Results 17,321-17,340 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (10 Nov 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 year...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (10 Nov 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 year...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question. My Department's capital investment programme provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for existing schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified. All school capital projects that have been approved, by my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: Teaching posts are allocated based on confirmed enrolments from the previous September and the staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. This year the Department and the Primary Staffing Appeals Board are very cognisant of the impact of COVID-19 on schools and in that context has looked...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (10 Nov 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, 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 demographic exercises to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, is my Department’s main policy initiative aimed at tackling educational disadvantage in primary and post primary schools. In the 2020/21 school year there are 887 schools participating in the DEIS programme serving over 185,000 students. My Department will invest in the region of €125 million this year on the DEIS...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 437 together. The tender process for the school building project referred to by the Deputy is running as part of a wider process involving the tender of 8 major building projects. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission 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: State Examinations (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission 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: Education Policy (10 Nov 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, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. There are two school planning areas most relevant to the Deputy’s query:...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Meetings (10 Nov 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. Meakstown is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. The patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been in operation under my Department since 2018 and provides objective information to parents in the relevant school planning areas to assist them in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 444, 445 and 446 together. Teaching posts are allocated based on confirmed enrolments from the previous September and the staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. This year my Department and the Primary Staffing Appeals Board were very cognisant of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: The project to which the Deputy refers initially commenced on site in April 2020 and work recommenced on 18 May following the Covid 19 restrictions. The project will cost approximately €6.4m including construction costs and fees. The project is progressing very well and subject to no issues arising is due to be completed in October 2021

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The State Examinations Commission has recently confirmed that leaving certificate exams will proceed as planned later this month. I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations for further details to be sent to you.

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

Norma Foley: Teachers retire under various schemes, dependent on their respective circumstances. Under the Early Retirement Scheme for Teachers, Retirement at the end of the 2007/2008 School Year, applicable in this particular case, there were three strands. Strand 1 applies to permanent teachers with not less than 15 years whole time or actual pensionable service, and who are consistently experiencing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Council of Ireland (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State. The Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Acts and the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016. The standard timeframes for...

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

Norma Foley: Through the Schools Broadband Access Programme the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary and post primary schools, and some 98% of schools are included in this scheme. The Department's High Speed Broadband Programme, provides all recognised post-primary schools, high speed broadband with a minimum broadband speed of 100mbs. There are 58 special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (10 Nov 2020)

Norma Foley: As previously advised to the Deputy, Circular letter 0037/2020, ‘Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate 2020 - Guide for Schools on Providing Estimated Percentage Marks and Class Rank Orderings’, which was published on 21 May, set out the guidance for schools on the operation of the Leaving Certificate calculated grades process. The document provided detailed information on...

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

Norma Foley: The Education Sector Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) procurement agreement July 2020 provided for the supply of the following PPE products, from 14 suppliers, for use in schools and other education settings: Wipes; Hand Soaps; Facemasks; Gloves; Hand Sanitiser; Protective Clothing; and Safety Glasses. As part of the selection process suppliers were required to confirm that their...