Results 1,661-1,680 of 19,412 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment. An...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic (PV) Programme launched in November 2023 to over 1600 schools. It will provide eligible schools with 6 kWp of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels. The scheme will be funded from the Government’s Climate Action Fund, in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The curriculum, as approved by the Minister, at both primary and post primary level, is considered to be for all learners regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic background, gender or orientation. It is the aim of my department that every child has access to equitable education and that each learner feels safe and happy in the school environment, at every stage. The Curriculum...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity. 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 280, 281 and 282 together. The primary schools referred to by the Deputy are private, fee-charging primary schools. Private, fee-charging primary schools are not recognised under the Education Act, and my Department has no role in relation to these schools.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my department has sought clarification from the school authority of the ongoing ASA project nearby that they have liaised with Malahide Portmarnock ETNS and the steps that has been taken in relation to the introduction of the traffic management system associated with both schools. My department has also asked the school authority of the ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Planning Issues (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build Programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction. The project will deliver a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including four...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Artificial Intelligence (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: My Department and its officials do not presently use AI services in the course of their duties, as such no policy is in place currently. My Department will continue to monitor developments in relation to AI, in particular with regard to potential applications that may be identified by other Government Departments.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Artificial Intelligence (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: My Department and its officials do not presently use AI to generate official text. My Department will continue to monitor developments in relation to AI, in particular with regard to potential applications that may be identified by other Government Departments.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The curriculum, as approved by me as Minister for Education, at both primary and post primary level, is considered to be for all learners regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic background, gender or orientation. It is the aim of my Department that every child has access to equitable education and that each learner feels safe and happy in the school environment, at every stage. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications being fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The curriculum, as approved by the Minister, at both primary and post primary level, is considered to be for all learners regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic background, gender or orientation. It is the aim of my department that every child has access to equitable education and that each learner feels safe and happy in the school environment, at every stage. The Curriculum...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: I can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question had submitted an application for capital funding, under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications been fully...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide 8 general classrooms (1 prefab replacement), 1 Science lab with prep area, 1 DCG room, 1 Music room, 1 SET room, 1 textiles room, 1 Construction room with prep area (prefab replacement), 1 GP Dining (prefab replacement) and a 2 classroom Special Education Needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: My Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications have developed a jointly funded school sector decarbonisation pathfinder programme. It is administered by the Planning and Building Unit in my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in partnership with devolved delivery support from Limerick and Clare Education Training Board, and Longford and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (18 Sep 2024)

Norma Foley: The Department has adapted to the dynamic landscape of student enrolment. This has been particularly effective in the context of the pace and volume of newly arrived students fleeing the war in Ukraine and the ongoing increase in students, who require EAL supports to fully access the curriculum. The Department has prioritised enhancing English as an Additional Language (EAL) support,...