Dáil Éireann debate. Question 1919 – Departmental funding [Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)] [74529/25].

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-13/1919/#pq_1919

1919. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the funding difficulties for a services (details supplied); if she will review the funding to address the December 2025 funding gap; to provide confirmation of 2026 funding to unlock essential banking support and provide sustainable multi annual funding pathways that reflect the real cost of delivering a national service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74529/25]

Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable, neuro-developmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and is associated with a range of lifelong physical, mental, educational, social, and behavioural difficulties.

In Ireland, supports for children are based on complexity of presenting need rather than any specific diagnosis. Therefore, responsibility will vary depending on the supports and services required to meet those needs.

Similarly, there are a variety of factors impacting the policy around and response to FASD across different Departments. This is particularly the case as FASD occupies a spectrum of need, bringing to bear different service responses to need as well as preventative measures.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for the provision of supports to children with complex health needs associated with a disability.

A Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) provides specialised support and services for children who have a disability and complex health needs associated with their disability including those affected by FASD.

The Department of Health is primarily responsible for education and awareness regarding FASD prevention and will also have responsibility where the child is being supported through Primary Care or CAMHS.

Regarding the 2025 gap and the 2026 funding, officials in the department have requested information from the HSE and a response will be provided to the deputy directly once this information has been received.

Dáil Éireann debate. Question 1926 – Disability issues foetal alcohol spectrum disorder] [74594/25]

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-13/1926/#pq_1926

1926. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if foetal alcohol spectrum disorder Ireland are included in the disability forum engagements. [74594/25]

Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable, neuro-developmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and is associated with a range of lifelong physical, mental, educational, social, and behavioural difficulties.

In Ireland, supports for children are based on complexity of presenting need rather than any specific diagnosis. Therefore, responsibility will vary depending on the supports and services required to meet those needs.

Similarly, there are a variety of factors impacting the policy around and response to FASD across different Departments. This is particularly the case as FASD occupies a spectrum of need, bringing to bear different service responses to need as well as preventative measures.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for the provision of supports to children with complex health needs associated with a disability.

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder Ireland is a member of Disability Federation of Ireland.

The Disability Federation of Ireland is represented on the Delivery and Monitoring Committee for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.

Dáil Éireann debate. Question 1927 – Departmental Funding [74596/25]

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-13/1927/#pq_1927

1927. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding her Department has provided for an organisation (details supplied) in relation to their work with those with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if it is her intention to make funding available in 2026.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74596/25]

Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable, neuro-developmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and is associated with a range of lifelong physical, mental, educational, social, and behavioural difficulties.

In Ireland, supports for children are based on complexity of presenting need rather than any specific diagnosis. Therefore, responsibility will vary depending on the supports and services required to meet those needs.

Similarly, there are a variety of factors impacting the policy around and response to FASD across different Departments. This is particularly the case as FASD occupies a spectrum of need, bringing to bear different service responses to need as well as preventative measures.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for the provision of supports to children with complex health needs associated with a disability.

There was no funding for FASD in 2023 however, in 2024 and 2025 funding to the amount of €200,000 each year was provided by the Department to FASD Ireland.

A Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) provides specialised support and services for children who have a disability and complex health needs associated with their disability including those affected by FASD.

The Department of Health is primarily responsible for education and awareness regarding FASD prevention and will also have responsibility where the child is being supported through Primary Care or CAMHS.

Regarding the 2026 funding officials in the department have requested information from the HSE and a response will be provided to the deputy directly once this information has been received.

Dáil Éireann debate. Question 1931 – Charitable and Voluntary Organisations [foetal alcohol spectrum disorder] [74673/25]

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-13/1931/#pq_1931

1931. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review the 2025 funding allocation and shortfall given from what was originally sought for a charity (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74673/25]

Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable, neuro-developmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and is associated with a range of lifelong physical, mental, educational, social, and behavioural difficulties.

In Ireland, supports for children are based on complexity of presenting need rather than any specific diagnosis. Therefore, responsibility will vary depending on the supports and services required to meet those needs.

Similarly, there are a variety of factors impacting the policy around and response to FASD across different Departments. This is particularly the case as FASD occupies a spectrum of need, bringing to bear different service responses to need as well as preventative measures

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for the provision of supports to children with complex health needs associated with a disability

A Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) provides specialised support and services for children who have a disability and complex health needs associated with their disability including those affected by FASD

The Department of Health is primarily responsible for education and awareness regarding FASD prevention and will also have responsibility where the child is being supported through Primary Care or CAMHS

Regarding the 2025 funding officials in the department have requested information from the HSE and a response will be provided to the deputy directly once this information has been received.

