Norma Foley

To put forward our recommendations for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality Statement of Strategy 2025-2027 to ensure that it helps to improve the lives and protect the rights of LGBTQI+ people

Highlight underutilised role of equine-assisted activities and therapy in supporting: • Children and young people with disabilities. • Mental health and wellbeing. • Children in care and in the direct provision system. • Social inclusion for marginalised or underserved youth.

Raise awareness of the impact on children and families and the potential disappearance of preventive services with the Department.

Raise awareness for foster carers, children in care, finances for foster carers and increased core funding for IFCA from Tusla

To discuss the challenges with the current issues facing the sector, staff retention and programme for government commitments and to explore policy solutions.

Increased awareness among decision makers in the areas of TUSLA Child & Family Services, Education, HSE Disability. Irish Youth Justice and Mental Health about the work that YAP Ireland does and the strong outcomes that we achieve with young people and families.

Implementation of relevant Report Card 2025 recommendations including the implementation of the International Protection Child Payment, measures to reduce the number of homeless families, the need to improve access to CAMHS, increased investment in early years and request to…

To influence decision-making for Budget 2025 including raising the Child Support Payment; Increased investment in Equal Start the early years funding model to tackle disadvantage; to provide funding for a new DEIS plus model in education and provide increased resources for…

Implementation of the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy and continuity of supports for families of LGBTQ+ young people.

To seek engagement with relevant stakeholders on the role of evidence based parenting programmes in the context of supporting families, parents and children.

To advocate for more funding for Family Resource Centres in Ireland

That the Minister would consider amending the legislation so that some young people who don't meet the 12 months in care criterion for aftercare would be considered for

We would welcome an urgent meeting with you and the HSE to discuss our concerns and identify solutions to manage clinical risk, to ensure that the protocol is implementable for our members and to ensure appropriate assessment and intervention pathways for autistic people.

We request the immediate investment in appropriate staffing and resources in Special Care. This should include an inter-agency response as appropriate to assist in the specialised care of the most complex children in the country. Particularly, where HSE input is required (e.g.…

Inform Minister Foley on the National FRC Programme recent developments and the FRCNF Pre-Budget Submission asks for 2026 including: 1. Maintain the National Programme status with ring-fenced funding and local community led autonomy of the FRC Programme. 2. Increase core funding…