Results 1,701-1,720 of 19,559 for speaker:Norma Foley

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I appreciate what the Deputy is saying. It is interesting to note that the exemptions at primary school level have decreased. This has not been by a huge amount but they have decreased from 3.25% in 2017-2018 to 2.9%. They have increased at post-primary level from 9% to approximately 13%. There are 25% of the general student cohort who have a learning or additional need, and 60% of those...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: It depends. This is just of the young people with additional needs, and they have different levels of need.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Níl.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Yes.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, a review of that is ongoing and will be completed in 2026. That will give us a better insight into what is being achieved currently in comparison with what was there previously. Even with things like oral Irish, when there was an option for that to be provided as part of the junior cycle, 40% of schools availed of that, whereas with the new class-based...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: It started in 2023 but there was a break prior to that because of Covid-19 or some such thing. Does Ms O’Connor wish to speak on that point?

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: We are prepared to look at every opportunity. For example, we have satellite schools and supports operating where there are existing schools in place but they cannot get the support of additional teachers so we do that by satellite. Specifically, I understand the Deputy is asking around lowering the numbers if there are, for example, only six students on an island.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: That is a fair point.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: That is a fair point and is perhaps something we could look at. If there is specific instance the Deputy has-----

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I can ask the NCSE to address that issue go ginearálta.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I know that is an issue close to the Deputy’s heart.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I absolutely appreciate the work of the mná tí. The whole purpose of students having an opportunity to experience living with a family and all of that is supportive of the language. The area of mná tí specifically falls within the Department of tourism. In terms of the supports we are in a position to provide, the capitation grant was removed after the recession. We...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Interestingly, almost as an aside, there has been a positive announcement today in terms of scholarships being provided for students in DEIS schools. That is a support being provided by Government. It is really positive that opportunities like that are provided to all young people and, in particular, to young people who may have challenges in availing of these opportunities. These DEIS...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator for his question. The reference to allowances refers to all allowances, not just those in respect of the Gaeltacht. The Department has implemented the outcome of the public-service-wide review of allowances and premium payments by the Department of public expenditure. This meant many allowance were no longer payable to new entrant teachers from 1 February 2012. Among...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: In the first instance I acknowledge that there are responsibilities for all teachers and staff irrespective of the medium through which they teach. I attended an excellent event today in which young people from all over the country showcased the work they are doing through the Cineáltas programme by the Department. I recognised that the delivery of that programme and the opportunities...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: It is certainly desirable. If a person attains a position of director, whatever that directorship might be, there is further education and training available to improve proficiency in Irish. That said, fluency is certainly desirable and could be helpful in the role. As long as an individual is prepared to upscale their Irish if it is part of their post remit, much as we are currently...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: On the Deputy’s first question, there is very strong collaboration between my Department and the Department of children. As recently as this month alone, officials from the two Departments met to discuss the national plan for Irish. There is collaboration there. I know it has always been the Deputy's view that there is benefit to students in speaking more than one language. I agree...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Yes, we are seeking to do that. That is the purpose of the engagement between the Department of children and ourselves. We are working together. Many of our primary and post-primary initiatives are making their way into early years education. I refer to things like the DEIS programme, the extension of which is being considered. There is no reason that cannot happen language-wise. I...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The legislation does not currently allow for the setting up of another ETB. I can pre-empt what the Deputy will say next, but he might appreciate that I am just giving him the information on the situation at present. Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI, would say that it has an education policy and development officer who has specific responsibility for Irish-medium education in ETB...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Okay. I say to the Deputy that I am only outlining where we are at present. That is not to say that things cannot change going forward. I am setting out the present provision under the current legislation.