Results 12,541-12,560 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (17 May 2023)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.  In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (17 May 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 Accommodation (17 May 2023)

Norma Foley: The school to which the Deputy refers was granted funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide 1 SET room. This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and is currently at the Design stage.  All projects under the Department's ASA Scheme must receive approval from the Department at certain gateway points throughout the stages of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (17 May 2023)

Norma Foley: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the below table. Cost of Private Cleaning Services 2021 Cost of Private Cleaning Services 2022 Cost of Private Cleaning Services From January 2023 to Date Allpro €0.00 €0.00 €30,172.28 Acacia (AFM) ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (17 May 2023)

Norma Foley: The school to which the Deputy refers was granted funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide 1 SET room. This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and is currently at the Design stage.  All projects under the Department's ASA Scheme must receive approval from the Department at certain gateway points throughout the stages of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (17 May 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 appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (17 May 2023)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.  In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (17 May 2023)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.  In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (17 May 2023)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together. The issue of alcohol misuse is addressed in the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, which has a specific module on the use and misuse of a range of substances. As students progress through the SPHE programme, they encounter a wide range of issues, including substance misuse. Schools have a role to play in supporting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (17 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Schools that have large-scale school building projects are provided with information on the Per Cent for Art Scheme. The scheme provides an opportunity for collaboration between an artist and a local school community. The records in relation to the nature of the works procured under the Scheme, including the details of the artist, are held at individual school level. During the NDP period...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (17 May 2023)

Norma Foley: The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published in April 2022 and builds on the achievements of the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully. The strategy was developed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (17 May 2023)

Norma Foley: The rates of per capita payment applied for primary and post-primary schools for the Digital Strategy ICT Infrastructure grants are in line with Department policy regarding the differentiation in the rate of general capitation paid by the Department. Post-primary schools generally have a greater number of teaching spaces to equip and maintain, and have a broader curriculum and more...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, and the committee members for the invitation to be here today. I look forward to engaging with them on issues they might wish to draw to our attention. I am accompanied today by a number of officials from the Department of Education: Martina Mannion, assistant secretary with responsibility for special education and inclusion; Frank Hanlon and Martin McLoughlin...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: I am happy to follow up on the case that the Deputy raised in terms of two schools in an area being full and children trying to access a third school outside of their area. It is an issue that has been raised with me by a number of Deputies. We are very clear that if the two schools within the immediate vicinity are full and if the students have applied to both and been told they are full,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: All of our new builds will also have dedicated special education provision. Considering we have a considerable number of new builds, with 180 new builds last year and additional accommodation at 300 locations at various stages of development this year, it is positive going forward that this is an intrinsic part of new developments when planning and building.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Yes, it has been received by the Department and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and I are currently considering it, but we have also invited the consideration of officials within the Department, especially the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, and the inspectorate, so there would be a wide embrace of the views expressed in the report. It is our intention to publish it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: My plan is that it will be before we fall into recess, most certainly. That is the current plan anyway.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: On the national co-ordinator for special schools, we are placing particular emphasis this year on supporting special schools to run the programme. As I said, we have seen a 50% increase in that, which is positive, and we hope to build on that. The function of the national co-ordinator is to take the overall view and support and engage where there might be challenges. We have deliberately...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Yes, it is positive but we are working towards it being better and I want to acknowledge that. I also want to acknowledge the role of the SNAs. Our schools could not function without the support that is given by them. The Senator is correct that we worked hard this year to have an earlier announcement. It is my ambition, to the best of my ability, to be able to deliver it on an ongoing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. On the last point, I agree with her that we need a stronger representation of SENOs on the ground. They are the local connection to the parents, and their role is an invaluable one. We recognise that, and provision has been made in the budget to increase that. If we have to do more, we will continue to do more in that space. Deputy Tully is right, and Senator Wall has...