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Friday 9 June 2023 Dublin: 16°C

# norma foley

Last week
28th May 2023 - 3rd June 2023
# Education
Education Minister says parents and guardians ‘cannot be compelled to pay voluntary charge’
Norma Foley called on principals to contact her department if their school was struggling to pay certain costs.
# Mental Health
Pilot scheme offering free counselling for primary school children to be rolled out in September
The first strand of the scheme will be rolled out in seven counties, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Last month
May 2023
# Leaving Cert
Leaving Cert results to be issued on 25 August in 'significant step towards pre-pandemic norms'
The Education Minister said it marks a ‘significant step towards pre-pandemic norms in relation to the timing for issue of results’.
# Navan
Navan teen attack: Minister says disciplinary procedures 'a matter for school's Board of Management'
The victim of the assault was taken hospital on Monday afternoon to receive treatment for serious facial injuries.
This year
2023
# INTO
Teaching union calls for reduced class sizes and action to address 'unhealthy work-life balance'
Education Minister Norma Foley said that class sizes are ‘now at an historic low’.
# Education
Over 600 extra teaching course places to be added over the next two years
Norma Foley said the move was one of number of measures taken to address the high demand for teachers.
# schoolbook scheme
Primary schools to receive €96 per pupil under free schoolbooks scheme from September
The cost will cover schoolbooks, workbooks, and copybooks for primary school pupils.
# Education
Primary school students to learn less religion and will have mandatory foreign languages
The Primary Curriculum Framework was launched by Education Minister Norma Foley this morning.
# SPHE
President says schools should teach ‘sexuality in fullest sense’
Earlier this week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it ‘makes sense’ to teach kids about transgender people.
# Drone attacks
DAA given green light to buy frequency jamming anti-drone technology for use at Dublin Airport
No primary legislation is required to enable its use at the airport, it is believed.
# Dublin Airport
‘Sleeping at the wheel’: Minister Ryan comes under renewed criticism for drone disruptions
‘Once again he has been found to be sleeping at the wheel,’ claimed Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly.
# leaving cert reform
Plans for LC students to sit Paper 1 at end of fifth year to be deferred
The interim measure led to controversy with teachers’ unions and students.
# Education
No 'specific number' on how many children can participate in Summer Programme
Ministers Norma Foley and Josepha Madigan launched this year’s programme this afternoon.
# Exams
Leaving Cert students ask Foley to keep 'no cliff edge' vow - and avoid clash with Harry Styles gig
Norma Foley has a challenge ahead to keep everyone happy as she aims to reform the Leaving Certificate.
Last year
2022
THE MORNING LEAD
'It will drive people away': Student teachers on the potential threat to career breaks
A report by
Jamie McCarron
One teacher suggested that staff may simply resign and emigrate to teach elsewhere.
One teacher suggested that staff may simply resign and emigrate to teach elsewhere if the option is removed.
The Department of Education has emphasised that no decisions have been made.
Plans to scrap teacher career breaks criticised as it emerges Education Minister is on same break
Gary Gannon: Government must act immediately to address teacher shortages
# teacher shortages
Career breaks for teachers may be suspended in response to staff shortages
Schools have come under pressure due to unfilled job vacancies and teacher shortages.
# Bullying
National bullying database to be set up under new 'landmark' action plan
This is the first time the Department of Education has updated its bullying action plan since 2013.
# Spirtans
‘Repulsive and shocking Spiritan revelations merit serious response’, says Education Minister
At least 233 men have made allegations of historical abuse against 77 priests from the Spiritan Congregation religious order.
# Leaving Cert
Close to 19,000 individual Leaving Cert results appealed this year, with more than 20% upheld
3,769 individual results were upgraded, meaning more than 20% of the appeals were successful.
# School Buses
Tánaiste suggests 'nominal fee' for school bus tickets next year
Free school transport was announced by Government during the summer.
# Back To School
Difficulties in procuring extra buses and drivers for school transport scheme, says Foley
The Education Minister has said that there are plans to increase the capacity of the scheme amid unprecedented demand.
