Results 13,801-13,820 of 20,049 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (3 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 Staff (3 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The WRC’s Code of Practice provides guidance on best practice to organisations and their employees on the Right to Disconnect. It is not a question of organisations adopting the WRC Code of Practice but a question of working up their own tailored policy. As stated in the Code of Practice, employers should engage proactively with employees and/or their trade union or other...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: Tuigim go bhfuil an-spéis ag an Teachta san ábhar seo. Tá mo Roinn ag déanamh gach iarracht Gaelscoileanna agus Gaelcholáistí ach go háirithe a chur chun cinn. Faoi mar a dúirt mé cheana, new schools are established by the Department on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area and only after consideration of the capacity of existing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an ábhar seo a ardú. Tugann sé deis dom an seasamh maidir le háiteanna iar-bhunscoile trí mheán na Gaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath a leagan amach don Teach. Úsáidfidh mé idir Ghaeilge agus Bhéarla sa ráiteas seo. Chun pleanáil a dhéanamh don soláthar scoile, agus anailís a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The annual Minor Works Grant at primary level enables schools to prioritise and address issues in their schools which can include playground equipment or equipment to support extra curricula activities. This grant is paid annually in either December or January. The Summer Works Scheme may also be an option for schools given that one of its categories (Category 10) deals with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 470 to 472, inclusive, together. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has established development groups, for primary and post-primary, to support the development of guidance material for schools and updating of the Social, Political and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum. Both SPHE/Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) development...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Correspondence (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that the Emergency Works team have been in contact with the Additional Schools Accommodation section to discuss the issue and as a result the school in question have been asked to submit a revised Emergency Works Scheme application for assessment.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: In relation to new school buildings and extensions my Department provides a tap drinking water system as a matter of routine. In existing buildings if a school has concerns about the quality of its drinking water, the matter can be addressed by the relevant local authority and Irish Water. If any quality issues are identified as a result of a test, my Department provides funding to address...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Correspondence (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that the Emergency Works team have been in contact with the Additional Schools Accommodation section to discuss the issue and as a result the school in question have been asked to submit a revised Emergency Works Scheme application for assessment.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: Voluntary contributions by parents of pupils enrolled in recognised schools are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition. The manner in which such voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, however their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: In relation to your query regarding fees for music lessons during school hours, it is important to note that no mandatory charge or fee may be levied on parents or pupils in respect of instruction in any subject of the school curriculum or for recreation or other activities where all pupils are expected to take part. However a school may only seek payments in respect of extra-curricular...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (2 Nov 2021)

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 of the programme to further schools. This package follows an extensive body of work...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is currently consulting on new draft subject specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish. The L1 specification is aimed at students in Irish medium schools, including native speakers, and the L2 specification is aimed at students in English medium schools where Irish is taught as a second language. Schools participating in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Schemes (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: Once-off funding of €20 million will be provided for books, audio books and other reading materials to increase the literacy tools and supports available to children in schools. This grant funding will be provided to schools in 2022. Further details and guidelines will be provided to schools in early 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested in this question is not readily available. The information is currently being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (2 Nov 2021)

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 of the programme to further schools. This package follows an extensive body of work...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: The school building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. On June 14th 2021, this project was included in a bundle of projects which were tendered to a newly established Design & Build Contractors Framework. The tenders were returned on October 27th 2021 and are currently being assessed by my Department's Project...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Correspondence (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: A reply issued to Ms. Mary Curtin from the Department of Education on 19/10/2021

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (2 Nov 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Chief State Solicitor's Office, acting on behalf of my Department, is currently progressing the acquisition of the property in question through the conveyancing stage. My Department understands that the National Council for Special Education is currently supporting the school with a view to expediting their application for the works required to...