Results 14,401-14,420 of 19,621 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: To be fair to all who have engaged in this process, we were in a position yesterday, at the end of June, to make an announcement regarding forward planning for the class of 2022, which includes accommodation in terms of the exam. It is proportionate. It is the accommodation that was made available originally in August, with a further modification in December in terms of the assessment of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Equipment (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I agree with the Deputy that we have learned an enormous amount from the pandemic as we have gone through it. We have also learned of the flexibility, adaptability and resilience of schools in meeting challenges as they are presented. I want to be very clear that with the resourcing of schools, more than €100 million has been made available to them during the pandemic, specifically...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Equipment (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I confirm that the consultation process was wide and provided online and questionnaire resources etc. There was an opportunity for people to engage and much of that is being analysed now. There have been and will continue to be bilateral engagements with a variety of different stakeholders and partners in education on the formulation of a new policy. It is my intention that we will be in a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: As I have said, the Department and I, as Minister for Education, are acutely aware of the disruption caused to all students as a result of school closures arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. From 11 January 2021, all students engaged in a programme of remote learning with their schools and I express appreciation to schools for managing that. Students who have just completed fifth year...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: It is important to acknowledge there has been a considerable amount of forward planning by the Department in preparing for the 2022 leaving certificate. I acknowledge the contribution of the advisory group, as I outlined, which is representative of students, parents, teachers, managerial bodies and the wider spectrum of education partners. It is positive that we can now indicate to students...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Equipment (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: As Deputy Smyth may be aware, an investment programme of €210 million has been delivered under the current Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. As the Deputy's previous question demonstrated, there undoubtedly is a strong role for digital devices and the use of digital technology in teaching and learning within our education system, and we must support its continued development. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: It was remiss of me not to say that I appreciate the importance of seeing progress being made here as quickly as possible from the point of view of school communities, staff, parents, boards of management and local communities. I know I am repeating myself at this stage but I assure the Deputy that every effort is being made. There have been ongoing and protracted engagements in an attempt...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Again I wish to acknowledge that this is something of particular interest to the Deputy on which he has engaged with me on an ongoing basis and I wish to express my appreciation for that. The Deputy will be aware that the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019 completed all Stages of the Seanad in 2019. I confirm that the Department is currently awaiting an Order for Second...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the Deputy's comments and I am in entire agreement with him. I strongly believe in the partnership approach in education. I also want to acknowledge that we see that work very effectively in many schools. As the Deputy has referenced the pandemic, we have seen extraordinary examples of that working so well and significantly to facilitate schools and school communities to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm that we are working on a support fund and support resource for schools in acknowledgement of the position in which we find ourselves in the pandemic and the loss on occasion of in-person teaching and learning. From the point of view of school staff I want to acknowledge that this was notwithstanding the remote learning that was provided by schools. I am conscious of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Facilities (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. I appreciate the sincerity with which he has put forward his views. I want to confirm that the Department has no issue with schools making arrangements with local communities, provided that does not in any way impinge upon the needs of the school at any given time. Therefore, it is important that negotiations around that are at a local level and, as I have outlined,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Facilities (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. I acknowledge that we are not too far apart in what he is saying. I want to acknowledge that the Department has no issue. As we previously outlined, it has made guidelines available as to how best practice would work in terms of ensuring how this would operate. As I said, I want to be clear because I do not want the impression to go abroad that this is not happening...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the memorandum of understanding in place between local authorities and my Department in respect of the acquisition of suitable sites for schools, officials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in Cork City Council in regard to a site for the school, Le Chéile, in respect of which the Deputy is inquiring. A number of site options have been identified and assessed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: As I said, I appreciate the bona fides of the Deputy's inquiry. It has been an ongoing priority on his agenda with the Department of Education. I want to be very clear that the Department is doing all it can to engage with all sides to ensure we can expedite the provision of an appropriate site for all concerned as quickly as possible. In regard to Cork City Council, I want to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is acutely aware of the disruption caused to all students because of school closures arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Yesterday, following a meeting of the advisory group on planning for State examinations, I announced that the level of adjustment to the assessment arrangements for the 2022 leaving certificate examination cohort would be broadly the same as that applied to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, I am very conscious of the time lost in terms of in-person teaching and learning for the class of 2022. I acknowledge the work of the advisory group. When I reference the advisory group, I want to be clear about who is involved in that. As the students, parents, teachers, joint managerial bodies and the Department are at the heart of that, it is a representative and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Examinations (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I am deeply conscious of the ongoing work in our schools throughout the pandemic. The Deputy will appreciate that the situation is always in flux for both the education sector and society as we deal with the pandemic. Notwithstanding that, considerable planning has gone into provision not just for this year but for the new school year as it begins in September. Schools have already been...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Facilities (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: The policy of my Department is to support the use of school premises and facilities for community and recreational purposes where possible. In October 2017, following consultation with the relevant school authorities, my Department published guidelines on the use of school buildings outside of school hours. These guidelines can be viewed on my Department's website. The purpose of these...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under the Department’s design and build programme. I want to be clear that this project is a priority for the Department. The permanent location for the school will be on a greenfield site in the Department’s ownership at Maryborough, Douglas, Cork. The school when complete will provide...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the points the Deputy has made, especially the point regarding the students who have moved through the years. I understand the impact on the entire school community, including the staff of the school, the board of management, the parents and, as I said, the students themselves. The Deputy will also appreciate, however, that, as with any application for planning permission,...