Results 14,121-14,140 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 502 to 504, inclusive, together. Managing ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. My Department  updated its guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools. This was done at the end of May and followed on from work done centrally by an expert group...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The transition rates from post-primary to higher education by DEIS/non-DEIS school status are available for years 2015-2018. The data is presented in table below. - 2015 2016 2017 2018 Transition rates from post-primary to higher education 64.0% 64.4% 63.6% 63.4% Transition rates from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Please find attached requested figures for Transition Rates from Post Primary to FET for the years 2015-2019, 2019 being the latest year data is available for. Transitions to Further Education & Training 2015-2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Transition rates from post-primary to FET 26.3% 27.3% 26.3% ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Part V of the Disability Act 2005 requires that public bodies promote and support the employment of people with disabilities and ensure that 3% of staff employed by them are people with disabilities.  The requirement applies to the Department of Education and certain of its aegis bodies. The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The Deputy will be aware that a project to provide a new school building for the school in question is included in the Department's school building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan. The existing school building is not in the Department's ownership and the future use of the property would be a matter for the property owner.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: There are no plans to introduce a panel or central database of substitute SNAs to replace SNAs that are off work. The recruitment and appointment of special needs assistants (SNAs) is a matter for the individual school authority. Department's Circulars 0026/2021 and 0051/2019 sets out the current minimum educational requirements for appointment as a Special Needs Assistant. When...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department has an important role to play in supporting the wellbeing and mental health of our young people. My Department’s Wellbeing Policy and Framework for practice has given recognition to the importance of promoting wellbeing in education.  It outlines a comprehensive, whole-school approach to the promotion of wellbeing and positive mental health. It focuses on the whole...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I am conscious that students who are due to take their Leaving Certificate examinations in 2022 have experienced a degree of disruption to their learning. On 30 June, the Advisory Group on Planning for State Examinations received an update in relation to the 2022 Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle examinations. Following this, I announced that adjustments would be made to the 2022...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department is aware of the vitally important role played by school secretaries in the running of our schools.  In recognition of this role, special COVID-19 working arrangements were put in place and the Employee Assistance Service was extended to grant funded staff.  The Department also previously fully implemented and funded the 2015 recommendations of an independent...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department is aware of the vitally important role played by school secretaries in the running of our schools.  In recognition of this role, special COVID-19 working arrangements were put in place and the Employee Assistance Service was extended to grant funded staff.  The Department also previously fully implemented and funded the 2015 recommendations of an independent...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department is aware of the vitally important role played by school secretaries in the running of our schools.  In recognition of this role, special COVID-19 working arrangements were put in place and the Employee Assistance Service was extended to grant funded staff.  The Department also previously fully implemented and funded the 2015 recommendations of an independent...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Staff of my department have been working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which had provided for home working to continue where possible.  Following the Taoiseach's announcement on the 1st of September, my department is now in the process of planning for a phased return to the workplace. A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 523 and 647 together. The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all pupils. It is important that the school management authority requests parents to ensure that the school is made aware of any medical condition suffered by any pupils attending. Where the school is aware of potential difficulties that may arise as a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity, to identify where additional school accommodation is needed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department has always been guided by Public Health as to the mitigation measures needed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our schools.  The aim of all of the Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures that have been put in place for schools is to support schools to operate safely and prevent the introduction of Covid-19 and also the onward of transmission of Covid-19 among...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The School Authorities submitted a Stage 1 Report for approval to the Department in August 2020.  This was reviewed by relevant officials and my Department reverted back to the school with recommendations in September 2020.  A further submission was then sent to my Department in May 2021 which did not address the issues raised in September 2020.  A Stage 1 addendum report is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department is aware of the vitally important role played by school secretaries in the running of our schools.  In recognition of this role, special COVID-19 working arrangements were put in place and the Employee Assistance Service was extended to grant funded staff.  The Department also previously fully implemented and funded the 2015 recommendations of an independent...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department following a review of the application has issued a reply to the school in recent days regarding this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The school referred to by the Deputy was approved funding in March 2021 for the provision an 80m² mainstream classroom and a 15m² SET Room under my Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme (ASA). Subsequently the school submitted another ASA application for the provision of 2 special classes and associated accommodation and this application is currently being assessed. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (9 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department is aware of the vitally important role played by school secretaries and caretakers in the running of our schools.  In recognition of this role, special COVID-19 working arrangements were put in place and the Employee Assistance Service was extended to grant funded staff.  The Department also previously fully implemented and funded the 2015 recommendations of...