Results 3,821-3,840 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Internships (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: Information in respect of work experience and internships in the non-commercial state bodies under the remit of my Department, is not routinely compiled by my Department. The state bodies within the scope of the Deputy's question may be contacted directly by e-mail as set out in the attached document. Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Broadband Infrastructure (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the School Broadband Programme the Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, in line with contractual and budgetary requirements. Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. Broadband capacity can vary across geographical locations and is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, guidelines in relation to reduced timetables have been drafted. The Department has consulted with education stakeholders to consider the timing of the introduction of the guidelines on reduced timetables in the context of Covid 19 and the current operating environment for schools. There were concerns about issuing guidelines in the current Covid context where...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Data (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: The Deputy can find attached details of the number of section 29 appeals and the outcome of these appeals, for the years 2018 to 2020 up to 12th November 2020 when Section 7 of the Education (Admissions to School) 2018 Act, which updated procedures in relation to section 29 appeals, commenced. The second set of figures provides the number of appeals received since 12th November 2020 for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: A detailed analysis of school enrolment data and the latest data available from Census 2016, using the HP Deprivation Index, has been carried out by members of the DEIS Technical Group. This group contains representatives of the Department’s Statistics and Social Inclusion Units, the Inspectorate and the Educational Research Centre. My Department commenced a consultation process with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (10 Mar 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: School Staff (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: I am keenly aware of the vital contribution of secretaries and caretakers within school communities and I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. In recognition of their role, I have put special arrangements in place for this school year whereby schools will be funded to employ a replacement secretary or caretaker...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to the infection prevention and control measure appropriate for schools. While current public health advice makes it a requirement for face coverings to be worn by teachers, non-teaching staff in primary and post primary schools and students attending post primary school, it is not a requirement for children attending...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to the infection prevention and control measure appropriate for schools. At present it is a requirement for face coverings to be worn by teachers, staff in schools and students attending post primary school. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published advice on the use of face coverings in educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: The general principles to apply to the management of COVID-19 includes the safety and welfare of teachers and other school staff and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning. The current COVID-19 arrangements in place for teachers are outlined in my Department’s . The HSE has recently published guidance for the education sector in respect of pregnant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: The building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme and planning permission has been secured for the campus project. My Department is currently in the process of establishing a Framework of Design and Build Contractors to which Design and Build projects can be tendered. The tender process commenced on the 4th December...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to inform the Deputy that the upper retirement age for standard accrual members of the Single Pension Scheme is 70 years of age. Therefore any standard accrual member may continue in pensionable employment until 70 years of age. Such members are not obliged to retire at the normal retirement age (66 in this case). The normal retirement age is the earliest age at which a member can...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: With regard to the school to which the Deputy refers my Department is currently preparing for a planning application to be lodged with the relevant local authority shortly for the further additional interim accommodation required for the school for September 2021. We will liaise with the school authority and Patron Body as this is progressed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (10 Mar 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, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (10 Mar 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, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (10 Mar 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, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: Subject choices are a matter for the individual schools depending on resources available. The programme that each school plans and delivers should be based on my Department's approved specifications, and the teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable. The Department of Education does not have the authority to dictate to schools regarding what subjects are offered. Schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: On 1st March 2021, I announced a package of measures to tackle educational disadvantage. This announcement includes a one point reduction in class size from 22:1 to 21:1 in Urban Band 1 vertical schools and 20:1 to 19:1 in Urban Band 1 junior schools. This is in addition to previously announced one-point reduction for Senior Urban Band 1 schools from 24:1 to 23:1. It is estimated that the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: I am keenly aware of the vital contribution of secretaries and caretakers within school communities and I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. In recognition of their role, I have put special arrangements in place for this school year whereby schools will be funded to employ a replacement secretary or caretaker...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Siollabas Gaeilge (10 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: D’fhoilsigh an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta dréachtsonraíochtaí do T1 Gaeilge (an Ghaeilge mar an chéad teanga) agus do T2 Gaeilge (an Ghaeilge mar an dara teanga) na hArdteistiméireachta le déanaí le haghaidh comhairliúcháin phoiblí. Tá siad ar fáil ag an nasc seo a leanas: . Beidh an...