Results 3,401-3,420 of 19,544 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I appreciate that we would all want it to be greater. It is a very good indication of what we had available to us that we would acknowledge the challenges that people face and that that bursary would be made available. On the support for special educational needs, 27% of the entire budget of the Department is spent on special education. That is as it should be. It is more than €2.7...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: On permanent contracts, there is a pathway forward. In fact, after two years, people are into permanent contracts, or what are called contracts of indefinite duration. There is a clear pathway. On costs, I appreciate the €2,000 for the professional master of education is a start. The additional courses like upskilling courses are across a wide variety of different subject areas...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pay (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: Housing, led by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy O'Brien, remains a key priority of the Government. The strategy Housing for All delivers on the programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system. A suite of measures, including cost-rental, affordable and social housing, is being...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pay (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I do not take away from the challenges the Deputy referred to. We have been cognisant of them. The Deputy will appreciate that in the recent budget we announced a €2,000 support bursary for the PME students who will compete in 2024. We also introduced 1,000 posts of responsibility, again to support teachers in their workplace. We provided for free upskilling courses in subjects...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post-primary levels, including those with special educational needs, is an absolute priority for the Department and, indeed, the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's demographic projections utilise various data sources, such as...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: There is a quite robust planning unit within the Department, specifically within the planning and building unit. It has a very comprehensive geographical information system, a system that relies on a variety of data, not just data on child benefit. It also relies on other information available, including CSO figures. There is very proactive engagement on the ground with local authorities,...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: Senior cycle redevelopment is an ambitious programme of work that aims to ensure students experience senior cycle in a way that reflects who they are and the world they live in now and in which they will live in the future. I acknowledge that with the introduction of curricular change, teachers and school leaders want support in order to give their students the best possible experience. As...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I reiterate that the ISTA membership, by way of its nominees, all of whom are science teachers, was part of the subject development groups and, as such, was very much an integral part of the design of the curriculums and the framework. Notwithstanding that, a further step has been taken by the NCCA in terms of the consultation aspect. This is an appropriate measure to ensure everybody,...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I want to be clear regarding the allocation of resources. The Deputy referenced the use of laboratories. That specifically relates to the component of science in practice. It should be noted that what is currently set out regarding the science in practice investigations, some of which can, of course, take place in the laboratory, is not prescriptive in stating that they should solely be...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pay (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: While we are offering congratulations, I congratulate the Deputy on the birth of his second daughter, Sadhbh. I wish him and his partner, Nicola, well. As I said to him earlier, he is surrounded by women. He is blessed among women and it will be very good for him. I sincerely wish him well. It is wonderful to be welcoming a new baby girl. The quality and commitment of Irish teachers...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: The new 1,000 pupil post-primary school building for Greystones Community College is a key priority for my Department. It is being delivered under the Department's Design and Build Programme and will include 4 special educational needs (SEN) classrooms. The project is at tender stage and is part of a bundle of projects for 10 new schools across 7 sites all of which are flagship projects and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested around €4.5 billion in schools throughout the country. Around 800 school building projects have been completed and 300 other projects are under construction. This level of construction roll-out recognises the priority that Government puts on investment in education. New medium term capital allocations for the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, guidance provision in Ireland spans many sectors. In 2022, I established the National Policy Group on Lifelong Guidance to develop a coherent long-term strategic framework for guidance. A public consultation on lifelong guidance was held by my Department and a report on the consultation was published in August 2023. This consultation together with research carried out...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects. Construction is currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings. Projects at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn. I recently...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school in question has received approval in principle for a building project under my department’s Additional School Accommodation, or ASA, scheme. The project will provide for two mainstream classrooms and two special education teaching rooms. This project is currently at Stage 3, tender stage. In addition, further approval was provided...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta ó Snodaigh as a cheist. Tá obair ar bun i mo Roinn faoi láthair maidir le polasaí nua don oideachas lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht a fhorbairt. Tá sé mar cheann de na spriocanna atá ag mo Roinn breathnú ar na deiseanna chun níos mó Gaelscoileanna agus...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)

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 the Department. As the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (16 Apr 2024)

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 Staff (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the role of the guidance counsellor is multifaceted and includes delivery of classroom guidance, group sessions and one-to-one meetings. Guidance-support is provided to students in relation to personal, social, educational and career guidance. A dual qualification is required to work as a guidance counsellor in our post-primary schools. Guidance counsellors...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (16 Apr 2024)

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 161,600 children are being transported on a daily basis to schools throughout the country. This figure comprises over 135,000 pupils travelling on mainstream services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who...