Results 13,901-13,920 of 19,621 for speaker:Norma Foley

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Risk Management (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator. I will read into the record the reply that has been provided by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, on the issue raised by the Senator. I appreciate the importance and significance of this issue for the people of Galway. I am pleased to provide an update on the Coirib go Cósta - Galway City Flood Relief Scheme. Galway City Council, as project sponsor and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Risk Management (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I will ensure that the Senator gets the reply. However, from my experience in my county, I appreciate the importance of projects of this nature and also the importance of speed, as the Senator outlined. I understand that, so I will certainly communicate that to the Minister of State.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Risk Management (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Senator and the general public can appreciate, there has to be a staged process, which is an important process in terms of delivery. However, I appreciate the urgency that is necessary to benefit the immediate difficulty that people are experiencing. I will communicate that to the Minister of State.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I support the comments she made about the importance and significance of the work that is done by school escorts. However, before I address the specific issue, I will provide an outline of the extent of the school transport system. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator again for raising the matter. It is an important matter because there is valuable work ongoing. I can confirm that as this is amended and corrected, no one will be disadvantaged as a consequence of how it arose in the first place.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address this issue in the House today. As the Senator has already acknowledged, I am reading this into the record on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. Improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and addressing our climate action challenge. This Government is committed to a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator for her comments. There has been no Government decision to defer MetroLink. It is the intention of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, that construction would commence in the lifetime of the Government, noting the requirements of planning permission and the necessary Government approval. As I said earlier, I understand an extensive body of work remains to finalise...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Agreements (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator for raising the issue. The Energy Charter Treaty is a political declaration on international energy co-operation with 53 signatories and contracting parties, including all EU member states, except Italy. It was signed in 1994 and entered into legal force in 1998. I regret that the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is not present, but I read into the record for the Senator's...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Agreements (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: I again thank the Senator. The issue she has raised will be communicated to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I appreciate the points she has raised and the conviction with which she delivered them. I have every confidence that the Minister will revert to her in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Broadband Plan (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and within financial constraints. Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. Broadband capacity can vary across geographical locations and is dependent on local...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cybersecurity Policy (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: In relation to guidance from Government, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which is located within the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, is the primary cyber security authority in the State. The NCSC provides a range of cyber security services to operators of Critical National Infrastructure, Government Departments and Agencies. My Department's cyber...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Standards (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and supporting small schools. As part of the Budget 2021 measures, the Government have sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a 1 point change to the primary staffing schedule and the introduction of a three point reduction in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Teacher allocations to all 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 schools annually and are available on the Department website. At primary level, Budget 2021 provided for 394 posts to reduce further the primary staffing schedule by one point,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Officials in my Department have been working towards the acquisition of a permanent site to meet the needs of a new special school and have engaged with officials in Cork City Council in that respect. A suitable site has been identified and engagement with the landowner is ongoing with a view to reaching agreement in principle as soon as possible. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Staff of my department have been working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which had provided for home working to continue where possible with the exception of roles where the nature of the work did not lend itself to remote working. Following the Taoiseach's announcement on the 1st of September, my department is now in the process of introducing a phased return to the workplace. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The information sought in relation to the aegis bodies under the remit of my Department is not held by my Department. Contact details for the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools through my Department's School Broadband Access Programme. As you will be aware, broadband capacity can vary across geographical locations and is dependent on local infrastructure which can impact on the service that can be provided in individual schools. The school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and within financial constraints, through the Schools Broadband Programme. Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. As you will be aware, broadband capacity can vary across...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (22 Sep 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: Education Schemes (22 Sep 2021)

Norma Foley: The Summer Camp programme is a voluntary programme which has been delivered annually in approximately 70 DEIS Band 1 primary schools for many years. The aim of the Summer Camp Programme is to provide rich educational experiences for pupils, which foster a sense of belonging and creativity and confidence in their learning. In the context of the school closures associated with Covid-19, the...