Results 4,661-4,680 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 521 to 523 together. The funding allocated to my Department, as set down in the annual Estimates, is used to meet costs associated with the provision of educational services in our schools and various related functions. The allocation is used primarily to fund the salaries of teaching and non-teaching school staff, the development of school infrastructure,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: During the tender clarification process, the preferred tenderer withdrew from the tender process. The process has since moved on and the Letter of Intent (LOI) issued on 23rd April 2021 to the next preferred tenderer. This allows the preferred bidder to put in place the Bond, Insurances and confirmations of all legal arrangements required under the Contract. Following receipt...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Order for Committee Stage (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I move: "That Committee Stage be taken now."

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: As I said in the Seanad when the same amendment was tabled, I agree with it in principle but I must reiterate the point that I made on that occasion in response to what is being requested by the Deputy. 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...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

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

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I want to be very clear that there is no intention of keeping anything under wraps. There is no intention whatsoever of concealing any detail. What is important to remember is that the process of standardisation is just that: it is a process, not a static formula. It is very important to point out that even if we were to look at the written leaving certificate exam in terms of that...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: There are a number of reasons and grounds for rejecting this amendment. As a matter of policy, the provision of estimated marks is grounded fundamentally in the professional judgment of teachers and 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...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Sections 4 and 5 will operate in accordance with such procedures as may be prescribed. In that regard, regulations are being drafted that give effect to the provisions concerned. I have already indicated to each House, including today, that there will be a robust review process that will not lead to decisions being made without considering individual circumstances. While the operation...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The procedure under which a review will be conducted will seek the views of the candidate, the student, in respect of any report made of canvassing. Section 7(2)(a) expressly provides that the student or 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 his or her...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Students enjoy the protection that, fundamentally, any decision following the review must be reasonably based on the information available to the review. We must be clear that the objective is to ensure that no canvassing takes place. The staff involved in the accredited grades process use professional judgment. They deserve protection from interference. Their professionalism should be...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: We need to be clear that the provision the Deputy is quoting states "may", not "must". The provision is enabling, not requiring, the State Examinations Commission to act. Where there is a determination that action is required to be taken, action will be taken. As I said, this is an enabling mechanism, not a requirement. There must be consequences if the professional integrity of those who...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: We will have to agree to disagree as to clarity. I am very clear the sanction is outlined in the Bill. Where such cases are found to have arisen, the penalty is the withholding of the grade. I will again be clear. There is no requirement for this to happen. There will be a review. Again, the provision says "may" rather than "must". It enables the State Examinations Commission, SEC, to...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: As I said, as part of the review process the SEC will take into consideration all of the evidence before it. There is one sanction. I would suggest it is the most severe and significant sanction. If there is a case to be answered, the potential sanction is the withholding of the grade.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 140, inclusive, together. I wish to advice the Deputy that my Department has carried out a detailed analysis to identify areas where, due to demographic growth, there may be a requirement for additional school provision both at primary and post-primary level. It was identified that there is a need for additional post-primary provision in the Lucan...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: An exemption from the study of Irish may only be granted by school management in the exceptional circumstances outlined in section 2.2. of circular 0052/2019 (Primary) and 0053/2019 (Post Primary). As such, I have no role in the granting of exemptions. Any pupil who does not meet the criteria for an exemption from the study of Irish should be provided with a differentiated approach to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pay (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Circular 0027/2016 allows for the recognition of previous service in an analogous teaching position in the public service of another EU Member State when determining whether an individual is a new appointee to teaching and the appropriate salary scale on which to place him/her. This circular recognised this service on the same basis as if such service was given in Ireland when determining...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: All DEIS schools receive funding through a DEIS Grant which is to be used to support the implementation of the schools’ DEIS Action Plan for Improvement, which sets targets under key themes, such as attendance, retention, progression, literacy and numeracy, partnership, transition, wellbeing and examination attainment (post-primary only). A key focus of these themes is that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: It is the policy of my Department not to endorse or promote any external product or service, publication, professional consultant or company. In this case the endorsement might be seen as advice to parents/schools in what is a complex and sensitive area i.e. children’s use of the internet. There are extensive training and curricular supports, including through the Social Personal...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Cuireadh moill ar aistriú na cóiríochta sealadaí nua maidir leis an scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta. Is é an chúis atá leis an moill ná go bhfuil mo Roinn ag fanacht le rannpháirtíocht ó ESB Networks ar an láithreán. Leanfaidh oifigigh mo Roinne orthu ag coinneáil comhlacht pátrúnachta na scoile ar an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (20 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...