Results 7,061-7,080 of 19,598 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (25 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware access to sexual and health education is extremely important for students. Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools and in the post-primary junior cycle. Relationships and Sexuality Education (or RSE) is required at all levels, from primary through to senior cycle. The current SPHE/RSE curriculum at both...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (25 Jan 2022)

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 has been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Staff (25 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: In accordance with the terms of the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments for the 33rdDáil, as published by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, I have two civilian drivers to assist me in carrying out my ministerial duties. The Minister of State in my Department also has two civilian drivers. The drivers are in receipt of a salary in line with the relevant pay...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Energy Conservation (26 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification. My Department’s Technical Guidance Documents set the benchmark for sustainable design in school buildings with a clear focus on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (26 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the school to which he refers applied under the Summer Works Scheme 2020 under Category 2 for roof works. The application was refused on the basis that a major project is being planned for the school. However, as the timeline for this major project is still at the planning stage, the school has been advised that any interim urgent works issues in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (26 Jan 2022)

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 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021. The purpose of my Department's...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (26 Jan 2022)

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 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021. The purpose of my Department's...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (26 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I can advise the Deputy that in accordance with the circulars on exemptions from the study of Irish (0052/2019 primary and 0053/2019 post primary), the Department has commenced an initial review of the operation of those circulars. In recognising the linguistic, social and cultural importance of Irish and English in Ireland, both languages are included as core subjects in the national...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (26 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: Access to sexual and health education is an important right for students. Schools have a responsibility to provide for this, in consultation with parents, having regard to the ethos of the school. Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools and in post-primary junior cycle. Relationships and Sexuality Education (or RSE) is required at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (26 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently approved funding for the provision of permanent additional accommodation, including a two class special education needs base (ASD) at the school in question. The school authority has been contacted directly with the decision.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (27 Jan 2022)

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. 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 applied for a place...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (27 Jan 2022)

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 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021. As the Deputy is aware, my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: After-School Support Services (27 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: Development of guidelines for all schools to support extra-curricular activities in schools is currently underway in my Department. These guidelines will facilitate schools in the provision, on a voluntary basis, of extra-curricular activities after school hours. With regard to funding provision my Department provides a number of policies and programmes which are supportive of afterschool...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (27 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: The status of major building projects is as follows: Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole (RN 91301D) The project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured. The Stage 2(b)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (27 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise that the school referred to by the Deputy will relocate to an existing building currently occupied on an interim basis by another school while awaiting the construction of a building project for that school. In this regard, the building project for that school is at tender stage. The Design Team are currently preparing a fully compliant Stage 3 Tender Report, which will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (27 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, agreement in principle has been reached with the Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, subject to the approval of the Elected Members of the Council, for the sale of land at Mount Anville depot for the development of new permanent school facilities for Gaelscoil laighean. Agreement has also been reached with Executive, subject to the approval...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Uniforms (27 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: Under the Education Act 1998, all recognised schools are managed by the school board of management on behalf of the schools’ patrons or trustees or the relevant Education and Training Board (known as the management authority). Individual school authorities are responsible for the drawing up of a school policy in relation to the wearing of uniforms. Decisions on changes to school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (27 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: The Department has not conducted any polling of the general public related to possible or existing policies for the period outlined.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Broadband Infrastructure (27 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m, providing connectivity to schools through a range of technologies at the best level of connectivity available based on local infrastructure. The school referred to by the Deputy is currently on the best available service of 12mb wireless broadband connection, which is a dedicated service to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disadvantaged Status (27 Jan 2022)

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 has been...