Norma Foley
Kerry · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Therefore, the means by which the motion proposes to address the challenges raised may not specifically align with the approach being taken, but I absolutely accept that the underlying goals are the same and I accept the Deputies' sincerity in seeking to achieve them.”
“I intend to bring forward specific proposals arising from this work towards the end of the year, depending on progress and the outcome of ongoing engagement with stakeholders.”
“Working with that office, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality is absolutely committed to seeking to expand and reform specialist disability services in order to maximise individuals’ independence and support them to live lives of their choosing in places of their choosing.”
“A number of new measures are in train to move towards planned provision of residential supports, including the provision of planned residential placements under a new initiative, as outlined in the HSE’s 2026 national service plan.”
“I absolutely accept they are fighting tirelessly to highlight the need for us to ensure their loved ones are cared for and provided with appropriate housing, as and when it is needed. For far too many families, placements are made at the last minute, causing distress to individuals and their families.”
“In line with commitments contained in the programme for Government and the national human rights strategy, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality is now developing a new vision and reform strategy for disability services.”
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“The Deputy asked about my engagement with this. I have met with the chair of the independent steering group. It is important to say that this is independent of Tusla. It is important that the steering group be independent of Tusla. I have met with the chair and will do so again in advance of the commencement of phase 2 of the project. I have secured additional funding in the Estimates for next year to assist with the implementation of the check. Funding of €3.2 million has been secured and is being allocated to cover the period of the review, and this funding includes provision for the additional administrative supports required. I and my officials continue to engage with Tusla on the well-being check. As Minister, I am committed to making our child protection system as robust as it possibly can be.”
“The membership of the steering group is now finalised and includes representatives from my Department and the Departments of Social Protection; Health; Education and Youth; and Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; along with representatives from the HSE; the Central Statistics Office; Tusla and Barnardos and an independent social work expert. Engagements have taken place with other Government Departments to explore opportunities for appropriate data-sharing use to establish where the children encompassed by this review are currently or recently known to a relevant State service or State-funded service. A national lead has been appointed and a well-being check project team manager has also been appointed. A digital case management system is in place to support the work of the teams.”
“The well-being welfare check is going to focus on cases that were closed to child protection services during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and relates to cases where there has been no further contact with the child since the cases were closed. Often, it is a real positive when a case can be closed. On other occasions, a case can be reopened. The check will be overseen by an independent steering group chaired by Ms Tanya Ward, the CEO of the Children's Rights Alliance. I can confirm to Deputy Farrelly that phase 1 of the project is under way and that a number of steps have been taken.”
“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 Tusla. The purpose of the well-being welfare check is to proactively test and strengthen the current safety net the State provides for children's welfare and protection and to provide assurances about the welfare of vulnerable children.”
“They were independently assessed by an independent outsider. There are always opportunities to learn from the process on the ground. That is the reason why. There will be a review and it will commence in 2026.”
“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 through the process. We will have the opportune time until September 2027, realising that is the closing point. It is appropriate that we have the first year and the review take place in the second year. I am committing to that review taking place in the second year. I appreciate the work of Childminding Ireland. I acknowledge that everybody was consulted when these regulations were being introduced in the first place.”
“The Deputy should have no fears. I hear and see exactly what is going on. 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.”
“It provides support and security from safeguarding, Garda vetting and proof of insurance points of view and so many other different elements. I absolutely accept the fantastic service being provided by childminders. I do not underestimate that, but we must move towards regulation. We will support those who will move towards regulation.”
“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 on the ground to inform it. As I said earlier - it just so happens that these two questions are coming one after another - childminding development officers employed by the city and county childcare committees are on the ground to support anyone who is having any difficulties or challenges. I ask them to engage directly. We are in agreement that regulation is important.”
“Bill Maxwell, the former CEO of Education Scotland, former chief inspector of both Scotland and Wales and OECD consultant, which confirmed that the approach that was being taken was proportionate for childminding in Ireland. As I said, I have met with representatives of Childminding Ireland in both the early learning and childcare stakeholder forum and the providers forum. I am determined that I will meet with them on a one-to-one basis before the review of the regulations commences. That regulation is between 2024 and 2027, so the ideal time for the review will be in 2026.”
