Results 14,481-14,500 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are 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 the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including Clondalkin_22 School Planning Area. (SPA) Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication of applications – pupils have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's school building programme. The accommodation brief for the proposed project is currently being considered and a site visit is required to assist in developing the brief. My Department has been in contact with the school authorities in this regard. With regard to teacher allocation,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools. For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils which is a historical...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the school itself does not require prefabs for the 2021/22 academic year as they have sufficient accommodation in the building they are temporarily occupying. This school referred to by the Deputy shares the campus with two other schools, both of which, do require additional accommodation for September 2021. With regard to those two...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: From February 2020 all recognised schools in Ireland were required to draft a new school admission policy in accordance with the Act’s requirements. These draft policies required consultation with the Patron, the staff of the school and parents of children attending the school. These revised admission policies have been approved by respective Patrons, and are published on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (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 relation to a site for the school in respect of which the Deputy is enquiring. A number of site options have been identified and assessed by my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools. Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment on the previous 30 September. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: The building project referred to by the deputy is being funded under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme 2021. The project will provide refurbishment of 1,150 square metres of existing permanent accommodation. This accommodation includes the following provision: 6 general classrooms; a staff room; a Principal’s office; a general office; a meeting room; a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (1 Jul 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: Special Educational Needs (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm that my Department has been in contact with the Parish in relation to potential acquisition of Booterstown Parish Hall. A valuation of the hall is currently being assessed by Department Officials and once completed, my Department will be in a position to enter into negotiations for the potential acquisition of the hall. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020. All children who are eligible...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: I am keenly aware of the huge contribution made by all Principals in our schools, including principals in schools with special classes. The allocation of an Administrative Principal position to a school is based on the school’s enrolment. A reduced enrolment threshold applies to schools operating 2 Autism special classes so that an Administrative Principal is allocated on the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Oideachas Gaeltachta (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Is é príomhaidhm an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022, de chuid na Roinne Oideachais, ná úsáid na Gaeilge i bpobail Ghaeltachta a thacú agus a chothú trí sholáthar oideachais trí mheán na Gaeilge a neartú i limistéir phleanála teanga Gaeltachta. Ó cuireadh tús le feidhmiú an Pholasaí in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (1 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: Educational Disadvantage (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Since the onset of Covid19 and throughout the 2020/21 school year, my Department has continued to engage with education partners, which includes school management representative bodies, and principal and teacher representative bodies, and the national parent councils (primary and post primary). The purpose of this engagement is to ensure that all schools, including DEIS schools, are supported...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) undertook an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways, including Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Established. The review has involved research, extensive consultation and communications with stakeholders. It also benefitted...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (1 Jul 2021)

Norma Foley: Access to sexual and health education is an important right for students. Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is mandatory in all primary schools and in post-primary Junior Cycle. Relationships and Sexuality Education (or RSE) is required at all levels, from primary through to Senior Cycle. My Department has set out the content for each of these programmes in SPHE syllabuses and...