Results 4,581-4,600 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The general principles to apply to the management of COVID-19 includes the safety and welfare of school staff and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning. The current COVID-19 arrangements in place for teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are outlined in my Department’s Circular Letter 0021/2021. My Department has an enhanced Occupational Health...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission 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: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The Deputy will be aware that the project to which he refers was previously advised to proceed to tender. Following this decision, the school confirmed that there were numerous conditions of planning that had not been costed. The school was requested to submit a Stage 2b report with a revised cost plan for assessment. My Department has reviewed this information and has granted approval for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, this project has been devolved for delivery to Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB). I am pleased to confirm that a design team to deliver this project has been appointed by the ETB. The Design Team will now begin preparing the Stage 1 report (preliminary design). While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. In common with other buildings which are used as a school, there is a charging lease in place on the property to protect the State's investment in the property. My Department has considered this property and has no objection in principle to the request. from the property owner to release the State's interest in it. Any...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disadvantaged Status (13 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: Disadvantaged Status (13 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 Transport (13 May 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 114,100 children, including over 14,700 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Schemes (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department of Education does not provide funded Irish courses in the Gaeltacht regions during school term for transition year students and has no plans to do so.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: In total four Carlisle and Blake Awards are awarded annually by my Department. They are issued to the primary Bachelor of Education graduate who achieves the highest overall mark in Education (theory and practice) and Practical teaching in each of the four State-funded primary Higher Education Institutions namely, DCU Institute of Education, Marino Institute of Education, Maynooth...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The progress report in relation to Green Public Procurement for 2020 is currently being prepared by my Department and will be submitted to the EPA and published as part of the Department’s Annual Report for 2020 which will be available on my Department’s website. In line with the EPA Reporting on Green Public Procurement Guidance & Template for Government Departments...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places for 2021 in a number of School Planning areas. Where capacity issues arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area - School of choice –...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 331 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places for 2021 in a number of school planning areas. Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication of applications – pupils have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that in the case of all new schools, as well as replacement school buildings and major extensions, it is general practice to include a Special Education Needs Base (SEN Base) in the accommodation brief, unless local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. Typically, a two classroom SEN Base is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources at primary and post primary level is the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission 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 (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources at primary and post primary level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (13 May 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 Schemes (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy there are currently 15 Applications under various categories, currently awaiting assessment on the Esinet Administration Application, in regards to the Summer Works Scheme for the County of Kildare . The Deputy may be aware that in December 2020 I announced details of the schools that will receive funding in summer 2021 in respect of applications...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (13 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The curriculum is considered to be for all learners regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic background, gender or orientation. It is the aim of my Department that every child has access to equitable education and that each learner feels safe and happy in the school environment, at every stage. At post-primary level, there are a number of prescribed texts for Junior Cycle and Leaving...