“I am firmly behind the regulation of childminding services, which is critical to the safeguarding children - I have already outlined this - whether it is Garda vetting, proof of insurance, training courses and all of that. I am heartened to see that in the recent survey carried out by Childminding Ireland, those childminders who have already been through the registration process and are working under the new regulations report that their experience is a positive one. The childminding-specific regulations, which came into effect in September 2024, are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. Childminders were consulted on and involved in all aspects of the development. There was an independent assessment by Dr.”
“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 of phase 2 of the national action plan for childminding during the transition period. Work on this communications strategy has begun. Childminders are a hugely important part of early learning and care and school-age childcare provision. They continue to be an option of choice, which is important, for many families.”
“On the meetings, I have already met Childminding Ireland through the stakeholder forum and provider forum but I will be engaging with it on a one-to-one basis as part of the review.”
“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 officers, who are available on the ground to offer support. A communication strategy is being developed. I am absolutely engaged with the Minister for housing in relation to this issue that has arisen. It is my understanding it is within a person's own home, but that is a matter for a different Minister and I am engaging with him in relation that.”
“The childminding development grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes. In 2025, the Department has paid €413,338 to childminders through the childminding development grant. A further round of the grant will be paid in 2026. I have not forgotten the point the Deputy has raised about the question of commercial rates and so on. I am engaged on that with the Minister for housing.”
“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 the city and county childcare committees. Each city and county childcare committee has been funded by the Department to ensure that it has a childminding development officer who is on the ground and available to support childminders with any questions they might have or supports they might require in terms of pre-registration training courses or anything at all of that nature.”
“The childminding-specific regulations, which came into effect in September 2024, are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. Childminders were consulted on and involved in all aspects of the development of the regulations. Both the steering group for the national action plan for childminding and the various advisory groups that have supported it have included childminders as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland. The steering group will meet again in December in relation to the action plan and advancing supports, communications and any further benefit we can give to childminders to support them in terms of registration.”
“In fact, only 4% described their experience as negative - we would not want any percentage there, and we have to work on that - while less than one in eight of those who had been previously registered and who now operate under the new regulations were dissatisfied. I therefore believe that communications will be essential to addressing many childminders' concerns. A national communications strategy is a key element in phase 2 of the national action plan for childminding during the transition period, which lasts until September 2027. Work on this strategy has begun, aiming to inform childminders and parents about the changes, the supports available and what to expect.”
“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 small proportion of childminders, with census data indicating there may be approximately 13,000 non-relative childminders across the country, I fully understand the sense of uncertainty and anxiety childminders may be experiencing in this period of transition in relation to registration. Significantly, those childminders who answered the same survey and who had already gone through the process of registration reported very positively on their experiences.”
“It is important to remember that 45% of assessments of need in the third quarter of this year alone led to an autism diagnosis. Looking at all levers, whether it is the change in legislation, the private capacity-----”
“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 more is required again in 2026, we will not be found wanting. We need to look at other measures as well. For example, the HSE is looking at a single point of access model, which I think will be very helpful. It will mean that children will be referred to the right supports and not be placed on a number of different waiting lists. That will be a significant step forward. The HSE is also introducing an autism protocol, which will mean that there will be a specific autism assessment.”
“Specifically in relation to the legislation the Deputy referred to, work is under way to identify relevant legislative changes relating to Part 2 of the Disability Act, which addresses assessment of need. This aims to support the effective and efficient delivery of assessment of need. It is intended to bring forward the legislation before the year end. It will not affect the statutory right of any individual to access an assessment of need or the statutory timeframe set out in the Act. The provision of an effective and efficient assessment of need system continues to be a priority.”
“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 million and €20 million will be spent this year. I acknowledge that other measures have been attributed to the increase as well. Despite the fact that AON is not required to access health services, primary care, CDNTs or mental health services, it is still a route that is chosen.”
“HSE data shows this trend is continuing this year and there has been a 57% year-on-year increase in completed assessments in the first nine months of the year. This improvement has been achieved by a number of measures, including the assessment of need targeted wait-list initiative. Under this initiative, the HSE procures clinical assessments from approved private providers. Over 6,300 clinical assessments have been commissioned from private providers since the initiative commenced in June 2024.”
