Results 81-100 of 20,908 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: Government is committed to delivering and enhancing services to better support children with disabilities in Ireland. The Children’s Disability Grant Fund aims to supplement the work of the Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) by providing supports and services to children and their families who are currently waitlisted for services. To do this, the fund makes available...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Artificial Intelligence (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is compiling the information requested and will respond directly in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Data (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: A total of €3.8 billion has been allocated for Specialist Disability Services in Budget 2026, representing a €618 million or 20% increase year on year. Of this additional €618 million, €468 million is provided to maintain existing levels of service, a significant provision which recognises the challenges prevailing in the sector including the increased cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Data (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: As this question refers to the 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: Departmental Data (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: As this question refers to the 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: Childcare Services (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: This year the Department will commence an independent evaluation of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). This evaluation will examine how the Scheme has performed to date and will identify any potential enhancements to further support families and improve affordability. The process will include extensive stakeholder consultation with parents, providers and representative groups, as well...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Budget 2026 (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: My Department provides funding annually for parent and toddler groups nationwide. Parent and toddler groups are organised by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis and involve the participation of parents/guardians in the community. I have secured €350,000 in funding for parent and toddler groups in 2026 to support the work of these groups who provide a valuable opportunity for...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: Reply not received from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: Reply not received from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: The Government is committed to ensuring access to affordable, quality early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC), with an investment of €1.48bn in the 2026 budget. This funding will allow my Department to build on recent progress in the gradual reduction of fees for parents, while also supporting supply and the quality of provision. New caps on maximum fees came into...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (15 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: Reply not received from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disability Services (14 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: As this question refers to the 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: Disabilities Assessments (14 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: As this question refers to the 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 (14 Oct 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: After-School Support Services (14 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: My Department does not directly provide an Early Learning and Care or School Aged Childcare transport service. Services may at their own discretion provide for transport as part of their overall service offer and the substantial subsidies provided by my Department contribute to the cost of this throughout the offset of fees in those services. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Care Services (14 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: I am advised by Tusla that as of 10 October 2025, there are 15 young people in Special Care. At present, there are no young people who are currently the subject of a Special Care Order (in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991) and there are no young people awaiting placement within a Special Care Unit. I am fully aware of the significant challenges facing special care services. While...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Care Services (14 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 772, 773, 774 and 775 together. Special care units are secure, residential facilities for children in care aged between 11 and 17 years. They are detained under a High Court care order for a short-term period of stabilisation when their behaviour poses a real and substantial risk of harm to their life, health, safety, development or...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Child and Family Agency (14 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) has statutory responsibility for the operation of Special Care in Ireland, and for the provision of Special Care beds. The total combined capacity of Special Care Units across 3 Special Care Centres is 26 beds. The current capacity is currently for 15 children due primarily to challenges recruiting and retaining social care workers. Tusla continues to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Child and Family Agency (14 Oct 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: Childcare Services (14 Oct 2025)

Norma Foley: The Government is committed to ensuring access to affordable, quality early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC), with an investment of €1.48bn in the 2026 budget. This funding will allow my Department to build on recent progress in the gradual reduction of fees for parents, while also supporting supply and the quality of provision. New caps on maximum fees came into...