Department of Children, Disability and Equality

Official Department of Children, Disability, and Equality account.
S/M Policy:

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley today announced the details of the new maximum fee caps for early learning and childcare services participating in Core Funding.

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Discussions highlighted person-centred supports, future planning for disability services, and innovative, individualised approaches.

Read the full press release here; https://t.co/oZ8nUX03qN

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality @NormaFoleyTD1 and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Emer Higgins T.D. hosted the Department’s Pre-Estimates Forum this week in Dublin, focused on “Delivering value for people with disabilities.”

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Stakeholders from across the sector including DPOs, advocacy groups, service providers and the HSE came together to discuss priorities for Budget 2027.

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

A significant step forward in how we support Autistic people in Ireland. This represents a significant step forward in how we support Autistic people in Ireland.

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, @NormaFoleyTD1, together with Minister for Health @CarrollJennifer , Minister of State with special responsibility for Disability Emer Higgins and Anne O’Connor, HSE CEO

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

launched the first-ever standardised approach for autism assessments across the HSE.

This new approach will help children access autism assessments more quickly and, for the first time, adults will also be able to receive an autism assessment.

[Norma Foley T.D @NormaFoleyTD1]

Today we launched the first ever standardised approach for carrying out autism assessments across the HSE.
It will allow children to get an autism assessment in a faster way.
 It is also the first time that adults can get an autism assessment.

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Click the link for more information and to apply https://t.co/DepOojGJ0Y

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates to fill the vacancy of Deputy Chairperson to the Board of the Adoption Authority of Ireland.

Closing date for applications is 15:00 on Tuesday 2 June 2026.

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Each project will include sheltered, all-weather areas with comfortable seating, appropriate lighting, and accessible design.
Read the full press release here; https://t.co/DIHvZe4viX

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has today announced €400,000 in funding for new recreational spaces for teenagers.

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

The four projects will create safe, welcoming spaces where young people can meet friends, spend time outdoors, and enjoy unstructured play and recreation.

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Dr. Parkes has over twenty years’ experience in informing policy and legal developments in the areas of child and family law, children’s rights, child protection, and international human rights law.

Read the full press release here: https://t.co/Ozew85DkxP

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Yesterday, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, @NormaFoleyTD1 announced the appointment by the Government of Dr. Aisling Parkes as Special Rapporteur on Child Protection for a two-year term until 19 May 2028.

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Dr. Parkes is a senior academic and researcher in domestic child law and international children’s rights in University College Cork.

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

Read the full press release here; https://t.co/66CvljfHMF

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley and the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins have today launched a new €750,000 Power to Participate Fund for Disabled Persons’ Organisations and eligible Civil Society Organisations.

[Department of Children, Disability and Equality @DeptCDE]

This supports Ireland’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to ensure disabled voices shape decisions that affect their lives.

Funding can support assistive technology, training, governance, and organisational growth.