Results 3,141-3,160 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

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

Norma Foley: Regarding specific provision for children who are in danger of disadvantage, there is a programme in place and all the guidelines and provisions have been worked out with the partners in education. For example, schools have identified individuals who make direct contact with students. There is the Check and Connect programme and a variety of other programmes. The home school community...

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

Norma Foley: I agree with the Deputy that the provision of special education remains an absolute priority to ensure that children with additional needs are catered for in the midst of a lockdown and otherwise. It was for all of those reasons that I and the Government made the decision that in the midst of the current lockdown that children with additional needs would be catered for but that proved...

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

Norma Foley: The safety of students and staff has been the primary concern that has been addressed at all stages of the reopening of schools. It continues to be the primary motivation. The direction is given according to the public health advice, taking on board the UK strain and all other aspects from a public health point of view that need to be taken into account. It has been confirmed consistently,...

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

Norma Foley: The advisory group on the leaving certificate has met on a number of occasions to look at the broadest matters relating to the exam. Accommodations have already been made in terms of dates for practical exams, projects and all of that. Equally, the engagement with the advisory group on further accommodation and contingencies that may need to be put in place will continue. In the interests...

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

Norma Foley: The advisory group is continuing to meet and taking on board all the evolving situation, including the myriad voices on proceeding to the leaving certificate for 2021. I also point out that we very successfully ran the leaving certificate in November, just a short number of weeks ago. It was a full leaving certificate exam and all that learning, experience and public health advice relating...

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

Norma Foley: All the information on additional time for practicals, projects and all of that has been disseminated to the schools. They are aware of it and it was part of the contingency planning worked through with the advisory group that allowed sufficient time and space to make that additional time available if we were to find ourselves in what is now the current position. I reiterate that the...

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

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. I can give my view and everybody else has a view. The Deputy spoke about certainty. When it was proposed to hold the leaving certificate exams last November in the middle of a period of level 5 restrictions, some doubt was cast as to whether we could deliver that. Yet again, taking on board the public health advice made available, a full leaving certificate written...

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

Norma Foley: The Deputy asked about reopening and the judgment on that. There will be a review of that at the end of January, including a review concerning mobility in the education sector. I hope we are moving towards 1 February.

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

Norma Foley: In terms of books, I would point out to the Deputy that click and collect and delivery are still in operation. On vaccinations, as I have mentioned, it is not within my gift, as he will appreciate. We have made representations to the Department of Health and discussions will continue on vaccinations for the school community. We will continue to engage on that issue.

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

Norma Foley: Deputy Pringle mentioned public health advice and the decision to stand down our schools. I want to make it very clear that we have followed public health advice at every point. The public health advice suggested that there was a need to reduce mobility. We respected that and acted accordingly. I am very disappointed that the Deputy does not agree that it is important to give priority to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together. School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 113,100 children, including over 14,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that in June 2019, my Department approved funding for the reconfiguration of a spare classroom to accommodate a special class for children with special needs, as an interim measure, for the school in question.  My Department will be communicating directly with the school authority shortly, regarding the status of their application for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Since last March, my Department has put in place a number of measures to support vulnerable learners and those at risk of educational disadvantage during possible partial or full school closures due to Covid-19.  As a contingency measure for the possibility of partial or full school closures, my Department provided to schools in October a suite of guidance materials, agreed with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is conscious of the fact that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with special educational needs can be even greater.  The Deputy will be aware that a number of meetings have taken place recently with primary and special education stakeholders. All parties are working together towards...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Deputy, the information requested on the amount in minor grant scheme funding allocated to each county; and the number of primary, secondary and special schools that benefited from the scheme is outlined below. ">Minor Grant Scheme

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capital Expenditure Programme (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of projects being delivered may be viewed on my Department's website:   Project information is listed on a county basis and is updated regularly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: It remains my firm intention to operate the conventional 2021 Leaving Certificate examinations, with appropriate public health measures in place. This view is shared by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), which has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations Planning for these examinations is underway by the SEC and the Department. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department  is working closely under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department and Local Authorities with Fingal County Council in relation to the acquisition of the land adjoining the school for the purpose of extending the school site. Negotiations with the landowner are ongoing. Due to commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The reopening of schools and classes that cater for children with special needs is a priority for me. My Department is currently engaging with all stakeholders to address their concerns to facilitate the reopening of special schools and special classes as soon as possible. The Minister has been in contact with Rosedale Special School.