Results 12,061-12,080 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for my Department. In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: A very significant agreement was reached between my Department and Fórsa, the union representing school secretaries and caretakers. This deal, which was reached after extensive engagement between the Department and Fórsa, provides for significant improvements n the terms and conditions of school secretaries. Fórsa agreed to recommend the package of measures to its members and a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm that a proposal has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. Officials in my Department are currently liaising with the Patron of the school and Cork ETB regarding this proposal.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that the form referred to was received in the Payroll Division of my Department. It has been completed and posted to the teacher's home address on 21st March 2023.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services are being...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Information and Communications Technology (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has received ring-fenced ICT grant funding through the Digital Strategy funding, and as part of the furniture and equipment grant funding assigned to new schools. The funding provided is based on enrolment in the school and the level of accommodation provided for this recently opened school (2020) which currently has an enrolment of 35...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm to the Deputy that investment and expenditure on PE Halls is an element of the overall School Building Programme. Almost 95% of the post primary schools that made 2020 Annual Schools Returns have indicated to the Department that they either have a PE Hall, access to a nearby PE Hall, or a project in train that will deliver a new PE Hall which can be used as a sports...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for each individual school authority as the employer. The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities. Post primary schools employ teachers with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The Department is leading an ambitious sustainability agenda and has progressed a wide array of measures to improve the overall sustainability of our school buildings. It is a priority for Government to deliver on Ireland’s ambitious climate agenda and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes targets around the decarbonisation of Ireland’s public buildings. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Energy Conservation (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: My Department has a strong record with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification. The National Development Plan 2021-2030 published on 4th Oct 2021, provides capital funding of over €4.4bn for investment in school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services are being...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: It is my Department's intention to construct a new school building on the site referred to by the Deputy. This will provide replacement and enhanced accommodation for an existing school. The architectural planning process for this development has commenced.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: My Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my Department to address concentrated educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: Last year, my Department published its second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development, ESD to 2030, aimed at ensuring all learners acquire the knowledge and skills required to promote sustainable development. In 2022, under this Strategy, my Department invited primary and post-primary schools to submit applications for funding for projects which supported the ESD...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (28 Mar 2023)

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, utilising data from a range of sources including information on planned and current residential development, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. Since 2018, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the issue highlighted at the school in question has now been resolved. My Department has liaised with both the school and the contractor and the contractor has agreed to resume works onsite imminently.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (28 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: In 2012 a public service-wide review of allowances was carried out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As a result qualification allowances were abolished with effect from 1stFebruary 2012. Circular 0008/2013 published by my Department in relation to this matter provided for an exception. This applied where at 5thDecember 2011 a teacher was in employment on that date, and was...