Results 1-20 of 20,049 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: Since the roll-out of Equal Start in September 2024, my Department has allocated €9,947,998.96 to Equal Start designated services. The breakdown of funding per county can be found in the table below. County Equal Start funding 2024/2025 Carlow €157,037.76 Cavan €137,586.30 Clare ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Mother and Baby Homes (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: In October 2022 the Government made an Order under the Institutional Burials Act 2022 to direct an intervention at the site of the former Mother and Baby institution in Tuam, Co. Galway. The Government Order specifies that the functions of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam include carrying out an Identification Programme to seek to establish familial links. In March 2023 the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Early Childhood Care and Education (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: In September 2024, my Department commenced the roll-out of Equal Start, a major model of supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare. Equal Start is designed to be developed and rolled out in phases. Services with the highest level of need are targeted in the early phases. Since September 2024, Equal...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Early Childhood Care and Education (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: While the wide range of data sought by the Deputy is not specifically tracked by my Department, I can report that since the eTenders platform was redeveloped in May 2023, three public procurement competitions advertised by my Department on the platform were subsequently cancelled. The reason for the cancellation of these competitive processes was due to a lack of supplier engagement, with no...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Public Private Partnerships (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Family Resource Centres (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: I can confirm that my Department has received the Family Resource Centre National Forum’s Pre Budget Submission 2025 (for Budget 2026). The Programme for Government gives a commitment to work to increase funding and expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres (FRCs). With regard to the specific asks of any such submission, these must be considered in the context of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: My Department launched the What Works Enhancing Quality Fund on July 2, 2025. The Fund aims to support not-for-profit organisations to promote continuous improvement and innovation using a process of problem-solving in prevention and early intervention services for children and young people. The Fund is significant part of the What Works initiative, which is funded through the Dormant...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: In December 2024, my Department announced €100,000 in funding under the Parent Peer Support Fund, to 42 successful projects. 37 projects received funding of €2,000 and a further 5 projects received funding of €5,000, to support the expansion of established parent peer support initiatives, which have been proven to have a positive impact for parents and carers. This fund...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: In 2025, my department has paid €413,338 to childminders as part of the Childminding Development Grant. The breakdown of payments per county can be found in the table below. Carlow €11,000 Cavan €16,700 Clare €19,000 Cork City €11,000 Cork County ...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: Since the introduction of Core Funding in 2022, my Department has paid €847,590,438.70 to Core Funding Partner Services. The breakdown of payments per county can be found in the table below and includes the values paid right up to the end of programme year 3 which will be 31 August 2025. County Division Interim Funding Core Funding 2022/2023 Core...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: My Department has not procured any services from the company identified by the Deputy. Bodies under the aegis of my Department will respond directly to the Deputy.

Pride: Statements (16 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: It is my honour to address the House today on Pride. It is a particular honour to be here this year as we mark what is a significant year in terms of LGBTIQ+ equality. As many in the House will be aware, the Dublin Pride Festival took place on 28 June. The streets of the capital were awash with vibrant colours, enjoyment and, most importantly, pride. As the summer moves on, there will...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Budgets (16 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: Capital Allocation 2024 Following a Supplementary Estimates a final Capital allocation of €142.82 million was provided in respect of my Department for 2024. Please see table below for a detailed breakdown. Capital Allocation 2025 Following a transfer of functions and a Further Revised Estimates for Public Service 2025, a Capital Allocation of €99.50 million was provided in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (16 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched on 4th November 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received with 50 successful applicants progressing to the next stage of the grant process. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (16 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: Improving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government. Decisions about whether to open new early learning and childcare facilities or expand existing services in Ballymun and Finglas, as elsewhere, are the prerogative of independent operators. My Department therefore does not have details of future planned facilities by...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Children in Care (16 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: The referenced organisation is primarily funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Agency has advised that it has not yet finalised its budget for 2026, and therefore no decisions have yet been made regarding the annual funding for the referenced organisation in 2026. Tusla is currently engaging with the Department detailing the funding requirements for the Agency overall in 2026....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Mother and Baby Homes (16 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: In October 2022 the Government made an Order under the Institutional Burials Act 2022 to direct an intervention at the site of the former Mother and Baby institution in Tuam, Co. Galway. The Government Order specifies that the functions of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam include carrying out an Identification Programme to seek to establish familial links. In March 2023 the...