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Supporting Parents brings together a wide range of trusted, high-quality resources in one place to help parents and carers.

Details on a number of helplines for parents are available on the Supporting Parents website. To learn more, visit https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/helplines-parenting-courses-and-advice/

6 Weeks to Go until Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Did you know? When chairing the Council of the European Union, the Presidency does not vote. Its role is to act as an honest broker, guiding discussions, building consensus, and helping member states reach agreement.

At the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, we are preparing to use Ireland’s Presidency to promote disability rights, inclusion and equality, and to strengthen the participation of children, young people and others across society in European policymaking.

Each week until the Presidency begins, we will be sharing one fact about how the Council of the EU works. Follow along as we count down and get to know the Presidency before it begins.

Yesterday, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, 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.

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

To read the full press release, see link in stories

A parent peer support group for parents of children with additional needs meets weekly in Longford Community Resources CLG, Templemichael Glebe, Longford, N39 RH22.

The Peer Support Group runs each Wednesday from 10am to 12pm.

Sign up today for Cúl Camps!

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, @normafoleytd and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability @emerhigginstd were delighted to join the @officialgaa and @irishhealthservice at the launch of a new national partnership supporting children with additional needs to attend Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps.

This initiative aims to make Cúl Camps more inclusive for all children. Parents and guardians can outline additional support needs during the booking process, with the GAA and HSE working together at county level to coordinate assistance.

Families are encouraged to complete bookings and the additional support questionnaire by 1 June. The partnership will also include additional training, guidance, and resources for camp coordinators and coaches, which will help to further develop inclusive practices within camps nationwide.

Click the link in our story to book your child’s place!

Did you know?

You can visit the Supporting Parents page for trusted support and advice on everything from pregnancy to parenting teens.

No matter your experience, parenting comes with challenges—and a little support can make all the difference. That’s why the Supporting Parents initiative brings together reliable, high-quality resources in one easy-to-access place.

Find guidance on:
• Helplines, parenting courses & practical advice
• Pregnancy, new parents & carers
• Your child’s education & childcare
• Children with additional needs
• LGBTI+ supports
• Keeping you and your child safe, plus mental health & wellbeing

The page is regularly updated with new local and national resources, so there’s always something helpful to discover.
Explore the Supporting Parents page today and feel supported every step of your parenting journey.

See link in stories

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, will chair an Informal Meeting of EU Ministers in Tralee, Co. Kerry, this November, as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.


The meeting will be hosted in Munster Technological University’s Kerry campus in Tralee and bring together EU Ministers responsible for Equality and Disability, along with leaders from the European Commission, EU Agencies and EU civil society organisations.


Discussions will focus on the equality of opportunity for women and girls, and will also have a strong focus on advancing the rights of disabled people, building on the MTU Kerry expertise as the location of UNESCO Chair on Transforming the Lives of Persons with Disabilities.


To read the full press release, see link in stories.

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.

The Power to Participate Fund 2026 will provide grants to organisations led by disabled people to work with Government on policies supporting the National Human Rights Strategy 2025–2030.

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.

Tap the link in our story for the full press release.

From 1 July 2026, Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Every six months, a different EU country takes the chair of the Council of the European Union. From 1 July, that country is Ireland – for the eighth time. It is a rare opportunity, and one we intend to use.

Swipe to find out more – from how the Council works, to why this matters for Ireland, a look at our Department’s three priority areas of disability, equality, and participation, and what it all looks like in practice.

From 1 July 2026, Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Every six months, a different EU country takes the chair of the Council of the European Union. From 1 July, that country is Ireland – for the eighth time. It is a rare opportunity, and one we intend to use.

Swipe to find out more – from how the Council works, to why this matters for Ireland, a look at our Department’s three priority areas of disability, equality, and participation, and what it all looks like in practice.

From 1 July 2026, Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Every six months, a different EU country takes the chair of the Council of the European Union. From 1 July, that country is Ireland – for the eighth time. It is a rare opportunity, and one we intend to use.

Swipe to find out more – from how the Council works, to why this matters for Ireland, a look at our Department’s three priority areas of disability, equality, and participation, and what it all looks like in practice.

From 1 July 2026, Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Every six months, a different EU country takes the chair of the Council of the European Union. From 1 July, that country is Ireland – for the eighth time. It is a rare opportunity, and one we intend to use.

Swipe to find out more – from how the Council works, to why this matters for Ireland, a look at our Department’s three priority areas of disability, equality, and participation, and what it all looks like in practice.

From 1 July 2026, Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Every six months, a different EU country takes the chair of the Council of the European Union. From 1 July, that country is Ireland – for the eighth time. It is a rare opportunity, and one we intend to use.

Swipe to find out more – from how the Council works, to why this matters for Ireland, a look at our Department’s three priority areas of disability, equality, and participation, and what it all looks like in practice.

From 1 July 2026, Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Every six months, a different EU country takes the chair of the Council of the European Union. From 1 July, that country is Ireland – for the eighth time. It is a rare opportunity, and one we intend to use.

Swipe to find out more – from how the Council works, to why this matters for Ireland, a look at our Department’s three priority areas of disability, equality, and participation, and what it all looks like in practice.

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.

For more information and to apply, see the link in our story.

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality @normafoleytd today joined Minister @jameslawlesstd to launch the new UCC–MTU Social Care Apprenticeship programme; an innovative “earn as you learn” model.

Huge thanks to Tusla, the HSE, Oberstown, UCC and MTU for making this important initiative possible.

L-R - Professor John O'Halloran, UCC President; Rosarii Mannion, Director of People & Change, Tusla; Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley; Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless; Deborah Smullen, National Development Lead for Apprenticeships, HSE; Professor Christine Cross, Registrar, MTU and Oberstown Director, Damien Hernon.

7 Weeks to Go until Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Did you know? The Presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates every six months between the 27 member states. Ireland has held the Presidency of the Council seven times since joining the EU in 1973 — and 1 July 2026 marks our eighth time in the chair.

At the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, we will use this Presidency to advance disability rights, inclusion and equality, and the participation of children, young people and others across society in European policymaking.

Each week until then, we will be sharing one fact about how the Council of the EU works. Follow us and get to know the Presidency before it begins.