Results 6,681-6,700 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

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

Norma Foley: The approach to supporting schools to operate safely during Covid-19 has been to follow and implement public health advice. Following a recommendation from NPHET, a decision was taken by Government to cease routine contact tracing of asymptomatic close contacts in children older than 3 months to under 13 years outside of the household setting, including those attending primary educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: Budget 2022 has provided for an allocation of €18million for 2022 and €32million for 2023 to extend the DEIS programme to further schools with the highest levels of disadvantage. This represents an increase of over 20% in funding for the DEIS programme and will enable an expansion in 2022 to additional schools. This package follows an extensive body of work which...

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

Norma Foley: The most up to date guidance in respect of pregnant employees, for the education sector was published by the in July 2021 and authored by the Civil Service Chief Medical Officer, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Public Health Medicine in HSE and Medmark Occupational Healthcare (OHS). As with all other guidelines around public health measures, my Department has been led by expert...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (1 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department provides funding to recognised Primary schools by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff.  Capitation grant funding issues in two instalments in January...

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

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas, including County Cork. 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...

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

Norma Foley: 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 Covid-19 and also the onward of transmission of Covid-19 among...

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

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Education): Statements (2 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: I am very pleased to be here to provide Senators with an update on the important measures that have been taken to address the continuing impact of Covid-19 on the educational experience of our children and young people. The continued safe and sustainable operation of schools has been a key priority for the Government and broader society. This simply could not have been achieved without the...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Education): Statements (2 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: They will be remunerated.

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Education): Statements (2 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I appreciate the opportunity to be here, to listen and to hear the issues and concerns that the Senators have raised. I am a believer in the collective wisdom and I appreciate the value of that in the education sector. It has served us well, and it is for that reason that we have consistently operated within the Department via the partnership in education....

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Education): Statements (2 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: In terms of the issues regarding the five- to 12-year-olds, we have been told with regard to Covid and public health that there is a particular spike, especially among nine- to 12-year-olds, and that additional measures are required. The Senator specifically referred to contact tracing and the rule for contact tracing. That is a public health and HSE measure. The Department of Education is...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Education): Statements (2 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: Other questions were asked by Senators but the key questions were, most likely, those relating to ventilation and antigen testing. As regards mask-wearing, it is a temporary measure, as I have outlined. It is a public health measure. The greatest reassurance our school communities have received is that we have consistently followed public health advice. We stated very clearly in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (2 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: In respect of the major school building project referred to by the deputy, I am pleased to report that funding has been secured for the development of a 4 Classroom Primary School, which includes the construction of a new school building and all associated site works. The project is being devolved for delivery to Limerick & Clare Education & Training...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (2 Dec 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 (2 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: The school building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. On June 14th 2021, this project was included in a bundle of projects which were tendered to a newly established Design & Build Contractors Framework. The tenders were returned on October 27th 2021 and are currently being assessed by my Department's Project...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (2 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: 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 May following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19. A copy of the guidance is published on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (2 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department administers a number of grants that can be used to address the issues raised.  The Summer Works Scheme provides a mechanism for undertaking medium to larger-scale improvement works in school buildings. This Scheme operates on a multi-annual basis and I announced the schools approved under Category 2 Roofs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (2 Dec 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 88, 89, 92 and 93 together. My 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 south Kildare. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (2 Dec 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, 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 my Department's...