Results 861-880 of 19,559 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the importance of the issue raised by the Deputy. I also appreciate her point about parents' intuition where their children are concerned. I recognise that the earlier the intervention, the more positive the outcome. I assure the Deputy that I will raise this issue with the Minister for Health and the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Rabbitte. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. On 8 May 2020 it was announced that the leaving certificate examinations were to be postponed and that calculated grades would be provided as an option for leaving certificate students for 2020. At that time, it was also announced that the grades would be finalised and issued for each student as close as possible to the traditional date of issue of the leaving...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: The single and only reason for the additional three weeks is to ensure that all possible robust checks and balances required to ensure the high quality and integrity of leaving certificate 2020 stands on a par with leaving certificate 2019 and 2021. The only agenda and objective here is that students will benefit and have confidence in the mechanism that has been used to provide the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for raising this point. I have clarified it previously but there is no harm doing so again because it is very important to the students and the parents of the class of 2021. As the Taoiseach correctly said the curriculum will have to stand because at leaving certificate level there is no one mechanism for teachers to teach a particular aspect of the curriculum. They have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for raising this question. This major building work is included in my Department’s construction programme which is being delivered under the national development plan. The project is currently at stage 1 of architectural planning which entails preliminary design of site and location suitability and initial sketch scheme. A review in 2019 of the demand for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the points made by the Deputy about the difficulties on the ground. I should point out that the Department has made interim accommodation available, initially in November 2018 and then in February 2019, to take account of the growing school population. The approved provision comprises two science laboratories, a woodwork room, a prep room and four general classrooms. There...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy and absolutely appreciate the very genuine concern that he has about moving forward this project for the school. He mentioned the minor works grant that is also available and there is an opportunity for schools to act within the Covid-19 provisions. I appreciate that because of its location and the accommodation demands of a school of 1,300 pupils, this should be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Data (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy and appreciate his kind words. I welcome the publication of the ESRI report, The Implications of the Covid 19 Pandemic for Policy in Relation to Children and Young People: A Policy View. The report details the impact of the pandemic on the lives of children and young people both directly because of the closure of schools and a lack of face-to-face interactions, and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Data (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for bringing that school to my attention. As he may be aware, we have 124 special schools throughout the country. We are always endeavouring to ensure that we accommodate all of our children with special needs. I will be taking this very seriously. In 2011 we had more than 6,000 schools. We now have almost 8,000 schools. As I said earlier, I am determined to ensure...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for his question. As I mentioned earlier, enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Almost 20% of the education Vote, about €1.9 billion, is currently invested in supporting children with special needs. Notwithstanding this investment, there are some parts of the...

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I am happy to be in the House again tonight having taken Oral Parliamentary Questions this morning. This week has been a very significant one for the schools sector. Following an intense period of weeks involving engagement with the education partners, I secured approval for the comprehensive plan that is "Reopening Our Schools: the roadmap for the full return to school" and, most...

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for his questions. With regard to the commitment to special education, I am obliged to point out that 20% or one fifth of the annual budget for education is going to special education and children with special additional needs. That is very important and is a recognition of the importance of that sector in the education system. The Deputy referred to special education...

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: With regard to school transport, a substantial package for school transport has been put in place. Some €11.3 million is being made available to ensure that school transport will be able to operate as it has operated. The operation of school transport is on the basis of the public health advice-----

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: No, I want to finish on this. The school transport system is operating as indicated by the public health advice. I had a meeting last week about that and the advice is as up to date-----

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: To confirm-----

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I can confirm that substantial funding is being made available for school transport for all children who are eligible and who have paid on time. Obviously, the practice will not operate as it has in previous times. Where there is extra provision the concessionary tickets will be made available, as they have been in the past. There is no change to the procedure.

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: The €75 million works programme is being made available to schools so they can identify whatever remedial works are required within the schools. There is freedom for each school to identify what those needs are and to meet them through the €75 million package that is being made available.

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: The package is being given to schools. I should also confirm that the moneys in that regard and for the aids that can be applied by schools will be available in the schools next week. Every school is asked to take the appropriate measures that are required so the school can reopen safely.

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I welcome the Deputy's positive engagement and absolutely appreciate that there should be opportunities for him and other Opposition spokespersons to engage with both me and the Department on an ongoing basis over the coming weeks. I would value that positive engagement. There absolutely should be a national effort in which all of us come together to reopen the schools. I appreciate the...

Opening of Schools and Calculated Grades: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: Yes.