Results 721-740 of 20,818 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disability Services (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: The AsIAm Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Support Programme was allocated funding to provide up to 511 high-tech AAC devices to non-speaking Autistic children via three referral pathways: 1: AAC Support Programme, 2: Device Funded Scheme, 3: Trial and Keep Scheme. AsIAm have advised me that there has been a high degree of interest in the programme with 886 initial...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disabilities Assessments (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: My Department and the HSE have been progressing numerous measures to ensure that the Assessment of Need (AON) process is working as effectively as possible for all children including for those with autism. It is important to be aware that, while children have a right to apply for an AON, they do not need one in order to access or receive services including therapies provided by Primary...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disabilities Assessments (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disability Services (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disability Services (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Children in Care (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: The Programme for Government 2025 (PfG) sets out the Government’s intention to provide further support for foster carers, including further increases to the foster care allowance and the new Initial Placement Payment, a commitment to examine pension provision for foster carers, and examine eligibility for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. I am aware that...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Child and Family Agency (29 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: Disability Services (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: The targets noted in the Deputy’s question are set by the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026. The Action Plan represents a national strategy for capacity increases and service and policy reform in disability services and was informed by findings from the Disability Capacity Review, published in 2021, in addition to cross-Governmental input and an extensive public...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: 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 (ECCE) Programme, which provides two years of pre-school without charge, enjoys participation rates of 96%. Over 70% of families on low income...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Early Childhood Care and Education (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: First 5, the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families, recognises that the workforce is at the heart of high-quality early learning and care. The evidence suggests that children achieve better outcomes when staff are well-qualified. This is undisputed internationally. Nurturing Skills, The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Early Childhood Care and Education (29 Jul 2025)

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

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Early Childhood Care and Education (29 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: Departmental Staff (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: The number of full time equivalent staff employed in my Department as of end of June 2025 is as follows: Grade FTE Secretary General 1 Assistant Secretary 6 Principal Officer 43.9 Assistant Principal 142.7 Administrative Officer 94.75 Higher...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Equipment (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: My Department’s ICT services are provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), which supplies a centralised service to a significant number of Government Departments and agencies across the Civil and Public Service. In terms of cyber security, my Department engages closely with the OGCIO, which in turn engages with the National Cyber Security Centre to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disability Services (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Children in Care (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: Foster carers play a vital and valued role in the care of the most vulnerable children in our society. Foster care is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their family of origin, and foster carers provide a safe, secure and stable home environment for these vulnerable children and young people. The Programme for Government 2025 (PfG) sets out the Government’s...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Children in Care (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: I welcome the recent announcement of the extension of eligibility for the Back to School Allowance to encompass foster carers. This measure is an important step in the Government’s commitment to providing further support to children in foster care. Payment of the Allowance falls wholly under the remit of the Department of Social Protection, and is aimed at helping families with the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disability Services (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: Government is wholly committed to increasing the participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of political life. This includes promoting greater active participation by people with disabilities in elections on an equitable basis as citizens. Considerations related to the Electoral Act 1997 and provisions for the establishment of quotas on party ballots and broader political...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: Sensational Kids is a not-for-profit organisation delivering interventions to children over the last 10 years. It operates as a child development centre, providing subsidised therapy services for children and professional development training workshops for those working with children with special needs. Sensational Kids employs approximately 30 staff, including a clinical team across...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (29 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for his question. I acknowledge and greatly appreciate the work that Barnardos does in providing important services to children and families throughout Ireland. The challenges facing Barnardos, and other organisations providing services on behalf of Tusla, is of significant concern. My officials and I have met with representatives from Barnardos on a number of occasions...