Results 13,021-13,040 of 20,049 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (25 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm to the Deputy, that an application for Major Capital Funding was received from the school in question in 2018. Applications from schools for major capital works must be considered in the context of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (25 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: As part of the COVID-19 supports provided to schools in 2020, additional funding of €41.2 million was allocated to provide primary schools with substitute staff This funding allowed for the expansion of the Substitute Teacher Supply Panel from a pilot scheme consisting of 6 base schools to 132 Substitute Teacher Supply Panels nationwide, with almost 380 newly appointed Supply Panel...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (25 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: Managing ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (25 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware access to sexual and health education is extremely important for students. Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools and in the post-primary junior cycle. Relationships and Sexuality Education (or RSE) is required at all levels, from primary through to senior cycle. The current SPHE/RSE curriculum at both...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (25 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: Budget 2022 has provided for an allocation of €18million for 2022 and €32million for 2023 to extend the DEIS programme to further schools with the highest levels of disadvantage. This represents an increase of over 20% in funding for the DEIS programme and will enable an expansion in 2022 to additional schools. This package follows an extensive body of work which has been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Staff (25 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: In accordance with the terms of the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments for the 33rdDáil, as published by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, I have two civilian drivers to assist me in carrying out my ministerial duties. The Minister of State in my Department also has two civilian drivers. The drivers are in receipt of a salary in line with the relevant pay...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (20 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I can confirm that agreement in principle, subject to contract, has been reached to acquire an one acre plot of land adjoining St Patrick’s National School in Diswellstown. Matters in respect of the contract are currently being finalised by the solicitors for both sides. My Department are actively seeking to advance the matter with the intention of finalising this acquisition...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, in April 2018 it was announced that 42 new schools were to be established over the period of 2019 to 2022.  This announcement included a new post-primary school to serve Blanchardstown_WestD15 & BlanchardstownVge_D15 School Planning Areas.  In line with the policy on the use of State assets, which is also consistent with the objective of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department is acutely aware of the disruption caused to students as a result of school closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. From 11 January 2021 until schools reopened on 12 April 2021, all students, including students who are due to sit the Junior Cycle state examinations in 2022, engaged in a programme of remote learning with their schools. The public health restrictions...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: My Department continue to engage with officials in Cork City Council in relation to the identification and acquisition of suitable sites for the school in question. A potential suitable site has been identified in conjunction with the Local Authority. The Department is currently exploring all options available to it to obtain position of this site. The Department is also...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I am very much aware of the disruption experienced by students who are due to take their Leaving Certificate examinations in 2022. My Department has been working closely with the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to put in place a number of measures to seek to take account of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.    My Department will continue to engage with all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (20 Jan 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 provided guidelines to schools on Reduced School Days in September 2021 to come into effect from 1stJanuary 2022. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (20 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: It is the responsibility of my  Department to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area.  Parents/ Guardians can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to draft, publish and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I am very aware of the disruption experienced by students who are due to take their Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations in 2022.  Engagement on these issues by my Department has included contacts with the Irish Second Level Students' Union. My Department will continue to engage with all partners in education on all matters relating to Leaving Certificate 2022...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: State Examinations (19 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I again thank the Deputies for their contributions. I will note them. In my previous response, I took the opportunity to outline the progress and consultation that has taken place to this point. It has been a process of progress and consultation, which is important. As I have already outlined, it is a consultation with the widest possible representation of stakeholders through the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: State Examinations (19 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I thank Deputies for raising this issue and for allowing me to address the matter. At the outset, I would like to say that I am very much aware of the disruption experienced by students who are due to take their leaving certificate examinations this year in the class of 2022. It is welcome that the schools reopened at the normal time after the Christmas holidays. I know that schools are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (19 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue as it gives me an opportunity to outline the current position regarding provision for children with special education needs, including autism. In fairness, I acknowledge his ongoing engagement with me and his very clear and specific interest in this area of education. I thank him for that. Enabling children with special educational needs to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (19 Jan 2022)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy again for raising this issue and for the opportunity to reassure the House that the Department is committed to ensuring that all children can access an education suitable to their needs. Planning is actively under way to ensure that children without a placement for next year are provided with a suitable replacement. The NCSE is leading work in this regard. I reassure...