Results 7,981-8,000 of 20,002 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Curriculum (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I reiterate that June 2022 was the first time that this examination was taken. There is an absolute commitment from the Department in all subjects, including this one, that there will be the early insight review. There is equally a commitment - it is right and proper - that we would allow time for the examination to bed in, but that this review will take place in the fourth quarter of 2023....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Curriculum (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I reiterate that the language of failure is not used by the Department. I want to be clear that the early insight review will take place this year. That is important. I can give the Deputy an example of an early insight review which took place recently in terms of junior cycle Irish T1 and T2. The report of the review was available on the NCCA's website. Following the review, and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: Specifically, Scoil Chonaill in Bun Beag, which has been referred to, received approval for a building project under the Department's additional school accommodation scheme in June 2020. The project will provide for a two-classroom special education needs, SEN, base for the school. The project has progressed through the stages of architectural planning and is currently at stage 3, which is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I want to confirm the Department of Education has a very ambitious programme of delivery for our schools. Right throughout Covid, our school buildings continued to be built. Last year, a significant number of buildings - 180 new buildings - were provided for. This year, there are 300 projects on hand to be completed by the end of 2023 or early 2024. We have to concede that the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Patronage (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge that I had a discussion with Deputy Ó Ríordáin on this issue earlier. As I said, the Government’s objective is to have at least 400 multidenominational schools in the primary system by 2030 to improve parental choice. I fully support this commitment and the Department is working in this regard. In recent years, there has been progress towards increasing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Patronage (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I accept the points the Deputy has made. There are 63 pilots. It is important to remember, as I said previously when it was raised with me, that in some areas it has worked much better and has been a much stronger process than it has been in other areas. There have certainly been challenges and it has been more challenging in some areas than in others. It is for that reason that the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Patronage (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I cannot be any clearer. From the outset, we have been very clear that the purpose of the pilots is, obviously, that they would be successful in that they would glean for us an increase in multidenominational provision. Equally, however, we have been clear from the outset that there will be learnings from the pilots. A pilot is a pilot. There will be learnings and, obviously, we will put...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Curriculum (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The 2015 junior cycle framework incorporates a modernised curriculum across all subjects and a balanced range of assessment modes that more appropriately addresses the needs of students in the 21st century. It provides students with learning opportunities that strike a balance between learning knowledge and developing a wide range of skills and thinking abilities. Due to the cancellation of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: To reiterate, the whole purpose of a having a second sitting of the exam is to ensure that students get the maximum opportunity to achieve to the maximum of their ability. I have always been very clear that one of the key functions of the second sitting is to facilitate students impacted by issues such as bereavement or illness. As I have said, I have met with Epilepsy Ireland and am very...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: Tabharfaidh mé an freagra seo idir Gaeilge agus Béarla. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist thábhachtach seo maidir le Gaelcholáiste an Chláir in Inis. Tá comhfhreagras faighte ag mo Roinn ó phátrún Choláiste Phobail na hInse, Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Luimnigh agus an Chláir, ag lorg faomhadh don aonad Gaeilge sa...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: Tuigim na pointí atá á ndéanamh ag an Teachta agus an obair atá ar siúl in Inis chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus a chaomhnú. Thug mé cuairt ar Ghaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg so tá an obair atá ar siúl ar fud na háite in Inis ar eolas agam. Faoi mar a dúirt mé, táimid ag obair ar pholasaí nua...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: Tuigim féin agus tuigeann an Roinn cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an Ghaeilge. Táimid ag déanamh gach iarracht gach tacaíocht a thabhairt chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus a chaomhnú. Faoi mar a dúirt mé, tuigim féin agus tuigeann an Roinn an méid atá ar siúl in Inis. Tuigim an obair atá ar siúl ag na...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: It is acknowledged that candidates can experience many forms of trauma and adversity, such as serious illness and bereavement, and that this may happen around the time of the leaving certificate examinations and that they may be sitting examinations at a time that is not optimal for them. The State Examinations Commission, SEC, has responsibility for the operation, delivery and development...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The current provision that was made available in 2022 is now under review by the State Examinations Commission, which has jurisdiction over this. The SEC has informed me that the review is continuing and that it contains consultation and engagement with several stakeholders. I have also been assured that it is a high priority for the SEC and it is working to complete the process, which is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Patronage (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: In respect of the engagement with the three schools in Raheny, the facilitator has completed their information meetings with the relevant boards of management, principals, staff and parents of pupils in each school. Before and after each engagement with a stakeholder, the facilitator and patron’s representative engaged to consider the views expressed and queries raised. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Patronage (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I want to be fair here. I know the Deputy is fully invested in this process and very supportive of increasing the number of multi-denominational schools we have. The pilot covers 63 different schools and there is no doubt that it has reaped benefits in some areas. The basis of the pilot is that everybody is consulted, and a facilitator is accommodating that, and everybody gets an...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, investment and expenditure on physical education, PE, halls is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the school building programme. The provision of general purpose, GP, rooms and PE halls at primary and post-primary level, respectively, as well as outdoor hard play areas forms part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I know the Deputy’s personal investment in the school. The fact that there is a new school development is very positive and I know the Deputy has personally engaged in that. The question concerns size. I can only confirm to the Deputy that this is the standard size that is being provided at primary level. A 195 sq. m GP room is provided as part of a new eight to 16 classroom...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: These are the building guidelines that are the same across the country in terms of a 195 sq. m GP room. The GP room can be used to support PE but it is important to note that the PE curriculum permits schools flexibility in its implementation and supports a broad and balanced approach, taking account of the varying indoor and outdoor facilities available. I hear what the Deputy is saying....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Patronage (23 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The Government’s objective is to have at least 400 multi-denominational schools in the primary system by 2030 to improve parental choice. I fully support this commitment and I am working with my Department and stakeholders in this respect. In recent years, there has been progress towards increasing the numbers of multi-denominational primary schools, with the vast majority of new...