Results 13,261-13,280 of 19,618 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (17 Nov 2021)

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, to include Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Established. The review involved a very broad range of research, consultations...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (16 Nov 2021)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Traveller Education (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: In line with commitments given under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, my Department arranged for a review of the 2006 Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy. It is anticipated that this review will be published shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Traveller Education (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: A pilot project aimed at improving Traveller and Roma attendance, participation and retention in schools is in place in four locations. The pilot is supported by funding from my Department and from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The pilot has been developed in partnership between the Department of Education, Department of Children, Disability,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Traveller Education (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department commissioned a study on the effectiveness of the Department's anti-bullying guidelines and procedures on Traveller and Roma experiences in the school system. A report has been developed by researchers at DCU’s National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre. It is anticipated that this report will be published shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (16 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 my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, the school to which he refers was established in 2019. The school opened in interim accommodation pending the provision of a permanent building. My Department is considering the school's accommodation needs for the 2022/2023 school year and will be liaising with the school's patron as part of this process.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website. In accordance with these rules, each school management authority is required to organise its...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together. The data requested by the Deputy is not readily available. A reply will issue directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that the school in question has been approved funding under my Departments Emergency Works Scheme for Universal Access Works. The scope of works shall be: i. Install a lift in the main building to provide access to the first floor ii. Provide an accessible WC in the school. iii. Provide a platform lift to give access to the canteen. iv. Provide handrails at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that employees of the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector whose salary is processed by Education Shared Business Services (ESBS) should address any payroll related queries to the ESBS Payroll Helpdesk by email to ETBPayRollHelpDesk@esbs.gov.ie. In addition to this the Helpdesk is also contactable by phone (01-889 2398) on salary pay dates only. On receipt of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (16 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 Accommodation (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. A decision on this application has issued to the school authority. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Health and Safety (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all pupils. It is important that the school management authority requests parents to ensure that the school is made aware of any medical condition suffered by any pupils attending. Where the school is aware of potential difficulties that may arise as a consequence of a medical condition suffered by one or more...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA), from the school in question. The purpose of the 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 cannot be met by the school’s...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy recently completed Stage 2(b) Detailed Design and was authorised to proceed to tender stage on 27th October. A Tender stage normally takes between 6-8 months to complete. The project is expected to commence on site early in Quarter 2 of 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession in this State. It is also the designated competent authority for the recognition and assessment of qualifications and registration of teachers at Primary and Post Primary level. In accordance with its statutory functions, the Teaching Council has set out...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: School secretaries and caretakers are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools. The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (16 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is aware of the challenges currently being experienced by some schools and has engaged with the education stakeholders on the issues raised about the current difficulty in accessing substitutes for teacher absences. The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of...