Results 3,841-3,860 of 19,559 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. Under the scheme, funding is made available to all primary schools on the basis of a €5,500 basic grant plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil enrolled in the school on the 30th of September of the year prior to the issue of the grant. The grant is paid on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The project to which the Deputy refers, includes an extension to the existing school buildings, decanting if required, necessary to satisfactorily develop the post primary school on its existing site to cater for an enrolment of 700 pupils. The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and it has appointed a design team to progress the project. The Stage 2b...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy, that the decision-making authority for any amalgamation is the patron/trustees of the schools concerned and it is open to any patron to submit proposals to the Department for consideration. Any proposed change involves extensive consultation at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 469 together. The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, is an important piece of legislation which has introduced a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, the school to which he refers was approved a school building project under the Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project is being managed on a devolved basis by Louth & Meath Education and Training Board on behalf of the school authority and a design team was appointed for the project. The project approved consists of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: In the last number of years there has been considerable progress towards increasing the number of multi-denominational schools with 52 of the 53 new primary schools and 44 of the 50 new post-primary schools established since 2011 having a multi-denominational ethos. Patronage transfers have taken place in recent years, resulting in the provision of: - 14 multi-denominational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: 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 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area. Parents...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: Meeting the educational needs of children and young people from Ukraine is a priority for the Government, and my Department is determined to support the efforts of school communities across the country, who have shown huge commitment and generosity. To assist with the transition of Ukrainian students and their families into Irish schools, Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) continue...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Inquiries (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders was announced on March 7th 2023. The Scoping Inquiry is independently led by Ms Mary O’Toole SC. The Scoping Inquiry was initially requested to report to the Minister by November 7th 2023. The Lead of the Scoping Inquiry requested an extension to the deadline for the submission of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Inquiries (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders was announced on March 7th 2023. The Scoping Inquiry is independently led by Ms Mary O’Toole SC. It is due to report to me by June 7th 2024. The Scoping Inquiry is independent and its work is ongoing. A central element of the Scoping Inquiry is a trauma-informed survivor engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The Special Education Teaching allocation provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile and also encompasses the Language Support (EAL) allocation that schools were allocated in previous years. All schools are advised in the first instance to review whether the needs of newly enrolled...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: I refer to the representation from the Deputy concerning the possible establishment of a gaelcholáiste in Dublin 8. Regarding plans for increasing Irish-medium school places in the South Dublin area, which encompasses the Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8 areas, it should be noted that the year of establishment, patronage model and language of instruction have yet to be determined for the new...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that the Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority in question. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Costs (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: As part of Budget 2024, €10.5 billion in total funding was secured for Education. 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 inclusive education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that the Department approved significant capital funding for the school in question under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The project approved was for 12x General classrooms, 1x Technology room & Prep area, 2x Home Economics rooms, 1x Art craft room, 1x Science lab & prep area 2x WC and 1x staff room. This project was devolved to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (20 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. The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 provides that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. ‎‎It is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural design process. A planning application was lodged with Carlow County Council and planning permission was granted in Quarter 3 2023. The pre-qualification...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (20 Mar 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 with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The major project referred to by the Deputy is currently completing Stage 4 of Architectural Planning – Construction Stage. The Design Team currently anticipate to complete construction by Easter in early Quarter 2 2024 subject to no issues arising. It is anticipated that the school could decant into their new building upon receipt of BCAR Certification. As this project is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Mar 2024)

Norma Foley: The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB). The Tender Report has been received by my Department and is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective. The review is nearing completion and my Department will revert to CMETB directly on the outcome and the next steps to progress this...