Results 15,181-15,200 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The progress report in relation to Green Public Procurement for 2020 is currently being prepared by my Department and will be submitted to the EPA and published as part of the Department’s Annual Report for 2020 which will be available on my Department’s website. In line with the EPA Reporting on Green Public Procurement Guidance & Template for Government Departments...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places for 2021 in a number of School Planning areas. Where capacity issues arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area - School of choice –...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 331 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places for 2021 in a number of school planning areas. Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication of applications – pupils have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that in the case of all new schools, as well as replacement school buildings and major extensions, it is general practice to include a Special Education Needs Base (SEN Base) in the accommodation brief, unless local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. Typically, a two classroom SEN Base is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources at primary and post primary level is the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (13 May 2021)

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: School Staff (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources at primary and post primary level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (13 May 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 and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Schemes (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy there are currently 15 Applications under various categories, currently awaiting assessment on the Esinet Administration Application, in regards to the Summer Works Scheme for the County of Kildare . The Deputy may be aware that in December 2020 I announced details of the schools that will receive funding in summer 2021 in respect of applications...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The curriculum is considered to be for all learners regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic background, gender or orientation. It is the aim of my Department that every child has access to equitable education and that each learner feels safe and happy in the school environment, at every stage. At post-primary level, there are a number of prescribed texts for Junior Cycle and Leaving...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including school planning areas in North County Dublin. Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication of applications – pupils...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The key factor for determining the level of mainstream staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The Government published the Roadmap for the Full Return to School, along with details of a financial package of over €375 million to support the implementation of the measures in the roadmap, following approval by Government. The range of supports being made available to all schools in the free education scheme include additional financial supports to provide for PPE and hand hygiene...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The upgrade of the Department’s payroll systems is progressing on a phased basis as planned during 2021. As previously outlined the Department is assessing the feasibility of introducing online payslips for payees and this work is underway.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Inspections (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Circulars 0040/2020 and 0041/2020, which issued in June of 2020, informed schools of the range of advisory, research and evaluative work that inspectors would be conducting in schools in the 2021/22 school year. The circular stated : ‘It is envisaged that advisory, research and evaluation work will continue in the second and third terms of the school year 2020/21 and the Inspectorate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Educational Institutions (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Under my Department’s Action Plan on Bullying, new Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools were published at the beginning of the 2013/2014 school year, following consultation with the relevant education partners. The procedures are designed to give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and tackling school-based bullying...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) service of my Department has developed a range of workshops on the promotion of wellbeing and resilience in schools which includes trauma informed approaches. The approaches outlined in the workshops are based on research findings, on the experience of experts in their fields and on the experience of practising psychologists working in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I confirm that I am very conscious of the excellent work that takes place daily in the school and of the support provided by school communities, parents, guardians and all who are invested in the progress of the school. Notwithstanding the difficult circumstances of a Covid-19 environment, I fully acknowledge all that is achieved daily by the entire school community. It is important to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to outline the position with regard to the accommodation needs of St. Gabriel's Special School in Bishopstown, County Cork. This matter has been raised with me by a number of public representatives, including my Cabinet colleagues and the Taoiseach. St. Gabriel's Special School is the primary school under the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The purpose of my Department’s Assistive Technology Scheme, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013, is to provide grant-aid to schools to allow them to purchase the type of specialist equipment which has been recommended by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as being essential for students who have been diagnosed as having a serious physical disability and/or...