Results 7,441-7,460 of 19,598 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Victim Support Services (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 141, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, there are a number of published reports highlighting the ongoing needs of survivors and the lifelong difficulties they experience due to their childhood experiences in residential care.   The “Facing the Future Together” conference report produced by the Christine Buckley...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: As part of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, my Department has committed to creating opportunities for expanding Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht in the context of the announcements since April 2018 on the establishment of 47 new schools from 2019, which affords particular consideration to the establishment of Gaelscoileanna, Gaelcholáistí, and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: Historically, school patrons monitored demographic increases at local level and sought approval from the Department to extend existing schools or provide new schools where a significant level of demand could not be met within existing school capacity.  Since 2011, new arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: A site visit took place on 31 January 2022 with the purpose of identifying on the ground the practical matters which need to be addressed to accommodate both schools.  This includes addressing the possibility of the provision of SEN facilities in both schools for the coming school year.  In considering available space on the campus of the other school site, this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department approved the amalgamation of the three post primary schools in question following an application from the schools' Patrons. It was also agreed that the amalgamated co-educational school would have a design capacity for up to 800 pupils. My Department approved significant capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Staff (16 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that neither Minister of State Madigan nor I have the services of Garda ministerial drivers. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (17 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: Under the Teaching Council Standards for initial teacher education (ITE) at primary, all student teachers must complete a 4 week Gaeltacht learning period (GLP)  (2x 2 weeks) as part of their programme. This is compulsory in order to graduate. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional Gaeltacht learning periods could not go ahead as planned and my Department and Teaching Council...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: The change in policy regarding face coverings in primary schools was made on foot of a Government decision taken on 30 November 2021, which considered and accepted public health advice received from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on 25 November 2021. This new, and temporary policy, was introduced in light of the epidemiological situation regarding the spread of COVID-19 at the time. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: As previously advised to the Deputy, the tender competition to appoint a Project Manager (PM) to the ADAPT 3 Building Programme is currently being evaluated. This is expected to be completed soon. Once the successful PM has been appointed, the next steps will be for the PM to appoint Design Teams. The Department anticipates that this element will be initiated in Quarter 2 approximately....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: The HSE Principals’ helpline and the Department’s Covid-19 helpline operates seven days a week and remains a source of support for principals. As an additional support for schools, who may struggle with operational challenges due to staff shortages, Department of Education Inspectors are available on a Department of Education helpline to support Principals to manage and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (17 Feb 2022)

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 (17 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in the Department’s ADAPT 3 Building Programme and a tender competition to appoint a Project Manager (PM) for this Programme is currently underway. It is expected that this process will be concluded shortly. Once the successful PM has been appointed, the next steps will be for the PM to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pensions (22 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: School secretaries are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools. The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to support those...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (22 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Teacher Exchange Scheme for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary Schools operated up to the 2018/18 academic year under the terms of Circular 17/2015. It provided for teachers to avail of an exchange with a teacher in another school for educational purposes for a period of up to 5 years. Circular 54/2019 issued in the 2018/2019 academic year and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (22 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that, in the current academic year, there are 18 teachers who have exceeded the 3 year permissible under the Temporary Reassignment Scheme for Primary Teachers as set out in Circular 0024/2019. Due to the effects of the pandemic and the difficulties being experienced by people in terms of relocating, etc. the Department relaxed the rules around the duration of a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (22 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 441 together. The main focus of school building investment over the last decade and for the coming period is on the provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the National Development Plan will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. While there is no...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (22 Feb 2022)

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 (22 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: The school to which the Deputy refers is fully aware of the contact details of the officials in my Department dealing with the project. In addition, my Department officials communicate regularly with the Patron Body of the school on the progression of all building projects being delivered for schools under it's patronage. The major building project for this school is currently at Stage 3...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (22 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: The project referred to by the Deputy is currently in construction and will provide a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school with a 4 class SEN base when complete. Phase one of the project is due for completion in advance of the 2022/23 academic year.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (22 Feb 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department meets with Fórsa regularly in respect of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and, indeed, has established a forum which meets throughout the year specifically to engage with and consult on all matters relating to SNAs. Raising the minimum qualification for appointment as an SNA has been raised by Fórsa as a formal claim and has been referred to the Workplace Relations...