Results 14,401-14,420 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy's that the school in question has submitted a tender report for their Summer Works Project, these documents are currently being assessed. The Department will contact the school shortly with their decision.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: On 17 February I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations would proceed, guided by public health advice, and that students would also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision was taken by government to ensure for every candidate in 2021, a method to assess their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school in question requested and were subsequently approved an uplift in funding to complete their Summer Works Scheme project.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is acutely aware of the disruption caused to students as a result of school closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. From 11 January 2021, all students, including students currently in fifth year and who are due to sit the Leaving Certificate examinations in 2022, engaged in a programme of remote learning with their schools. Students in fifth year were prioritised for a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Health Services (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Schools have put significant infection prevention control measures in place to reduce the risk of coronavirus being transmitted to/within the school and significant funding of almost €650 million has been put in place by my Department to fund Covid-19 related measures, including funding for PPE, sanitation and additional cleaning etc. These measures will continue for the coming school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Mental Health Services (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department’s approach to supporting wellbeing and mental health is set out in its Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice first published in 2018 and refreshed in 2019. The approach proposed is a whole school and preventative approach which has multiple components that include providing children and young people with opportunities to: - build core social and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school on behalf of the Patron. The Department published Circular 32/2017 in 2017 which introduced measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs. This includes principles of cost-effective practices to be adopted, including...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 331 together. The Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. Public health remain of the view that schools are low risk environments and that the infection prevention and control measures in place in school are effective. The CMO has also made it very clear in his advices to Government...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (6 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: The Department of Education are pleased to confirm the acquisition of approximately 22 acres at Shanlothe, Trim, Co. Meath for the provision of permanent accommodation for Scoil Mhuire Post Primary school. It is intended the 22 acre site will cater for additional educational facilities in the future, if required. With regard to capacity levels in secondary schools in Trim, there are 2...

Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I also thank the Senators who previously contributed to the development of the Bill. I particularly acknowledge the personal engagement and personal witness of many of the contributors this evening. These have added greatly to the debate. It is such a positive step that we can garner unanimity within the Chamber on this issue. I am...

Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on this vitally important Bill. At the heart of it is the underlying principle that we must strive for an education that enriches, values and nurtures every child and young person within it. The Government will be supporting this Bill. I am acutely aware of the power of education and specifically the power that it has in not only...

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...