“The number of applications has increased significantly since 2020, rising from 4,700 applications to over 10,000 applications in 2024. It is expected that the number will increase further this year. The reasons for this growth are complex and reflect the changing needs and awareness of disability in our society as a whole. Capacity constraints have meant that the system has struggled to respond to the substantial increase in demand. In this regard, the Department is working with the HSE to identify opportunities to enhance processes, improve training and increase administrative supports. It is important to highlight that there has been a noted improvement in the number of completed assessments. Over 4,100 were completed in 2024, an increase of 30% compared to 2023.”
“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 do not require an assessment of need to access health services, whether primary care, children’s disability network teams or mental health services. However, as the Deputy has pointed out, demand for assessment of need has increased significantly in recent years. This reflects both the increase in population and the number of families exploring all options to access services for their children.”
“The programme plans of action are templates that will effectively guide all Departments and public bodies, leading on implementation of actions across each of the five pillars of the strategy and ensuring successful collaboration. The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 can be a game-changer for disabled people in this country. I look forward to working with every Member in this Chamber and everyone outside this Chamber to make sure it does what it sets out to do - equal voices, equal actions, equal futures.”
“An important consideration has also been ensuring that other vital perspectives, including the views of people with lived experience, carers, family members, children, people with intellectual disabilities and service providers, are also included in these structures and accounted for in policy development. Helen Keller, the US disability rights activist who did so much to popularise the use of Braille for blind and visually impaired people, said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." That applies across government too. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has been working collaboratively across government on drafting the first programme plan of action covering the period to 2026. This will be published before the end of this year.”
“The Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, will also chair the delivery committee, which will report to him every six months. This is in conjunction with the dedicated unit within the Department of the Taoiseach, the Joint Committee on Disability Matters and, of course, the implementation groups. The Department has also initiated the establishment of the stakeholder engagement structures that will inform the overall delivery and monitoring structures overseeing the strategy throughout its lifetime. A key focus has been on laying the groundwork to strengthen the capacity and sufficiently resource disabled persons’ organisations to ensure that they can adequately advocate for the interests and needs of their members and the wider disability communities they represent.”
“This is the motto chosen by disabled people themselves for this new strategy. Their message is clear: they want to be treated just the same as everybody else. Time and again, people with disabilities have shared with me their strong view of nothing about us without us. How right they are. People with disabilities have been at the heart of developing this strategy. They have carved and shaped every aspect of the strategy. That is a first in this country, and it is an important first. I am determined, though, that not only should they carve out the strategy, but people with disabilities should be at the heart of its implementation, including holding all of us to account for that implementation. As a consequence, people with disabilities will sit on the various implementation groups for the strategy.”
“This will encourage existing taxi operators and drivers to purchase wheelchair accessible taxis when they are changing their current vehicles. By 2030, disabled people must be able to move freely and confidently, whether by bus, train or car or on foot, in environments designed with inclusion in mind and policy that will be shaped in full consultation with disabled people themselves. As a country and society, we must do better for people with disabilities. Tá sé thar am dúinn dul i ngleic leis na deacrachtaí agus na dúshláin a bhaineann le míchumas. Tugann an straitéis náisiúnta um chearta an duine do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas an deis seo dúinn tús nua a chur chun cinn. Guthanna comhionanna, gníomhartha comhionanna, todhchaí comhionann; equal voices, equal actions, equal futures.”
“Respite services are a very important part in providing support for disabled people and their families. Budget 2026 provides funding for 10,000 extra nights of respite and 15,000 further day respite sessions. The final pillar of this strategy, transport and mobility, is about one of the most critical enablers of independence, namely, mobility. Accessible transport is so important for disabled people in their daily lives. Being able to avail of and use public or private transportation easily was one of the top three issues identified by disabled people themselves during the development of the national human rights strategy for disabled people. I, therefore, welcome the HSE’s commitment in the strategy to require taxi companies to have a minimum of 20% of their fleet wheelchair accessible when they are bidding for HSE transport contracts.”
“As part of budget 2026, over 9,000 people with complex disabilities will receive the residential care they need, including 250 new placements next year. I have visited some of the new residential developments. They give disabled people an opportunity to live in the heart of their communities and lead lives of their own making. The strategy contains a strong emphasis on providing better access to this type of housing, support services and opportunities for engagement in culture, sport and civic life. Pillar 4, well-being and health, will improve access to inclusive, integrated health services, from early intervention to mental health supports and health promotion. This goal is clear: better outcomes, higher quality of life, and services that empower disabled people to live fully and live well.”
