Results 16,721-16,740 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The Department does not comment on individual cases in schools.  Public health specialists working with schools and the Department of Education are closely monitoring the situation in all schools to ensure that where schools are open with appropriate infection prevention and control measures, there is no additional threat to public health.  To date the evidence demonstrates that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme (10 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I would like to inform the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application for funding under my Departments Emergency Works Scheme for Roof Works, this application has been approved in principle dependent on the confirmation of some technical details which have not been provided by the school to date.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: As of 5thDecember a total of 877 education facilities (primary, post primary and special education facilities) have undergone mass testing following Public Health Risk Assessment. The positivity rate of close contacts testing in educational facilities including primary, post-primary and special educational needs facilities as of this date is 2.3% with 25,679 close contacts tested. This low...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Project Ireland 2040, which was launched by the Government on 16 February 2018, is the overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland. It includes a detailed capital investment plan for the period 2018 to 2027, the national...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I appreciate the points the Senator makes and the sincerity with which he makes the case for his home town. I will communicate his points to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht na ceiste agus as ucht deis a thabhairt dom freagra a thabhairt air. I thank Senator Kyne for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position regarding the major building project for Scoil Mhuire. The brief for this project is to provide a new school with accommodation for the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator. I appreciate his personal involvement in this project. It is a positive development. From 18 December, we will know a lot more about the preferred option. I will certainly communicate the specific issues the Senator has raised with my officials.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator for raising this matter and allowing me to provide the House with an update on the current position regarding the provision of a permanent school building for Harold's Cross Educate Together Secondary School. Harold's Cross ETSS is a co-educational second level school which will provide 1,000 post-primary school places and a four-classroom special educational needs unit...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator. I note her personal interest and the work she has done to date. As I have said, we will keep both schools informed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pension Provisions (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I am happy to confirm that the person to whom the Deputy refers is entitled to pension benefits from the Department of Education from the date of their 60thbirthday.  These benefits are payable upon application.  Officials from the Pension Unit of my department have made contact with the person concerned and have issued to them, by post, a statement of benefits...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 112, inclusive, together. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold details of schools with kitchens and/or canteens, or those without such facilities. My Department has in place detailed design guidelines for primary and post-primary schools. These guidelines, which are available on my Department's web-site, currently provide for a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that an application for temporary accommodation was received from the school today 9th December. The application will be assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school when the assessment process has been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that a tender process is ongoing for the establishment of a new framework of contractors for delivery of a bundle of design and build projects which is expected to be completed in Quarter 1 of 2021. This school building project will be included in a subsequent bundle of projects, to be tendered to the new framework when...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme.   I am pleased to advise the Deputy that planning permission has been secured for the project. My Department is currently in the process of establishing a Framework of Design and Build Contractors to which Design and Build projects can be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Road Safety (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The issue of road safety measures in the road network outside the area of vested school sites such as road signage, traffic calming measures, car parking and pedestrian facilities are the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority.  Local Authorities have the power to decide on road safety measures outside schools to ensure that measures are in place to protect the safety of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has recently been made aware of the proposal by the school authority in question.  My Department is considering same and will be communicating with the school authority shortly.  In such cases local consultation, which includes the consideration of parents, is necessary and will form part of the final assessment process.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies Data (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Details of the bodies under the aegis and the composition of the respective State Boards that fall under the remit of my Department are available in the attached table. The details are also available on my Department's website at the following link; https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Agencies/Details- of-Membership-of-State-Boards/  As the Deputy will be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Food Poverty (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The School Meals Programme is operated by the Department of Social Protection and provides funding towards provision of food services for disadvantaged school child through two schemes; - The statutory Urban School Meals Scheme for primary schools is operated by Local Authorities and part-financed by the DSP. - The non-statutory School Meals Local Projects Scheme (SMLPS) provides funding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: My Department is acutely aware of the disruption that was caused to students as a result of school closures resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. My Department published a suite of helpful guidance for the safe and sustainable operation of schools after they re-opened. Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (9 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available.  Officials in my Department are collating the information and I will arrange to have it forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.