 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I recognise the enormous, personal impact that pregnancy loss has on expectant parents and I wish to extend my sympathies to all parents who have suffered such a tragic loss. I am also conscious of the pressures that are experienced by those undergoing fertility treatment. My officials are examining the findings of a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: An Teanga Gaeilge (25 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Is eintitis phríobháideacha iad seirbhísí Luathfhoghlama agus Cúraim agus socraíonn siad a polasaithe iontrála féin agus níl aon ról ag an Roinn maidir leis. Áfach, tá tuismitheoirí agus soláthraithe in ann dul i dteangmháil lena Coistí Contae nó Cathrach i gCúram Leanaí chun níos mó...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Sports Facilities (25 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: As this relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Detention Centres (25 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Oberstown Children Detention Campus is the State’s only detention centre for children. The maximum occupancy at Oberstown is certified by the Minister under the Children Act 2001. This is currently set at 46 (40 boys and 6 girls) including children on detention and remand. Children in Oberstown often have complex needs and may display aggressive behaviours. Oberstown has...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (24 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of alternative care services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla is independent in both its procurement and operation of such services. Engagement between Tusla and an organisation providing or potentially providing alternative care services on its behalf is an operational matter for the Agency, and I as Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Family Resource Centres (24 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 706 and 707 together. Tusla, as the body responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Family Resource Centre Programme, is managing the selection process for the additional Family Resource Centres. My Department has agreed with Tusla that independent representation will be included on the selection panel for additional Family Resource Centres. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Staff (24 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 708 and 710 together. I can confirm that my Department has a designated procurement officer, currently at Principal Officer grade. My Department currently tracks procurement using standard Office 365 products. Work is planned to transition the Department to a software platform that will include contract management. Bodies under the aegis of my...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Department does not keep a central register of staff members qualifications. However, my officials maintain a record of training provided to staff and, in that respect, I can advise that the Department has funded one level 6 certificate in Public Procurement in 2023. The Department has offered training to all staff on an Introduction to Public...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (24 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. This includes reviewing deposit rules across each early learning and childcare scheme. Under Core Funding, in which over 92% of the sector participate, providers agree that all deposits relating to the 2024/2025 Programme Year must be returned to the parent/ guardian once the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (24 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a programme of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Its goal is to empower early learning and care providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Reviews (24 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Significant improvements have been made in the entitlements to both paid and unpaid leaves in recent years, including by extending paid parent's leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their baby during their earliest years. The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with 26 weeks of paid maternity leave...