Results 16,421-16,440 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is currently considering how the need for additional provision in the area referred to by the Deputy can be met. A decision in this regard will be made in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: It remains Governments' intention to operate the conventional 2021 Leaving Certificate examinations, with appropriate public health measures in place. This view is shared by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), which has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. Planning for these examinations is under way by the SEC and the Department....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The school to which the Deputy refers opened in September of 2020. The contract for the major building project at this school includes works in relation to the clearing and seeding of a green area to the east of the school building. These works will be undertaken in spring 2021 if circumstances, including the weather, permit. However, no provision has been made for the inclusion of a pitch...

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

Norma Foley: The public health restrictions which resulted in the closure of schools in March 2020 highlighted the absolute necessity for schools to be agile in providing for continuity of schooling in the future. A s a contingency measure against the possibility of partial or full school closures, my Department has already provided a suite of guidance materials, agreed with the education partners, to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB). I can confirm that a design team to deliver this project has been appointed by the ETB. My Department understands from KWETB that the design team is preparing the Stage 1 report (preliminary design) and it is nearing completion. While at this early stage it...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. The terms of this scheme are set out in circular 44/2020 which is available on my Department’s website at Payments to group providers of home tuition, such as the facility...

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

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together. Since last March, my Department has put in place a number of measures to support vulnerable learners and those at risk of educational disadvantage during possible partial or full school closures due to Covid-19. As a contingency measure for the possibility of partial or full school closures, my Department provided to schools in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: On 3 October 2020 I announced that I had asked that a comprehensive independent review of the design and implementation of the Calculated Grades process should take place. I want this review to consider key aspects of the Calculated Grades process, including the initial decision to adopt the model, whether the process met its objectives, how effective the process was, how the process worked...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is currently in the process of establishing a Framework of Design and Build Contractors to which Design and Build projects can be tendered. Once this framework is established, which is anticipated to be Quarter one 2021, it is intended that this project will be tendered as soon as possible thereafter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is currently in the process of establishing a Framework of Design and Build Contractors to which Design and Build projects can be tendered. Once this framework is established, which is anticipated to be Quarter One 2021, it is intended that this project will be tendered as soon as possible thereafter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together. School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 113,100 children, including over 14,500 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: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 220 together. It is acknowledged that this is a challenging time for school communities who have worked incredibly hard to operate safely under Covid-19. The Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. NPHET meet regularly and has considered the latest evidence and remain of the view that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (21 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: It remains Governments' intention to operate the conventional 2021 Leaving Certificate examinations, with appropriate public health measures in place. This view is shared by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), which has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations Planning for these examinations is underway by the SEC and the Department. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (21 Jan 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 113,100 children, including over 14,500 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 Department's...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that the Department are in contact with the school on this matter and we have sought further information. On receipt of the requested information a final decision will be made on the application for the works in question.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Planning for the 2021 state examinations is underway by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and my Department. It is recognised that a flexible and agile approach is necessary in light of the continuing fast-moving environment linked to Covid-19. This planning work is being assisted by an advisory group of key stakeholders which has recently been reconvened. I recognise the importance of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283, 307 and 325 together. The public health restrictions which resulted in the closure of schools in March 2020 highlighted the absolute necessity for schools to be agile in providing for continuity of schooling in the future. As a contingency measure against the possibility of partial or full school closures, my Department has already provided a suite of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (20 Jan 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 113,100 children, including over 14,500 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 Department has been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The Government decision, taken on 6 January, on foot of public health advice to reduce mobility in the community, was to close schools for the vast majority of students for a period of three weeks. Schools have been advised of the need to ensure appropriate education provision and support for students during this time. All schools have been advised of the need to have contingency plans...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department has received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, from the school in question. Officials from my Department have been communicating with the school authority and as a result the application is now progressing. On completion of the assessment process a decision will be relayed, directly, to the...