Results 12,561-12,580 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

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

Norma Foley: It is an ideal situation to have the premises, but where there is not a premises available or we have a premises but for a variety of reasons it might not suit or whatever, it will be at the discretion of the board of management. Going back to what I said earlier, however, we will be able to showcase maybe after the summer a few different models. Mr. Hanlon said there is maybe one school...

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

Norma Foley: Yes.

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

Norma Foley: Right.

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

Norma Foley: That is fine. I hear what the Cathaoirleach is saying.

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

Norma Foley: Yes.

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

Norma Foley: That is it. That would have to be a local solution at the moment, however.

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

Norma Foley: That is the idea.

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

Norma Foley: I acknowledge the Deputy's personal engagement with me on an ongoing basis on this whole area. In the first instance, I should say that we are now at a point where we have almost 40,000 professionals who are working in the area of special education. That is something that we had not achieved before. There is almost an even breakdown of 20,000 special education teachers and in and around...

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

Norma Foley: Basically, yes. The Deputy mentioned assistive technology and if it will assist in the area. I share the Deputy's view. If technology will improve the education and life experience of an individual, that young person should be getting the technology, full stop. If we need to make changes and do things differently, then we will do so. I am clear in my own mind that if technology is going...

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

Norma Foley: Okay. I will respond on transitions in the first instance, as I have it in my head. We are running a couple of pilots on transitions at the moment. They are being run in Dublin and Galway. We are moving into the post-primary schools, working with the students to inform them of the opportunities that they will have in further education or whatever other options they might choose to take...

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

Norma Foley: I will refer to Mr. Hanlon there. I would not want that to be the premise on which a school operates at all.

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

Norma Foley: Our job is to ensure that where there is a need for SNA support, that SNA support is provided. I want to be very clear about that. It is not about giving with one hand and taking away with the other. I really do not want the schools to operate in that way. Perhaps Mr. Hanlon wants to come in there in terms of the figures.

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

Norma Foley: No, that is perfect. In case time runs out and I do not get the opportunity to do so at the end, I wish to acknowledge the vast body of work of this committee. It has only been up and running for a number of months but has been very helpful to the Department. We have a shared objective and agenda, that is, to enhance the experience of education for children and young people with autism....

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

Norma Foley: I 100% agree with the Cathaoirleach that language is important. You can see how our language in the area of special education provision has evolved over time, which is right and proper. The EPSEN review was a public consultation that involved more than 28,000 people and a very large number of them specifically referenced language. As part of what will come out of the review, we will...

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

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for his question. To be clear, we are working hand in hand with schools. The Deputy is aware that we have the power to compel schools to open special classes. In the first instance, however, we try to work hand in hand with schools. We have significantly increased the resources that are going into the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. An additional...

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

Norma Foley: Ms Mannion might like to come in on that. I think we are seeing quite a spread and I visit schools across the country. We are seeing enormous growth and there is no focus on any one area, unless it is an area that has been identified as requiring particular provision.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (16 May 2023)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cost of Living Issues (16 May 2023)

Norma Foley: The Government is very aware of the impacts of rising prices which are a source of concern for society, and of course for those working in the education sector. Overall, the government has made €7.1 billion available to support workers and families affected by cost of living pressures this year. These measures include a top up to child benefit, universal credits applied to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (16 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Whilst the State Examinations Commission (SEC) is responsible for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations, I am very much aware of the importance for students, parents and education stakeholders of ensuring that the results for Leaving Certificate 2023 are delivered in as timely a manner as possible. While the SEC is not yet in a position to confirm the date for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (16 May 2023)

Norma Foley: The Primary Curriculum Framework launched on the 9thMarch 2023, sets out the vision; principles; key competencies; structure; approaches to learning, teaching, and assessment; and suggested time allocations of the Primary School Curriculum. The suggested time allocations are 5 hours 40 minutes at first to sixth class and 4 hours 40 minutes at junior and senior infants. A minimum curriculum...