Results 14,961-14,980 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I want to be very clear that there is no intention of keeping anything under wraps. There is no intention whatsoever of concealing any detail. What is important to remember is that the process of standardisation is just that: it is a process, not a static formula. It is very important to point out that even if we were to look at the written leaving certificate exam in terms of that...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Order for Committee Stage (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I move: "That Committee Stage be taken now."

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: As I said in the Seanad when the same amendment was tabled, I agree with it in principle but I must reiterate the point that I made on that occasion in response to what is being requested by the Deputy. Fundamentally, the process of standardisation will operate at national level. It is preferable to use aggregate or cohort data, as the evidence is that the use of junior cycle data in the...

Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I agree with the principle behind this amendment in terms of transparency in how the process of standardisation would operate. However, the amendment seeks to have the process of standardisation published in advance of results day. This is not something that can be agreed to as the final composition or application of the process will not, or at least may not, be known right up to the day of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 140, inclusive, together. I wish to advice the Deputy that my Department has carried out a detailed analysis to identify areas where, due to demographic growth, there may be a requirement for additional school provision both at primary and post-primary level. It was identified that there is a need for additional post-primary provision in the Lucan...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: An exemption from the study of Irish may only be granted by school management in the exceptional circumstances outlined in section 2.2. of circular 0052/2019 (Primary) and 0053/2019 (Post Primary). As such, I have no role in the granting of exemptions. Any pupil who does not meet the criteria for an exemption from the study of Irish should be provided with a differentiated approach to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pay (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Circular 0027/2016 allows for the recognition of previous service in an analogous teaching position in the public service of another EU Member State when determining whether an individual is a new appointee to teaching and the appropriate salary scale on which to place him/her. This circular recognised this service on the same basis as if such service was given in Ireland when determining...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: All DEIS schools receive funding through a DEIS Grant which is to be used to support the implementation of the schools’ DEIS Action Plan for Improvement, which sets targets under key themes, such as attendance, retention, progression, literacy and numeracy, partnership, transition, wellbeing and examination attainment (post-primary only). A key focus of these themes is that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: It is the policy of my Department not to endorse or promote any external product or service, publication, professional consultant or company. In this case the endorsement might be seen as advice to parents/schools in what is a complex and sensitive area i.e. children’s use of the internet. There are extensive training and curricular supports, including through the Social Personal...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (19 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Cuireadh moill ar aistriú na cóiríochta sealadaí nua maidir leis an scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta. Is é an chúis atá leis an moill ná go bhfuil mo Roinn ag fanacht le rannpháirtíocht ó ESB Networks ar an láithreán. Leanfaidh oifigigh mo Roinne orthu ag coinneáil comhlacht pátrúnachta na scoile ar an...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. Before I address the specific issues raised, I would like to provide Members with an outline of the extent of the school transport service and what it entails. School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year, over 114,000 children, including over 14,700 children...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the points made by the Deputies. A positive and proactive approach is being taken in my Department to advancing appropriate provision for children with additional needs. We are very much committed to this. That one fifth of the entire education budget is to be expended on special education is, in itself, a vote of intent indicating our determination to deliver in the area of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: There have been particular challenges in east Cork but substantial progress has been made in the provision of places in the area. I acknowledge the ongoing goodwill and co-operation from schools on the ground which have very much engaged with the Department in making provision available for September 2021 in allocating places. That is the result of an ongoing engagement which has been...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue as it gives me an opportunity to outline the current position regarding provision for children with special educational needs, including autism. With regard to the particular case referred to by the Deputies, I am assured by the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, that the local special education needs organiser, SENO, is working with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Access to sexual and health education is an important right for students.  Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory curriculum subject 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.  The Teaching Council registers teachers in line with the requirements set out in the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and the Teaching Council (Registration)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Youth Services (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department will contribute €3,427,000 in funding to Creative Youth Plan Initiatives in 2021. A number of the initiatives under the Creative Youth Plan are delivered by my Department in partnership with other Departments including the Creative Schools, Creative Clusters and Local Community Youth Partnership initiatives and provide a number of recreational opportunities for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: The Girls' National school referred to by the deputy was approved 8x 80m2 Classrooms (Prefab replacement), 2x 80m2 Classrooms, 3x SET rooms and ancillary provision under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2018.  This project is currently at design stage and the Department is awaiting submission of the Stage 1 Report for review. The responsibility for progressing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: I appreciate that this project is a priority for the Deputy, as it is for my Department.  My Department is very conscious of the difficulties the school authorities and the families have to contend with and, in this regard, my officials will continue to treat this acquisition as urgent.  The site acquisition process is very complex and subject to completion of successful...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Tionscadail Fhoirgnimh Scoile (18 May 2021)

Norma Foley: Tá mórthionscadal tógála na scoile dá dtagraíonn an Teachta ag céim ard den Phleanáil Ailtireachta, Céim 2 (b) - Dearadh Mionsonraithe. Rinne mo Roinn athbhreithniú ar thuarascáil Chéim 2 (b) le déanaí agus eisíodh tuairimí chuig Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Bhaile Átha Cliath Dún Laoghaire...