Results 8,161-8,180 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (9 Feb 2023)

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 148,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services are being...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Textbooks (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: I join in the words of welcome. It is always positive to see students in particular visiting here to learn about what we do here. I am delighted that I happen to be in the Chamber when they are here today. I acknowledge Senator O'Loughlin's particular interest in this scheme, which she has been very keen for us to advance for a long time. All of us who work in the education sector know of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Textbooks (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: I reiterate my appreciation for the opportunity to outline what is, as the Senator said, a ground-breaking measure for our primary schools, but especially families who face specific and definite challenges when it comes to resourcing children for school. This €50 million investment is a positive, proactive measure to support families going forward. It also underpins our strong...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: I thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to come before it to discuss the Revised Estimate for my Department. The Estimate sets out the approved allocations for the Department. This includes funding for all of the services it normally provides. Additional allocations to fund measures relating to Covid-19 and the education sector’s response to the Ukraine crisis are also...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: Significant funding has been made available to schools in the respect of Covid. There will be no question but that such funding will be made available, subject to public health advice and as required. As the Deputy is aware, we have put considerable resources into special education. In excess of €40 million has been made available to run the summer programme. The Deputy...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: The Deputy will be aware that I engage with all of the partners in education on a different occasions, including through the advisory committee. That would include the NPCPP as well. My last engagement with the organisation was probably in August time around the launch of the parent helpline for students. I did not engage with the organisation while there was an independent process taking...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: No. The Deputy will be aware that there must be governance structures in place for any organisation that is in receipt of State funding. From time to time, there will be governance reviews. The NPCPP was informed of the requirement for a governance review. Unfortunately, it did not feel it was in a position to engage with the process. The review had to take place. The Deputy will be...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: I am not clear on what review the Deputy is referring to.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: I did.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: In the first instance, there must be oversight of governance within any organisation that is in receipt of State funding.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: Having a review of that nature does not cast aspersions on any organisation. Since last May, there has been ongoing engagement with the NPCPP. The organisation did not feel it was in a position to engage with the review. After more than six months of its inability to engage - and it is important that it should engage - the decision was taken to withdraw the funding. I regret that this was...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: -----to engage with the governance review, there was no other option available.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: That review-----

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Norma Foley: The report of the review will be brought to me on the basis of the information that is in the public domain. There was an attitude of non-co-operation on the part of the NPCPP. Because of this non-co-operation with a fundamental requirement for a governance review, the decision was taken to withdraw the funding. That was the reason for it.