Results 17,681-17,700 of 19,666 for speaker:Norma Foley

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: I absolutely appreciate that this is an anxious time for everyone across all sectors of society. We must acknowledge as well that everything that can be done is being done, especially within our school environment. All the measures that need to be put in place within our schools have been put in place. The resources that were necessary have been put in place. It is a tribute to the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: Deputy Ó Laoghaire is correct. It is only right and proper that there would be an opportunity for a review of any decision. That mechanism is in place. It is an independent review by medical experts. Individuals who wish to have their case reviewed have the opportunity for that and to provide, if they wish, updated or new medical evidence that may be assessed. In the first...

Other Questions: State Examinations (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: As Minister for Education and Skills, I am committed to ensuring the State examinations of 2021 operate as normally as possible, subject to the prevailing public health advice at that time. This commitment is shared by the State Examinations Commission, SEC, which has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. It continues to be a priority for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The decision to adopt a model of calculated grades by my Department was a result of Covid-19 and the circumstances that prevailed at the time in question, which prevented the State from running the conventional leaving certificate examinations this year. The system of calculated grades is complex and sophisticated. It had to be developed from scratch, specifically for the leaving...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. It is my intention that the review will be an independent expert review and that there will be an international element to it given the expertise required in this field. The terms of reference will be set out and made available well in advance. The review will consider whether the calculated grades process met its objectives. It will raise questions as to how effective...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware, the full staffing schedule has reduced from 26:1 to 25:1. There is unanimous agreement that this is a very positive step forward to the benefit of our schools. With regard to the DEIS schools, the Deputy is correct that there are different bands. In the junior cycle, there is a ratio of 20:1. It is 24:1 at the higher end, that is, in third, fourth, fifth and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: Aontaím leis an Teachta. I am keenly aware of the vital contribution by school secretaries to the school life of our communities, and I recognise the very important work they do, and indeed the work of the other support staff, in the running of our schools. I have met with Fórsa, which represents many of the secretaries working in our schools. In recognition of their role, I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: Deputy Ó Laoghaire should be under no illusion here. I absolutely acknowledge the invaluable contribution made by school secretaries to school communities. I am personally aware of it, having observed it over many years. Without fault, the work of school secretaries is invaluable. I want to reiterate that school secretaries deserve the best pay and conditions possible, given the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: I reiterate that the best possible pay and conditions for school secretaries is a priority, and I am very keen to advance that process. Therefore, I am keen for all parties to resume meaningful discussion in the WRC, with a view to reaching a mutual acceptable solution. In that respect, I have asked officials from my Department to examine closely pay issues for secretaries and caretakers,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children 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 €219m in 2019. My Department is very conscious of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The Roadmap for the Full Return to School sets out how schools can reopen and operate in a safe and sustainable way. The roadmap was developed in line with public health advice provided by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the HSE and follows comprehensive consultation and engagements with education stakeholders. The Government approved a financial package of over...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The building project for Gaelscoil an Chaisleain is included in my Department's capital programme. Officials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in Cork City Council and other relevant parties in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site for the school. A number of site options have been identified and assessed. A potential preferred site...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: My Department is committed to providing permanent accommodation to meet the needs of the school to which the Deputy refers. A number of potential site options have been identified and officials from my Department are currently appraising same. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time. The school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Tests (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: Covid 19 testing, and the broader public health response to Covid 19 infections in a school is led by the local HSE Public Health team. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the HSE have published guidance for managing potential cases of COVID-19 in educational settings, which includes the testing strategy within schools. All schools were provided with the HSE document titled:...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and I am very aware of the issues faced by many schools in respect of teacher allocations and class sizes. As part of the budget measures announced yesterday the Government have sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a further 1 point...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (14 Oct 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: Child Abuse (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The scheme under review, the ex-gratia scheme, was established on foot of the specific circumstances arising from the O’Keeffe case and in response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). It was established in 2015 to provide an effective remedy for a specific category of people, namely those persons who had commenced domestic litigation but who had...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: The school building project to which the Deputy refers has been approved funding under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme to enable the school to build a two classroom SEN base. The project has been devolved for delivery to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB) and a Design Team has been appointed in that respect. The project is currently in Architectural Design. Site...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: Officials from my Department have been working towards the acquisition of a permanent site to meet the needs of the school to which the Deputy refers. A number of potential sites have been identified and these are currently under consideration. While a site acquisition process is underway and given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (14 Oct 2020)

Norma Foley: As the Deputy is aware the acquisition of a suitable site to provide new school accommodation has proved to be extremely challenging to date. My Department is working with Donegal County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites. A preferred site has been identified is being technically assessed. Donegal County Council, in consultation with my...