Results 4,621-4,640 of 19,968 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I did not get a chance to respond to Deputy Ó Laoghaire but I will come back to him at another time. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year more than 161,000 children, including more than 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post-primary services, 19,800 pupils with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge that Deputy O'Sullivan raised a similar issue. I also acknowledge that in the current school year Bus Éireann reported particular issues with the availability of drivers and contractors. This included a number handing contracts back unexpectedly and the receipt of zero bids handed out for contracts tendered out in certain areas. This is against a backdrop of significant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: In the current school year, more than 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post-primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who arrived in Ireland from Ukraine, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. As such, the school transport scheme represents a highly...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge that interim measures were taken by the Department following the first phase of the review, namely, the temporary alleviation measures, TAMS, introduced at post-primary level, which are being continued for the current school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport is provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge the excellent work that happens in that school every day, the excellent school leadership team and, equally, the entire staff and indeed the students themselves. The Department has engaged directly with the principal here. The Department obviously wants to get this over the line. We are happy to engage on a one-to-one basis with schools where they might have a difficulty. In...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I am not aware of the details of the individual school that Deputy Ó Murchú has raised, but I will look at that. I am aware of the very specific case that has been raised by Deputy McAuliffe. It is an excellent example of the willingness of the Department to engage on a direct basis with schools. Over the last number of years, in the lifetime of this Government, over €4.2...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Language (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the concern that the Deputy is bringing to the floor. When we look at it, we have to look at primary and post-primary levels. We have seen a significant reduction in exemptions at primary level, yet at post-primary level there has been an increase, but it is an increase of about 3%. We need to look at that in the context of the fact that this is a new circular. In the first...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Language (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I want to be very honest in agreeing with the Deputy that at no point would I suggest that any child, and in particular a child who might have an additional need, should not be availing of Irish. On the contrary, it is the view that if ultimately a decision is taken that they will not take the subject to exam level, they should still have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 750 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings. Projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Language (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: As a country, we recognise the unique value and richness of the teaching and learning of our national language. That is reflected in our education system, which seeks to constantly promote and protect the language. Indeed, Irish has the unique position of being the only mandatory requirement for all students sitting leaving certificate examinations. At the same time, there has long since...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission is responsible for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations. The SEC is very aware, as am I as Minister, of the challenges of the timing of the oral examinations for students, parents and education partners. Prior to the pandemic, the oral examinations in any given year were held either before or after the Easter holidays,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: As I have said there is a review ongoing that is being undertaken by the SEC. This was at my request. I acknowledge the huge co-operation. A premium rate has been paid to examiners and there has been additional support provided to schools in days being made available to them to support their work at that time. I acknowledge what the Deputy said that there are mixed views on the timing of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: To be fair, the State Examinations Commission's interim report very clearly identified the requirement for additional support being made available to schools to support students for whatever their need might be, from a well-being point of view to additional supports that might be required. As a consequence of that, in this school year school authorities are being provided with five...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: There are 4,000 school bus escorts in the system doing incredibly valuable work. I will specifically address a number of the issues the Deputy has raised. The school transport section is carrying out a comprehensive review of matters as they relate to bus escorts. The information pack that is being developed will be made available to schools for the beginning of the 2024-25 school year....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: While some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024-25, I assure families and all children who require a school place that such a place will be provided for them for the 2024-25 school year. I do not, for one minute, underestimate the challenges and stress families are facing but we are clear that positions will be made available for students for the 2024-25...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I am clearly saying to the Deputy that if there are specific cases he needs to bring to the attention of the Department, I will be very happy to deal with them. We in the Department are committed to ensuring that every child has an appropriate place for the 2024-25 school year, whether at primary or post-primary level. With regard to special education provision, we are equally determined to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I want to be very clear; the Department carries out considerable forward planning. We have a geographical information system that allows us to look at current data and projected data. We engage with local authorities, school patrons and management bodies. We are consistently planning forward. That can be seen in the 300 projects currently under construction, which I have mentioned. That...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, more than 161,600 children, including more than 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post-primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs and 6,800 pupils who arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported daily to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I agree. I said at the outset that the contribution of school escorts is invaluable. There is no doubt about that in terms of escorting children with additional needs to and from school. She is right and I referenced the SNA workforce development plan, which will include an examination of the interaction of the SNA role with the bus escort role. As the Deputy said, many individuals cross...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: Promoting positive mental health is a priority for the Department of Education and myself as Minister. The Department’s approach in the Wellbeing Policy is founded on research and best international practice in relation to how schools can best support the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. The approach proposed is a whole school and preventative approach which...