Results 3,121-3,140 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The following school building projects are being progressed in Maynooth, Co. Kildare to meet expected demand in the area. Major building projects included as part of the Capital Programme: Maynooth Post Primary School (R/N 70700A) and Maynooth Community College (R/N 76193Q) - A building projects to deliver 1,000 pupils places and 2-classroom SEN bases of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The following school building projects are being progressed in Clane, Co. Kildare to meet expected demand in the area. Major building projects included as part of the Capital Programme: - St Raphael's Special School (RN 18988G) - Scoil Naomh Padraig (RN 20257C ) - Celbridge Community School (RN 91614B) It is proposed to accommodate the three schools on a campus development...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The following school building projects are being progressed in Prosperous, Co. Kildare to meet expected demand in the area. Major building projects included as part of the Capital Programme: St Farnan's Post Primary School (RN 70720G)  - A project to increase the capacity at the school from 500 to 1,000 pupils has been devolved for delivery to Kildare &...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The following school building projects are being progressed in Naas Co. Kildare to meet expected demand in the area. Major building projects included as part of the Capital Programme: Mercy Convent, Naas (RN 15040T)  - Project is to provide a new 32-classroom school building. This project is in the process of a retender for a contractor to complete this new building. St...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The following school building projects are being progressed in Clane Co. Kildare to meet expected demand in the area. Major building projects included as part of the Capital Programme: Hewetson National School (Roll No 13920O)  - This project has been devolved to the school management authority for delivery. As the project is at an early stage of the delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy has been advised previously, a new site will be required for a school campus development, in order to cater for the permanent needs of St. Patrick’s National School, Celbridge Community College and St. Raphael’s Special School. The Department is presently at a very advanced stage in the process of acquiring a suitable site, located at Donaghcumper. I can...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Funding (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The project for the school referred to by the Deputy commenced on site in March 2020 it is progressing satisfactorily with a contract duration of approximately 20 months.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: While there are certain outstanding additional works to take place on site, the new school buildings referred to by the Deputy were practically completed in December and are ready for occupation. The existing school site referred to by the Deputy is not in the Minister’s ownership and queries in relation to any arrangements regarding this site should be referred to the owner of the...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to be before the House to set out the work that myself and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, as well as our officials and indeed, the partners in education, have been engaged in over recent weeks to ensure the continued provision of education to our students throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. While schools are providing remote education at present, the resumption of...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for the issues she highlighted. I must differ with her, however, regarding many of the points she made. The Deputy referred to a lack of planning. That is absolutely and utterly untrue. I hope the Deputy is aware of the efforts being made by schools to ensure children are catered for in these current circumstances with remote and online learning. They are in a position...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I am responding to both. I will take the opportunity to respond to Deputy Ó Ríordáin first. I acknowledge the engagement that has been forthcoming from the Opposition spokespersons on education, which I appreciate. On the specific point of consultation with the unions, I want to be very clear that I most definitely engaged with the unions on Monday of last week. I...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: -----and that is ongoing.

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I will make a brief comment and the Minister of State will then contribute. On the case outlined by the Deputy, it is for all those reasons and more that specific provision for the cohort of children with additional needs and profound and severe difficulties is being made so they are facilitated in terms of lockdown. I am personally aware of the difficulties and complexities faced by these...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: A specific issue has been raised by Deputy Gannon in terms of numbers prior to December. Deputy Gannon has said that I consistently articulate that school is a safe environment. I articulate it because that is the evidence, wisdom and expertise of public health. It is those in public health who are confirming this to us. Deputy Gannon will be aware that Dr. Holohan references low...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I will finish this point. As public health professionals they have consistently confirmed that, in their expert opinion and experience, schools are safe environments. I defer to their expert treatment of the matter.

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The Deputy asked about public health advice and the new variant. At all stages, public health advice officials offer their expertise. They do it mindful of all that is happening from an epidemiological point of view in terms of what we would call the virus as we knew it and the new variants, whether the UK variant or the South African variant. All of that is taken into consideration when...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Regarding the Deputy's remarks on lack of engagement, which I utterly reject out of hand, it has been the hallmark of my Ministry that substantial engagement right from the very beginning has been attested by the reopening of our schools and ongoing engagement with all the partners in education. This includes parents, teachers, students and managerial bodies right across the weave of...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: It is very disappointing that Deputy Carthy-----

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. In the first instance, I will refer specifically to points that were raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett. I assure the Deputy, and I have articulated this previously, that every measure we have introduced into our schools is backed by public health advice and that we react immediately, taking account of the public health advice, in respect of any measures that...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy and acknowledge his engagement with me on an ongoing basis in respect of education issues. As already stated, I understand the anxiety and difficulties of our leaving certificate students in particular. I acknowledge that their representatives are very much part of our advisory committee that is preparing for our leaving certificate, which has met on two occasions and...