Results 6,301-6,320 of 19,559 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Patronage (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: The programme for Government contains a commitment to expand the plurality of our schools to reflect the full breadth of society and improve parental choice. Among the commitments are: to achieve the target of at least 400 multidenominational primary schools by 2030 in order to improve parental choice; to expand and prioritise the transfer of viable schools to community national schools; and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I want to be very clear that there have been significant advancements and improvements. The Deputy specifically referenced primary school education in the context of the current Government. Specifically in terms of capitation, I want to acknowledge that the demands at primary level are very different to the demands at post-primary level. The demands at post-primary level are very different...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: There is a wide acknowledgement that it is important that we keep the curricula in our schools up to date and current so that they meet the needs of all our children and young people. The Deputy will be aware that the curricula are developed by the National Council Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, which is constituted of all within the education sector. That includes all the voices in the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: -----will be aware on the publication of the SPHE and RSE curriculum, it was broadly welcomed by many stakeholders, including parents bodies nationally and Catholic bodies’ representatives. He will have heard them articulate that we need to have a curriculum that meets the challenges of the day.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: The curricula are being provided for. On a point of clarification, it is a provision for those at junior cycle. The work is under way for senior cycle. That is currently under way. I will also specifically say that if there is any aspect of the programme that parents are not happy with and if they wish to withdraw their child, they have an absolute right to do that.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: There is no question of it being imposed.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: As part of budget 2023, as the Deputy will be aware, the Department is investing more than €9.6 billion in the primary and post-primary education system. This reflects an increase of €443 million in core funding as well as more than €145 million in non-core expenditure. This builds on significant increases in recent budgets and reflects the Government’s...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I will be very clear. All moneys due to schools have been paid. I confirmed to the Deputy that all moneys in respect of the minor works payment have been paid. It is important to say that, over the past three years, not only have minor works grants been paid, we have also on occasion seen double the money for minor works being paid to schools. Equally, throughout the Covid period in 2020,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: Specifically on the case raised by the Deputy that referenced "more than ten years", in more than ten years, there has never been as much money going to the primary or post-primary school sectors. I am very happy, on an individual basis, to take the name and details of the principal the Deputy referenced, if he or she has a particular issue. This year, for example, I can point to more than...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: Under the programme for Government, there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil-teacher ratios, PTRs, in primary schools. I am very pleased to have been able to introduce three successive PTR reductions in each of the past three budgets. I know the significance of this and that the Deputy is very conscious of it. Indeed, it is a measure that has been welcomed right...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I believe in this scheme. I believe fundamentally that we must do all we can to ensure students get the opportunity at whatever level to showcase themselves at their best. Specifically, in terms of dyslexia, the State Examinations Commission has met with the national organisation. Everything is kept under review. They would point to the fact that, almost uniquely in the world, there is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, the school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022-2023 school year, in excess of 149,000 young people, including more than 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported daily. In addition, school transport scheme services have been provided in the 2022-2023...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge the importance of the scheme. I know it myself as I come from a rural constituency. Very specific measures were taken to ensure there would be earlier allocation of tickets. For the first time, the payment closing dates were brought forward. The family portal to process applications is closed and it will reopen on 30 June 2023, which is imminent. This closure is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I understand the importance of receiving information as early as possible. It is for that reason we brought everything forward this year. Therefore, it is our expectation that, well in advance of the return to school, tickets will have been issued and people will know clearly where they stand. Significant value is provided by the school transport system. The Deputy will appreciate...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy has articulated, the SEC has specific responsibility for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations. As part of its remit, the SEC provides the scheme of reasonable accommodations, which is known as the RACE scheme. This scheme facilitates access to the State exams by candidates who would have difficulty in accessing the exams or communicating what they...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. She is correct. I agree there is enormous importance attached to the RACE scheme. I understand the most recent full review was carried out in 2016-2017. In the interim, there have also been amendments, particularly for candidates who present as visually impaired. I also want to say that schools have devolved authority to recommend to the SEC the supports available...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: As Minister for Education I am very conscious of the need to ensure schools are supported, enabling them to maximise teaching and learning outcomes for all students. My Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. These grants are based on recognised enrolments in September of the relevant school year, which is the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: In this the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule operates on a general average of 24 pupils to every 1 teacher. This is a historically low level of pupils to teachers. Primary schools also have access to other non-mainstream teachers, including for example special education teachers and language support teachers. Under the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to make...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: It is the responsibility of each individual school to select the resources, if any, that it will use to support its implementation of the curriculum. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and my Department do not endorse or recommend particular materials. This includes text books, and it is a matter for each school to consider all relevant issues, including discussing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (29 Jun 2023)

Norma Foley: The Deputy will be aware that my Department provides a payroll service to over 3,700 primary, secondary, community and comprehensive schools. The number of teachers allocated for the 2022 / 2023 school year was 42,739 in primary schools and 34,250 in post primary schools. This has been an increase of over 17,000 teachers employed in our schools over the 10 year period from the school years...