Results 10,861-10,880 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: That is a very good point because they will very much enhance provision. We have reached out to those who have teaching qualifications and teaching backgrounds. We have invited them to register with the Teaching Council. A number have already done so. The numbers are small at this point, which is understandable, for a variety of reasons. Some 48 or 49 people have currently registered...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: On future projected numbers, I reiterate we are clear of our capacity in having a potential 25,000 places at primary school and 20,000 at post-primary. REALT, which has been an invaluable resource to us, and I acknowledge the work of the 16 ETBs in leading that, is liaising very closely with the planning and building unit to manage our projected enrolments. References were made to families...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: That is a fair point on the Ukrainian exams. The Ukrainian equivalent of our leaving certificate, the matura, has been cancelled this year. It is not running. It did not run last year or the previous year either because of Covid. The students were given a type of school completion certificate, or a version of that. They recently confirmed this is their intention this year as well. I want...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I will give the answers in writing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: The Deputy asked about the engagements we have had on behalf of Ukrainian students and I can confirm that initiatives are under way with the Ukrainian ministry, the EU and UNESCO. We are also looking at what is happening in other jurisdictions. We already have considerable experience ourselves of dealing with students coming from different educational backgrounds and systems, albeit not at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: As I said, we have engaged with the Ukrainian department of education. The Ukrainian mature exam, which is the equivalent of our leaving certificate, was cancelled this year and in the previous two years because of Covid and students are getting a certificate of completion. In terms of third level, there is an online university entrance exam and, as I understand it, the Department of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: We have also made other provisions in terms of accessibility for the schools. Rather than responsibility for summer provision being undertaken by school principals, there will now be an overseer role as well, which means another individual can take responsibility for it. There will be, for the first time, an online payment made available for staff working on the summer provision programme....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I thank Senator Dolan. In reference to the two points she raised, the REALTs have been an invaluable source for working through and finding pathways forward for us in this current situation. I acknowledge their effectiveness and the manner in which they are operating. There are 16 REALTS operating out of the ETBs, with a variety of supports, whether it is NEPS or the linking in with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: As we have already said, considerable resources have been put in place in schools for intensive English as an additional language, EAL. More than 918 of our schools have applied for additional resources there either in terms of EAL hours or additional teaching hours. As I referenced, we have the English to speakers of other languages, ESOL, tutors coming on stream, specifically working with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: The Deputy asked the number of students who have not presented to schools and it is our understanding approximately a third of students are in this category for a variety of reasons. It is important for us to allow the children and families to make that judgment call and to suit themselves.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Children may initially have a reluctance to attend but may see others settling into school. We are very happy to go at the pace that best suits the individual child. We estimate the figure to be in or around a third of the total. That may include older students.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: No, it is a third of all children. These could include those aged 18 or so and moved to some other type of education experience or work. Their education might be finished. I referenced students presenting for exams earlier and the facility is being made available for students who wish to follow the Ukrainian education curriculum. It is interesting to note that although many choose to do...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: Absolutely. We are working very closely with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on this, as I mentioned. There is a clarity from our perspective about where we have clear capacity. It is totally understandable that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has a priority for the families to have accommodation. It is our...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I understand it is approximately 1,000. I do not have the full breakdown. As I said, it is interesting to note that they are availing of both, including online. There is an awareness also that for the past three years, there has not been a Ukrainian leaving certificate senior exam. They are mindful of that and are availing of the Irish system too.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: I will just clarify on that. I was asked if there had been meetings and engagements between the Cork Life Centre and my Department. There absolutely has been. Social inclusion also comes under the remit of the Department. I just want to be clear. We were asked the question. There has been no reluctance on the part of my departmental officials to meet with representatives form the Cork...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Norma Foley: In the first instance, I want to acknowledge that there is considerable experience in this country too, which should not be underestimated, of dealing with students and families who have been displaced from different countries and of welcoming them into our schools. It is certainly not at the current level we are being asked for-----

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Projects (31 May 2022)

Norma Foley: The planning permission for the school project referred to by the Deputy included planning permission for the roads and was subject to 57 conditions most of which related to the specification and construction of the significant road network be built by a third party developer and which is essential to access the school site. My Department, through its Project Managers and their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (31 May 2022)

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

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (31 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm that my Department received an application for capital funding in 2021 for a new sports hall from the school referred to by the Deputy. The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (31 May 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department seeks, where possible, to minimise legal fees and avails of the services of the Chief State Solicitor's Office, the Attorney General's Office and the State Claims Agency in terms of the provision of legal advice and representation of the Department in Court cases. However, occasionally it engages senior counsels and barristers for legal advice and services. Legal costs incurred...