Results 11,861-11,880 of 19,598 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disadvantaged Status (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: -----and that the model would be perfectly and expertly explained to him. All of that did happen in advance of any public announcement.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Textbooks (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: The Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post-primary schools within the free education system in order to provide assistance for books, including book rental schemes. Under this scheme, my Department provided funding of €17.2 million in 2021 to all of these schools. Schools that are participating in the Department's DEIS programme receive an enhanced rate...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Textbooks (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: Again, I want to say very clearly that many of the points the Deputy makes are being acknowledged by the Department. There is a strong vision within the Department. Hence, we have a very significant roll-out of the pilot scheme. It is only right and proper that before we would advance, we would have a significant pilot in place and we would have an opportunity to evaluate it so we can see...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Textbooks (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: I reiterate that the pilot runs for this school year. At that point, we will take a look at how the pilot has worked. In conjunction with that, we will roll out €20 million into our schools to make additional books and reading supports available in our schools. There is a significant book rental scheme. I know the Deputy has not taken the value of that on board. I think it is a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Textbooks (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: No, I just want to conclude. We know that more than 96% of our primary schools are availing of the book rental scheme. That is a significant provision in our schools. It is actually being supported by the Department of Education from a financial point of view as well. I want to be clear that there is no single measure being offered within the schools. There is a multiplicity of measures...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disadvantaged Status (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: I was very pleased yesterday to be able to announce a major expansion of the DEIS programme. For the first time, we are now seeing a considerable expansion of the programme, which will mean that a significant number of schools will benefit from the €32 million investment. In fact, it will mean that 310 schools will be provided for in the DEIS programme, which will mean that 25% of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disadvantaged Status (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: I want to finish on the appeals process. I acknowledge that many schools were very pleased yesterday. The Deputy was gracious enough to include a reference to the schools in his constituency. I also appreciate there were schools that did not make the DEIS status yesterday. I want to be very clear that the model employed, that is, the Pobal HP deprivation index, is very clear and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Cork Education and Training Board (CETB).  Coláiste Ghobnatan, Baile Mhic Íre, Co. Chorcaí is a vocational inter-denominational  mixed post primary Gaelcholáiste located in the village of Ballyvourney. The school and site are currently owned by Cork ETB which is the patron body of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: The provision of Irish-medium education is a priority for the Department and the Government, and we share a strong commitment to increasing the number of Irish-medium places available and providing suitable accommodation in this regard.  My Department is currently developing a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of Gaeltacht areas. The key objectives of the policy are in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: Consultation by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) on new draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish closed at the end of November 2021. The current development of draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish is part of the ongoing cycle of curriculum review and redevelopment.   The NCCA has developed draft L1 and L2 curriculum specifications for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May 2021 following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19. The updated guidance for schools is also fully in line with the most recent guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: As schools are often the centre of sustainable communities there can be mutual benefits in building links with the local community. It is recognised that schools play an important role in their wider communities and many schools make their facilities available outside of school hours for a variety of different uses and users. The co-operation between schools and local sporting organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Educational Institutions (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, I recently established a Steering Committee to review the 2013 Action Plan on Bullying. This Steering Committee is chaired externally by Dr. Noel Purdy of Stranmillis University College in Antrim. The Steering Committee consists of senior officials from the Department of Education, including the Inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: A new subject specification for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science was introduced to schools in 2019 and was developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). Members of the Irish Agricultural Science Teachers Association (IASTA) were represented on the NCCA’s Subject Development Group set up to develop the new specification. Officials from my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: The permanent building project for Griffeen Community College is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.  The project for the school will provide a 3 storey, 1,000 pupil post-primary school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, between 2016 and 2020 the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) undertook an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways. The NCCA’s Advisory Report on the Senior Cycle has been submitted to my Department for consideration. The report is both extensive and comprehensive in its scope. The subject of Senior Cycle...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: The policy of my Department is to support the use of school premises and facilities for community, recreational and education-related purposes. This includes the use of school facilities for after-school care. In 2017 guidance, which was developed in consultation with school authorities, on the use of school buildings outside of school hours was published. A copy of this guidance is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department has historically funded a number of pre-school services in schools in areas at particular risk of disadvantage and social exclusion.  Outside of these initiatives, schools themselves are free to decide if they wish to make their facilities available for the running of early learning and care and/or school-age childcare services, and my Department understands that some...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: While the provision of child and adolescent mental health services lies within the remit of the Department of Health, and the HSE specifically, the Department of Education has an important role to play in supporting the wellbeing and mental health of our young people. The Department’s Wellbeing Policy and Framework for practice has given recognition to the importance of promoting...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (10 Mar 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of appropriate accommodation for pupils with special education needs is an absolute priority for Minister Madigan and myself.  My Department works closely with the National Council for Special Education (or NCSE) to ensure that there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of students throughout the State, including students...