Results 3,601-3,620 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: The projects to which the Deputy refers have to complete the five stages of architectural planning involved in the delivery of all major school projects. The length of time it takes to get through these stages will depend on a variety of factors, including the size and complexity of the relevant project. Critically, it is also dependent on how well progress is made through the statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: The full re-opening of our schools for all students remains a top priority for Government and my Department is focussing on the safe return of all pupils and students to school on a phased basis beginning in March. Guidelines on undertaking private activities outside of recognised schools are not a matter for this Department. Ireland is currently at Level 5 of the Governments Living with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is working closely with Caranua on the operational wind-down of the organisation. Until such time as the legislation is in place for the dissolution of Caranua, the final audit of the organisation cannot take place. The interim arrangements are that a financial services provider has been contracted to work with Caranua during a handover period before Caranua closes and will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (24 Feb 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 purpose of my Department's...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have drafted new admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. These policies must have been approved by the school patron by 15 September 2020, and published on the schools website by 30...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Catchment Areas (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: 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. New schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand (including a new post...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Catchment Areas (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including school planning areas in Killester/Raheny/Clontarf, Beaumont/Coolock, D6, Drumcondra/Marino/Dublin 1 and Whitehall/Santry D9. Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: During the Covid-19 pandemic, substitute teachers with a contract (written or verbal) covering an approved absence receive payment for the duration of that contract. The period of service that the teachers is paid for is reckonable towards incremental progression on the pay scale. Access to the Supplementary Panel is by way of application from teachers that meet eligibility criteria....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 to 518, inclusive, 528 and 529 together. On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision follows intensive engagement with education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 527 together. On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision follows intensive engagement with education stakeholders bilaterally and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 520, 521 and 548 together. On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision follows intensive engagement with education stakeholders...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision follows intensive engagement with education stakeholders bilaterally and through the Planning for State Examinations 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: Following a Government decision on 17 February, I confirmed that the Junior Cycle examinations will not be run in 2021. Schools will be provided with guidance on continuing to engage this year group in online learning and assessment during the period of school closure and through in-person learning when schools re-open. This guidance and further information relating to the Junior Cycle...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: Following a Government decision on 17 February, I confirmed that the Junior Cycle examinations will not be run in 2021. Schools will be provided with guidance on continuing to engage this year group in online learning and assessment during the period of school closure and through in-person learning when schools re-open. This guidance and further information relating to the Junior Cycle of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision follows intensive engagement with education stakeholders bilaterally and through the Planning for State Examinations 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision follows intensive engagement with education stakeholders bilaterally and through the Planning for State Examinations 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department has prioritised clear communication with all stakeholders since the start of the pandemic and the closure of school buildings to pupils on 12 March 2020. The focus has been on providing public health information and resources and age-appropriate materials for children, parents and school communities in appropriate and accessible formats, including multilingual communication...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will appreciate, the site acquisition process is very complex and subject to completion of successful negotiation and many conveyancing processes. Each acquisition is also very unique and dependant on multiple factors many which may be outside of the control of my Department. As per my Department's published technical guidance documents, a criteria is used to identify and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Data (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: The current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education. A number of GLPs due to take place in 2020 were postponed due to public health restrictions. Also, due to the uncertainties of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Feb 2021)

Norma Foley: Schools have put in place significant mitigation measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus within the school environment. Minor works funding of €160m has been put in place to support these measures. Practical steps for the deployment of good ventilation practices was provided to the school system in the context of re-opening for September 2020. This guidance was reviewed and...