Results 16,601-16,620 of 19,660 for speaker:Norma Foley

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: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: 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 activity and movement to curb the spread of the virus. Regrettably all schools will remain closed to...

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

Norma Foley: Context for curriculum review and redevelopment The Primary School Curriculum (1999) is twenty-two years old this year. These years have seen considerable research on children’s learning and development and much societal change. Through reviews and evaluations, we have learned a lot about the successes of the curriculum as well as the challenges with the latter including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (13 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 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 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 Site Acquisitions (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, a suitable site in Castleblayney to accommodate the permanent school building has been identified. The acquisition is at a very advanced stage and officials in my Department are working hard to finalise the process, which will allow the project for the provision of a new permanent building to be progressed into the architectural planning...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Autism Support Services (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has committed capital funding for a permanent Special Educational Needs Base at the school in question.  The proposed project has been refused planning permission by Monaghan County Council.  Department officials are continuing to work with the National Council for Special Education and the school authority, of the...

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: State Examinations (13 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: 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 societal activity and movement to curb the spread of the virus in the community at this time. It remains my...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Tests (13 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. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Broadband Plan (13 Jan 2021)

Norma Foley: My Department does not have a role in the provision of residential broadband infrastructure. Provision for such services fall to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and this is being addressed through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area. My officials have an ongoing engagement with that Department on issues relating to broadband...

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

Norma Foley: My Department is committed to providing permanent accommodation to meet the needs of the school to which the Deputy refers. A number of potential site options have been identified and officials from my Department are currently appraising same. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time. I would...

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 the school planning areas and school 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 applications – pupils have applied for a place...

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

Norma Foley: It is the responsibility of the Department of Education to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. Parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to draft, publish and implement a school...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Accommodation (13 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 a permanent building for the...

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

Norma Foley: Planning for the 2021 state examinations is underway by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and my Department. It is recognised that a flexible and agile approach is necessary in light of the continuing fast-moving environment linked to Covid-19. This planning work is being assisted by an advisory group of key stakeholders which has recently been reconvened. The advisory group includes...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Examinations (13 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.