Results 16,561-16,580 of 19,660 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, a major project for the school in question is included in my Department's building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP). The accommodation brief for a 1,000 pupil school is currently being finalised. I also wish to advise that in order to meet the immediate accommodation needs of the school, interim...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Admissions (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including school planning areas referred to by the Deputy. Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Transport (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: 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 over €224.7m in 2020. The purpose of my...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department is committed to the provision of a new school building for the school referred to by the Deputy. A new site is required to facilitate this and my Department is considering a potential option in this regard and are in discussions with the relevant stakeholders. When these discussions are concluded my Department will be in further contact with the school authority.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: The school building project for the school in question is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme. The design is nearing completion and the Project Manager for the Design & Build programme is working towards submission of the planning application.  An on-line meeting will be organised before the planning application is lodged so that the plans...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Designation (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, from the school in question. Officials from my Department have recently communicated with the school authority and are awaiting a response, when received the assessment will be finalised and a decision will be conveyed directly to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Educational Psychological Service (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I have made enquiries in relation to the school referred to by the Deputy.  While the assigned psychologist is on maternity leave, the school continues to have access to critical incident and advisory support from NEPS and pupil casework via the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA). A member of the local NEPS team undertakes the role of advisory psychologist...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Site Acquisitions (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy may be aware, since April 2018 the Government has announced 47 new schools to be established over a four year period (2019 - 2022) including the new primary school referred to by the Deputy.  This school was established in 2019 under the patronage of Educate Together following a patronage process.  The school opened in interim accommodation pending the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Site Acquisitions (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, the building project for the school in question is included in my Department's capital programme. The acquisition of a permanent site for Malahide Portmarnock ETNS is at a very advanced stage of conveyancing. Once all contractual matters have been finalised the site will be assessed for Architectural Planning. While a site acquisition process is underway,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Admissions (13 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 Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Enrolments (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas, including the school planning areas referred to by the Deputy. Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Data (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 460, 512 to 514, inclusive, 528, and 530 to 532, inclusive, together. School communities have worked incredibly hard to operate safely under Covid-19. The Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. NPHET remain of the view that schools are low risk environments but recognise there is a need to reduce...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Transport (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: 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 over €224.7m in 2020. The purpose of my...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Accommodation (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is committed to providing a permanent accommodation solution for the school referred to. In this regard, a suitable site in Castleblayney to accommodate the permanent school building has been identified. The acquisition of this site has progressed well in recent weeks and is at a very advanced stage of conveyancing. Once this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Admissions (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas, including school planning areas in North Dublin. Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: - Duplication of applications – pupils...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Examinations (13 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 Defence: School Accommodation (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm to the Deputy, that an application for Major Capital Funding, has been received from the school in question.  Applications from schools for major capital works must be considered in the context of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Building Projects (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to confirm to the Deputy, that an application for Major Capital Funding, has been received from the school in question.  Applications from schools for major capital works must be considered in the context of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Enrolments (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that the question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. I would also advise the Deputy that where capacity...