Results 15,381-15,400 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (22 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 85 and 88 together. The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). In accordance with Department Circular 44/2019 and the Terms and Conditions of Employment for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (22 Apr 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 my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (22 Apr 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.  With regard to transport...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (22 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: In the case of all new schools, it is general practice to include a Special Education Needs Base (SEN Base) in the accommodation brief for new school buildings, unless local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. Typically, a two classroom SEN Base is provided in new primary schools and a two or four classroom SEN Base is provided in new post primary schools.  The National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (22 Apr 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 my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (22 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: As the deputy is aware, all children educated in Ireland are expected to have the opportunity to study Irish to an appropriate standard, and that an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted by school management in the exceptional circumstances outlined in circular 0052/2019 (Primary) and 0053/2019 (Post Primary) only.  The Department of Education website has guidelines and FAQs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (22 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, in relation to the Junior National School referred to, my Department has recently approved this project to go to Construction Stage for a one-classroom SEN base, two mainstream classroom with ensuite toilets, and WC for assisted users under the Additional Accommodation Scheme. The project is expected to commence on-site...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (22 Apr 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. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (22 Apr 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 my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (22 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is currently in the final stages of the process of establishing a Design & Build contractors framework to which Design and Build projects can be tendered. During that tender process, some short extension of time requests were submitted by Tenderers for various reasons such as delays in receiving information from resources, delays in design completions, delays in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (22 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, in relation to the Junior National School referred to, my Department has recently approved this project to go to Construction Stage for a one-classroom SEN base, two mainstream classroom with ensuite toilets, and WC for assisted users under the Additional Accommodation Scheme. The project is expected to commence on-site...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (22 Apr 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: Transport Policy (22 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has a number of initiatives in place to encourage and facilitate employees to use active travel to commute to work. Such initiatives include: Cycle-to-work scheme: The Cycle-to-work scheme (generally known as the Bike to Work Scheme) is a tax incentive scheme to encourage staff to cycle to work and is in operation in my Department since 2009....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gaeltacht Scholarships (21 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: The current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education. Budget 2020 provided for the re-instatement of the grant to cover the full cost of the Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (21 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Education and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission. The criteria for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (21 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that the application for a change of status is under assessment in the Department. This assessment includes information provided by the Bishop. The Department in considering such applications must assess the implications, if any, of changing the status of a school(s) in the context of how this change may impact the viability of other schools in the area and must...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (21 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. It has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. NCSE seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special education placements. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: The response to confirmed cases or outbreaks of COVID-19 in the community or in a school is the responsibility of, and will be led and managed by, Public Health HSE. My Department has confirmed with Public Health that the enhanced Public Health schools teams are available to fully support schools, with full contact tracing and bulk fast-track testing provided within the school setting. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (21 Apr 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 my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (21 Apr 2021)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme was received from the school in question. The application was deemed invalid as it was not signed by the Chair of the Board of Management which is a requirement of the scheme. The school should have the Chair of the Board of Management sign the form on the relevant pages and email those...