Results 11,041-11,060 of 19,576 for speaker:Norma Foley

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: And that is why I gave the Deputy-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I gave the Deputy the absolute timelines towards which we are working.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: If I miss something, the Senator can come back to me. I absolutely acknowledge the importance of CSPE. I just want to point out that while it is not an exam subject, there is a current increase to 100 hours allocation on our timetables for CSPE. It is part of the well-being framework in our schools as well. However, that is just one tool, if you like, or subject area in terms of addressing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: Specifically on the last point that the Deputy raised on schools not having facilities to uptake a course where she specifically referenced computer science, an enormous amount of money has been delivered into schools in digital technology. Indeed, if the Deputy were to speak directly with the schools, they would acknowledge that. Last year alone there was over €100 million.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I know. I understand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I absolutely appreciate what the Deputy said. I am just making the point that there is more than €100 million, and €50 million again at the start of this year, specifically for digital side of technology and all of that. On the availability of particular traditionally gender-based subjects being made available, first, the Department is absolutely committed to resourcing these...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: On the CSPE, I know the Senator is making the point in good faith about the examinations status of CSPE. With absolute respect, I disagree with her on the importance of it being an examinations subject. I do not believe that it has to be an examinations subject to be of importance in the school. There are many aspects of school that are not examinations regimented, as it were, and they are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: We have been very clear that where there is an issue, whatever is required to be done, and Senator Warfield referred to this earlier, up to and including legislation, that will be done.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I am sorry I missed that. I appreciate that. Not every school demands a uniform but where they are requested and where they are part of the school procedure, it is massively important that all students have an opportunity to feel comfortable and be comfortable in how they are presenting in a school. Where that needs to be addressed it can be addressed. We have seen a much broader scope of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: The exact figure-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: It is interesting all right. I reference this even at teaching conferences. It is hugely important that we have upskilling courses and mentoring courses, which we do have, and that we encourage those who would have a desire to become leaders to take those opportunities of mentoring and coaching courses that are available to them and that they would do it in advance even of putting their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: The Deputy has asked the question and I am answering now. What is laid down in the curriculum is and must be followed within our schools. There is oversight of that through our inspectorate.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I made the point earlier that there is an increased allocation of time, starting in September, for CSPE alone. It is up to 100 hours. It is a very significant allocation of time across the timetable. It is an underlining of the commitment we have to the importance of the subject. I do not believe it needs the examinations title to give it the importance it deserves. The fact that we are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2022)

Norma Foley: The permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme which uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction. It is intended that the project for the school referred to by the Deputy will be included in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2022)

Norma Foley: The permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy is not being delivered by the NDFA. The project is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme which uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction. It is intended that the project for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (18 May 2022)

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 2022/23 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 of 1 teacher for every...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (18 May 2022)

Norma Foley: The Education Act requires the Minister for Education, as a function, to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education in recognised schools and to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to further the objects of the Act. The Act also bestows on the Minister all such powers as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of performing her functions. It also stipulates that in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (18 May 2022)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is not in receipt of a current application under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme in respect of the school in question under which the issue referred to by the Deputy could be considered. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2022)

Norma Foley: The project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 framework. This major building project will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme. ADAPT is an acronym for the "Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (18 May 2022)

Norma Foley: The Department is aware of some local pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas across the country including South Kildare. However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication of applications – pupils...