Results 13,021-13,040 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (15 Jun 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 149,000 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: School Enrolments (15 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: Under the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and supporting small schools and I am delighted that significant progress has been made. In Budget 2023, I ensured major investment in our schools and I have succeeded in bringing the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (15 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: Under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding was to support schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment. The new Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: An tÉileamh don Ghaeloideachas: an Roinn Oideachais (14 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: Tá áthas orm a bheith anseo inniu os comhair Chomhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge chun plé a dhéanamh ar an bhfáil ar oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus ar an nGaeilge mar ábhar curaclaim. Tá mo Roinn go hiomlán tiomanta don oideachas lán-Ghaeilge, laistigh agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Ó 2019,...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: An tÉileamh don Ghaeloideachas: an Roinn Oideachais (14 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: It does, actually. It covers from early years right through.

Education Costs: Motion [Private Members] (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on the issue of back-to-school costs. The Government will not oppose the motion. In a short while, I will attend the graduation ceremony for 100 migrant teachers who are graduating from the bridging programme in Marino Institute of Education. I express my gratitude to the speakers here who have facilitated my attendance at what is a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The enrolment thresholds for the appointment of classroom teachers for the 2023/24 school year are set out in Appendix A of Circular 0006/2023, available on the Department website. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that 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, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (20 Jun 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 149,000 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. There has been an increase of 21% in tickets issued to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: The specific information requested by the Deputy relating to outdoor spaces in primary schools is not available in my Department. My Department’s Design Guidelines for all new schools provides for outdoor multi use games areas (hard play areas) and the level of play space provided varies with the size of school. For example, a new 24 classroom primary school with special education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I can advise the Deputy that a request from the individual was been received in my Department on 12thJune 2023. The individual is seeking a number of forms to be completed containing records from 2022 and onwards. The form for the current period from Easter to Summer 2023 can only be completed when the schools are closed which Is at the end of June 2023. Forms are processed chronological...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the attached tabular statement. Department of Education Grade WTE 30-Apr-22 30-Apr-23 Senior Structural Engineers 2 4

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I am very much aware of the impact Maths Paper 1 Higher Level has had on students, parents and teachers, however, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations. The examination paper development process involves a multi-stage process of drafting, setting, translating and various layers of oversight and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: In March 2022, I announced an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education where the student is at the centre of their Senior Cycle experience. In my announcement, I set out a clear vision for the redevelopment of all Senior Cycle programmes, including the Leaving Certificate Established (LCE), and also the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA), Leaving Certificate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pay (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: The announcement of a pilot of counselling supports in primary schools marks an important development in supporting the well-being and mental health of children. I was delighted to secure this funding as we know that nationally and internationally there is increasing concern about the mental health and well-being of children and young people and that school staff are facing challenges every...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (20 Jun 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: State Examinations (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I am very much aware of the impact Maths Paper 1 Higher Level has had on students, parents and teachers, however, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations. The examination paper development process involves a multi-stage process of drafting, setting, translating and various layers of oversight and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: The school referred to by the Deputy was approved funding under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for the provision of two Mainstream Classrooms. My Department subsequently agreed to extend the scope of this project which provided for the replacement of temporary accommodation on site with 8 new permanent classrooms and 3 Special Education Teaching rooms. and ancillary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, a major building project for the school to which he refers is included on the Department's school building programme. The project is currently at project brief stage and my Department expects to be in contact directly with the school authority as part of this process shortly. There are standard procedures to be followed in relation to the progression of a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: The Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for the schools referred to by the Deputy issued to the preferred tenderer on the 18th May 2022 commencing the school building contract. Works are progressing well on site with the school building due for completion for the start of the 2023/24 school year.