Results 41-60 of 21,259 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: In 2026, current expenditure for early learning and childcare will rise to €1.48 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 9% or €125 million. This additional funding will deliver real and meaningful change to the lives of thousands of children and their families in 2026 as well as to early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners and providers. Some 105,250...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy very much. I acknowledge that many childminders, when asked about their intention to register, report that they are undecided, while some say they intend to stop childminding. As I have said previously, I understand the anxiety and uncertainty of childminders in a period of transition. Change is never comfortable. Communication is essential to that. It is a key element...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: To be fair, there would have been no point in doing a review in the first year. It is important that we have the benefit of the experience of those who registered and went through the process. It is a three-year process. It is appropriate that at a midway point, before September 2027 and during 2026, the review will take place. There is no point in doing it without having the experience...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: The Deputy should have no fears. I hear and see exactly what is going. To be clear, this is a three-year process. It would be entirely inappropriate for any type of review to take place in the first year.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: It would not allow the system to get itself up and running. It would not allow us to learn and gain from the benefit of the experience of those who go through the process. It is appropriate that it would take place in the second year. I have committed to that. I have articulated it clearly. It will take place in 2026. We will have the benefit of the first year of those who have gone...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child and Family Agency (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which is of the deepest concern to everybody, both in the Government and across the House. All of us have been greatly saddened by recent cases that have been highlighted. On the questions that the Deputy raised, Tusla has completed its work on the well-being check. This will be overseen by a steering group, which will be entirely independent of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disabilities Assessments (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: Specifically in relation to the private capacity, €10 million was made available last year. I did say that if at any point more were required and if there were capacity to do more, more funding would be made available. It is our estimate that between €18 million and €20 million will have been spent, and a further €20 million has been secured in budget 2026. If...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disabilities Assessments (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: Pardon?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disabilities Assessments (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: We will present that before the end of this year.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy said, in a survey recently published by Childminding Ireland, 393 childminders responded to a question about their intentions for when registration becomes mandatory. Some 44% said they were undecided, 32% said they intended to stop childminding and 24% said they intended to register with Tusla. While those who responded to the survey and answered the question represent a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: I concede that childminders are hugely important and make a very significant contribution to caring for children right across communities, even in rural communities. I am very familiar with the extraordinary benefit childminders provide. The Department has committed to a review as part of the transition period. That will commence in 2026. Supports are available to childminders from...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: I think we all appreciate that registration is important. It is critical to the safeguarding of children. It involves oversight of Garda vetting, proof of insurance, first aid and safeguarding training and so on. That is a positive thing in terms of registration. Again, there are specific people available through the city and county childcare committees, childminding development...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disabilities Assessments (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: The Government recognises that there are unacceptable delays in accessing assessment of need. The Department and the HSE are committed to addressing these delays. The delivery of an effective and efficient assessment of need system continues to be a priority for the Government. Intensive work has been under way to deliver actions to achieve this. It is important to note that children...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disabilities Assessments (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. Again, I acknowledge the points he makes. Parents are right to access every opportunity they can for a child. I would do it. They are right to do it but we need to find better ways to progress the assessment of need. As I have said, over 6,300 assessments have been done privately. Some €10 million was made available but it is likely that between €18...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: Municipal districts.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile shows that the estimated number of enrolments nationally increased by approximately 19% between 2022 and 2024. In Kerry. the estimated number of enrolments increased by 27% over the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Early Childhood Care and Education (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: The Programme for Government commits for the first time to provision of early learning and childcare through State-led facilities adding capacity in areas where unmet need exists. As part of the National Development Plan review the allocation for this Department has increased to €795 million over the next five years. This increased funding will be used in part to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Child and Family Agency (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: I can assure the Deputy that both I and my Department have open lines of communication with the Chairperson of Tusla, its Board, its CEO, its Management Board and the broader organisation. I met with the CEO on dates in February, May, September, September, October and November of this year. I also met with the Chairperson of the Board and other Board members earlier today, 12th November...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Schemes (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched in late 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January 2025. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received with 50 applicants approved to progress to the next stage of the grant process. Following approval,...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (12 Nov 2025)

Norma Foley: An evaluation of the first year of Core Funding and the development of an evaluation framework for Core Funding is currently underway. This project will examine the early implementation of Core Funding and make recommendations for future evaluations of the grant. Findings from the project are expected in Quarter 4 2025. The parameters of this review were limited to the first year of Core...