Results 4,221-4,240 of 19,559 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Language (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: As a country, we recognise the unique value and richness of the teaching and learning of our national language. That is reflected in our education system, which seeks to constantly promote and protect the language. Indeed, Irish has the unique position of being the only mandatory requirement for all students sitting leaving certificate examinations. At the same time, there has long since...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission is responsible for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations. The SEC is very aware, as am I as Minister, of the challenges of the timing of the oral examinations for students, parents and education partners. Prior to the pandemic, the oral examinations in any given year were held either before or after the Easter holidays,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: As I have said there is a review ongoing that is being undertaken by the SEC. This was at my request. I acknowledge the huge co-operation. A premium rate has been paid to examiners and there has been additional support provided to schools in days being made available to them to support their work at that time. I acknowledge what the Deputy said that there are mixed views on the timing of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: To be fair, the State Examinations Commission's interim report very clearly identified the requirement for additional support being made available to schools to support students for whatever their need might be, from a well-being point of view to additional supports that might be required. As a consequence of that, in this school year school authorities are being provided with five...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: There are 4,000 school bus escorts in the system doing incredibly valuable work. I will specifically address a number of the issues the Deputy has raised. The school transport section is carrying out a comprehensive review of matters as they relate to bus escorts. The information pack that is being developed will be made available to schools for the beginning of the 2024-25 school year....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: While some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024-25, I assure families and all children who require a school place that such a place will be provided for them for the 2024-25 school year. I do not, for one minute, underestimate the challenges and stress families are facing but we are clear that positions will be made available for students for the 2024-25...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I am clearly saying to the Deputy that if there are specific cases he needs to bring to the attention of the Department, I will be very happy to deal with them. We in the Department are committed to ensuring that every child has an appropriate place for the 2024-25 school year, whether at primary or post-primary level. With regard to special education provision, we are equally determined to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I want to be very clear; the Department carries out considerable forward planning. We have a geographical information system that allows us to look at current data and projected data. We engage with local authorities, school patrons and management bodies. We are consistently planning forward. That can be seen in the 300 projects currently under construction, which I have mentioned. That...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (13 Feb 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, more than 161,600 children, including more than 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post-primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs and 6,800 pupils who arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported daily to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: I agree. I said at the outset that the contribution of school escorts is invaluable. There is no doubt about that in terms of escorting children with additional needs to and from school. She is right and I referenced the SNA workforce development plan, which will include an examination of the interaction of the SNA role with the bus escort role. As the Deputy said, many individuals cross...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: Promoting positive mental health is a priority for the Department of Education and myself as Minister. The Department’s approach in the Wellbeing Policy is founded on research and best international practice in relation to how schools can best support the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. The approach proposed is a whole school and preventative approach which...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, including the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings. It is an absolute priority of the Department to ensure that every child in the state has access to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (13 Feb 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: School Patronage (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: The Programme for Government reflects the Government’s objective of continuing to expand the plurality of schools to reflect the full breadth of society. It sets out that “students of all religions and none should have access to education, regardless of their belief system”. The Programme for Government commitments in this area include:To achieve the target of at least...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Online Safety (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: The existing curriculum at primary level offers multiple opportunities for the development of digital skills and digital literacy. At primary level the focus is on educating children to keep safe online, be respectful of others online and help teachers integrate internet safety into teaching and learning in their schools. There are extensive training and curricular supports available,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: Thank you Deputy Smyth for raising this hugely important issue. Domestic violence is a heinous crime, and one which cannot be tolerated in any form or circumstance. Furthermore, we must do all that we can to support those who are affected by domestic violence. Domestic Violence Leave is a statutory leave regulated by the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. With effect...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: My Department is fully committed to supporting all children and young people to achieve their potential. As Minister, I have increased both universal and targeted supports aimed at removing barriers to achievement for all children, including young people who may be at risk of educational disadvantage as a result of caring commitments. To further the work of this Government in reducing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 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 34 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: Legislative Programme (13 Feb 2024)

Norma Foley: My Department has one item of priority legislation for publication in the spring session 2024 which is the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill. This Bill has two main purposes – to enable the provision of a number of supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions and to formally dissolve Caranua. The Government approved the provision of a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (13 Feb 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...