Results 2,081-2,100 of 19,559 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy progressed to an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, in September 2019. Stage 2(b) includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate & Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents. All Statutory approvals have been secured...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The general principles to apply to the management of COVID-19 includes the safety and welfare of employees and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning. The current COVID-19 arrangements in place for teachers are outlined in my Department’s Circular Letter 0049/2020. The Circular outlines that special leave with pay may be granted to teachers who...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: I am keenly aware of the vital role contributed by school secretaries within school communities and I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. I have met with Fórsa, who represent many of the secretaries working in schools. In recognition of their role, I have put special arrangements in place for this school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2019/2020 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and I am very aware of the issues faced by many schools in respect of teacher allocations and class sizes. As part of the Budget 2021 measures, the Government have sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a further 1 point change to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Aptitude Test or Adaption Period that teachers who completed an Initial Teacher Education programme outside the State must complete in order to fulfil the condition of the Irish Language Requirement in order to register as a Primary teacher. The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for establishing and maintaining...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: In the case of all new schools, it is general practice within my Department to include a Special Education Needs Base (SEN Base) in the accommodation brief for new school buildings, unless local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. Typically, a two classroom SEN Base is provided in new primary schools and a two or four classroom SEN Base is provided in new post primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: My Department is aware that the Patron of the school referred to by the Deputy is in the process of acquiring a site for the permanent location of the school. My Department will be liaising with the school authority as this process is finalised.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres. The cost...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The Health Protection Surveillance Centre and HSE has published guidance in relation to the return to school for at risk groups. The advice confirms that for the vast majority of children, can return to school and it is important for the overall health and wellbeing for children to attend school. This is consistent with public health advice internationally. The guidance is available at the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The building project for the school referred to by the deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. A Design Team – (Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Civil & Structural Engineer, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer and Project Supervisor for the Design Process) has been appointed and letter...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Council of Ireland (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State. Teachers whose applications meet all the necessary requirements are registered by the Teaching Council under Section 31 of the Teaching Council Act and the Teaching...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that I will arrange for my Department to provide a response directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The building project for the school in question is included in my Department's capital programme. On 16 October, I invited applications from school patron bodies/prospective school patrons for patronage of 4 new post-primary schools to be established in September 2021, including the new post-primary school for Ballincollig. The deadline for receipt of application from prospective patrons...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capital Expenditure Programme (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform outlined in the 2021 Budget Speech a planned review of the National Development Plan. The resulting revised National Development Plan aims to safeguard capital spending supports for regional development and to ensure alignment with Programme for Government priorities for the next decade. This review will be launched shortly and my Department,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: There is no plan or time-frame for the phasing out of religious education in schools, at either primary or post primary level. In the context of this question, it may be helpful to distinguish between Religious Education as an educational activity that deepens young people’s understanding of religions, whatever their background or beliefs, and Religious Instruction, understood as...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: Management bodies and schools have, in recent years, reported difficulties in recruiting teachers. At primary level this relates mainly to the recruitment of substitute teachers and at post-primary level to the recruitment of teachers of particular subjects (STEM, modern foreign languages, Irish and Home Economics, in particular) as well as substitutes. The Steering Group on Teacher...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (20 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30th September. The staffing arrangements also include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds,...