Results 8,641-8,660 of 19,618 for speaker:Norma Foley

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: If I may clarify-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: Most prominently, I think most of the work will be done while the schools are in session. That would be September. Everything is to be completed for roll-out in our schools in September 2023.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: With implementation in 2023. That is what we have said. I have said that previously. It is a matter of public knowledge.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I will clarify that there are three different programmes. Deputy Carroll MacNeill will accept that one cannot have the same programme for each of the three different levels, primary, junior cycle and senior cycle.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: Obviously, they will be at three different stages of development.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: And that is why I gave the Deputy-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I gave the Deputy the absolute timelines towards which we are working.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: If I miss something, the Senator can come back to me. I absolutely acknowledge the importance of CSPE. I just want to point out that while it is not an exam subject, there is a current increase to 100 hours allocation on our timetables for CSPE. It is part of the well-being framework in our schools as well. However, that is just one tool, if you like, or subject area in terms of addressing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: Specifically on the last point that the Deputy raised on schools not having facilities to uptake a course where she specifically referenced computer science, an enormous amount of money has been delivered into schools in digital technology. Indeed, if the Deputy were to speak directly with the schools, they would acknowledge that. Last year alone there was over €100 million.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I know. I understand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I absolutely appreciate what the Deputy said. I am just making the point that there is more than €100 million, and €50 million again at the start of this year, specifically for digital side of technology and all of that. On the availability of particular traditionally gender-based subjects being made available, first, the Department is absolutely committed to resourcing these...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: On the CSPE, I know the Senator is making the point in good faith about the examinations status of CSPE. With absolute respect, I disagree with her on the importance of it being an examinations subject. I do not believe that it has to be an examinations subject to be of importance in the school. There are many aspects of school that are not examinations regimented, as it were, and they are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: We have been very clear that where there is an issue, whatever is required to be done, and Senator Warfield referred to this earlier, up to and including legislation, that will be done.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I am sorry I missed that. I appreciate that. Not every school demands a uniform but where they are requested and where they are part of the school procedure, it is massively important that all students have an opportunity to feel comfortable and be comfortable in how they are presenting in a school. Where that needs to be addressed it can be addressed. We have seen a much broader scope of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: The exact figure-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: It is interesting all right. I reference this even at teaching conferences. It is hugely important that we have upskilling courses and mentoring courses, which we do have, and that we encourage those who would have a desire to become leaders to take those opportunities of mentoring and coaching courses that are available to them and that they would do it in advance even of putting their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Projects (31 May 2022)

Norma Foley: The planning permission for the school project referred to by the Deputy included planning permission for the roads and was subject to 57 conditions most of which related to the specification and construction of the significant road network be built by a third party developer and which is essential to access the school site. My Department, through its Project Managers and their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (31 May 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 Facilities (31 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm that my Department received an application for capital funding in 2021 for a new sports hall from the school referred to by the Deputy. The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (31 May 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department seeks, where possible, to minimise legal fees and avails of the services of the Chief State Solicitor's Office, the Attorney General's Office and the State Claims Agency in terms of the provision of legal advice and representation of the Department in Court cases. However, occasionally it engages senior counsels and barristers for legal advice and services. Legal costs incurred...