@First5_Ireland

The official account of First 5, a whole-of-government strategy for babies, young children and their families, led by @deptcde

 Dublin, Ireland
gov.ie/first5
Joined October 2019
  • Tweets5.7K
  • Following322
  • Followers2.3K
1.8KMedia
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley is encouraging families and communities everywhere to take a moment this week to celebrate the childminders who mean so much to them.
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Deadline extended to Monday 9 November! We’re inviting children aged 4-15 to show us their creativity through an artwork sharing their vision of an “Ireland of the Future”.
A graphic image with the following text: "Growing Up in Ireland National Children's Art Competition; Theme: Ireland of the Future"

ALT A graphic image with the following text: "Growing Up in Ireland National Children's Art Competition; Theme: Ireland of the Future"

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First 5 Ireland retweeted
Met Éireann
@MetEireannOct 23
⚠️Weather warnings issued for Sat Oct 24th into Sun 25th⚠️ ‼️A combination of wind & rain warnings will come into effect for S, W & NW counties from the early hours of tomorrow (Saturday) morning, due to conditions associated with #StormBoelo ℹ️met.ie/warnings/tomorrow
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There's still time to enter the GUI National Children’s Art Competition! We’re inviting children aged 4-15 to show us their creativity through an artwork sharing their vision of an “Ireland of the Future”.
A graphic image with the following text: "Growing Up in Ireland National Children's Art Competition; Theme: Ireland of the Future"

ALT A graphic image with the following text: "Growing Up in Ireland National Children's Art Competition; Theme: Ireland of the Future"

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First 5 Ireland retweeted
Wexford Libraries@wexlibrariesOct 1
Children’s Book Festival is an annual October event which helps spread the enjoyment of books and reading among children and families, authors and illustrators, teachers and librarians all over Ireland. Contact your local #Wexfordlibraries to find out more. #ChildrensBookFestival
Children's Book Festival poster featuring diverse kids and a friendly Frankenstein reading under autumn leaves and hanging pumpkins.

ALT Children's Book Festival poster featuring diverse kids and a friendly Frankenstein reading under autumn leaves and hanging pumpkins.

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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality @NormaFoleyTD1 today launched a national children's art competition, inviting young artists across Ireland to share their vision of an "Ireland of the Future".
A graphic image with the following text: "Minister Foley Launches National Children's Art Competition to Celebrate 20 Years of the Growing Up In Ireland Study"

ALT A graphic image with the following text: "Minister Foley Launches National Children's Art Competition to Celebrate 20 Years of the Growing Up In Ireland Study"

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Supporting parents, strengthening communities. Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, @NormaFoleyTD1, has announced that the 2026/27 Parent Peer Support Fund is now open, with the largest funding allocation since its launch in 2022.
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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, today welcomed stakeholders from across Ireland to the Shaping the Future National Forum on Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare.
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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, @NormaFoleyTD1, has welcomed new proposals that would deliver a 6%+ increase in minimum pay rates for Early Years Educators and School-Age Childcare Practitioners.
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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, @NormaFoleyTD1, welcomes important improvements to the National Childcare Scheme, with increased subsidies set to support up to 47,000 children and help reduce childcare costs for families.
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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality @NormaFoleyTD1 has announced a €1.36 million capital investment in Ireland’s network of 136 Family Resource Centres (FRCs).
Minister Norma Foley pictured speaking at an event

ALT Minister Norma Foley pictured speaking at an event

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For more information, including key achievements so far, the full press release can be found here: gov.ie/en/department-of-chil…

Minister Foley publishes 2025 progress report for First 5, the whole of government strategy for...

gov.ie
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First 5, the ten-year Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families set out an ambitious programme of work to improve services and supports to young children over the ten year period between 2019 and 2028.
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The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality @NormaFoleyTD1 has today published the First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2025.
A photograph of Minister Foley with the following text: "Minister Foley publishes 2025 progress report for First 5, the whole of government strategy for babies, young children and their families"

ALT A photograph of Minister Foley with the following text: "Minister Foley publishes 2025 progress report for First 5, the whole of government strategy for babies, young children and their families"

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First 5 Ireland retweeted
First 5 Ireland@First5_IrelandJul 1
Thinking of good, healthy ideas for lunches can be tricky. Visit Let’s Get Ready for a healthy lunch box leaflet provided by Safefood: gov.ie/en/department-of-chil… #LetsGetReady #SafeFood #First5Ireland #ReadyWithResources #HealthyLunch
Poster title reads, "Let's Get Ready with lunch ideas". Below this, reads, "A healthy lunchbox includes at least one serving from each food group: Wholemeal cereals and breads, potatoes, pasta and rice. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts. Vegetables, salads and fruits. Milk, yoghurt and cheese." The top right corner shows the First 5 Ireland logo and below this shows two photographs of healthy lunchboxes.

