Results 1-20 of 64 for carers speaker:Norma Foley

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

Norma Foley: ...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. Foster carers remain a priority for Tusla and for my Department. I can assure the Deputy that I will work closely with Government colleagues and with Tusla on any additional funding decisions arising...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Children in Care (10 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: Foster carers play a vital role providing stable and caring homes for our most vulnerable children. Foster care is recognised as the preferred care setting for a child in the care of the State. As of Q4 2024, 87.2% of children in care were being cared for by foster carers, a figure which compares favourably internationally. However, it is recognised that the State faces an ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Parental Leave (8 Jul 2025)

Norma Foley: ...set out in the legislation. The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 introduced further important entitlements for workers, including the right to request flexible working for parents and carers, and leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12. Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to...

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

Norma Foley: ...in investment in foster care supports, including a 21% increase to the rates of the foster care allowance. The rates have been increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. In 2025, this means that foster carers will receive an additional €3,900 in allowances. A double week of the foster care allowance was also paid to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (17 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: The death of a child in care or known to state services, whether at home, in care, or aftercare, is a tragic event that deeply affects family, friends, carers/staff connected to the child and local communities. The National Review Panel (NRP) conducts reviews of child deaths and serious incidents, where the child is in care or is known to Tusla. The NRP is independent in the performance...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: State Pensions (17 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: I am aware that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is an area of genuine concern for foster carers. The Programme for Government 2025 contains a commitment to develop a pension solution for foster carers in recognition of the enormous contribution they make to vulnerable children in our society, and to acknowledge their long-term commitment and to ensure that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Poverty (17 Jun 2025)

Norma Foley: ...increase in investment in foster care supports, including a 21% increase to the rates of the foster care allowance. The rates have been increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. In 2025, this means that foster carers will receive an additional €3,900 in allowances. A double week of the foster care allowance was also...

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

Norma Foley: ...an overview of some of the key topics and will be happy to answer questions afterwards. Foster care is one of the key areas of focus for me and the Department. I express gratitude to foster carers for the hugely important work they do in caring for children and young people, in particular those who can no longer live at home. We want them to be safe, to be cared for and to thrive....

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

Norma Foley: ...record from the family at home who were mentioned, with their long service. Many families are like that. They give incredible long service. The programme for Government makes a number of commitments to support foster carers as well. I know the Senator referenced the increase in the money and the 21%. It was actually a 21% increase on budget 2024 for the foster care allowance. I do...

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

Norma Foley: If I miss anything in the time available to me, the Deputy might come back to me on it. Regarding foster carers and the pension, there is a commitment in that regard in the programme for Government. Obviously, it is not within my gift to deliver but, rather, that of the Minister for Social Protection. However, there is an absolute commitment in this regard. I appreciate the Deputy's...

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

Norma Foley: I will begin with the first point the Deputy raised, which concerned foster carers. I 100% agree with her in this regard. I deliberately spoke about foster carers first because we want to do all we can to support those who are in the system to stay and to attract more into it. The Deputy is right that the programme for Government includes significant commitments regarding the pension, as...

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

Norma Foley: I acknowledge there are a number of commitments in the programme for Government for foster carers and that includes the pension, as has already been referenced. It also includes back to school, and I have spoken directly with the Minister in that regard.

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

Norma Foley: ...process to be told at the end that they do not have a disability, but they have a need and the need has to be focused on at an earlier point. That is the motivation there. In terms of foster carers, I absolutely agree and I said it earlier. We need to do more and more in that space because it suits children best and, therefore, significant efforts are being made to support foster...

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

Norma Foley: ...within its Department. I earlier referenced fostering awareness month. Some 130 information sessions, online and in-person, were provided by Tusla. An information hub is now available for foster carers. As I said, we gave further commitment in the programme for Government to increased foster care allowances, in addition to the 21% that was provided for in the previous budget.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Policies (27 May 2025)

Norma Foley: The death of a child in care or known to state services, whether at home, in care, or aftercare, is a tragic event that deeply affects family, friends, carers/staff connected to the child and local communities. In circumstances where families are affected by the unexpected death of a child known to or in the care of Tusla, such cases are notified to the National Review Panel (NRP). The...

Estimates for Public Services 2025 (21 May 2025)

Norma Foley: ...and their families, society and the economy. My Department's Estimate contains provision of approximately €1.2 billion for Tusla, which represents an increase of €63.3 million, or 6%, over the 2024 Supplementary Estimate levels. This funding will allow Tusla to continue to provide support for foster carers, with provision made for the full year costs of the increases in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (20 May 2025)

Norma Foley: 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. Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment in respect of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €400 per week for a child under 12...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (14 May 2025)

Norma Foley: ...the availability of suitable placements for children in care. These include:The Foster Care Allowance was increased by 21% last year in order to support the recruitment and retention of foster carers. Additionally, in 2025 foster carers will receive a bonus payment at the start of each initial foster care placement. I was also pleased to announce additional mileage support for foster...

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

Norma Foley: ...includes a Sponsorship arrangement which allows designated bodies to refer children to the Scheme on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. ‘Alternative Care Policy’ Unit Foster Care Allowance Presently foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (29 Apr 2025)

Norma Foley: ...including in relation to the foster care allowance, which was increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12 in 2024. In 2025, this means that foster carers will receive an additional €3,900 in allowances, depending on the age of the foster child. Additionally Budget 2025 set out further investment and support towards...