Results 14,821-14,840 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (3 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: I can advise the Deputy that in order to be a recognised Guidance Counsellor in a post primary school, one must hold (a) a post-primary teaching qualification (PME) (b) a recognised qualification in school guidance counselling and (c) be fully recognised by the Teaching Council as a post-primary teacher. Circular 0031/2011 on Teacher Recruitment, Registration and Qualifications and sets...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Child Abuse (3 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: As you are aware, the ex gratia scheme was established on foot of the specific circumstances arising from and in response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) relating to Louise O'Keeffe.  The Department undertook to review the scheme in response to a determination by the Independent Assessor, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill that one of the criteria for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (3 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, from the school authority referred to by the Deputy.  Officials from my Department have been communicating with the school authority and as a result of additional information provided, the application is now...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (3 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm for the Deputy that Clare County Council have finalised the legal conveyancing on a plot of land in the centre of Kilrush which was acquired from a third party landowner. As the Deputy is aware, a master planning exercise is nearing completion by Clare County Council (assisted by this Department) in order to determine the best technical layout for the site. Once this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Places (3 Jun 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 school planning areas in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (2 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Before I address it specifically, I wish to provide the House an outline of the extent of the school transport service. School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year, more than 114,000 children, including more than 14,700 children with special educational needs,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (2 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: I acknowledge the points the Deputy raises. The reason behind many of them gives rise to the necessity for a review. I come from a rural constituency and am more than familiar with the issues that have pertained to the school transport system. I deal with it with my constituents. It has been an ongoing issue for many years and it predates many of us being elected to the House. It is for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Jun 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.  Private contractors...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Management (2 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that in relation to school admissions, parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available, the pupil should be admitted.  However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process may be necessary.  This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (2 Jun 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: Transfer of Service (2 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm to the Deputy that officials of the Pension Unit of my Department have been in communication since 2 May 2021 with the individual concerned and with the Louth-Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB), with regard to the person’s transfer of service.  Statements of service had been previously supplied to the individual to share with the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capital Expenditure Programme (2 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: During the National Development Plan period 2018 to 2020, 526 school building projects were completed under the Large Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). These projects delivered in excess of 48,000 school places, which included permanent accommodation for 229 special classes and additional capacity for 67 classrooms in 14 special schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (2 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: Following discussions with the Education Partners it was agreed as part of the accredited grades process, that post-primary schools would close on 28 May this year rather than 4 June in order to complete the work required on accredited grades. The primary focus for the week beginning 31 May is the completion of the work required for Accredited Grades, in order to ensure that Leaving...

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

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, agreement in principle has been reached to acquire a site for the permanent location of the school in question. The location of the permanent site will incorporate the current temporary site at Mill Road, Drogheda at which the school is currently located. Officials in my Department are working together to manage the site acquisition, interim accommodation and the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (2 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is providing 4 additional general classrooms to the school in question which will facilitate the enrolments of 96 pupils for September 2021. I understand the school authority has offered 72 school places and do not propose to offer any additional places.

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

Norma Foley: I understand from the school authority, that there is an issue around title to the property and that the local authority is working with a private individual to address this issue. As both the school site and the land in question are not in state ownership, my Department has no role in this matter. However, the information provided by the school authority has been forwarded to the CSSO.

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

Norma Foley: Choices regarding educational materials, textbooks and other educational products and services are made by individual schools and their boards of management, not by my Department. Schools have the autonomy to choose whatever resources they feel supports the delivery of the curriculum in their school. My Department does not endorse products or services from individual, commercial or other...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (2 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design & Build programme. A planning application for interim accommodation for the school on its permanent site was lodged on the 26thMay 2021. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at the offices of South Dublin County Council,...

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

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 410 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (1 Jun 2021)

Norma Foley: As the decision-making authority for any amalgamation is the patron/trustees of the schools concerned, it is open to any patron to submit proposals to the Department for consideration. Any proposed change involves extensive negotiations at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local...