Results 8,321-8,340 of 19,968 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data in a way that takes account of the significant local and regional variations in demographic trends and enrolment projections, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas, of which some 40 are in Dublin.  Using school planning area boundaries within my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: There are four state-funded higher education institutions (HEIs) providing primary initial teacher education (ITE) and one independent private provider of primary ITE. The current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim:...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was maintained in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. There were circa. 180 school building projects delivered during 2022 and a further 273 school building projects remained under construction at the start of 2023...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Child Abuse (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, Caranua was established in 2013 to disburse the contributions of €110m (€111.38m including interest) provided by the religious congregations following the publication of the Ryan Report by funding approved services to support the needs of former residents who, as children, suffered abuse in relevant institutions. As the funding available to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: As part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free schoolbooks for all children and young people in primary schools, including special schools within the free education scheme from September 2023. This measure will eliminate the cost to these families for all school books and workbooks. It delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to extend the free school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (2 Mar 2023)

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. I announced the establishment of Regional Education and Language Teams (REALTs) to support the needs of Ukrainian children arriving in Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. For the 2023/24 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The current position on the lease to which the Deputy refers is that the work is ongoing and approaching conclusion. The Chief State Solicitors Office, on behalf of my Department, has been engaging with the property owners’ legal representative on the draft lease for some time and the vast majority of the clauses in the draft lease are agreed.  My Department is working with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The Department of Education does not have any remit with regards to availability of books in public libraries.  In relation to the curriculum, it is the current policy of the Department of Education to not endorse or promote any particular programme, product or publication to support the teaching of subjects. There are a small number of exceptions where the department has procured...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question, for funding under the Department's Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA). My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: In accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act, 1998, parents have a right to have their children not attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parents. The manner in which any schools ensures that the right of a student not to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parents is a matter for the school concerned. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: As set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to developing inclusive and age appropriate curricula for RSE and SPHE across primary and post-primary schools. In giving effect to this commitment, my Department continues to work closely with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). I take it that the Deputy's question refers to the introduction...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The Programme for Government commits that ‘this Government will develop inclusive and age appropriate curricula for Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) across primary and post-primary schools, including an inclusive programme on LGBTI+ relationships’.  Work to implement this commitment is ongoing, building on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The Programme for Government states that ‘this Government will develop inclusive and age appropriate curricula for RSE and SPHE across primary and post-primary schools, including an inclusive programme on LGBTI+ relationships’. For Junior Cycle, a revised Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) specification, which includes Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Business Supports (2 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The funding allocated to my Department, as set down in the annual Estimates, is used to meet costs associated with the provision of educational services in our schools and various related functions. The allocation is used primarily to fund the salaries of teaching and non-teaching school staff, the development of school infrastructure, capitation funding for the ongoing running costs of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Renewable Energy Generation (1 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: My Department has a strong record with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification. Schools designed and built in accordance with the Department’s schools technical guidance documents, have been achieving A3 Building...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Information and Communications Technology (1 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: The school referred to by the Deputy was recently connected to high speed broadband through the Schools Broadband Programme. The school is now on a dedicated 100Mbs fibre connection and that service is now live and operational in the school.  Internal network connectivity within the school is a matter for the Board of Management of individual schools, in line with their Digital...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (1 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding.  My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million.  High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023.  As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (1 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. During 2022, 180 school building projects were delivered and a further 273 remained under construction at the start of 2023 - most of which will be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Renewable Energy Generation (1 Mar 2023)

Norma Foley: It is really positive news for our schools that Budget 2023, through the Climate Action Fund, will enable the provision of Photovoltaic Panels in schools up to 6KW output. It is intended the provision of the solar panels will be fully funded for schools.  PV panels will assist schools with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings. ...