Results 4,281-4,300 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (18 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I congratulate Senator Dooley on his appointment to the Seanad and thank him for raising this matter. It allows me to clarify the current position on Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg which, as the Senator said, is a Catholic co-educational school with an emphasis on the Irish language. I understand it has 471 pupils; the Senator said there are 481. Either way, it has a large...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (18 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Senator. I will bring his comments and contribution to the attention of the MinisteR.We would be ad idemabout having a sports hall in a gaelscoil. We want children to be able to partake in physical exercise but there is certain criteria for certain schemes. In this context, the application for Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Chíosóg for a PE room will be considered under...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (18 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. May I also take the opportunity to congratulate her on her election to the Seanad? Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government and for me, as the first dedicated Minister with responsibility for this area. Next year, over 20% of the total...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (18 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The Senator mentioned joined-up thinking so I wish to reassure her that the Department meets the NCSE on a weekly basis. I am the very first Minister with dedicated responsibility for this area and there is a huge body of work to be done.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (18 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: There is a forecasting model that is being developed with the NCSE so that we can work with existing schools and know, from a demographic perspective, how many children and people with special needs will need accommodation.One of the announcements I made this week was that all new school buildings - I got this commitment from the Department - will be able to open and have space for special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (19 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly, the question has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply. The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (19 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.  Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs.  This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places. Notwithstanding the extent of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (24 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly, the question and correspondence has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply. The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places. Notwithstanding the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (24 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The terms and conditions of home based Summer Provision 2020 were set out in the Information Note and FAQ published on my Departments website: www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/summerprovision/home-ba sed-information-faqs-for-parents.pdf. This sets out that the allocation of hours for siblings are broadly reflective of the school grouping principle. This is where one teacher is allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together. Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Under the Assistive Technology scheme, grant funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment which they do not already have, or which cannot...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places. Notwithstanding the extent of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (24 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through it's network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in special schools and special class settings. My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly, the query will be directed to the NCSE...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (25 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places. Notwithstanding the extent of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (25 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I can hear the Senator's frustration on behalf of the parents of children with special needs and their journey, and I share her concern. As the very first dedicated Minister for special education, I am going to do precisely what she asked and make the entire process of locating a placement whether it is a special class or special school as easy as possible because at the moment it is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (25 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I assure Senator Ardagh that nobody is leading anybody up the garden path. Suffice to say, there have been site visits and discussions with the patrons, trustees and the principal of Scoil Colm where some 150 children are already provided for. My understanding is that the school will provide some but not all of the classes. There are ongoing discussions and we need to be hopeful in that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (26 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places. Notwithstanding the extent of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (26 Nov 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has advised that a new special class for children with autism was sanctioned for the school referred to by the Deputy in October 2020. It is planned to open the class at the start of the 2021/2022 school year. I understand the school are taking applications for the class this year. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all...