Results 1,561-1,580 of 19,412 for speaker:Norma Foley

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: That is a fair point.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: That is a fair point and is perhaps something we could look at. If there is specific instance the Deputy has-----

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I can ask the NCSE to address that issue go ginearálta.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I know that is an issue close to the Deputy’s heart.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I absolutely appreciate the work of the mná tí. The whole purpose of students having an opportunity to experience living with a family and all of that is supportive of the language. The area of mná tí specifically falls within the Department of tourism. In terms of the supports we are in a position to provide, the capitation grant was removed after the recession. We...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Interestingly, almost as an aside, there has been a positive announcement today in terms of scholarships being provided for students in DEIS schools. That is a support being provided by Government. It is really positive that opportunities like that are provided to all young people and, in particular, to young people who may have challenges in availing of these opportunities. These DEIS...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator for his question. The reference to allowances refers to all allowances, not just those in respect of the Gaeltacht. The Department has implemented the outcome of the public-service-wide review of allowances and premium payments by the Department of public expenditure. This meant many allowance were no longer payable to new entrant teachers from 1 February 2012. Among...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: In the first instance I acknowledge that there are responsibilities for all teachers and staff irrespective of the medium through which they teach. I attended an excellent event today in which young people from all over the country showcased the work they are doing through the Cineáltas programme by the Department. I recognised that the delivery of that programme and the opportunities...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: It is certainly desirable. If a person attains a position of director, whatever that directorship might be, there is further education and training available to improve proficiency in Irish. That said, fluency is certainly desirable and could be helpful in the role. As long as an individual is prepared to upscale their Irish if it is part of their post remit, much as we are currently...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: On the Deputy’s first question, there is very strong collaboration between my Department and the Department of children. As recently as this month alone, officials from the two Departments met to discuss the national plan for Irish. There is collaboration there. I know it has always been the Deputy's view that there is benefit to students in speaking more than one language. I agree...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Yes, we are seeking to do that. That is the purpose of the engagement between the Department of children and ourselves. We are working together. Many of our primary and post-primary initiatives are making their way into early years education. I refer to things like the DEIS programme, the extension of which is being considered. There is no reason that cannot happen language-wise. I...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The legislation does not currently allow for the setting up of another ETB. I can pre-empt what the Deputy will say next, but he might appreciate that I am just giving him the information on the situation at present. Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI, would say that it has an education policy and development officer who has specific responsibility for Irish-medium education in ETB...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Okay. I say to the Deputy that I am only outlining where we are at present. That is not to say that things cannot change going forward. I am setting out the present provision under the current legislation.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I know. I should also say I acknowledge that Deputy Ó Cuív has indicated that he is stepping aside from his current role. I want to acknowledge that here. I acknowledge his fantastic engagement, particularly to do with all things educational. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that here.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Similarly to Deputy Ó Cuív, I wish Deputy McHugh well and I acknowledge his great work when in the chair I sit in and in this committee. I am nearly reluctant to go near Deputy O'Sullivan or the Chair for fear that they will make a similar announcement. Guím gach rath air.

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Cur Chuige an Stáit i gCur Chun Cinn Chóras Gaeloideachais: An tAire Oideachais (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: We referenced Wales earlier. I visited there and was interested and keen to see how it was progressing on its ambitious targets. It is a programme for Government target. I believe Conradh na Gaeilge's view is that we should go from 6% to 20%. The programme for Government proposed 6% to 12%. I have not seen the draft. I made this point earlier. As it stands, it is just a framework. I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 26 and 27 together. The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. The school transport fleet is made up...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: My Department funds the purchase of specialised furniture and equipment for children with special educational needs. A School can apply for specialised furniture or equipment for students with special educational needs who are enrolled in the school. This includes furniture for a particular child's postural and toileting needs which assists the students in managing their day to day needs and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (25 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to...