Results 13,021-13,040 of 19,618 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: Donegal County Council are undertaking a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on behalf of the Minister for Education of a site for the proposed Buncrana School Campus. This CPO was confirmed by An Bord Pleanála without modification on 6thJuly 2021. As part of the requirements of the CPO process, a Notice of Confirmation of An Bord Pleanála’s decision was published by the Council...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing local enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas, including the area in question. 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 have applied...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department’s ventilation guidance for schools is very clear and practical on the steps to be taken by all schools to manage ventilation levels. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: On the basis of data reported under the 2020-21 School Data Collection survey from Primary and Post Primary schools we estimate circa. 50,000 classrooms in the State. It should be noted that the number of post primary schools who completed this survey is 717 schools out of a total of 730 schools for the 2020-21 academic year.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm that a building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included on my Department’s Capital Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP). My Department is in advanced discussions with a property-owner with respect to the permanent location for the school, with a view to progressing a new school building project on the site....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together. The school building project to which the Deputy refers has been approved funding under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme to enable the school to build a two-classroom SEN Base. Approval to progress this project to Tender Stage issued in June 2021. The project has been devolved for delivery to Dublin and Dún...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas, including the Lucan School Planning Area (SPA). Based on a detailed analysis of demographic trends and ongoing consultation with school patrons, my Department is satisfied that there is a requirement for additional post-primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (25 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: In relation to the NEPS service, NEPS Psychologists work with schools using a problem solving model to help schools identify need and interventions to support those needs. Under the special educational needs model, NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and...

Education (Health, Relationships and Sex Education) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (24 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I assume so.

Education (Health, Relationships and Sex Education) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (24 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following: “Dáil Éireann resolves that the Education (Health, Relationships and Sex Education) Bill 2021 be deemed to be read a second time this day nine months.” I welcome the opportunity to appear before the House to participate in this important debate. I thank Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (24 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction. An application for Planning Permission was submitted to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (24 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2020/21 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020. Planning for school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (24 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020. The purpose of my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Correspondence (24 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that the review which was referred to in the letter sent to the person mentioned on 25th August 2021 is near completion. It is expected that in early 2022, officials from my Department will then correspond with all individuals concerned. Officials from the Pension Unit of my Department were in direct contact with the person mentioned by the Deputy, last week, to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (24 Nov 2021)

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: Departmental Data (24 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment on the previous 30 September, and are available on the Department website. There have been a number of positive measures implemented to support small schools including an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold and a reduction in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (24 Nov 2021)

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 Wexford Town. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (24 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2020/21 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020. The purpose of the School...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 106 and 107 together. The Department of Health and the HSE, working in collaboration with the Department of Education announced last week a programme in which antigen tests will be made available to children in primary schools. Parents and Guardians of a primary school child, who is a confirmed case of COVID-19 following a PCR test, will be asked...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The HSE’s Public Health teams will continue to provide support to schools should it be required and testing will remain available more broadly to children should it be required on public health or clinical grounds or following a Public Health Risk Assessment. The HSE’s Public Health teams continue to prioritise high-risk settings and vulnerable groups such as special schools and...