Results 3,201-3,220 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: Absolutely, and if the Deputy allows me, I will answer the questions.
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: The Deputy has made an assertion that there was no planning here. There have been considerable plans put in place, all of them backed to follow public health advice. As public health advice dictates, we follow the plans as available. There has been no ambiguity there. Plan A, on foot of public health advice, was to reopen our schools, which we did successfully from September to December....
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: I am not. This is very important because the Deputy, his leader and many others have made assertions about this and it is important to correct the record. In the instance of PPE, in the first term there was considerable additional funding made available for start-up costs which included putting in place hand sanitizer, equipment in places, additional bins and all of that.
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: If the Deputy allows me to finish. Equally so, the first term was 25% longer than the present term so there is no cut. I refute that absolutely 100%. The provision of PPE is as it should be and we have always said if there was more required, it would be given. On serial testing, on foot of public health recommendations, if that is required, we will follow public health advice. On...
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: Of course. Priority is being given to children with additional needs.
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: A Cheann Comhairle-----
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: Could I have ten seconds to reply?
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: The Deputy very successfully talked down the clock so that I would not-----
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: -----be in a position to reply.
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: I asked for ten seconds to reply. I do not have sufficient time to reply in full because the clock will not allow me, but I want to make one point. The Deputy quite correctly asserted that I have encouraged people to pick sides and that I have picked sides. I make no apology. I picked the side, and will continue to pick the side, of children with additional needs. They are my first...
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: The Deputy should be under no illusions that at every stage and every step I, the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and the Department have taken a collaborative approach. When talks have not worked out, I have always committed to re-engagement at the earliest of opportunities and that is exactly what is happening at present. The issues raised by the Deputy are similar to those raised...
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: I need the few seconds that I have. I note the Deputy expended her use on the clock quite well so as not to afford me the opportunity to answer in detail.
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: I have the floor now. The Deputy has made an assertion that I do not listen and that I have taken credit in relation to the reopening of schools. If the Deputy was assiduously listening, and if the Deputy had this particular interest in schools and what was happening in schools from September right up to December, she would know that at every opportunity in this House and outside I have...
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: In relation to the questions that the Deputy has raised, I have answered every one of them that has been put by the Deputy's colleague. Indeed, it is interesting that the Deputy repeats the questions and does not seem to grasp the answers.
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: It is interesting that Deputy Bríd Smith referenced issues that she claimed have been ongoing for ten and 12 years. I remind the Deputy that this Government has been in place for six months. Within that six months with regard to the commitment and the determination to progress special education, we have a budget in excess of €2 billion. The largest and most significant budget...
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: Ar an gcéad dul síos, gabhaim buíochas don Teachta Ó Cuív as an méid atá ráite aige. I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for his considerate, insightful and, indeed, measured contribution. I believe the Deputy is 100% correct, and it has been articulated by Deputy O'Donnell, that there is only one agenda here and it is to find a way forward for all of our...
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. I acknowledge her very positive and constructive contribution this evening and, indeed, her positive and ongoing positive contribution to every debate on the education sector. I would say, given the Deputy referenced the concern among teachers, SNAs and others working in the school community, that I know those concerns. I engage on an ongoing basis with the...
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. To clarify the question of announcements first and discussions next, all discussions have taken place first and announcements have then been made, and they have been done collaboratively. When the Department has made announcements, similar announcements have been made by those who have been at the table also. In terms of the results from the November 2020 exams, that...
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy and appreciate his positive contribution. He referenced all who work in the school community and he particularly referred to boards of management, which I also acknowledge personally. These are individuals who volunteer and generously give so much of their time. I acknowledge their contribution as well that of the entire community, which the Deputy also referenced. ...
- Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)
Norma Foley: I thank the Ceann Comhairle and appreciate his indulgence. I again note that I was not given the facility to reply by the Deputies. To Deputy Pringle, I say that after five months of school closures, from March to August, there was a view, shared by the Deputy and others, that it would not be possible to reopen the schools. In my Ministry, we delivered the reopening of schools after...