Results 41-60 of 19,925 for speaker:Norma Foley

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

Norma Foley: In November 2024, Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which includes a number of legislative provisions arising from the review of the Equality Acts. At the same time, approval was granted, in principle, for the introduction of a new equality ground of socio-economic disadvantage in Ireland’s equality legislation,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (19 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The information required to give an accurate figure on the number of families on enhanced subsidies that were negatively affected by the fee adjustment process in 2024 is not currently available to my Department. 1145 applications to the Fee Increase Assessment process were received by the Department, of which 898 (78.48%) were granted permission to increase at least one fee up to an...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (19 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Schools Building Projects (19 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched last year and closed for applications in January. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received. The applications came from a variety of locations across the country. All applications received were appraised...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Schools Building Projects (19 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched last year and closed for applications in January. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received. The applications came from a variety of locations across the country. All applications received were appraised...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Residential Institutions (19 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The National Centre for Research and Remembrance, to be located in Sean MacDermott Street, Dublin 1, will comprise a museum and exhibition space, a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, and a garden space for reflection and remembrance. This Centre will honour equally all those who spent time in Industrial Schools, Magdalen Laundries,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (19 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 376, 377, 378 and 379 together. Detailed data on planning and land use, including requests for change of use from planning permission previously granted, are not held by my Department. I am advised that the information requested is also not compiled by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In general, the operation of the planning...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Staff (19 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Department operates a Blended Working Policy based on the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations. All employees, regardless of grade, can apply for a blended working arrangement. Staff must attend the office for a minimum of two days per week (pro rata for staff on a reduced working pattern), with specific days to be determined by the Head of Unit. The end of...

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht an ama agus an deise seo a thabhairt dom. The Commission of Investigation (Certain Matters Relative to a Disability Service in the South East and Related Matters), the Farrelly commission, is an independent statutory commission of investigation established in 2017 to investigate the care and protection of Grace and others in a former...

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I thank all Senators who have contributed to this debate on the final substantive report of the Farrelly commission. There has been a wide range of speakers. I am appreciative of their input. It must be emphasised that the commission of investigation is an independent statutory commission empowered to investigate matters of significant public concern, possessing robust investigative...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (18 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The 2020 Programme for Government contained a commitment, in terms of gender recognition, to examine arrangements for those aged under 16. The Department of Social Protection and the then Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth jointly commissioned this research, to identify the mechanisms used in other countries, which govern legal gender recognition of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Poverty (18 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Child poverty requires a cross government response and I am committed to supporting the broader Government action to combat child poverty. The Child Poverty and Well-being Office in the Department of the Taoiseach was established in 2023 to coordinate government actions that reduce child poverty and foster children’s well-being, focussed on improvements that have the potential to make...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (18 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I would like to advise the Deputy that overcrowded accommodation does not fall under the remit of my Department. Primary responsibility for housing and managing homelessness and overcrowding lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Local Authorities. My Department is aware that the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published research in May...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (18 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Government has made significant commitments to improve accessibility, availability, affordability and the quality of early learning and childcare provision. Investment in early learning and childcare is now at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.37 billion in 2025, clearly demonstrating the Government’s commitment to this area. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (18 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Government has made significant commitments to improve accessibility, affordability and the quality of early learning and childcare provision. Investment in early learning and childcare is now at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.37 billion in 2025, clearly demonstrating the Government’s commitment to this area. The Early Childhood Care and Education...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Qualifications (18 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of registration to childminders. A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Contracts (18 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Reducing the costs to parents for children to participate in early learning and childcare is a core focus of my Department. This includes reviewing deposit rules across each early learning and childcare scheme. Under Core Funding, in which over 92% of the sector participate, service providers agree that they will not charge any non-refundable deposits (including...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (17 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Specifically, that is a matter for the Department of Social Protection. I am speaking to our remit, which is childcare provision and care for disability.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (17 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: As I said at the outset, there are 20 social workers in County Clare. All of the three current vacancies are due to be filled this summer, depending on whether they relate to a career break, maternity leave or whatever else, so they will be at their full capacity of 23 social workers. I recognise the invaluable work of social workers. Across the country, there is a lack of social workers...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (17 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the Deputy's ongoing engagement with me on this matter. She will be aware that earlier this month I announced the introduction of maximum fee caps for all partner services in core funding from September 2025. The fee freeze will remain in place for all partner services with fees below these caps. This is an important step towards the reduction of childcare fees to €200...