Results 9,341-9,360 of 19,968 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Environmental Schemes (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The Department has many award-winning schemes that are internationally recognised for their agenda and for the priority given by the Department in the area of climate action and sustainability, and we have a strong strategy in that area as well. I mentioned the pathfinder programme and the solar panel scheme, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Environmental Schemes (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: We are working on the finer detail of that.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Staff (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers were agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council, TCC. This council comprises representatives of teachers, school management and the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Education. The council is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission. The TCC meets at least every...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Transport (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: Deputy Ó Cuív referred to Yahoo and the difficulties in that regard. If he has any specific cases where an issue arose, I would appreciate if he could forward the email address to my Department. However, in the main, that is not the only means of communication with parents; there were others. There was public information and the closing dates were advertised. The responsibility...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Transport (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the last school year, more than 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. The cost of the scheme in 2021 was €289 million. ...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Transport (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: More than 130,000 applications or registrations were received by 29 July and we have issued 127,800 tickets. That process is ongoing. The 127,800 tickets represent a 23% increase on previous years, including a 33% increase in concessionary tickets. Regarding the late application process, it is important for families to note that the application deadline was 29 April and that the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Textbooks (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The Government recognises the cost of preparing children for school each September can be a financial difficulty and challenge for many families. Therefore, as part of budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education system from September 2023. This measure will eliminate the cost to these families of all schoolbooks...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Textbooks (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: On the Deputy's reference to post-primary level, if we had an abundance of money, we would-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Textbooks (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: No, but I am just making the point. A sum of €50 million is available to me. I am beginning the process at primary level but it is my hope and expectation that it will in time progress to post-primary level. We already have a very successful book rental scheme, operated by 96% of our schools. With regard to engaging with book publishers and booksellers, schools will have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Textbooks (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The Deputy, given his position as education spokesperson, will appreciate more than most the value of engaging across the table on any departmental initiatives. That has been a feature of everything we have done, particularly since I became Minister. That engagement will continue. It will specifically include, in respect of the working out of this, the lessons learned from what we did in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Textbooks (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I have just said "with the partners in education". Any further discussions required with interested parties and central parties will take place. However, the first step is to engage with the partners in education.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Textbooks (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: Let us be clear that this should be led by the Department of Education and education partners.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Textbooks (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The service providers will be consulted in due course.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Child Abuse (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the Deputy's genuine determination to engage with this, which is replicated across the House. I welcome that. It is important to note that we do have robust child protection measures in our schools, oversight of which is conducted by our inspectorate. Notwithstanding that, we are in a situation where we need to ensure that an appropriate inquiry is put in place to deal with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Staff (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I am aware that some schools are currently experiencing challenges in recruiting teachers and I am conscious of the impact this could have on our schools. Newly qualified teachers, NQTs, represent an additional source of supply. More than 3,600 primary and post-primary NQTs are registered with the Teaching Council this year. In May 2021, the Department published an updated technical report...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Staff (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: We need to look at this in the round. We have seen significant changes, enhancements and improvements in education over the past two years both at primary and post-primary level. For example, at primary level, over the past three budgets we ensured that there has been a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio. It is an historic low of 23:1. We have ensured that all teaching principals have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: School Staff (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: The Deputy has to concede that we have looked at a variety of different methods. We have been proactive in this area, notwithstanding the challenges in teacher supply. In the interest of balance, the issues being faced in the education sector are not unique. We are seeing similar issues in other sectors whether it is hospitality, retail, healthcare or whatever. This is the position we...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Child Abuse (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I reiterate how heartbreaking and disturbing these revelations and all revelations of abuse are. Sexual abuse of a child by a teacher, school employee or any other person is a repugnant act. It is also a criminal act. In the first instance, it is, therefore, critical that crimes that have been committed are fully and thoroughly investigated by An Garda Síochána, and that process...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Child Abuse (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge the Deputy's sincerity and the sincerity and unanimity across the House in expressing our revulsion and unequivocal condemnation of what has been visited upon so many children, young people, now adults, who continue to live with this repugnant trauma. I acknowledge, as the survivors have said to me, that they live with it, their families live with it and their wider communities...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (24 Nov 2022)

Norma Foley: I am fully committed to ensuring that every child and young person has access to modern, inclusive sex education. This is echoed by the Programme for Government, which commits to the development of inclusive and age-appropriate Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curricula across primary and post-primary levels, including making...