Results 16,821-16,840 of 19,660 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Transport (3 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Site Acquisitions (3 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: Officials from my Department have been working closely with Galway City Council and Galway County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site for the school in question. A number of potential site options have been identified and these are currently under consideration. While a site acquisition process is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: School Staff (3 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: The public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. The starting salary for a new entrant teacher in 2012 was €30,702. As a result of the programme of pay restoration, the starting salary of a teacher is now €37,692. Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provides that “the Minister [for Public...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (3 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I wish to assure the Deputy that I fully support improving educational outcomes for Travellers, and that includes ensuring that the school setting is a more welcoming environment. Developing knowledge and understanding of Traveller culture and history in schools will help build a recognition of the important value of Traveller culture and history to this country and help to improve a sense...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (2 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Senator for his generous remarks about the work of the Department of Education and how the challenges of Covid-19 are being managed. He also acknowledged how those challenges are being managed on the ground by school communities and I also wish to express my own sincere thanks in that regard. The ongoing work is a challenge that is being met on a daily basis with the immense...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (2 Dec 2020)

Norma Foley: I confirm that I appreciate the Senator raising this issue because it has given me an opportunity to outline the determination of the Department to advance this project. I assure him that the Department will continue to work with the patron and the school authorities on advancing this matter. As the Senator earlier outlined, the priority that is being given to this project is underlined by...

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

Norma Foley: Physical activity (PE) is important and students should be encouraged to participate in PE in schools. My Department has published guidance for practical subjects in Post Primary Schools, including guidance for PE. This guidance is based on Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidance for the return to sports activities for children and adolescents. The guidance provides that,...

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

Norma Foley: The building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme which tenders to pre-established frameworks of D&B contractors. My Department is currently in the process of establishing a Framework of Design and Build Contractors to which Design and Build projects can be tendered. Once this framework is established, it is...

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. ...