Results 6,601-6,620 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm that a building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included on my Department’s Capital Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP). My Department is in advanced discussions with a property-owner with respect to the permanent location for the school, with a view to progressing a new school building project on the site....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together. The school building project to which the Deputy refers has been approved funding under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme to enable the school to build a two-classroom SEN Base. Approval to progress this project to Tender Stage issued in June 2021. The project has been devolved for delivery to Dublin and Dún...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas, including the Lucan School Planning Area (SPA). Based on a detailed analysis of demographic trends and ongoing consultation with school patrons, my Department is satisfied that there is a requirement for additional post-primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: In relation to the NEPS service, NEPS Psychologists work with schools using a problem solving model to help schools identify need and interventions to support those needs. Under the special educational needs model, NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. These measures protect students, their parents and school staff and are very effective to help prevent and control COVID-19 in schools. The vast majority of teachers and staff have now been vaccinated. The very high rates of take up of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: Molaim Ceisteanna Uimh. 298 agus 361 a fhreagairt le chéile. Tá an próiseas ó thaobh Ard-Rúnaí nua a earcú á stiúradh ag an gCoiste um Cheapacháin Ardleibhéil. Tá an sainchuntas ar an bpost seo bunaithe ar chreat inniúlachta an Choiste um Cheapacháin Ardleibhéil chun Ard-Rúnaithe sa Státseirbhís a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were 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 the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that a sensory room has been provided as part of the extensive development undertaken at the school in question. My Department is currently liaising with the principal in relation to the fit out of this room. In addition, and as part of the development, a well equipped secure play area has been provided with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. My Department officials have recently corresponded with the school authorities and on receipt of their response the application will be assessed. A decision will then issue to the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy, that notwithstanding the fact that overpayments may sometimes arise, in circumstances where the person who has received the extra payment is not at fault in creating the overpayment, Department officials do not have discretion to waive, or exempt overpayments from recovery. Departments and Offices have an obligation to put repayment plans in place for all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The Education Act 1998 provides that boards of management of schools shall manage schools on behalf of patrons while “upholding the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school” Department...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The records of my Department show that during the period from 2011 to date of request, 60 communications have been received which feature complaints involving a perceived restriction on the teaching of Relationships and Sexuality Education as a result of the ethos (or characteristic spirit) of schools. The Education Act 1998 provides that boards of management of schools shall manage...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 308 together. Access to sexual and health education is an important right for students. Social, Personal and Health Education is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools and in post-primary Junior Cycle. RSE is required at all levels, from Primary through to Senior Cycle. The Department has set out the content for each of these...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to was approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. This project was to provide for 5 Mainstream Classrooms with standard WCs, 4 Mainstream Classrooms with standard WCs (Prefab Replacement), 1 WC for assisted users, 2 Science Labs with 1 Prep Area and 1 Art & Crafts Room. Refurbishment works...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department is aware of some local pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas across the country, including Trim. However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures 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: State Examinations (30 Nov 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: State Examinations (30 Nov 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 Facilities (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm that my Department received an application for capital funding in 2021 for a new sports hall, from the school referred to by the Deputy. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, a major building project to construct a permanent school building for the school in question is included in the Department's school building programme. The first phase of the new school building is due to be completed in Quarter 3 of 2022 and it is intended that it will be ready for occupation for the 2022/2023 academic year. The Department understands that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: SNAs carry out a very significant role in supporting pupils with a broad variety of care needs, and I am extremely appreciative of this work. The 72 hours working requirement of SNA’s has been in place since 2005, forming part of the SNA contract of employment, as agreed with unions. Under the terms of the standard employment contract agreed in 2005, SNAs were required to be...