Results 14,441-14,460 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school on behalf of the Patron. The Department published Circular 32/2017 in 2017 which introduced measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs. This includes principles of cost-effective practices to be adopted, including...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 331 together. The Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. Public health remain of the view that schools are low risk environments and that the infection prevention and control measures in place in school are effective. The CMO has also made it very clear in his advices to Government...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department of Education are pleased to confirm the acquisition of approximately 22 acres at Shanlothe, Trim, Co. Meath for the provision of permanent accommodation for Scoil Mhuire Post Primary school. It is intended the 22 acre site will cater for additional educational facilities in the future, if required. With regard to capacity levels in secondary schools in Trim, there are 2...

Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I also thank the Senators who previously contributed to the development of the Bill. I particularly acknowledge the personal engagement and personal witness of many of the contributors this evening. These have added greatly to the debate. It is such a positive step that we can garner unanimity within the Chamber on this issue. I am...

Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on this vitally important Bill. At the heart of it is the underlying principle that we must strive for an education that enriches, values and nurtures every child and young person within it. The Government will be supporting this Bill. I am acutely aware of the power of education and specifically the power that it has in not only...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: To be fair to all who have engaged in this process, we were in a position yesterday, at the end of June, to make an announcement regarding forward planning for the class of 2022, which includes accommodation in terms of the exam. It is proportionate. It is the accommodation that was made available originally in August, with a further modification in December in terms of the assessment of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Equipment (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I agree with the Deputy that we have learned an enormous amount from the pandemic as we have gone through it. We have also learned of the flexibility, adaptability and resilience of schools in meeting challenges as they are presented. I want to be very clear that with the resourcing of schools, more than €100 million has been made available to them during the pandemic, specifically...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Equipment (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I confirm that the consultation process was wide and provided online and questionnaire resources etc. There was an opportunity for people to engage and much of that is being analysed now. There have been and will continue to be bilateral engagements with a variety of different stakeholders and partners in education on the formulation of a new policy. It is my intention that we will be in a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: As I have said, the Department and I, as Minister for Education, are acutely aware of the disruption caused to all students as a result of school closures arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. From 11 January 2021, all students engaged in a programme of remote learning with their schools and I express appreciation to schools for managing that. Students who have just completed fifth year...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: It is important to acknowledge there has been a considerable amount of forward planning by the Department in preparing for the 2022 leaving certificate. I acknowledge the contribution of the advisory group, as I outlined, which is representative of students, parents, teachers, managerial bodies and the wider spectrum of education partners. It is positive that we can now indicate to students...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Equipment (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: As Deputy Smyth may be aware, an investment programme of €210 million has been delivered under the current Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. As the Deputy's previous question demonstrated, there undoubtedly is a strong role for digital devices and the use of digital technology in teaching and learning within our education system, and we must support its continued development. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: It was remiss of me not to say that I appreciate the importance of seeing progress being made here as quickly as possible from the point of view of school communities, staff, parents, boards of management and local communities. I know I am repeating myself at this stage but I assure the Deputy that every effort is being made. There have been ongoing and protracted engagements in an attempt...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Again I wish to acknowledge that this is something of particular interest to the Deputy on which he has engaged with me on an ongoing basis and I wish to express my appreciation for that. The Deputy will be aware that the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019 completed all Stages of the Seanad in 2019. I confirm that the Department is currently awaiting an Order for Second...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the Deputy's comments and I am in entire agreement with him. I strongly believe in the partnership approach in education. I also want to acknowledge that we see that work very effectively in many schools. As the Deputy has referenced the pandemic, we have seen extraordinary examples of that working so well and significantly to facilitate schools and school communities to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm that we are working on a support fund and support resource for schools in acknowledgement of the position in which we find ourselves in the pandemic and the loss on occasion of in-person teaching and learning. From the point of view of school staff I want to acknowledge that this was notwithstanding the remote learning that was provided by schools. I am conscious of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Facilities (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. I appreciate the sincerity with which he has put forward his views. I want to confirm that the Department has no issue with schools making arrangements with local communities, provided that does not in any way impinge upon the needs of the school at any given time. Therefore, it is important that negotiations around that are at a local level and, as I have outlined,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Facilities (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. I acknowledge that we are not too far apart in what he is saying. I want to acknowledge that the Department has no issue. As we previously outlined, it has made guidelines available as to how best practice would work in terms of ensuring how this would operate. As I said, I want to be clear because I do not want the impression to go abroad that this is not happening...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the memorandum of understanding in place between local authorities and my Department in respect of the acquisition of suitable sites for schools, officials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in Cork City Council in regard to a site for the school, Le Chéile, in respect of which the Deputy is inquiring. A number of site options have been identified and assessed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: As I said, I appreciate the bona fides of the Deputy's inquiry. It has been an ongoing priority on his agenda with the Department of Education. I want to be very clear that the Department is doing all it can to engage with all sides to ensure we can expedite the provision of an appropriate site for all concerned as quickly as possible. In regard to Cork City Council, I want to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is acutely aware of the disruption caused to all students because of school closures arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Yesterday, following a meeting of the advisory group on planning for State examinations, I announced that the level of adjustment to the assessment arrangements for the 2022 leaving certificate examination cohort would be broadly the same as that applied to...