Results 16,801-16,820 of 19,632 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (2 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Additional funding will be provided to schools who had to purchase necessary supplies, including replacement dispenser units from an alternative supplier following a recall notice issued by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine in respect of the product ViraPro hand sanitiser. Schools that were impacted by this issue will also be provided with funding for an aide for two days. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Places (2 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that the 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 in County Meath. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (2 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise that the Teaching Council has statutory responsibility for registering qualified teachers in addition to establishing procedures for induction processes. Fully qualified teachers who have qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council. All applications from teachers who qualified abroad are processed in line...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (2 Dec 2020)

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 Education and Skills: Adult Education Provision (2 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Policy on Further Education and Training is a matter for the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The Labour Court has made a recommendation in relation to a claim brought by SIPTU and TUI in respect of regularising the terms and conditions of Adult Education Tutors employed by Education and Training Boards. This recommendation is under consideration by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (2 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The 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. The major building project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes securing Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (2 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I am keenly aware of the vital role contributed by school secretaries within school communities and I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. I have met with Fórsa, who represent many of the secretaries working in schools. In recognition of their role, I have put special arrangements in place for this school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (2 Dec 2020)

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 Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (2 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Under the Teaching Council Acts the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State. It is a function of the Council under the Teaching Council Acts (s7(2)) to act as the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications obtained by a person who...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (2 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2019/2020 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (1 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I reiterate that I do not for one minute underestimate the value and importance of the work of support staff, and particularly the cleaners that the Deputy mentions. Cleaners are nonetheless employed directly by schools using the ancillary grant. It is the current operation. In ETB schools the cleaners are employed directly by the board. The provision of a pension is therefore a matter...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (1 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy mentions, many workers of long standing are contributing very positively and in a vital way to the school environment, especially in the Covid-19 pandemic. I know from personal experience that these people work on a very generous basis in a willing and positive way. They often go above and beyond the call of duty. I recognise this work, which I have seen for many years. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Uniforms (1 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: In the case referred to by the Deputy, the Department of Education has made initial contact with the school and is engaging further to establish the facts in this case in order to provide a report for my attention. It is important to note that decisions on school uniform policies are a matter for the school's board of management at local level. Schools are advised to consult with parents...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Uniforms (1 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: It is important that in any incident that pertains to a school that each school is given the time and space to address the situation as it arises and to make a determination. My Department has already engaged with the school and it will continue to engage with it. A report will be furnished to me once that engagement is concluded. The engagement is in the first instance with the board of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Uniforms (1 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I concur with Deputy Barry on the importance of the student voice, which is immeasurable in the school community. Testament to that is the manner in which the student voice is very much integrated into all actions within the Department in terms of consultation with the education partners. Deputy Barry will be aware that the student voice was a critical one in the calculated grades process....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Staff (1 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I recognise the important role cleaners play in the successful operation of schools in every year, but particularly so in the Covid-19 context. I am very conscious of the superb work done on an ongoing basis by the cleaners in our schools. Currently each school is required to have a Covid-19 response plan for safe operation through prevention, early detection and control of Covid-19 in line...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (1 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: With regard to the case the Deputy referred to in respect of a special transport grant, I will outline exactly how that works. The special transport grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided at the discretion of the Department in situations where: Bus Éireann is not in a position to provide a transport service; where a child's age, behavioural difficulties...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (1 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: -----the Deputy might give me the details and I will ask my officials to investigate and expedite the matter. There is a clear acknowledgement in the Department that in some instances it is necessary for the special transport grant to be paid.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (1 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Again, to refer to the previous case the Deputy raised, there is considerable flexibility and an acknowledgement in the Department that one size does not necessarily fit all. For that reason, as I pointed out with regard to the special transport grant and the various criteria, the criteria are quite wide in terms of eligibility and making provision for personally providing transport for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (1 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department. In the 2019-20 school year, more than 120,000 children were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country, covering more than 100 million km at a cost in excess of €219 million in 2019. The Department is very conscious...