Results 901-920 of 19,958 for speaker:Norma Foley

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

Norma Foley: I note the Deputy's concern and thank him for it. There was full engagement in bringing forward many and all of the initiatives that are in the roadmap. I confirm to the Deputy that the guidelines will be available. I believe those guidelines are in the best interests of the students. I have not heard at any point that students are not happy with the proposals, which are very fair. It...

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

Norma Foley: My opening remarks allowed me to set out again the commitment of the Government and my Department to the education of our schoolgoing students, and their families, schools and communities. I could use the time available to me to detail again all that has been done in the school sector, but the roadmap for reopening our schools has been published and is available to all on gov.ie. It is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Site Acquisitions (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it gives me an opportunity to provide an update on the current position regarding Killester Raheny Clontarf Educate Together school. On 13 April 2018, the Minister for Education and Skills announced 42 new schools to open between 2019 and 2022. A preliminary site identification process was undertaken in respect of any of the schools for which...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Site Acquisitions (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the very strong case the Deputy has outlined and his sincerity in doing so. I have no difficulty with my officials and me engaging with him and with other representatives on this matter. I appreciate the high priority the Deputy puts on it and I will recognise that.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I was pleased to publish the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School” and announce a funding package of more than €370 million for primary and post primary schools to supports its implementation. As part of the package of supports, additional teachers are being provided to support the reopening of primary schools in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: The project at Holy Family Special School is for the construction of a new 26 classroom special needs school, with a floor area of 5310sqm. The project commenced on site in June 2018 with a contract duration of approximately 27 months. The contractor appointed on the building project has recommenced construction activity on site and is operating in compliance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: The building project for Gaelscoil an Chaisleain is included in my Department's capital programme. Officials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in Cork City Council in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site for the school. A number of site options have been proposed and assessed. A potential site option has...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I was pleased to publish the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School” and announce a funding package of more than €370 million for primary and post primary schools to supports its implementation. As part of the package of supports, additional teachers are being provided to support the reopening of primary schools in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: The Programme for Government states that this Government will develop inclusive and age appropriate curricula for Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) across primary and post-primary schools, including an inclusive programme on LGBTI+ relationships. This is a vital and sensitive area of education, and I am very aware that issues have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I accept that it is vitally important that our student teachers can access and undertake student placements. It is important that student teachers complete placements and the experience and learnings from these placements ensure that our graduating student teachers are fully qualified and competent professionals. It is intended that school placements for student teachers will take place in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: I have seen at first hand the very important work done by school secretaries, and indeed by the other support staff in the running of our schools.  In recognition of this, I have put special arrangements in place for the coming school year whereby schools will be funded to employ a replacement secretary or caretaker in the event that staff who are at very high risk of contracting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: Freagra: Go raibh maith agat don cheist, a Theachta. Tá tiomantas i gClár an Rialtais 2020 – 2025  Ár dTodhchaí Le Chéile polasaí cuimsitheach a sholáthar don Ghaeilge ó oideachas réamhscoile go hoideachas múinteoirí do gach scoil.  Tá an gealltanas seo i gcomhthéacs na hoibre ar chur i bhfeidhm Straitéis...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.  In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, a project to provide for the construction of a new primary school in Kanturk has been devolved to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for delivery. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a preferred contractor for the project has been identified. The OPW has informed my Department that the Letter of Acceptance will issue shortly with a view...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.  In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: On Monday, 27 July, my Department published the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School”.   This Roadmap set outs how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August and what the operation of our schools will look like and be sustainable in a COVID-19 context.  It has been developed in line with public health...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, last Moinday I announced The Roadmap for The Full Return to School, along with funding of over €370 million to support primary and post primary schools as they prepare for reopening. It is recognised that a school in preparing for full reopening, may require some reconfiguration works to ensure that all available space in the school is availed of,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: My Department recently received a request from the school authority to retain a suite of rented, temporary accommodation at the school to which the Deputy refers.  An official from my Schools’ Capital Appraisals Section will contact the school authority shortly to discuss the matter further.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: On Monday of this week, 27 July, I announced a roadmap for reopening our schools fully at the start of the upcoming school year. This roadmap includes a wide range of information and guidance for schools including public health advice, COVID-19 response plans for schools as well as curriculum and assessment changes. Notwithstanding the best efforts of teachers and schools to engage...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (30 Jul 2020)

Norma Foley: In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to...