Results 9,181-9,200 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Special Educational Needs (9 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school authority in question. Officials in my Department have engaged with the school authority and further information was submitted for consideration. On completion of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Transport (9 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.  In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.  In July 2022,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Amalgamation (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: Again I thank the Deputies for giving me an opportunity to reply to the House. Regarding the current position on the amalgamation of St. Vincent's Secondary School and North Presentation Secondary School, Cork, I note the unanimity among the Deputies. I have to point out, and I am being absolutely truthful saying this, the decision-making authority for any amalgamation or change of status...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Amalgamation (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: Following the engagement we have had with the representatives of the schools' patrons it is now my understanding that the two schools are having continued discussions and will be meeting again on Thursday this week with their representative schools. That is positive. It is important that we take the opportunity to hear the concerns that have been raised. It is important that the patrons in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Amalgamation (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I must have the opportunity to answer. It is important and I have heard the voices that are being expressed in this Chamber and in the community. As a Department we have made contact with representatives of the patrons of the schools. They have committed to meeting on Thursday with the representative schools. That is just two days away. I look forward to the outcome of that discussion on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Amalgamation (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to outline for the House the position with regard to the amalgamation of St Vincent's Secondary School and North Presentation Secondary School in Cork. St. Vincent's Secondary School is a post-primary school for girls under the patronage of the Religious Sisters of Charity. It had 215 students in the 2021-2022...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pay (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The Croke Park Agreement (CPA) hours are part of wider productivity measures introduced under the Public Service Agreements. With regard to categories of public servants to which they apply, in terms of schools, the CPA hours are 33 additional hours a year at post primary (36 hours at primary) worked by teachers. I understand that CPA hours may also apply to certain grades in Third Level...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Child and Family Agency (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: A commitment was made under the Programme for Government to ensure robust data collection on the use of reduced school days and to further ensure that they are only used in a manner that is limited, appropriate and absolutely necessary. My Department issued guidelines to schools on reduced school days in September 2021 which came into effect from 1 January 2022.My Department is working...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Budget 2023 (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department provides a school-based psychological service to all recognised primary and post-primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice to support the wellbeing, and the academic, social and emotional development of all learners. The NEPS service provides access for all schools to: Psychological...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 507 and 508 together. The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I refer to your inquiry in respect of the repair of the wheelchair lift at the school to which you refer. My Department's Planning and Building Unit does not appear to have a record of receiving correspondence in relation to the repair of the wheelchair lift from the school in question. If the school in question considers that there are works of an emergency nature requiring attention, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware Budget 2023 provided for the provision of funding from the Climate Action Fund in relation to the provision of Photovoltaic Panels in schools up to 6KW output. This is really positive news for our schools and will assist with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings. My Department's Officials are working closely with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021. In July 2022, Government...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 512, 551, 574 and 597 together. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department provides a school-based psychological service to all recognised primary and post-primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice to support the wellbeing, and the academic, social and emotional development of all learners. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have admissions policies, which have been approved by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Mental Health Services (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I announced recently that we will invest €5 million in piloting a programme of counselling supports for primary school students. The model for the pilot is currently being developed and more information on how this will be rolled out will be available in the coming weeks. This programme is in addition to the supports already in place to support the wellbeing and mental health of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ukraine War (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that an in-depth analysis of property portfolios has taken place in my Department and the bodies under the aegis of my Department during 2022. The purpose of this analysis was to determine if there are suitable properties for accommodation needs, including those of persons arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. This is an ongoing process and is being kept under review.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated by officials within my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department, with the cooperation of the school management bodies, conducted a survey of "unmet teaching demand" in post primary schools in 2021/22. Over 90% of schools responded to the survey, a key aim of which was to identify the number of posts by subject which were not filled. Work is ongoing in my Department to produce projections of post-primary teacher demand and supply on a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (8 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession. It is also the designated competent authority for the recognition and assessment of qualifications and registration of teachers at primary and post primary levels. In accordance with the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2016 , applicants wishing to...