Results 3,161-3,180 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Strategies (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The policy initiatives undertaken by my Department since the formation of this Government and into 2021 are aligned with the commitments within the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future (2020). Specifically the immediate priorities following my appointment related to the reopening of our schools, the provision of a summer programme for those students with special education needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The tender process to establish the new Design & Build Contractors Framework commenced on the 4th December 2019. The second stage of the tender process which involves the detailed tender for several schools has commenced and is expected to be concluded in Quarter 1 2021. The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in the first bundle of projects...

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

Norma Foley: Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 was amended by the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018. The new appeal provisions came into operation from 12 November 2020 with new appeal procedures also coming into effect from the same date. As part of the new arrangements for appeals under section 29, if a student has been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Childcare Services (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: My colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has provided me with the following information in relation to childcare supports available for essential workers.   Between 11th and 31st January, access to early learning and childcare services is restricted to the children of essential workers and vulnerable children.  Essential workers are...

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

Norma Foley: Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 was amended by the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018. The new appeal provisions came into operation from 12 November 2020 with new appeal procedures also coming into effect from the same date. As part of the new arrangements for appeals under section 29, if a student has been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, and the...

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: School Funding (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that the Department are in contact with the school on this matter and we have sought further information. On receipt of the requested information a final decision will be made on the application for the works in question.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Planning for the 2021 state examinations is underway by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and my Department. It is recognised that a flexible and agile approach is necessary in light of the continuing fast-moving environment linked to Covid-19. This planning work is being assisted by an advisory group of key stakeholders which has recently been reconvened. I recognise the importance of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283, 307 and 325 together. The public health restrictions which resulted in the closure of schools in March 2020 highlighted the absolute necessity for schools to be agile in providing for continuity of schooling in the future. As a contingency measure against the possibility of partial or full school closures, my Department has already provided a suite of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: 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 over €224.7m in 2020. The Department has been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The Government decision, taken on 6 January, on foot of public health advice to reduce mobility in the community, was to close schools for the vast majority of students for a period of three weeks. Schools have been advised of the need to ensure appropriate education provision and support for students during this time. All schools have been advised of the need to have contingency plans...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department has received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, from the school in question. Officials from my Department have been communicating with the school authority and as a result the application is now progressing. On completion of the assessment process a decision will be relayed, directly, to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pay (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The criteria for the award of Incremental Credit, for previous teaching experience, to recognised post-primary teachers is outlined in Circular 29/2007 and 10/2001 for primary teachers, and was agreed in the first instance, by the Teacher Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of the teacher unions, school management bodies, the Department of Public...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: As part of the €210m investment programme underpinning the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools, my Department provided €100m in grant funding to schools to address their ICT needs during 2020. Schools were advised that they can use this funding to support the continuity of teaching and learning should a period of partial or full school closure occur arising from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 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: State Examinations (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Planning for the 2021 state examinations is underway by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and my Department. It is recognised that a flexible and agile approach is necessary in light of the continuing fast-moving environment linked to Covid-19. This planning work is being assisted by an advisory group of key stakeholders which has recently been reconvened. I recognise the importance of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The NDFA is currently undertaking the second phase of the process of appointment of multi-disciplinary technical advisors (design teams) for these projects. Thereafter, it will ensure that the project progresses to design...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Acts 1998 to 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area. Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is the psychological service of my Department. It is a school-based service with an overall objective of providing an educational psychology service to all schools, through the application of psychological theory and practice, to support the wellbeing, and academic, social and emotional development of all learners. NEPS prioritises...