Results 6,661-6,680 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

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

Norma Foley: The Department’s ventilation guidance for schools is very clear and practical on the steps to be taken by all schools to manage ventilation levels. Managing ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership as Minister for Education. The land owner should be contacted regarding this purchase request.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission is a non-departmental public body under the aegis of the Department of Education with 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 Enrolments (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: 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. 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 applied for a place...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (30 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: An official from my Department has been in contact with Longford and Westmeath ETB (LWETB) on foot of the Deputy’s question. LWETB has confirmed that each of the buildings listed in the table below was the subject of a report which identified the existence of asbestos in the property and specified one or more remedial actions to be taken. These reports date from 2005 to 2019 and...

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

Norma Foley: I understand from my officials that the student concerned has been prioritised by her school for the involvement of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) to support her transition from her primary to post-primary school. Once the relevant form is completed and returned by the school along with parental consent for NEPS involvement, the psychologist will agree a date for the...

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

Norma Foley: The information requested by the Deputy will take some time to collate. I will arrange for my Department to provide this information to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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

Norma Foley: The Department’s ventilation guidance for schools is very clear and practical on the steps to be taken by all schools to manage ventilation levels. Managing ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House, as he has requested, the current position regarding Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures in schools. Ensuring that schools can continue to operate through Covid-19 has been a key priority for the Government. The Department always has been guided by our public health authorities, such as NPHET, the Chief...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy again for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House these measures. I reiterate that if there are outbreaks of concern in educational facilities, public health teams continue to provide support to schools where required and the measures we have implemented in schools are on the back of expert public health advice. The on-the-ground experience of public health...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: The Government is committed to supporting schools and keeping them open for all children as we continue to live with Covid-19. The aim of all the Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools is to support schools to operate safely and prevent the introduction and onward transmission of Covid-19 among the school community. I will speak specifically on the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: We did that yesterday and are very clear in the guidelines. I know schools and have spent the vast majority of my working life in schools.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: I have the floor. I am aware that schools take a flexible approach. We have advised they take such an approach over the coming days.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: Grandstanding on a matter of public health serves no good purpose.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: In relation to there being an opportunity for schools to take a flexible approach, as they always do, they have that flexibility in the coming days. The vast majority of parents are aware, as I am, that many children wore masks on the word of the CMO last week. We are taking an approach advised by public health. The measure is regarded as an additional tool for the benefit of our schools...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge the Deputy's ongoing commitment to this issue in his constituency. It is an issue on which Deputy Aindrias Moynihan has also engaged with me. I thank Deputy Creed for raising the matter, as it allows me to provide an update to the House on the current position on the provision of interim accommodation for Le Chéile Secondary School in Ballincollig, County Cork. In...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: This is being given a high priority by my Department. I appreciate the Deputy's ongoing interest in this issue, which he has raised with me a number of times, as has Deputy Aindrias Moynihan. It is a matter of high priority within Deputy Creed's constituency. He can see from the level of engagement that the Department has had with the local authority on interim sites for additional...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: If I could conclude. The Deputy is aware that pre-planning is a significant and important element of the planning process. If we had not engaged in pre-planning, the Deputy would be quite critical. It points to the fact that the Department has utilised every opportunity available to it to ensure that interim and permanent sites would be made available for this school. I assure him that we...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: The permanent building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme.  This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction. An application for Planning Permission was submitted to the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 119 together. The Department has always been guided by Public Health as to the mitigation measures needed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our schools.  The aim of all of the Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures that have been put in place for schools is to support schools to operate safely and prevent the introduction of...