13 Facts About Norma Foley

Norma Foley previously served as Minister for Education from 2020 to 2025.

Norma Foley has been a Teachta Dala for Kerry since 2020.

Norma Foley served as a member of Tralee Urban District Council until its abolition in 2014.

Norma Foley polled 4,937 first preference votes and finished fifth overall in the three-seat constituency after being eliminated on the third count.

Norma Foley again failed in her bid to secure a nomination as a general election candidate in 2016, but was a late addition to the ticket as a third Fianna Fail candidate in the Kerry constituency in advance of the 2020 general election.

Norma Foley polled 6,856 first preference votes and secured the fifth and final seat at the expense of her party colleague John Brassil on the eighth count.

On her first day in the Dail, Norma Foley proposed her party leader Micheal Martin in his successful bid to become Taoiseach.

At the 2024 general election, Norma Foley was re-elected to the Dail.

Norma Foley was appointed Minister for Education in June 2020 following the formation of a coalition government, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland.

In September 2020, Norma Foley announced that two coding errors were identified in the Leaving Certificate calculated grades system.

Norma Foley apologised and announced that around 7,200 students were affected, receiving a higher grade than they should have while some students received a lower grade.

On 23 January 2025, Norma Foley was appointed as Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in the government led by Micheal Martin, following the 2024 general election.

Norma Foley's father Denis Foley was a Fianna Fail TD for Kerry North from 1981 to 1989 and 1992 to 2002.