Results 7,661-7,680 of 19,601 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: I can assure the Deputy that it is the policy of my Department to ensure a high standard of permanent accommodation for all schools. However, in the context of a rapidly increasing school population over the past decade or more, it is sometimes necessary to put in place interim accommodation solutions to meet the needs of schools. Given the timeframes for the acquisition of suitable sites,...

Education (Voluntary Contributions) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Dáil Eireann resolves that the Education (Voluntary Contributions) Bill 2021 be deemed to be read a second time this day nine months to allow for the progression of the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019 and for that then to be taken into account in the consideration of this Bill."....

Education (Voluntary Contributions) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: With all due respect to the Deputy, who does not have the courtesy to wait to hear my response, in my experience, righteous indignation and rhetoric are no replacement for action and delivery. He has referred to a lack of investment in education, but the largest budget that has ever been made available to the education sector of in excess of €10 billion is a considerable investment....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Cork Education and Training Board (CETB).  Coláiste Ghobnatan, Baile Mhic Íre, Co. Chorcaí is a vocational inter-denominational  mixed post primary Gaelcholáiste located in the village of Ballyvourney. The school and site are currently owned by Cork ETB which is the patron body of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: The provision of Irish-medium education is a priority for the Department and the Government, and we share a strong commitment to increasing the number of Irish-medium places available and providing suitable accommodation in this regard.  My Department is currently developing a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of Gaeltacht areas. The key objectives of the policy are in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: Consultation by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) on new draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish closed at the end of November 2021. The current development of draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish is part of the ongoing cycle of curriculum review and redevelopment.   The NCCA has developed draft L1 and L2 curriculum specifications for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May 2021 following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19. The updated guidance for schools is also fully in line with the most recent guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: As schools are often the centre of sustainable communities there can be mutual benefits in building links with the local community. It is recognised that schools play an important role in their wider communities and many schools make their facilities available outside of school hours for a variety of different uses and users. The co-operation between schools and local sporting organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Educational Institutions (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, I recently established a Steering Committee to review the 2013 Action Plan on Bullying. This Steering Committee is chaired externally by Dr. Noel Purdy of Stranmillis University College in Antrim. The Steering Committee consists of senior officials from the Department of Education, including the Inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: A new subject specification for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science was introduced to schools in 2019 and was developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). Members of the Irish Agricultural Science Teachers Association (IASTA) were represented on the NCCA’s Subject Development Group set up to develop the new specification. Officials from my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: The permanent building project for Griffeen Community College 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.  The project for the school will provide a 3 storey, 1,000 pupil post-primary school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, between 2016 and 2020 the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) undertook an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways. The NCCA’s Advisory Report on the Senior Cycle has been submitted to my Department for consideration. The report is both extensive and comprehensive in its scope. The subject of Senior Cycle...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: The policy of my Department is to support the use of school premises and facilities for community, recreational and education-related purposes. This includes the use of school facilities for after-school care. In 2017 guidance, which was developed in consultation with school authorities, on the use of school buildings outside of school hours was published. A copy of this guidance is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department has historically funded a number of pre-school services in schools in areas at particular risk of disadvantage and social exclusion.  Outside of these initiatives, schools themselves are free to decide if they wish to make their facilities available for the running of early learning and care and/or school-age childcare services, and my Department understands that some...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: While the provision of child and adolescent mental health services lies within the remit of the Department of Health, and the HSE specifically, the Department of Education has an important role to play in supporting the wellbeing and mental health of our young people. The Department’s Wellbeing Policy and Framework for practice has given recognition to the importance of promoting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of appropriate accommodation for pupils with special education needs is an absolute priority for Minister Madigan and myself.  My Department works closely with the National Council for Special Education (or NCSE) to ensure that there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of students throughout the State, including students...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of appropriate accommodation for pupils with special edcuation needs is an absolute priority for Minister Madigan and myself.  This is in two respects: firstly in ensuring that there is sufficient provision for pupils with special education needs and secondly in designing school accommodation that meets the needs of all users...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: The major building project for Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. The €4.4 billion funding envelope for the schools capital programme under Project Ireland 2040 provides a basis for a strong rollout of projects including in respect of Kolbe Special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.  Additionally,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (10 Mar 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...