Results 5,661-5,680 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Communications (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I am satisfied that my records relating to government or departmental business are retained in line with the requirements of my Department's Record Management Good Practice Guidelines.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Council of Ireland (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State. The Teaching Council registers teachers in line with the requirements set out in the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and the Teaching Council (Registration)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design. In October 2020, in order to expedite the progression of this major building project the Department authorised DDLETB and its Design Team to commence a pre-qualification process to select a shortlist of contractors, in parallel with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The assessment requirements and components for Leaving Certificate subjects are set out in the subject specifications developed and published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). The specification for Leaving Certificate Mandarin Chinese specification is designed for a minimum of 180 hours of class contact time and can be found at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Work is ongoing within my Department with a view to acquiring a site suitable for the permanent needs of Ennis Educate Together NS. Department officials are continuing to liaise with Clare Co Co on the matter and are making every effort to prioritise same. To this end, a site has been identified, deemed suitable and at an advanced stage of negotiation. On foot of a recent meeting with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, a major building project for the school in question is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design. All statutory approvals have been secured. In October 2020, in order to expedite the progression of this major building project, my Department authorised the school patron and its Design Team to commence a pre-qualification...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: It is my Department’s belief that children with special educational needs should receive their education in placements which are appropriate to their needs alongside their peers wherever possible unless such an approach would be inconsistent with the best interests of the individual child or other children in the school. This approach is consistent with the provisions of the Education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Engagement with UCAS, and the relevant UK higher education authorities and bodies, is a matter for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. I understand the Deputy has put a similar question to Minister Harris. On 2 June 2021 I announced that provisional results of the Leaving Certificate would issue on 3 September 2021. This information was...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Under Action 88 of the DEIS Plan my Department has undertaken a review of out-of school education provision. This review has been carried out by a Working Group chaired by my Department and including representatives from Tusla and the Education and Training Board sector. This review has been informed through the use of questionnaires, submissions from stakeholders and a public consultation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has concluded the upgrade of the school staff payroll software systems as planned in 2021.We will be progressing a project to deliver access to electronic payslips for all payees in 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (21 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: There are various expenditure measures presented in the most Education at a Glance, and expenditure as a percentage of GDP is just one of them. An alternative measure of education spending that is also presented in the OECD report is public expenditure on education as a % of total public expenditure. The OECD reports shows that in 2018 this stood at 12.6 per cent, well above the OECD...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Broadband Plan (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and within financial constraints. 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 dependent on local...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cybersecurity Policy (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: In relation to guidance from Government, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which is located within the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, is the primary cyber security authority in the State. The NCSC provides a range of cyber security services to operators of Critical National Infrastructure, Government Departments and Agencies. My Department's cyber...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Standards (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and supporting small schools. As part of the Budget 2021 measures, the Government have sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a 1 point change to the primary staffing schedule and the introduction of a three point reduction in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (22 Sep 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 schools annually and are available on the Department website. At primary level, Budget 2021 provided for 394 posts to reduce further the primary staffing schedule by one point,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Officials in my Department have been working towards the acquisition of a permanent site to meet the needs of a new special school and have engaged with officials in Cork City Council in that respect. A suitable site has been identified and engagement with the landowner is ongoing with a view to reaching agreement in principle as soon as possible. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Staff of my department have been working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which had provided for home working to continue where possible with the exception of roles where the nature of the work did not lend itself to remote working. Following the Taoiseach's announcement on the 1st of September, my department is now in the process of introducing a phased return to the workplace. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The information sought in relation to the aegis bodies under the remit of my Department is not held by my Department. Contact details for the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools through my Department's School Broadband Access Programme. As you will be aware, broadband capacity can vary across geographical locations and is dependent on local infrastructure which can impact on the service that can be provided in individual schools. The school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and within financial constraints, through the Schools Broadband Programme. Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. As you will be aware, broadband capacity can vary across...