Results 14,981-15,000 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cybersecurity Policy (20 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which is located within the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, is the primary cyber security authority in the State. The NCSC provides a range of cybersecurity services to operators of Critical National Infrastructure, Government Departments and Agencies. My Department's cyber security protocols are supported by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Data Protection (20 May 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department when processing personal data of any nature adheres to the principles enshrined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). My Department has put in place comprehensive technical and organisational measures in order to ensure and demonstrate that its processing of personal data fully complies with data protection law. The integrity and confidentiality of personal data is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Data Protection (20 May 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department when processing personal data of any nature adheres to the principles enshrined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). My Department has put in place comprehensive technical and organisational measures in order to ensure and demonstrate that its processing of personal data fully complies with data protection law. The integrity and confidentiality of personal data is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, from the school in question. Officials from my Department have been in communication with the school authority, who have requested a review of the proposed brief. This review is currently under assessment and on completion the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Inspections (20 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The Inspectorate has carried out 50 incidental inspections between 16 April 2021 and 18 May 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Inspections (20 May 2021)

Norma Foley: In January and March the Inspectorate held briefing and consultation meetings with the Education Partners. The meetings provided partner organisations with information on the range of ways in which inspectors are engaging with schools and provided opportunity for questions and clarifications. The details of these meetings have been published on the Department website at The Inspectorate is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (20 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The information requested by the deputy regarding posts filled by my department and its aegis bodies is contained in the tables provided below: Aegis Bodies Organisation Number appointed Year Open or Internal Competition County where post is filled An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta COGG 0 ...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: We will have to agree to disagree as to clarity. I am very clear the sanction is outlined in the Bill. Where such cases are found to have arisen, the penalty is the withholding of the grade. I will again be clear. There is no requirement for this to happen. There will be a review. Again, the provision says "may" rather than "must". It enables the State Examinations Commission, SEC, to...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: As I said, as part of the review process the SEC will take into consideration all of the evidence before it. There is one sanction. I would suggest it is the most severe and significant sanction. If there is a case to be answered, the potential sanction is the withholding of the grade.

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The procedure under which a review will be conducted will seek the views of the candidate, the student, in respect of any report made of canvassing. Section 7(2)(a) expressly provides that the student or candidate will have the opportunity to submit representations. If the student was unaware of any canvassing, the candidate has the opportunity to make that case in his or her...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Students enjoy the protection that, fundamentally, any decision following the review must be reasonably based on the information available to the review. We must be clear that the objective is to ensure that no canvassing takes place. The staff involved in the accredited grades process use professional judgment. They deserve protection from interference. Their professionalism should be...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: We need to be clear that the provision the Deputy is quoting states "may", not "must". The provision is enabling, not requiring, the State Examinations Commission to act. Where there is a determination that action is required to be taken, action will be taken. As I said, this is an enabling mechanism, not a requirement. There must be consequences if the professional integrity of those who...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: There are a number of reasons and grounds for rejecting this amendment. As a matter of policy, the provision of estimated marks is grounded fundamentally in the professional judgment of teachers and school alignment before submission to the SEC. The definition of "estimated mark" in the Bill provides clarity on what professional judgment is understood to encompass. The process through...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Sections 4 and 5 will operate in accordance with such procedures as may be prescribed. In that regard, regulations are being drafted that give effect to the provisions concerned. I have already indicated to each House, including today, that there will be a robust review process that will not lead to decisions being made without considering individual circumstances. While the operation...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I want to be very clear that there is no intention of keeping anything under wraps. There is no intention whatsoever of concealing any detail. What is important to remember is that the process of standardisation is just that: it is a process, not a static formula. It is very important to point out that even if we were to look at the written leaving certificate exam in terms of that...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Order for Committee Stage (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I move: "That Committee Stage be taken now."

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: As I said in the Seanad when the same amendment was tabled, I agree with it in principle but I must reiterate the point that I made on that occasion in response to what is being requested by the Deputy. Fundamentally, the process of standardisation will operate at national level. It is preferable to use aggregate or cohort data, as the evidence is that the use of junior cycle data in the...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I agree with the principle behind this amendment in terms of transparency in how the process of standardisation would operate. However, the amendment seeks to have the process of standardisation published in advance of results day. This is not something that can be agreed to as the final composition or application of the process will not, or at least may not, be known right up to the day of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 140, inclusive, together. I wish to advice the Deputy that my Department has carried out a detailed analysis to identify areas where, due to demographic growth, there may be a requirement for additional school provision both at primary and post-primary level. It was identified that there is a need for additional post-primary provision in the Lucan...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: An exemption from the study of Irish may only be granted by school management in the exceptional circumstances outlined in section 2.2. of circular 0052/2019 (Primary) and 0053/2019 (Post Primary). As such, I have no role in the granting of exemptions. Any pupil who does not meet the criteria for an exemption from the study of Irish should be provided with a differentiated approach to...