Results 13,661-13,680 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Seanad: Senior Cycle Reform: Statements (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: I thank the Acting Chairperson and Senators. Again, I appreciate the invitation and opportunity to be here. I am very appreciative of the very positive and worthwhile engagement that always comes my way from all the Senators here and I know their absolute commitment to matters of education, which are close to their hearts. The education system, including teachers, students, parents and...

Seanad: Senior Cycle Reform: Statements (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: Yes, that is one type of scheme that operates. Specifically, the Senator is talking about those who have the additional hours if they wish to work them, that they could be shared. I am happy to look at that with other measures. In conclusion, I thank Members for the courtesy, as always, that I receive here and for their ongoing interest in all matters to do with education.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services were...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services were...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, funding for a large scale building project for the school he refers was approved by my Department and devolved for delivery to the school authority. Following receipt of the stage 1 (initial design), my Department's professional and technical officials shared their recommendations at a meeting with the school authority and its design team. My Department is now...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The purpose of the Teaching Hours Extension Scheme, as set out in Circular 0035/2023, is to provide Post Primary school management with an alternative means of sourcing appropriately qualified substitute teaching cover to support teaching and learning in schools. Under the terms of the scheme, teachers may provide substitute teaching cover in more than one school. However, where a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in my Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in my Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). To qualify for an award of incremental credit, a teacher and their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2023 included the announcement for the provision of fully funded solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with an output of 6kW for all schools. This funding will be made available from the Climate Action Fund at the discretion of the Minister for the Environment. This significant solar PV programme, will assist schools with their energy needs and costs along with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: Please find the information as requested: Number of schools granted funds from the SWS in 2022 County Carlow 2 Cavan 16 Clare 11 Cork 43 Donegal 12 Dublin 3 1 Dublin 4 1 Dublin 5 5 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The criteria required to have incremental credit awarded to qualified Special Needs Assistants(SNA) is set out in Circular 0139/2006 and was agreed with the unions representing the Special Needs Assistants, School Management Representatives, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education. Contracts of Employment for Special Needs Assistants in the Primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services were...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The Early Start programme was established in 1994 and is a one-year intervention programme designed to meet the needs of children aged between 3 years and 5 years who are at risk of not reaching their potential within the school system. It involves an educational programme to enhance overall development, help prevent school failure and offset the effects of social disadvantage. Since the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: Earlier this year I announced the establishment of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme. More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from this new measure this year. Detailed guidance for primary schools on the scheme was published and issued to all recognised primary schools and special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: My aim for Budget 2024 is to continue to deliver on the priorities outlined in the Programme for Government and to continue to support the students, staff, and families in the education sector. As a teacher I know well that a love of reading is one the greatest gifts we can give a child and of the value to our students of reading widely. Considerable progress has been made in promoting a high...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services were...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: In September 2012 my Department, following a Government Decision on the matter, implemented the outcome of the review of allowances and premium payments by the then Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As a result many allowances, including the allowances referred to by the Deputy, were no longer payable to many new public service entrants including “new entrant”...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: Ireland’s employment permits system is managed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through the operation of the Critical Skills (CSOL) and Ineligible Occupations Lists (IOL) which track current skills shortages and surpluses in Ireland and the EEA. Occupations on the CSOL include those in IT, Finance and Medical, which are highly skilled professional occupations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Budget 2024 (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: Over recent years, additional resources have been made available to our schools, including through the delivery of thousands of extra teaching and Special Needs Assistant posts, increased capitation in schools, enhanced supports for school leadership and improved staffing schedule and free school books in primary schools. My aim for Budget 2024 is to continue to deliver on the priorities...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (3 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the School Authority under the Additional Accommodation Scheme for provision of an en-suite mainstream classroom. I can confirm that my Department has received the design report from the school. This report is currently being reviewed by officials in my Department. Following the completion of this review, my...