Results 16,481-16,500 of 19,660 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: 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...

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...