Results 15,741-15,760 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 26 — Education (Revised)
Vote 45 — Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (23 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. She referenced the hot meal programme. I absolutely agree with her that it is a hugely important programme within our schools. It is funded through the Department of Social Protection and the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has responsibility for that programme. This obviously is done in co-operation with my Department but the funding actually comes from elsewhere. I...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 26 — Education (Revised)
Vote 45 — Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (23 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: It has been determined that all new builds will have specific provision for special classes in the future.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 26 — Education (Revised)
Vote 45 — Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (23 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: On the transport issue, as I have said, it is not without its difficulties and issues, hence we are involved in an entire review of the transport system. As I outlined, it my intention that an interim report would be published prior to the return to school in September. It is our intention that, as far as possible, children who are eligible, and who have paid on time and met the criteria,...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 26 — Education (Revised)
Vote 45 — Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (23 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: In the first instance, I want to state there is a strong digital strategy within the Department with a clear focus on enhancing teaching, learning and investment. In excess of €210 million has been made available to promote digital learning within our schools. The purpose of that funding is to ensure there are platforms available across our schools but, equally, as the Chairman has...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 26 — Education (Revised)
Vote 45 — Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (23 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: -----analysis and review of how systems have worked. There was a very strong commitment from the Department to resource the purchase of any equipment needed, platforms and all of that. There will be a need now to review that to see how it has worked.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 26 — Education (Revised)
Vote 45 — Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (23 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: To clarify, there is consistent and ongoing engagement with all of the partners in education. I have a number of meetings scheduled this week with them but it is very much an ongoing engagement. The Department values the whole partnership approach. I want to be magnanimous in acknowledging the engagement across the board, not only by the teaching unions and managerial bodies but also the...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 26 — Education (Revised)
Vote 45 — Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (23 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: I will revert to the Chairman on the specific number but we are very clear that there has been engagement, where required, with public health. The enhanced school teams have engaged with the process. That is confirmed by public health and experts on NPHET. An outbreak refers to two cases. Where outbreaks have been identified, it has been confirmed that the transmissibility and detection...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 26 — Education (Revised)
Vote 45 — Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (23 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: In the first instance, I acknowledge that an enormous body of work has been undertaken by all of society to ensure that our schools, in the midst of level 5 and a lockdown which pertains to virtually all of society at this point, reopened on a cautious and phased basis. An enormous debt of gratitude is owed to all of society for supporting and facilitating that by doing what we all need to...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 26 — Education (Revised)
Vote 45 — Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised) (23 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Chairman.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (11 Mar 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. A number of GLPs due to take place in 2020 were postponed due to public health restrictions. Also, due to the uncertainties of how...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (11 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: The school referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to Louth County Council. The process of preparation of tender documentation for the project is effectively completed. However, there are some issues, including a design issue, that have recently arisen in respect of this project and which need to be considered before the tendering process itself can begin. At this stage of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (11 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision ensures for every student a method to assess their learning and attainment at the end of their post-primary education and to progress to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (11 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: As previously advised to the Deputy, my Department is committed to the provision of a new school building for the school in question. A new site is required to faciliate this and my Department is considering a potential option. It is not possible at this point to indicate a timeline for the construction of a new school building. My Department is currently liaising with the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (11 Mar 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 (GIS). The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department's own school enrolment databases, to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (11 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, 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, including Child Benefit, school enrolment data and information regarding residential development to identify where additional school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (11 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the provision of PE Halls form part of the accommodation brief for all newly established schools. These facilities may also form part of the overall accommodation brief for major capital extensions to existing schools. Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (11 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: The Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. The CMO has made it very clear in his advices to Government which are published on gov.ie, that schools are safe environments, with very little evidence of transmission within schools, and that the majority of infections of children and adolescents occurs outside the school setting. Schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (11 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: Following a Government decision on 17 February, I confirmed that the Junior Cycle examinations will not be run in 2021. Guidance and further information relating to the Junior Cycle of 2021 has now been published by my Department and is available at . These guidelines include details on the alternative form of certification designed to meet the current exceptional circumstances. A state...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (11 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: The Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. The Department of Health and the HSE have reaffirmed that schools in themselves are low risk environments and that a gradual phased reopening can occur at this time. Public health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure safe operation of schools and is satisfied that these infection...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (11 Mar 2021)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission (SEC) 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.