Results 6,821-6,840 of 19,559 for speaker:Norma Foley

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: All of our new builds will also have dedicated special education provision. Considering we have a considerable number of new builds, with 180 new builds last year and additional accommodation at 300 locations at various stages of development this year, it is positive going forward that this is an intrinsic part of new developments when planning and building.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Yes, it has been received by the Department and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and I are currently considering it, but we have also invited the consideration of officials within the Department, especially the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, and the inspectorate, so there would be a wide embrace of the views expressed in the report. It is our intention to publish it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: My plan is that it will be before we fall into recess, most certainly. That is the current plan anyway.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: On the national co-ordinator for special schools, we are placing particular emphasis this year on supporting special schools to run the programme. As I said, we have seen a 50% increase in that, which is positive, and we hope to build on that. The function of the national co-ordinator is to take the overall view and support and engage where there might be challenges. We have deliberately...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Yes, it is positive but we are working towards it being better and I want to acknowledge that. I also want to acknowledge the role of the SNAs. Our schools could not function without the support that is given by them. The Senator is correct that we worked hard this year to have an earlier announcement. It is my ambition, to the best of my ability, to be able to deliver it on an ongoing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. On the last point, I agree with her that we need a stronger representation of SENOs on the ground. They are the local connection to the parents, and their role is an invaluable one. We recognise that, and provision has been made in the budget to increase that. If we have to do more, we will continue to do more in that space. Deputy Tully is right, and Senator Wall has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: It is an ideal situation to have the premises, but where there is not a premises available or we have a premises but for a variety of reasons it might not suit or whatever, it will be at the discretion of the board of management. Going back to what I said earlier, however, we will be able to showcase maybe after the summer a few different models. Mr. Hanlon said there is maybe one school...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Right.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: That is fine. I hear what the Cathaoirleach is saying.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: That is it. That would have to be a local solution at the moment, however.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: That is the idea.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge the Deputy's personal engagement with me on an ongoing basis on this whole area. In the first instance, I should say that we are now at a point where we have almost 40,000 professionals who are working in the area of special education. That is something that we had not achieved before. There is almost an even breakdown of 20,000 special education teachers and in and around...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Basically, yes. The Deputy mentioned assistive technology and if it will assist in the area. I share the Deputy's view. If technology will improve the education and life experience of an individual, that young person should be getting the technology, full stop. If we need to make changes and do things differently, then we will do so. I am clear in my own mind that if technology is going...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Okay. I will respond on transitions in the first instance, as I have it in my head. We are running a couple of pilots on transitions at the moment. They are being run in Dublin and Galway. We are moving into the post-primary schools, working with the students to inform them of the opportunities that they will have in further education or whatever other options they might choose to take...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: I will refer to Mr. Hanlon there. I would not want that to be the premise on which a school operates at all.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: Our job is to ensure that where there is a need for SNA support, that SNA support is provided. I want to be very clear about that. It is not about giving with one hand and taking away with the other. I really do not want the schools to operate in that way. Perhaps Mr. Hanlon wants to come in there in terms of the figures.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: No, that is perfect. In case time runs out and I do not get the opportunity to do so at the end, I wish to acknowledge the vast body of work of this committee. It has only been up and running for a number of months but has been very helpful to the Department. We have a shared objective and agenda, that is, to enhance the experience of education for children and young people with autism....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Norma Foley: I 100% agree with the Cathaoirleach that language is important. You can see how our language in the area of special education provision has evolved over time, which is right and proper. The EPSEN review was a public consultation that involved more than 28,000 people and a very large number of them specifically referenced language. As part of what will come out of the review, we will...