# Zero Tolerance
Secondary school curriculum to be updated to address issues like domestic violence and consent
Education Minister Norma Foley said that education has a “very significant” role to play in the new Zero Tolerance strategy.
# Exams
Delay in issuing Leaving Cert results 'will cause huge levels of additional stress and worry'
The Leaving Cert exam results will be issued on 2 September.
# Heckled
Norma Foley heckled at teachers’ union conference
Norma Foley spoke to the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland about Government plans to reform the Leaving Certificate.
# Leaving Cert
Major revamp to Leaving Cert planned as fifth year students to sit some exams starting in 2024
There will also be two new subjects introduced: Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.
# new school
Around 700 Ukrainian refugee children registered with schools so far, says Education Minister
Foley said that this figure is likely to rise in the coming days as more children are registered.
# school's back
Thousands of principals fear impact of teacher shortages as schools reopen today
Student teachers are being drafted in to cover Covid absences.
# Back To School
Schools set to re-open on Thursday as safety measures deemed 'effective and appropriate'
Each of the three main teaching unions continued to express concerns about staffing.
The Department of Education said there was no public health rationale to delay the reopening.
The ASTI has said that some classes may be prioritised if adequate teaching staff was not available.
The leaders of the three government coalition parties also met this afternoon and green lit the plans for schools.
Genrui antigen tests: HPRA and company to investigate after multiple reports of false positives
Free antigen tests for symptomatic under-40s can now be ordered online
# Schools
ASTI warns return of schools is ‘unacceptable risk’ without new measures
The teachers union will ask the Department of Health to introduce ‘a delayed and staggered reopening’ of schools at a meeting tomorrow.
All time
# Education
School health measures to be reviewed before reopening next year
Public health officials and education representatives held a meeting today.
# Covid-19
Taoiseach says he's ‘not entirely comfortable’ with children wearing masks in school
The recommendation was made by public health officials last week.
# ANTIGEN TESTING
Taoiseach refuses to pin down decision date for antigen test subsidy scheme
In schools, antigen tests are due to roll from Monday.
# Tough Start
Home by 10am: 'Misuse' of reduced school days leaving a generation of Traveller children 'lost'
Noteworthy and The Journal can reveal that many Traveller children are routinely put on ‘reduced hours’ at school – with at least one student on just 40 minutes a day.
Noteworthy and The Journal can reveal that many Traveller children are routinely put on 'reduced hours' at school - with at least one student on just 40 minutes a day
Reporters Maria Delaney and Michelle Hennessy work with Traveller focus groups to expose this issue
Over 60 children on one halting site in Munster received no digital supports during Covid lockdowns
Tough Start Live: How can the cycle of disadvantage be stopped for Traveller children?
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Why are the school days of Traveller children being reduced?
# Education
350 new primary school teachers and over 1,000 new SNAs announced in Budget
Primary school class sizes are set to be reduced.
# Back To School
Education Minister rejects accusation of ‘complacency’ over return of schools
Some opposition politicians were critical of what they labelled “confusing” guidance for when pupils are designated as close contacts.
# Schools
Teachers not at increased risk of admission to hospital with Covid, study finds
When schools are open, the risk among teachers and other working-age adults is similar, research has shown.
# Schools Return
Foley: Unvaccinated pregnant teachers can return to classrooms or take 'pregnancy related leave'
Pregnant women in Ireland are advised to wait until they are 14 weeks along before receiving a Covid-19 vaccine.
The Education Minister says the department is 'following expert medical advice'.
Pregnant women in Ireland are advised to wait until 14 weeks before receiving a Covid-19 vaccine.
Foley says the advice also applies to pregnant women in other professions.
16 pregnant women have been admitted to ICU with Covid-19 so far this year
'We're not there yet': Continued vaccine push as Covid cases in hospital increase over weekend
# Explainer
Here is the current guidance on vaccinating children against Covid-19
Niac is expected to issue guidance to the Government and HSE this week.
# Education
Education minister has 'every confidence' that schools will reopen as planned
Norma Foley will bring a school reopening plan to Cabinet tomorrow.
# Back To School
Minister seeks to 'reassure parents' that a full reopening of schools is planned
Minister Norma Foley said the return of children to the classroom for the new school term is a priority.