Dáil Éireann debate. Question 1954 – Housing provision [foetal alcohol spectrum disorder] [75046/25]

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-13/1954/#pq_1954

1954. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review the joint protocol between the HSE and Tusla to ensure that children and young adults leaving care, particularly those with complex needs such as foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, are prioritised for housing and support services; if she will address the situation where local authorities do not prioritise care leavers for housing, leaving vulnerable individuals homeless; and the measures that will be introduced to guarantee that care leavers with lifelong support needs are provided with sustainable housing and wraparound supports. [75046/25]

Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality: Upon reaching the age of 18, a young person is deemed to have left State care. All eligible care leavers are supported through aftercare services provided by Tusla. The Child Care Act 1991, as amended, sets out the basis by which Tusla may provide assistance to a care leave, including the development of an aftercare plan.

Aftercare services are provided to eligible care leavers from 18 years up to 21 years. This can be extended until the completion of a course of education in which the young person is engaged, up until the age of 23 years. Aftercare drop-in services are available to all care leavers.

The Child Care Act sets out that the aftercare assessment of need will include the young person’s needs in relation to accommodation. The primary responsibility for housing in respect of care leavers however lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and local authorities.

Care-leavers who are at risk of homeless are assisted by the Child and Family Agency, in partnership with other Government Departments or agencies. Since 2017, care-leavers have also been included as a separate category for funding under the Department of Housing’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). This scheme provides targeted assistance to the most vulnerable care leavers by enabling Approved Housing Bodies to acquire residential units to accommodate them.

Additionally, the Youth Homelessness Strategy, which launched in 2022, adopted a whole-of-Government approach, identifying care-leavers as a cohort who are particularly at risk of becoming homeless, and setting out specific actions for identified vulnerable cohorts.

Following successful engagement between officials in this Department and the Department of Housing, the Protocol on Young People Leaving Care was revised and published last year. The revised Protocol ensures consistent housing and support for young people leaving State care. The Protocol also outlines clearly defined procedures for Housing Authorities and Tusla in managing the assessment of these young people and their housing needs.

In respect of those young people in the care of the State with a complex disability, the Joint Protocol for Interagency Collaboration Between the Health Service Executive and Tusla – Child and Family Agency to Promote the Best Interests of Children and Families (2020) outlines how the HSE and Tusla will work together to provide a person centred pathway to meet the needs of these children.

I have been informed that the current iteration of the Joint Protocol is presently under review by both the HSE and Tusla and that this review is nearing completion. I have been advised that as part of this review, placement continuity and stability, when a young person with a complex disability ages out of care is being considered.

I can further advise that range of measures available to support those leaving care is also being considered within the context of the National Policy Framework on Alternative Care, which is currently under development.

Dáil Éireann debate. Question 2200 – Health services foetal alcohol spectrum disorder [74593/25].

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-13/2200/#pq_2200

2200. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the Departments with responsibility for the diagnosis, intervention therapy services, awareness raising, education and prevention of the condition and support for those with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the plan to recognise it as a disability. [74593/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable, neuro-developmental disorder. FASD is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and can lead to lifelong challenges with learning, behaviour, health, and social skills. Initiatives are ongoing which focus on prevention and health promotion, helping to reduce alcohol use and limit harm to people, families, and communities. This includes alcohol labelling, national guidance, and training for healthcare staff.

Depending on their needs children, young adults, and families living with FASD may need support from different services across multiple Departments, including primary care, disability services, and mental health care.

The Government remains committed to delivering the appropriate services for each person with FASD in line with their needs.

Dáil Éireann debate. Question 2201– Health services foetal alcohol spectrum disorder] [74595/25]

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-13/2201/#pq_2201

2201. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the funding her Department has provided for an organisation (details supplied) in relation to their work with those with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in 2023, 2024 and 2025. [74595/25]
2202. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health given the level of unmet need with those living with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder and their parents/guardians if she will review the level of funding for an organisation (details supplied) for 2026 given the current level will not allow for the expansion of services despite scaling up in 2025 and also that the service is four times oversubscribed. [74598/25]
2203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if supports will be granted to keep a charity (details supplied) operating beyond the date funding for its operations is expected to cease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74666/25]
2204. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if confirmation will be given for funding for 2026 to unlock essential bank support for a charity (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74674/25]
2205. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with a service (details supplied) in relation to its 2025 funding allocation; if she will intervene to address the funding gap; if she will provide a multiannual funding plan to cover the real cost of delivering its vital services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74752/25]
2206. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health to ensure that an organisation (details supplied) is allocated the funding they require to expand its essential services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74856/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2201, 2202, 2210, 2211, 2231 and 2262 together.

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable, neuro-developmental disorder. FASD is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and can lead to lifelong challenges with learning, behaviour, health, and social skills. Initiatives are ongoing which focus on prevention and health promotion, helping to reduce alcohol use and limit harm to people, families, and communities. This includes alcohol labelling, national guidance, and training for healthcare staff.

Depending on their needs children, young adults, and families living with FASD may need support from different services, including primary care, disability services, and mental health care. The Government remains committed to delivering the appropriate services for each person with FASD in line with their needs.

My Department does not currently fund this organisation. Funding for all service developments is considered in the first instance as part of the annual estimates process, in the context of overall prioritisation of available funding. This process seeks to balance available funding across all service areas to achieve the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritise areas of greatest need.

Question No. 2202 answered with Question No. 220