Results 16,461-16,480 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

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: I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 331 together. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic my Department has issued extensive guidance material to assist schools with the continuity of learning. This guidance to schools was developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders including teachers, parents and learners. The guidance included provision to support the continuity of...

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: School Facilities (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic my Department has issued extensive guidance material to assist schools with the continuity of learning. This guidance to schools was developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders including teachers, parents and learners. The guidance included provision to support the continuity of teaching and learning in response to the Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Guidelines on Mental Health (20 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Promoting wellbeing is a fundamental element of the Department’s overall plan to support school communities as we continue to manage the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department is leading on supporting the wellbeing of schools communities at this time. The response to support the wellbeing of all within school...

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....

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Deputy Pringle mentioned public health advice and the decision to stand down our schools. I want to make it very clear that we have followed public health advice at every point. The public health advice suggested that there was a need to reduce mobility. We respected that and acted accordingly. I am very disappointed that the Deputy does not agree that it is important to give priority to...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: In terms of books, I would point out to the Deputy that click and collect and delivery are still in operation. On vaccinations, as I have mentioned, it is not within my gift, as he will appreciate. We have made representations to the Department of Health and discussions will continue on vaccinations for the school community. We will continue to engage on that issue.

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The advisory group on the leaving certificate has met on a number of occasions to look at the broadest matters relating to the exam. Accommodations have already been made in terms of dates for practical exams, projects and all of that. Equally, the engagement with the advisory group on further accommodation and contingencies that may need to be put in place will continue. In the interests...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The advisory group is continuing to meet and taking on board all the evolving situation, including the myriad voices on proceeding to the leaving certificate for 2021. I also point out that we very successfully ran the leaving certificate in November, just a short number of weeks ago. It was a full leaving certificate exam and all that learning, experience and public health advice relating...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: All the information on additional time for practicals, projects and all of that has been disseminated to the schools. They are aware of it and it was part of the contingency planning worked through with the advisory group that allowed sufficient time and space to make that additional time available if we were to find ourselves in what is now the current position. I reiterate that the...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. I can give my view and everybody else has a view. The Deputy spoke about certainty. When it was proposed to hold the leaving certificate exams last November in the middle of a period of level 5 restrictions, some doubt was cast as to whether we could deliver that. Yet again, taking on board the public health advice made available, a full leaving certificate written...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The Deputy asked about reopening and the judgment on that. There will be a review of that at the end of January, including a review concerning mobility in the education sector. I hope we are moving towards 1 February.

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I agree with the Deputy that the provision of special education remains an absolute priority to ensure that children with additional needs are catered for in the midst of a lockdown and otherwise. It was for all of those reasons that I and the Government made the decision that in the midst of the current lockdown that children with additional needs would be catered for but that proved...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The safety of students and staff has been the primary concern that has been addressed at all stages of the reopening of schools. It continues to be the primary motivation. The direction is given according to the public health advice, taking on board the UK strain and all other aspects from a public health point of view that need to be taken into account. It has been confirmed consistently,...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Regarding specific provision for children who are in danger of disadvantage, there is a programme in place and all the guidelines and provisions have been worked out with the partners in education. For example, schools have identified individuals who make direct contact with students. There is the Check and Connect programme and a variety of other programmes. The home school community...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. In the first instance, I will refer specifically to points that were raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett. I assure the Deputy, and I have articulated this previously, that every measure we have introduced into our schools is backed by public health advice and that we react immediately, taking account of the public health advice, in respect of any measures that...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy and acknowledge his engagement with me on an ongoing basis in respect of education issues. As already stated, I understand the anxiety and difficulties of our leaving certificate students in particular. I acknowledge that their representatives are very much part of our advisory committee that is preparing for our leaving certificate, which has met on two occasions and...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Regarding the Deputy's remarks on lack of engagement, which I utterly reject out of hand, it has been the hallmark of my Ministry that substantial engagement right from the very beginning has been attested by the reopening of our schools and ongoing engagement with all the partners in education. This includes parents, teachers, students and managerial bodies right across the weave of...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: It is very disappointing that Deputy Carthy-----