Results 2,981-3,000 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Establishment (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Since 2015, two new schools have been announced to serve the Dún Laoghaire school planning area: a new primary school which was established in 2017; and a new post-primary school to serve Dún Laoghaire and the Booterstown-Blackrock school planning areas as a regional solution, which is to be established in 2021. Following a patronage process, patronage of the new primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: There are four properties in my ownership in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area the management of which has not passed to a school patron. The configuration of these properties to meet school requirements in the area has not yet been finalised. My Department is working on plans for these existing properties to meet some of the requirements for primary and secondary schools in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together. As the Deputy is aware, a number of potential site options have been identified. Officials from my Department, with the assistance of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, continue to appraise same in terms of their availability and suitability. Once a preferred site option has been identified, negotiations with the landowner...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, a number of potential site options have been identified. Officials from my Department, with the assistance of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, continue to appraise same, in terms of their availability and suitability. Once a preferred site option has been identified, negotiations with the landowner in respect of the proposed acquisition of this site will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that under Budget 2021 I have announced a general reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1. While there has been a reduction in mainstream class size in recent years, there has not been a corresponding reduction for those Urban Band 1 DEIS schools who are already allocated a preferential staffing schedule of 20:1 for schools catering for junior...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The tender process which is currently underway for eight major school building projects, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will establish a framework of Design & Build Contractors. The first phase of the tender process to create a shortlist of contractors is complete. The second phase of the tender process is ongoing and is due to be completed in Quarter 1 of 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas for the 2021/2022 school year, including the school planning area to which the Deputy refers. 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 –...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Attendance (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 requires the reporting of pupil absenteeism in certain circumstances to Tusla Education Support Service (TESS). The act requires the principal of a recognised school to maintain records of the attendance or non-attendance on each school day of each pupil registered at that school. There has been no change to these requirements. In responding to referrals...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: My Department’s Circular Letter caters for Brief Absences, including Bereavement Leave for Special Need Assistants (SNAs) employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools. In relation to Bereavement Leave, paragraph 2 of this Circular states:- ‘Special leave with pay is allowed to an SNA in the event of the bereavement of a family member. (a) 5 consecutive days...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: My Department Building Unit is satisfied that the proposed new school for Ennistymon, Co Clare is designed to provide adequate classroom accommodation and outdoor recreational spaces to cater for the long terms needs of the Ennistymon area. The project is currently at tender stage and subject to no issues arising it is envisaged that construction should commence in Quarter 2 of 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Scéim na nOibreacha Samhraidh (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Is mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuil an Scéim Oibreacha Samhraidh deartha chun ligean do scoileanna, ar bhonn maoinithe cineachta, oibreacha feabhsúcháin agus athchóirithe riachtanacha a dhéanamh a dhéanfaidh uasghrádú ar áiseanna scoile atá ann cheana lena n-áirítear áiteanna súgartha. Tá sé de...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The major 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. At the recent Stage 2(a) Stakeholders meeting my Department requested an Addendum report to the Stage 2a Submission. Once this Report is submitted it will be reviewed by my Department and a decision...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, 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 to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Communications (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Due to the restrictions on travel arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, it has not been possible for me to travel to attend EU Council meetings, as would normally be the case. However, I can confirm to the Deputy that I had a videoconference with my colleague, the Swedish Minister for Education, Anna Ekström, on 28th October 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The school to which the Deputy refers is currently in interim accommodation on an interim site pending delivery of its intended interim accommodation on its permanent site in the Dublin 13 area. Work has commenced on this interim accommodation on the permanent site and it is anticipated that this accommodation will be available for occupation by the school shortly. In addition to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The major 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. This project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's school building programme. It is my Department's intention to engage further with the patron regarding the proposed project.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware the building project for the school in question is included in my Department's Capital Programme. Officials in my Department have been working towards the acquisition of a permanent site to meet the needs of the school to which the Deputy refers and have engaged with officials in the relevant Local Authority in that respect. A number of potential site options...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale building projects and Additional Accommodation Projects being delivered, including projects in Dublin 15, may be viewed on my Department's website, and this information is updated regularly. My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas including...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, from the school in question. Once the application process has been completed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.