Results 8,981-9,000 of 19,621 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: A major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under the Department’s ADAPT Programme. The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning, to Tender and Construction. The tender process to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Priorities (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy, that the decision making authority for a school closure belongs to the Patron of a school. Any proposal to close a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level. In the case referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 632 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (28 Jun 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Following extensive stakeholder consultation, new L1 and L2 specifications for Junior Cycle Irish were introduced in September 2017. Due the disruption to learning and cancellation of the summer 2020 and 2021 Junior Cycle examinations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for students to engage with the final assessment component which is set by the State Examinations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) were granted funding on behalf of the school in question under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to carry out roof works. This devolved project is managed by DDLETB and they are responsible for the delivery of the necessary works.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Correspondence (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Following extensive stakeholder consultation, new L1 and L2 specifications for Junior Cycle Irish were introduced in September 2017. Due the disruption to learning and cancellation of the summer 2020 and 2021 Junior Cycle examinations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for students to engage with the final assessment component which is set by the State Examinations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department can confirm that the assigned certifier for the school to which the Deputy refers is to upload the documentation for BCAR (Building Control Amendment Regulations) by close of business on 28th June, 2022.  The anticipated BCAR “validation” (21-day process) is expected by 19th July, 2022, however this may happen earlier.  Once this is finalised, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Procurement approach for the delivery of all school building projects is set out in guidance and procedures published by my Department’s Planning and Building Unit.    In general, for Public Works contracts there are two methods of tendering (the Restricted procedure and the Open procedure). In the case of tenders for the appointment of main building contractors for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 629 and 630 together. As the Deputy is aware, it is intended that the permanent accommodation needs of the school to which he refers will be met in a former school building which is in the ownership of the school patron.  In order to ensure that optimal use is made of this property, and in support of the achievement of Value for Money, the patron...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Earlier this year my Department increased the level of accommodation for pupils with special educational needs that was previously approved for the school in question. This required a new application for planning permission. Pending the provision of this accommodation, which includes four classrooms, arrangements are in train to provide further interim accommodation for pupils with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (28 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Officials within my Department aim to consistently provide quality customer services to all stakeholders, and this commitment is underpinned in my Department’s Customer Charter. However, a complaints procedure is in place to address instances where the Department falls short of this. The Department's complaints procedure guides customers who wish to make a complaint by outlining the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (30 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, school transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current year, more than 121,400 children, including more than 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. The cost in 2021 was €289 million. It is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (30 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I agree with the Deputy. I believe there is an opportunity - it is one that we are taking via the review - to carry out a complete root and branch of the school transport service as regards how it meets the needs of students and families. The Deputy referred to how we can integrate the service, ensure best value for everybody concerned and so forth. He is correct that the interim review...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (30 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: In the first instance, I acknowledge that measures have already been introduced in the area of school transport costs and the cost of living. The Deputy will be aware that the Government announced there would be a reduced cap for fees for multiple children at post-primary level. It has now been reduced from €650 to €500 and from €220 to €150 at primary level. ...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects (30 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: The major building project for Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge, Ballygunner, Waterford, will be delivered under the Department's accelerated delivery of architectural planning and tendering, ADAPT, programme. This programme uses a professional external project manager to co-ordinate and drive the design team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects (30 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. I sincerely acknowledge the excellent work that goes on in the school, including its delivery of education to its students, its role in the community and the excellence of the entire school community. This school is a priority for delivery but there is a process. On the procurement process, in the first instance, the appointment of the project manager involved a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects (30 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Every opportunity is being provided here. The Department is very clear in its intention to deliver an ambitious schools building programme throughout the country which includes this school. As the Deputy can see from the report I have given, the project is moving apace. It is a significant acknowledgement that following the appointment of the project manager, the site visit has taken place...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (30 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: School secretaries and caretakers, as we have all agreed in this House, are very valued members of our school communities. I am fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools. I fully support, as does everyone, this important agreement which will improve their terms and conditions, and rightly so. The majority of primary and post-primary schools...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (30 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I have worked long enough in the sector to know that this had to be a priority for delivery. I was very pleased with the endorsement of the proposal in a ballot in which 95% of school secretaries voted in favour of the deal. However, I will be upfront and honest that there is a considerable body of work involved here. Each secretary is employed by the relevant school board of management....