Results 13,841-13,860 of 20,909 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Environmental Schemes (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: At the outset, I want to confirm that my Department has a very strong record with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings. This performance has been recognised at both national and, indeed, international level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in design and specification. The Department’s approach to the decarbonisation of the school sector is predicated on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Environmental Schemes (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: I agree with the Deputy. There is widespread agreement that this is an innovative, positive and proactive step forward on climate sustainability. I acknowledge that it has been agreed between the Departments that the solar PV programme will be rolled out to schools in phases. I am pleased to advise that we remain on track to launch the first phase of the scheme this quarter. We expect all...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Environmental Schemes (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: I appreciate there is unanimity from schools as well as from the House on moving this as quickly as possible. The GIS is an innovative move by the Department. It means that the uploading of quotes and streaming of applications will be done much faster. That will accelerate the delivery of the programme. On the finer detail, there is agreement that it will be done on a phased basis....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing these universal supports, the DEIS programme provides a targeted, equitable way to address concentrated educational disadvantage that promotes equity and has benefits for students. As...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: I appreciate where the Deputy is coming from. I have met with many of these principals and heard what they have to say. I acknowledge, as we all do, that DEIS has a very significant and positive impact on our schools. We see the benefit of it but we also know two things; there are children who are at risk of educational disadvantage who are attending schools that are not DEIS schools, and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: There is not much the Deputy is saying that I disagree with. I have acknowledged the need for it. I have met with many of the principals who have presented their experience to me. It is important if we are to make any changes, amendments or additions to DEIS, that we have an overall look at DEIS, how it is working, where it is working well and where there are opportunities to do things...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Capitation Grants (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: I am very pleased to have secured €10.5 billion in total funding for the education budget of 2024. This significant increase in funding ensures that the total budget is at the highest ever for our primary and post-primary schools. The funding will ensure continued reduced costs for families, it will continue to tackle disadvantage, and it will provide further supports to safeguard...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Capitation Grants (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: I once again confirm for the Deputy's information that it is a budget of €10.5 billion and €81 million is being expended on capitation, €21 million of which is in the core as a permanent measure that will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. The additional €60 million investment is a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Capitation Grants (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: In the first instance, €81 million is a significant uplift to schools, €21 million of which is a permanent measure. It is interesting to note that the Deputy's own party was offering something around €40 million in terms of capitation-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Capitation Grants (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: We have actually more than doubled that-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Capitation Grants (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: Sinn Féin offered €40 million-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Capitation Grants (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: -----we have offered €81 million to the schools and that is a significant provision for schools, because €21 million of it will ensure there will be support and it will bring it up to a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. The Deputy referenced schools that have particular issues around disadvantage. More than...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government. Budget 2024 contains a range of measures that demonstrate the commitment to continued investment in our education system. In addition to numerous actions taken in recent years to address...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge the Deputy's proactive engagement in this space. We recognise that we are at near full employment and that there are challenges within the education sector, similar to challenges we have in the hospitality or business sector - you name the sector and there are challenges. I acknowledge that should not in any way diminish the particular challenges that a principal might have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: There are a number of routes into teaching as the Deputy is aware. Recognising the issue around the PME route and the expense of it, I have already outlined the €2,000 support there. I want to acknowledge the 3,500 teachers graduating every year. It is very significant. I have also increased the number of places on the initial teacher education programmes by more than 600 over two...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: The school transport scheme is a significant operation, as the Deputy is aware. It is managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2022-23 school year more than 149,000 children, including more than 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: I and every Member of the House, particularly Deputies from rural constituencies, appreciate the importance of the school transport system. It is for this reason that the system is underpinned by significant funding, with almost €339 million expended last year. An additional €50 million has been provided this year to ensure greater access and to allow children to avail of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: To be clear, there are eligibility criteria. Pupils who live 3.2 km from their nearest primary school or 4.8 km from their nearest or next nearest post-primary school are eligible. In relation to one child getting a ticket and the other sibling not getting one, if both children are eligible, both will get a ticket. However, if they are not eligible, concessionary tickets are provided by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: I confirm to the Deputy that an application for major capital funding has been received from the school in question. There are significant demand pressures on the school system at present arising from demographic growth, the need to align school place provision with housing developments, increased demand for special educational needs provision and the accommodation of children from...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (17 Oct 2023)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the Deputy’s advocacy for the school. The Department has made an offer to the school in respect of a special education teaching room. We await the school’s engagement on that. For any issues that might be regarded as an emergency and for some of the issues the Deputy mentioned, there is a very clear pathway to make emergency funding made readily available to...