“There are important improvements in budget 2026 to the wage subsidy scheme for disabled people. The base rate is increasing by €1.20 per hour to €7.50 per hour. I encourage employers to engage with their local Intreo office about this scheme because it offers very strong supports for employing disabled people. Budget 2026 also contains a new guarantee that disabled people can retain the fuel allowance for five years after taking up a job. This is another important confidence-building measure. I thank my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Dara Calleary, for his work in delivering this. The next area identified in the strategy is pillar 3, independent living and active participation in society. This puts independence, choice and autonomy at the centre of policy.”
“There will be 1,717 additional special needs assistants and 860 extra special education teachers for students with special educational needs. We know from OECD data that education gaps are at the root of persistent disability employment gaps. This pillar directly confronts that reality through starting early and staying the course. By 2030, we want to see significantly improved access, greater transition supports across all education levels and, ultimately, higher rates of achievement for disabled learners. Pillar 2 is employment. This is about closing the disability employment gap decisively. We are committed to removing systemic barriers and creating real, sustainable opportunities for disabled people to earn, contribute and thrive in the workforce.”
“The strategy is structured around five core areas: inclusive learning and education; employment; independent living and active participation in society; well-being and health; and transport and mobility. I will briefly outline the ambition behind each of these areas. The first area, known as pillar 1, is inclusive learning and education. We have made progress in recent years in education for people with additional needs. We have doubled the number of special classes to 3,500 and created 16 new special schools. We have over 22,000 special needs assistants and over 20,000 special education teachers. In total, that is more than 40,000 professionals dedicated to the area of working with young people with additional needs. In budget 2026, we are doing more.”
“The top three issues were access to health and social care, having enough money to cover the extra costs related to disability, and being able to avail of and use public or private transportation easily. There is an unwavering focus in this strategy on clear and concrete actions that people with disabilities want prioritised, rather than just looking at it from an official and often siloed perspective. The objective is to look at issues from a whole-of-life perspective. As one disabled person brilliantly put it, "A person's life is not divided into Government Departments." It is, therefore, fitting that the name given to this first ever national human rights strategy for disabled people was the name requested and promoted by people with disabilities themselves.”
“Every effort has been made to ensure people with disabilities steered, shaped and structured this strategy. There were focus groups, surveys, interviews and town hall meetings, online and in person, throughout the country. Expert interviewers were also used to access the voices of people who are seldom heard from, such as children with disabilities and people with intellectual disabilities. In some instances, people were able to communicate not just with mouth words but with facial expressions, body movements, sound and assistive technology. I know full well there are always means to communicate if we are truly prepared to listen and to hear. In reality, this strategy has come from the people who matter most: those who live every single day with disability. After all of the consultation, one wonders what was identified.”
“There will also be funding to improve the financial stability of voluntary organisations working in the disability sector. I am conscious that these organisations have faced rising costs. Securing this additional funding in budget 2026 is an important step forward. I am very conscious, however, that the voice of disabled people has to be heard loud and clear in how we make the best possible use of this funding. I was really taken by the phrase used by David, one of the participants in the awareness campaign for the national human rights strategy for disabled people. He said, "Listen to us instead of telling us what we need." For my part, this is at the very heart of what this strategy is to be about, which is the aspirations, the ambitions and the lived experience of people with disabilities.”
“I am pleased to say that the package secured in budget 2026 contains substantial additional funding of over €600 million, which will help us to deliver the step change in disability services that is so urgently needed for disabled people. In budget 2026, the overall budget for specialist disability services for people with complex needs will be increased by 20% to €3.9 billion, including capital. This includes services like residential care, respite care and adult day services. This year, 2025, we are recruiting over 1,000 extra staff in the disability sector. Next year, with the support of budget 2026, we will hire another 945 staff, bringing the disability workforce to almost 23,600 by the end of next year. This includes 150 more staff for children's disability network teams, which provide vital therapies for children.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach as ucht an deis a thabhairt dom. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to mark a major milestone - the recent launch of Ireland's National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. This strategy was at the heart of my focus during the negotiations for budget 2026. Historically, to my mind - I have never faltered in saying this - disability services have been underfunded in this country, so I was really conscious that people with disabilities would be watching to see if this budget, the first of five, would be the start of a journey together for a better future.”
