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Department of Children, Disability and Equality
On 02/07/2025 The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has announced €330,000 in targeted funding to strengthen Ireland’s prevention and early intervention (PEI) services for children and young people experiencing adversity, trauma or disadvantage.
This strategic investment will support community and voluntary organisations across Ireland to enhance the design, delivery, and evaluation of evidence-based services for children and families. The funding forms part of the Department’s What Works initiative, supported through the Dormant Accounts Fund, which promotes data-driven, research-informed approaches to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Key Measures Funded
1. Enhancing Quality Fund 2025
Grants of up to €30,000 will be awarded to not-for-profit organisations to improve the monitoring, evaluation, and learning capacity of their PEI services. This fund supports the effective use of data in service provision and builds on over a decade of PEI investment.
Applications are now open. Full details available at:
🔗 Enhancing Quality Fund 2025
2. Online Evidence-Based Practice Webinars
A series of four interactive webinars—delivered in partnership with Foundations (UK)—will run between July and October 2025. Aimed at service commissioners, practitioners, and policy developers, these sessions will explore:
- Designing and evaluating effective interventions
- Improving the home learning environment
- Supporting parents in adversity
- Understanding the role of research in service design
Registration and full schedule:
🔗 Webinar Series – What Works
3. Research Evaluation of the PEI Learning Module
Funding of €30,000 has been allocated to evaluate a newly developed thematic PEI learning module. Designed by the Prevention and Early Intervention Network (PEIN), the module covers topics such as trauma-informed practice, interagency collaboration, and children’s rights. It is intended for use across disciplines including education, social care, and healthcare, and is available in online, face-to-face, and blended formats.
The evaluation will assess the module’s effectiveness, relevance, and potential for wider implementation.
Minister’s Statement
Minister Foley said:
“I am pleased to announce this suite of measures which reflects our strong commitment to early intervention and innovation in children’s services. By investing in prevention and evidence-based practice, we are ensuring that all children—regardless of background—have the opportunity to thrive.”
About the What Works Initiative
What Works is a Department-led initiative funded under Dormant Accounts to build capacity in evidence-informed policymaking and service delivery for children, young people, and families. It focuses on four key areas:
- Data
- Evidence
- Professional development and capacity building
- Quality
Since its inception, What Works has supported a range of organisations, including Barnardos, Jigsaw, Enable Ireland, and Belong To Youth Services, to pilot innovative PEI models and conduct rigorous evaluation. These efforts aim to create a pipeline from local innovation to national policy adoption.
More information:
🔗 What Works Initiative
Media Contact:
Department of Children, Disability and Equality
📧 [email protected]
📞 +353 (0)1 234 5678
This announcement underscores the Government’s ongoing commitment to building a more equitable, supportive environment for all children and families through collaborative, research-driven service development.
Minister-Norma-Foley-Picture-by-Gareth-Chaney-Collins-Dublin