ALT Poster title reads, "Let's Get Ready with lunch ideas". Below this, reads, "A healthy lunchbox includes at least one serving from each food group: Wholemeal cereals and breads, potatoes, pasta and rice. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts. Vegetables, salads and fruits. Milk, yoghurt and cheese." The top right corner shows the First 5 Ireland logo and below this shows two photographs of healthy lunchboxes.

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First 5 Ireland retweeted
First 5 Ireland@First5_IrelandJun 23
Be Summer Weather Ready ⛱️ There are two helpful guides on supporting early years services keep children and staff safe and comfortable both indoors and outdoors during the warmer summer months.
Photograph shows a baby wearing a sunhat, lying on their stomach on a towel on the beach. The title reads, "Be Summer Weather Ready". The text below reads, "If you are an early years service provider, check out the Tusla Inspectorate’s Guide, ‘Keeping children safe and comfortable indoors and outdoors in all weathers’". Below the photograph shows the logos for First 5 Ireland and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality.

ALT Photograph shows a baby wearing a sunhat, lying on their stomach on a towel on the beach. The title reads, "Be Summer Weather Ready". The text below reads, "If you are an early years service provider, check out the Tusla Inspectorate’s Guide, ‘Keeping children safe and comfortable indoors and outdoors in all weathers’". Below the photograph shows the logos for First 5 Ireland and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality.

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First 5 Ireland retweeted
Met Éireann
@MetEireannJun 25
⚠️Yellow Thunderstorm issued for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, and Sligo ⛈️ Thunderstorms developing today, overnight, & into Fri with the risk of torrential downpours & localised flooding. Valid: 1500 Tue 25/06/26 to 1800 Fri 26/06/26 ➡️ met.ie/warnings-tomorrow.htm…
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First 5 Ireland retweeted
Met Éireann
@MetEireannJun 24
The UV forecast for tomorrow, 25th of June: ➡️⚠️High to very high under clear skies.☀️ ➡️Mostly high under cloudy skies.☁️ Ensure to be #sunsmart by protecting your skin and eyes from the sun.🕶️🧴 Learn more at: 🔗hse.ie/sunsmart
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Exceptionally warm weather is expected across Ireland this week, with high daytime temperatures, warm and humid nights, and the possibility of thunderstorms. Please continue to check @meteireann for the latest forecasts and updated weather warnings.
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☀️Met Éireann has indicated that exceptionally warm weather is expected across Ireland this week, with high daytime temperatures, warm and humid nights, and the possibility of thunderstorms. 🟨A yellow weather warning for high temperatures has been issued from 12:00 Tuesday 23/06/2026, to 09:00 Friday 26/06/2026. 📲The public should continue to check the Met Éireann website met.ie and app for the latest forecasts and weather warnings. 🛟The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, Waterways Ireland and the RNLI are urging the public to stay safe and remember that water safety is not just about swimming or water sports. It is relevant to everyday activities such as coastal walks, cycling beside canals, angling, or visiting parks and beaches with family. Drowning data shows that most accidental drownings (65%) follow land-based activities such as walking, angling, cycling, or simply spending time near the water. Now is the time for families and communities to have important conversations about staying safe near water. Awareness is a Lifesaver. 🌊If you’re planning an activity in or on the water, remember: ✅Swim at a lifeguarded waterway if possible. ✅Swim within your depth, stay within your depth. ✅Avoid entering the water in locks, marinas and harbours where hidden hazards may be present. ✅Supervise Children: Never leave them unattended near water. ✅Avoid Alcohol before swimming, operating watercraft or being near water, as it impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time. ✅Be aware that cold water temperatures can also cause cold water shock, increasing the risk of drowning. ✅Pay attention to all water safety signs and warnings and carry a means of calling for help. ✅Check tides and updated weather warnings. ✅Always wear a correctly fitting serviced lifejacket or buoyancy aid when boating or participating in water sports. ✅Let others know where you are going and when you expect to return. 📲For more safety information, head to watersafety.ie
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