“In opposing the motion and amendment and in putting forward a countermotion, the Government’s objective is not to claim that there are no challenges in the sector but rather to demonstrate that the Government has set out a pathway to address these challenges so we can deliver a world-class early learning and childcare system. I believe the funding secured in budget 2026, complemented by phase 1 of the action plan we are now developing, will allow us to take the first steps on this pathway.”
“The action plan will take the full lifetime of the Government to implement. However, the issues it addresses will affect children and families, early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners as well as providers here and now. That is why the action plan will involve a phased approach. Phase 1 of the action plan will be published in the coming months and will include short-term measures we will take using existing policy tools. Phase 2 will set out medium-term actions and will be published after completion of the broad consultation process the programme for Government commits to. Details of the broad consultation process will be announced in the coming weeks. I know this is of interest to the House.”
“A forward planning model has been developed by my officials to map the location of different types of early learning and childcare provision against child population data. This will allow us to identify areas of need, forecast demand, and target areas for the delivery of public supply, where required. Alongside this, I will also open a further building blocks scheme in 2026 to allow for extensions to existing premises to support services to offer additional full-day places. This follows on from the successful building blocks scheme in 2025 that is currently operating and will deliver up to 1,500 new places for one to three-year-olds. As committed to in the programme for Government, my Department is developing an action plan to build an affordable, high-quality, and accessible early learning and childcare system.”
“This will allow the Government to accelerate its work to ensure the supply of early learning and childcare meets demand, again building on recent progress in this area. In 2026, as I have said, we will see for the first time ever the acquisition of buildings to provide the infrastructure for State-led early learning and childcare delivery. State ownership of early learning and childcare facilities is a very substantial and significant shift in the policy direction that the Department has pursued heretofore. It offers the potential for much greater scope to influence the nature and volume of provision available and to ensure better alignment with estimated demand, with public provision operating alongside the established private and community elements of the sector, as well as childminders.”
“With more services than ever in contract for core funding, committing to work in partnership with the Government to deliver early learning and childcare for the public good, we will continue to maximise the impact Government investment is having in this sector. A significant package of capital investment has been secured through the revised national development plan over the next five years. The details of this full investment package will be published in the coming months. As part of budget 2026, however, I announced that capital expenditure for early learning and childcare will rise to €36 million. This represents a year-on-year increase of 20%, or €6 million, on the previous year.”
“We have seen how the consumer price Index for childcare fell by more than 36% at a time when all other household costs across the economy were rising. We have seen through international league tables how Ireland has quickly moved from being among the highest for out-of-pocket early learning and childcare costs for low-income households across the OECD to being at the OECD average for two-parent households on low income and below the OECD average for single-parent households on low income. We anticipate further affordability improvements for families next year arising from budget 2026. As of today, 4,503, or 92.2%, of services are participating in the core funding scheme. This is the highest number of services in the scheme since it first began.”
“This is enormously significant in controlling costs for parents and families, particularly in the context of general inflation across the economy since 2021. I cannot think of any other services where we can say fees have been frozen at 2021 rates. There will be further adjustments to the current maximum fee caps in September 2026, driving down the highest fees charged across the country and benefiting thousands of hard-pressed parents. Further details of the new, lower maximum fee caps will be announced in the coming months. A combination of fee management conditions under core funding and subsidies through the national childcare scheme has the potential to dramatically improve affordability for parents.”
“This significant level of funding will support a range of key Government priorities next year and into year five of the core funding scheme, which runs from September 2026 to August 2027. It will allow us to continue to support growth in the sector, which we estimate will be 4.2% in year five of the scheme. It will allow us to continue to support providers with the cost of the ERO that commenced earlier this month, through which 67% of staff working in the sector have seen an increase in their pay. It will allow us to support providers to sustainably maintain the fee management conditions that are attached to core funding. Specifically, throughout 2026 and into year five of the core funding scheme, fees will remain at 2021 levels for the majority of providers who participate in core funding.”
“In addition to this, the Department of Social Protection will extend the back to school clothing and footwear allowance to preschool children from age two next year as part of budget 2026. This welcome development is supporting the delivery of a key Equal Start action to deliver practical needs' funding to support children’s full participation in early learning and childcare. Next year, the allocation for core funding will rise by 15%, with the allocation for year five of this scheme set to reach at least €437 million. On top of this, the Government will make available additional funding next year for further improvements to staff pay in the sector, as was done this year. That ERO is important.”