Results 15,201-15,220 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: It is the responsibility of my Department to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. Parents/guardians can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to draft, publish and implement a school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: By way of context, it is important to note that in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no record of receiving an application from the schools in question in relation to a proposed amalgamation. As the decision-making authority for any amalgamation is the patron/trustees of the schools concerned, it is open to any patron to submit proposals to the Department for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Catchment Areas (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, there are ten non-fee paying all-girls post primary schools in Cork City. The decision-making authority in respect of the status of existing schools, including whether they are single or mixed gender, belongs to the Patron, subject to the agreement of my Department. New schools are established by my Department to meet demographic need and, generally, such new...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design & Build programme. The new school building project is in architectural planning stage. A pre-planning meeting with the local authority has taken place and developed design work is ongoing. Until such time as planning permission has been secured, it will not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Among the COVID-19 supports provided for the 2020/21 school year was the extension of the Substitute Teacher Supply Panel.Currently, there are 115 Substitute Teacher Supply Panels nationwide, with almost 330 newly appointed Supply Panel teachers employed, providing substitute cover to almost 2,300 schools across the country. The proficiencies of the Substitute Teacher Supply Panels is being...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm that a permanent site option for the new Killester/Raheny/Clontarf ETNS has been identified and it is in the school planning area. Due to the sensitive nature of site acquisitions in general, it is not possible to give further details at this time. It is difficult to indicate a timeframe for any site acquisition as each process is unique and in some instances complex issues can...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision was taken to provide choice and clarity for students. Putting in place both the examinations and a corresponding measure of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic my Department has issued extensive guidance material to assist schools and teachers with the continuity of learning. This guidance was developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders including teachers, parents and learners. The guidance included provision to support the continuity of teaching and learning in response to the Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department's spending on advertising and awareness raising in relation to Covid-19 for the period 1 March 2020 to date in 2021 is outlined in the attached spreadsheet. Supplier Name Total Amount Details of service Classification 1 Classification 2 Beacon Studios €1,937.25 Voiceover work for Back to school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that the school in question applied for funding under the Summer Works Scheme in 2016, Category 10 (External Environment) for the provision of improved access to the school and additional off road parking with particular reference to the school bus. No application has been submitted by the school authority in relation to improved playground facilities. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disadvantaged Status (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: A key part of the DEIS Plan was the introduction of a new DEIS identification process based on an objective, statistics based model. In terms of the further extension of the DEIS Programme to more schools, an extensive body of work is being undertaken in terms of the refinement of this model, including data analysis and consultation with education partners. All schools will be considered...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department’s approach to supporting wellbeing is set out in its Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice first published in 2018 and refreshed in 2019. The approach proposed is a whole school and preventative approach which has multiple components that include providing children and young people with opportunities to build core social and emotional skills and...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I have tabled four amendments, each of which provides for minor textual amendments to reflect some points that were missed prior to publication. On the advice of Parliamentary Counsel, the amendments are necessary. The amendments do not alter the substance of the sections or the schedules where they arise, and they are only technical or clerical in nature. Amendment No. 1 will delete the...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I welcome the intention behind this amendment. I can agree with it in principle and I thank the Senator for tabling it. 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 regression model is of better predictive quality when done at a class group rather...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

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

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: It is important to point out that, as a matter of policy, the provision of estimated marks is grounded fundamentally in the professional judgment of teachers and an in-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 which professional judgment is...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank Senator Buttimer and appreciate his particular interest, and ongoing engagement, on matters of education. I suggest that many of the points he made are outside the scope of this Bill. Be that as it may, I acknowledge that, and I said previously and last Friday, there are learnings in everything from Covid and I am in no doubt that there are learnings in terms of all that we have...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Sections 4 and 5 will operate in accordance with the procedures as may be prescribed. In that regard, regulations are currently being drafted that give effect to the provisions concerned. I indicated during the Second Stage debate and I, again, confirm here today, as did Senator Dolan, that there will be a robust review process in place that will not lead to decisions being made without...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator. I want to be clear that the candidate is afforded an opportunity to make his or her case. The threshold is very high. It will not be easy to find against a student for canvassing. It is right and proper that it be vigorous and robust and that there be significant engagement around this. On the legal requirements, we have been clear that legal advice was sought and it...