Results 3,721-3,740 of 19,544 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that my department received an application under the Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme in 2021 from the school in question for funding for three special education needs classrooms. The purpose of my department’s Additional Schools' Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: The joint Major Building Project referred to by the Deputy for St Ita's & St Mary's Special Schools, Drogheda, is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning -Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, where the design team secure all Statutory Applications and prepare the suite of tender documents.The Design Team have recently secured all Statutory Approvals, including...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Management (9 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: In accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act, 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of classes which are contrary to the conscience of the parent if they so wish. It is expected that this right be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request. The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt out of classes is upheld is a matter for the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (9 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, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (9 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: In August 2022, my Department requested that the State Examinations Commission (SEC) develop a Leaving Certificate examination in Ukrainian as a non-curricular language. The SEC provides Leaving Certificate examinations in a range of subjects in the language area referred to as the non-curricular EU languages. These are languages which do not appear as part of the normal school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (9 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, including over 135,000 pupils traveling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (9 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: The majority of tutors delivering further education and training are paid a rate aligned to a teacher hourly rate of pay and the Building Momentum pay increases were applied to that rate by relevant circulars. It recently came to light that some ETBs paid tutors on other rates aligned to rates under the ‘self-financing’ adult education programme. As these rates did not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Inspections (9 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is not in receipt of a current application from the school in question, for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Discipline (9 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: The property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. As previously advised, the Department has a process in place whereby requests to surrender the Minister's interest in a non-Minister owned property are progressed. This process involves the internal appraisal of the property, as well as the preparation of a detailed instruction to our legal representatives in the Chief State...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Correspondence (9 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: The Professional Master of Education (PME) is a two-year, full-time Level 9 postgraduate professional teacher education programme designed to qualify graduates as primary & post-primary teachers. Changes to the duration and content of initial teacher education programmes were made in response to recommendations in the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (9 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an admissions policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. Under the provisions of the Act, school admission policies are approved by the Patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Rights of Way (9 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, this is not a public road. It is in the ownership of the Department and signs have been recently erected on the road to state this. It is not suitable for, and should not be used for, access or recreational purposes. Discussions have taken place with Donegal County Council with respect to this road, however my Department has no immediate plans with regard to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (21 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 to 199, inclusive together. 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, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (21 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The project brief for the large scale capital project, involves the construction of a new 16 classroom school, a GP Hall and classrooms for children with special educational needs. My Department’s planning and building unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2024 in the context of overall requirements. The large scale capital project at Lismullen NS...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (21 Mar 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. My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in Athenry. As part of planning for September 2024,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (21 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: 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. My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in North Kildare. As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (21 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my department is not in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question. The purpose of the Additional Schools' Accommodation scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (21 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (21 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The major project referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award. The Department’s planning and building unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2024 in the context of overall requirements. The large scale capital project remains a priority for delivery. A tender report is under review by Department...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (21 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The major project referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award. The Department’s planning and building unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2024 in the context of overall requirements. The large scale capital project remains a priority for delivery. A tender report is under review by Department...