Results 4,441-4,460 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (11 May 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 has commenced a consultation process...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design & Build programme. The new school building project is in architectural planning stage. A pre-planning meeting with the local authority has taken place and developed design work is ongoing. Until such time as planning permission has been secured, it will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Welfare Board (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Under Section 23 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 the board of management of every recognised school is legally obliged to prepare a code of behaviour in respect of the students registered in their school. This code of behaviour is prepared in consultation with the principal, teaching staff, the parents of students registered in the school and the Educational Welfare Officer (EWO)....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not have this information available.

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I have tabled four amendments, each of which provides for minor textual amendments to reflect some points that were missed prior to publication. On the advice of Parliamentary Counsel, the amendments are necessary. The amendments do not alter the substance of the sections or the schedules where they arise, and they are only technical or clerical in nature. Amendment No. 1 will delete the...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I welcome the intention behind this amendment. I can agree with it in principle and I thank the Senator for tabling it. Fundamentally, the process of standardisation will operate at national level. It is preferable to use aggregate or cohort data, as the evidence is that the use of junior cycle data in the regression model is of better predictive quality when done at a class group rather...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The principle behind this amendment - providing transparency in how the process of standardisation will operate - can be agreed with, but the amendment seeks to have the process of standardisation published in advance of results day. This is not something that can be agreed to because the final composition or application of the process will, or at least may, not be known right up to results...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: It is important to point out that, as a matter of policy, the provision of estimated marks is grounded fundamentally in the professional judgment of teachers and an in-school alignment before submission to the SEC. The definition of "estimated mark" in the Bill provides clarity on what professional judgment is understood to encompass. The process through which professional judgment is...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank Senator Buttimer and appreciate his particular interest, and ongoing engagement, on matters of education. I suggest that many of the points he made are outside the scope of this Bill. Be that as it may, I acknowledge that, and I said previously and last Friday, there are learnings in everything from Covid and I am in no doubt that there are learnings in terms of all that we have...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Sections 4 and 5 will operate in accordance with the procedures as may be prescribed. In that regard, regulations are currently being drafted that give effect to the provisions concerned. I indicated during the Second Stage debate and I, again, confirm here today, as did Senator Dolan, that there will be a robust review process in place that will not lead to decisions being made without...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator. I want to be clear that the candidate is afforded an opportunity to make his or her case. The threshold is very high. It will not be easy to find against a student for canvassing. It is right and proper that it be vigorous and robust and that there be significant engagement around this. On the legal requirements, we have been clear that legal advice was sought and it...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I confirm that the procedure under which a review is conducted will seek the views of the candidate in respect of any report made of canvassing. Section 7(2)(a) expressly provides that the candidate will have the opportunity to submit representations. If the student was unaware of any canvassing, the candidate has the opportunity to make that case in the representations. If the candidate...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank Senators for their contribution and, in particular, Senator Ruane for the amendment. I am not in a position to accept the amendment for a number of reasons. The matters outlined for consideration by the Senator are not provided for in this Bill, which is focused on leaving certificate 2021 only. This amendment, if accepted, would set aside the senior cycle review process, which is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to outline the position with regard to the accommodation needs of St. Gabriel's Special School in Bishopstown, County Cork. This matter has been raised with me by a number of public representatives, including my Cabinet colleagues and the Taoiseach. St. Gabriel's Special School is the primary school under the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I confirm that I am very conscious of the excellent work that takes place daily in the school and of the support provided by school communities, parents, guardians and all who are invested in the progress of the school. Notwithstanding the difficult circumstances of a Covid-19 environment, I fully acknowledge all that is achieved daily by the entire school community. It is important to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The purpose of my Department’s Assistive Technology Scheme, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013, is to provide grant-aid to schools to allow them to purchase the type of specialist equipment which has been recommended by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as being essential for students who have been diagnosed as having a serious physical disability and/or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: It is the responsibility of my Department to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. Parents/guardians can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to draft, publish and implement a school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: By way of context, it is important to note that in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no record of receiving an application from the schools in question in relation to a proposed amalgamation. As the decision-making authority for any amalgamation is the patron/trustees of the schools concerned, it is open to any patron to submit proposals to the Department for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Catchment Areas (12 May 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, there are ten non-fee paying all-girls post primary schools in Cork City. The decision-making authority in respect of the status of existing schools, including whether they are single or mixed gender, belongs to the Patron, subject to the agreement of my Department. New schools are established by my Department to meet demographic need and, generally, such new...