Results 1,061-1,080 of 20,818 for speaker:Norma Foley

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I appreciate that. I would never say that any model is perfect in its entirety so I am happy to continue to look at that.

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: In respect of the mother and baby homes, the criteria have been set. I acknowledge that the criteria are in place. Reference has been made to the uptake. We would expect that there will be greater uptake towards the end of the scheme. Regarding those who have been excluded, there will be a review in September 2026. That is also set down so I have to look at that in September 2026. There...

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: This area falls under the remit of the Department of Social Protection and not my Department-----

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I think I can say categorically that it is under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection.

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I will follow that up again but gender recognition has always been under the remit of the Department of Social Protection. It was with the previous Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, and is now with the current Minister, Deputy Dara Calleary.

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: There is a limited appeals system for the building blocks scheme. It is an opportunity. I recognise that there could be a simple error on a form or a miscalculation so there is a limited appeals process there. Perhaps that will-----

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: At the same time, I would say that a criterion is a criterion but if there is any misstep in the application form, that will be picked up.

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I appreciate what the Deputy is saying. We live in a different world and we live in a world where I would like to think there is equality in terms of parents. Family leave has been extended. Parent's leave has been extended to nine weeks per parent.

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I will keep family leave entitlements under review and we will see how we go.

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Yes, okay.

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Some of the outreach is around information meetings. There has been a significant number of those meetings in person and online conducted by Tusla. An initial foster care placement payment has been introduced, which is an extra week's payment, for those who might be coming into the system for the first time. A new peer support pilot programme is also being provided to support new people...

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I absolutely agree. Particularly in the early years sector, we now recognise the need to bring equality to the system. The earlier we intervene the better. As the Deputy said, we need to be across it from the earliest point to the latest point.

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Cathaoirleach raises a good point. Gender pay reporting is important because it is a key tool in tackling the gender pay gap. The requirement has now been extended on a phased basis and the regulations have now come into effect so that anybody who has 50 or more employees must report through the portal this year. The Department is doing all it can. This was done on a phased basis and...

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator. In those settings, staff must be vetted and qualifications must be in place.

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I appreciate that but in deference to those who are working in those settings, I want to acknowledge that. These are children and unaccompanied minors, and provision must be made for them. I hear the point the Senator is making. If there is a specific setting she wants to raise with me, I am happy to engage after the meeting.

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy and ask him to follow up directly with me in respect of those last two points. I value the work of FRCs. I met their national representatives recently. As the Deputy is aware, an application process is under way for the creation of five additional FRCs. I wish it were more but that was the funding provided in the previous budget. I hope we can do more in that space,...

Committee on Children and Equality: Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Senator could give me the details of the case separately and I will ask for it to be followed up.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Inquiries (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 463 and 464 together. I recognise the enormous impact that pregnancy loss has on expectant parents, and I wish to extend my sympathies to all parents who have suffered such a loss. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Data (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: Core Funding is a grant to providers designed to support quality, sustainability, and enhanced public management, with associated conditions in relation to fee control and cost transparency, incorporating funding for administration and to support the employment of graduate staff. The introduction of Core Funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The Deputy may not be aware that the transfer of functions from my department and the renaming of it occurred on 1st May therefore the actions to complete the change of name and all associated actions have not been completed as yet. They are currently underway. My officials will forward the information to the Deputy once all costs are known in the coming weeks.