Results 12,181-12,200 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (17 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: Under the Teaching Council Standards for initial teacher education (ITE) at primary, all student teachers must complete a 4 week Gaeltacht learning period (GLP)  (2x 2 weeks) as part of their programme. This is compulsory in order to graduate. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional Gaeltacht learning periods could not go ahead as planned and my Department and Teaching Council...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: The change in policy regarding face coverings in primary schools was made on foot of a Government decision taken on 30 November 2021, which considered and accepted public health advice received from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on 25 November 2021. This new, and temporary policy, was introduced in light of the epidemiological situation regarding the spread of COVID-19 at the time. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: As previously advised to the Deputy, the tender competition to appoint a Project Manager (PM) to the ADAPT 3 Building Programme is currently being evaluated. This is expected to be completed soon. Once the successful PM has been appointed, the next steps will be for the PM to appoint Design Teams. The Department anticipates that this element will be initiated in Quarter 2 approximately....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: The HSE Principals’ helpline and the Department’s Covid-19 helpline operates seven days a week and remains a source of support for principals. As an additional support for schools, who may struggle with operational challenges due to staff shortages, Department of Education Inspectors are available on a Department of Education helpline to support Principals to manage and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (17 Feb 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. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in the Department’s ADAPT 3 Building Programme and a tender competition to appoint a Project Manager (PM) for this Programme is currently underway. It is expected that this process will be concluded shortly. Once the successful PM has been appointed, the next steps will be for the PM to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: Budget 2022 has provided for an allocation of €18million for 2022 and €32million for 2023 to extend the DEIS programme to further schools with the highest levels of disadvantage. This represents an increase of over 20% in funding for the DEIS programme and will enable an expansion in 2022 to additional schools. This package follows an extensive body of work which has been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: Budget 2022 has provided for an allocation of €18million for 2022 and €32million for 2023 to extend the DEIS programme to further schools with the highest levels of disadvantage. This represents an increase of over 20% in funding for the DEIS programme and will enable an expansion in 2022 to additional schools. This package follows an extensive body of work which has been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: The information sought by the Deputy is as per the following table. Statement of Travel Episodes Year Location Amount 2018 Germany (Brussels) €1,435.10 2018 Germany (Munich/ Hamburg) €12,316.18 2018 Southeast Asia (Malaysia/ Indonesia) €1,973.29 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (16 Feb 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. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department does have a process in place for receiving information from schools regarding teachers who have been unable to attend school due to illness or being a Covid-19 close contact.  On 1 February, following consultation with the Advisory Group on Planning for State Examinations, I announced extensive changes to the Leaving Certificate examinations for 2022. These further...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the school to which he refers applied under the Multi Annual Summer Works Scheme under category 9 Fabric defects. As you are probably already aware, I announced funding of €65 million for the approval of 497 projects under the 2022 Summer Works Scheme on 24th January 2022.   307 of these projects were at primary level involving...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. My Department has a large...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Victim Support Services (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 141, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, there are a number of published reports highlighting the ongoing needs of survivors and the lifelong difficulties they experience due to their childhood experiences in residential care.   The “Facing the Future Together” conference report produced by the Christine Buckley...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: As part of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, my Department has committed to creating opportunities for expanding Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht in the context of the announcements since April 2018 on the establishment of 47 new schools from 2019, which affords particular consideration to the establishment of Gaelscoileanna, Gaelcholáistí, and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: Historically, school patrons monitored demographic increases at local level and sought approval from the Department to extend existing schools or provide new schools where a significant level of demand could not be met within existing school capacity.  Since 2011, new arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: A site visit took place on 31 January 2022 with the purpose of identifying on the ground the practical matters which need to be addressed to accommodate both schools.  This includes addressing the possibility of the provision of SEN facilities in both schools for the coming school year.  In considering available space on the campus of the other school site, this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department approved the amalgamation of the three post primary schools in question following an application from the schools' Patrons. It was also agreed that the amalgamated co-educational school would have a design capacity for up to 800 pupils. My Department approved significant capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Staff (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that neither Minister of State Madigan nor I have the services of Garda ministerial drivers. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: Public health advice in relation to COVID-19 self-isolation period requirements changed in January 2022. Following a directive from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, changes have been made to COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay for public sector employees, who are required to self-isolate because they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19. ...