Results 16,481-16,500 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

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

Norma Foley: A specific issue has been raised by Deputy Gannon in terms of numbers prior to December. Deputy Gannon has said that I consistently articulate that school is a safe environment. I articulate it because that is the evidence, wisdom and expertise of public health. It is those in public health who are confirming this to us. Deputy Gannon will be aware that Dr. Holohan references low...

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

Norma Foley: I will finish this point. As public health professionals they have consistently confirmed that, in their expert opinion and experience, schools are safe environments. I defer to their expert treatment of the matter.

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

Norma Foley: The Deputy asked about public health advice and the new variant. At all stages, public health advice officials offer their expertise. They do it mindful of all that is happening from an epidemiological point of view in terms of what we would call the virus as we knew it and the new variants, whether the UK variant or the South African variant. All of that is taken into consideration when...

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

Norma Foley: I will make a brief comment and the Minister of State will then contribute. On the case outlined by the Deputy, it is for all those reasons and more that specific provision for the cohort of children with additional needs and profound and severe difficulties is being made so they are facilitated in terms of lockdown. I am personally aware of the difficulties and complexities faced by these...

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

Norma Foley: -----and that is ongoing.

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

Norma Foley: I am responding to both. I will take the opportunity to respond to Deputy Ó Ríordáin first. I acknowledge the engagement that has been forthcoming from the Opposition spokespersons on education, which I appreciate. On the specific point of consultation with the unions, I want to be very clear that I most definitely engaged with the unions on Monday of last week. I...

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

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy for the issues she highlighted. I must differ with her, however, regarding many of the points she made. The Deputy referred to a lack of planning. That is absolutely and utterly untrue. I hope the Deputy is aware of the efforts being made by schools to ensure children are catered for in these current circumstances with remote and online learning. They are in a position...

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

Norma Foley: I am pleased to be before the House to set out the work that myself and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, as well as our officials and indeed, the partners in education, have been engaged in over recent weeks to ensure the continued provision of education to our students throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. While schools are providing remote education at present, the resumption of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that in June 2019, my Department approved funding for the reconfiguration of a spare classroom to accommodate a special class for children with special needs, as an interim measure, for the school in question.  My Department will be communicating directly with the school authority shortly, regarding the status of their application for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: 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 October a suite of guidance materials, agreed with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is conscious of the fact that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with special educational needs can be even greater.  The Deputy will be aware that a number of meetings have taken place recently with primary and special education stakeholders. All parties are working together towards...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: Deputy, the information requested on the amount in minor grant scheme funding allocated to each county; and the number of primary, secondary and special schools that benefited from the scheme is outlined below. ">Minor Grant Scheme

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (14 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: Capital Expenditure Programme (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of projects being delivered may be viewed on my Department's website:   Project information is listed on a county basis and is updated regularly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: It remains my 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 Department. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department  is working closely under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department and Local Authorities with Fingal County Council in relation to the acquisition of the land adjoining the school for the purpose of extending the school site. Negotiations with the landowner are ongoing. Due to commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The reopening of schools and classes that cater for children with special needs is a priority for me. My Department is currently engaging with all stakeholders to address their concerns to facilitate the reopening of special schools and special classes as soon as possible. The Minister has been in contact with Rosedale Special School.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Strategies (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The policy initiatives undertaken by my Department since the formation of this Government and into 2021 are aligned with the commitments within the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future (2020). Specifically the immediate priorities following my appointment related to the reopening of our schools, the provision of a summer programme for those students with special education needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (14 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The tender process to establish the new Design & Build Contractors Framework commenced on the 4th December 2019. The second stage of the tender process which involves the detailed tender for several schools has commenced and is expected to be concluded in Quarter 1 2021. The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in the first bundle of projects...