Results 16,641-16,660 of 19,660 for speaker:Norma Foley

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

Norma Foley: The project for the school referred to by the Deputy commenced on site in March 2020 it is progressing satisfactorily with a contract duration of approximately 20 months.

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

Norma Foley: While there are certain outstanding additional works to take place on site, the new school buildings referred to by the Deputy were practically completed in December and are ready for occupation. The existing school site referred to by the Deputy is not in the Minister’s ownership and queries in relation to any arrangements regarding this site should be referred to the owner of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 382 together. My Department received advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on the use of face coverings in educational settings. It is a requirement for face coverings to be worn by teachers, staff in schools and students attending post primary school. However, public health advice also provides that cloth face coverings should...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The Deputy will be aware that a building project to provide improved accommodation for the schools in question is included on the school building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP). My Department is anxious to advance building projects for both schools and at a recent meeting with school representatives, it was explained that the complexities...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Sibling First Admission Policy (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 374 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Establishment (17 Dec 2020)

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, utilising data from a range of sources including information on planned and current residential development, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. Malahide is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

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 the 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, given the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Establishment (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Since 2015, two new schools have been announced to serve the Dún Laoghaire school planning area: a new primary school which was established in 2017; and a new post-primary school to serve Dún Laoghaire and the Booterstown-Blackrock school planning areas as a regional solution, which is to be established in 2021. Following a patronage process, patronage of the new primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: There are four properties in my ownership in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area the management of which has not passed to a school patron. The configuration of these properties to meet school requirements in the area has not yet been finalised. My Department is working on plans for these existing properties to meet some of the requirements for primary and secondary schools in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together. As the Deputy is aware, a number of potential site options have been identified. Officials from my Department, with the assistance of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, continue to appraise same in terms of their availability and suitability. Once a preferred site option has been identified, negotiations with the landowner...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, a number of potential site options have been identified. Officials from my Department, with the assistance of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, continue to appraise same, in terms of their availability and suitability. Once a preferred site option has been identified, negotiations with the landowner in respect of the proposed acquisition of this site will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that under Budget 2021 I have announced a general reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1. While there has been a reduction in mainstream class size in recent years, there has not been a corresponding reduction for those Urban Band 1 DEIS schools who are already allocated a preferential staffing schedule of 20:1 for schools catering for junior...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The tender process which is currently underway for eight major school building projects, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will establish a framework of Design & Build Contractors. The first phase of the tender process to create a shortlist of contractors is complete. The second phase of the tender process is ongoing and is due to be completed in Quarter 1 of 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas for the 2021/2022 school year, including the school planning area to which the Deputy refers. 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 –...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Attendance (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 requires the reporting of pupil absenteeism in certain circumstances to Tusla Education Support Service (TESS). The act requires the principal of a recognised school to maintain records of the attendance or non-attendance on each school day of each pupil registered at that school. There has been no change to these requirements. In responding to referrals...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: My Department’s Circular Letter caters for Brief Absences, including Bereavement Leave for Special Need Assistants (SNAs) employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools. In relation to Bereavement Leave, paragraph 2 of this Circular states:- ‘Special leave with pay is allowed to an SNA in the event of the bereavement of a family member. (a) 5 consecutive days...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: My Department Building Unit is satisfied that the proposed new school for Ennistymon, Co Clare is designed to provide adequate classroom accommodation and outdoor recreational spaces to cater for the long terms needs of the Ennistymon area. The project is currently at tender stage and subject to no issues arising it is envisaged that construction should commence in Quarter 2 of 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Scéim na nOibreacha Samhraidh (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Is mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuil an Scéim Oibreacha Samhraidh deartha chun ligean do scoileanna, ar bhonn maoinithe cineachta, oibreacha feabhsúcháin agus athchóirithe riachtanacha a dhéanamh a dhéanfaidh uasghrádú ar áiseanna scoile atá ann cheana lena n-áirítear áiteanna súgartha. Tá sé de...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. At the recent Stage 2(a) Stakeholders meeting my Department requested an Addendum report to the Stage 2a Submission. Once this Report is submitted it will be reviewed by my Department and a decision...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (17 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy will be aware, 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...