Results 16,501-16,520 of 19,660 for speaker:Norma Foley

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-----

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...