Results 10,641-10,660 of 19,621 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: There are 1519 (1471.5 full time equivalents) people currently employed by my Department. A phased return to  physical attendance in the workplace commenced for staff members in the Department following the easing of Government restrictions on 21 January 2022 and staff are currently attending the office for a minimum of two days per week and working remotely for the remaining days....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Costs (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. I have committed to seeking funding for further increases in the capitation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Scoileanna DEIS (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I announced on the 9th March that from next September the DEIS programme will be extended to an additional 310 schools. 37 schools will also benefit from additional supports following reclassification. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model. Schools were not required to apply for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that the Summer Works Scheme does provide for a variety of categories of works including substantial structural works such as the replacement of roofs. The Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme is the main mechanism for provision of additional capacity in schools.  Decisions on applications received from schools are based on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: A major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under the Department’s ADAPT Programme. The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning, to Tender and Construction. The tender process to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Priorities (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy, that the decision making authority for a school closure belongs to the Patron of a school. Any proposal to close a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level. In the case referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 632 together. School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.  The purpose of my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Following extensive stakeholder consultation, new L1 and L2 specifications for Junior Cycle Irish were introduced in September 2017. Due the disruption to learning and cancellation of the summer 2020 and 2021 Junior Cycle examinations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for students to engage with the final assessment component which is set by the State Examinations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) were granted funding on behalf of the school in question under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to carry out roof works. This devolved project is managed by DDLETB and they are responsible for the delivery of the necessary works.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Correspondence (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Following extensive stakeholder consultation, new L1 and L2 specifications for Junior Cycle Irish were introduced in September 2017. Due the disruption to learning and cancellation of the summer 2020 and 2021 Junior Cycle examinations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for students to engage with the final assessment component which is set by the State Examinations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department can confirm that the assigned certifier for the school to which the Deputy refers is to upload the documentation for BCAR (Building Control Amendment Regulations) by close of business on 28th June, 2022.  The anticipated BCAR “validation” (21-day process) is expected by 19th July, 2022, however this may happen earlier.  Once this is finalised, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Procurement approach for the delivery of all school building projects is set out in guidance and procedures published by my Department’s Planning and Building Unit.    In general, for Public Works contracts there are two methods of tendering (the Restricted procedure and the Open procedure). In the case of tenders for the appointment of main building contractors for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 629 and 630 together. As the Deputy is aware, it is intended that the permanent accommodation needs of the school to which he refers will be met in a former school building which is in the ownership of the school patron.  In order to ensure that optimal use is made of this property, and in support of the achievement of Value for Money, the patron...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Earlier this year my Department increased the level of accommodation for pupils with special educational needs that was previously approved for the school in question. This required a new application for planning permission. Pending the provision of this accommodation, which includes four classrooms, arrangements are in train to provide further interim accommodation for pupils with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Officials within my Department aim to consistently provide quality customer services to all stakeholders, and this commitment is underpinned in my Department’s Customer Charter. However, a complaints procedure is in place to address instances where the Department falls short of this. The Department's complaints procedure guides customers who wish to make a complaint by outlining the...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge officially the students in the Gallery. It is lovely to have Young Social Innovators students from Coláiste Bríde here. I absolutely understand and fully appreciate Deputy Ó Ríordáin's motivation in bringing forward this Bill. Equally, however, I am very conscious that schools have put a considerable amount of work, time, effort and energy into...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I thank both Deputies. I clearly hear the points the Deputies are making and I acknowledge the good faith in which they make those arguments. I also acknowledge that it has always been my intention to work to the best of my capacity and ability with the Deputies here. I am appreciative of the manner in which the Deputies work with me. On this, I would have to say that there is a body of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (23 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.