Results 16,441-16,460 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pay (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The criteria for the award of Incremental Credit, for previous teaching experience, to recognised post-primary teachers is outlined in Circular 29/2007 and 10/2001 for primary teachers, and was agreed in the first instance, by the Teacher Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of the teacher unions, school management bodies, the Department of Public...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 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: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: As part of the €210m investment programme underpinning the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools, my Department provided €100m in grant funding to schools to address their ICT needs during 2020. Schools were advised that they can use this funding to support the continuity of teaching and learning should a period of partial or full school closure occur arising from...

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

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: Schools Site Acquisitions (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The NDFA is currently undertaking the second phase of the process of appointment of multi-disciplinary technical advisors (design teams) for these projects. Thereafter, it will ensure that the project progresses to design...

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

Norma Foley: In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Acts 1998 to 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area. Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is the psychological service of my Department. It is a school-based service with an overall objective of providing an educational psychology service to all schools, through the application of psychological theory and practice, to support the wellbeing, and academic, social and emotional development of all learners. NEPS prioritises...

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

Norma Foley: The administration of the vaccine and prioritisation of vulnerable or essential groups is a matter for the Health Service Executive. As the Deputy will be aware, the Strategy for the vaccine was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020....

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

Norma Foley: It remains the Government's 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....

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

Norma Foley: I recognise that the needs of pupils in the infant and junior classes require particular consideration. Schools have been advised that Parents/guardians will require specific guidance on how best to support their children at home, when in a position to do so. It is important that parents are provided with clear information about how the tasks and activities will help their child make progress...

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

Norma Foley: The Government decision, taken on 30 December, on foot of public health advice to reduce mobility in the community, was to extend school holidays by 3 days. My Department is acutely aware of the disruption caused to pupils/students as a result of school closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The public health restrictions which resulted in the closure of schools in March 2020...

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

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

Norma Foley: The Government published the Roadmap for the Full Return to School, along with details of a financial package of over €375 million to support the implementation of the measures in the roadmap, following approval by Government. The range of supports being made available to all schools in the free education scheme include additional financial supports to provide for PPE and hand hygiene...

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

Norma Foley: It remains the governments firm 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...

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

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

Norma Foley: As part of the €210m investment programme underpinning the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools, my Department provided €100m in grant funding to schools to address their ICT needs during 2020. Schools were advised that they can use this funding to support the continuity of teaching and learning should a period of partial or full school closure occur arising from...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Meetings (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The Government decision, taken on 6 January, on foot of public health advice, was to close schools for the vast majority of students for a period of three weeks, with certain exceptions. This decision was to support the overall public health objective to limit the movement of people in society while aiming to protect certain groups who would be more adversely impacted by school closure. The...

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

Norma Foley: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's school building programme. The next step includes determining the accommodation brief for the project, which will be part of a campus development, with a view to progressing the project to the next stage as quickly as possible. My Department is in ongoing contact with the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: School Placement is a critical part of initial teacher education (ITE). It is first and foremost a space and time where student teachers learn to become teachers. It enables the student teacher to experience teaching and learning in a variety of contexts, and to participate in school life in a way that is structured and supported. In consultation with my Department and the relevant...