Results 4,501-4,520 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horse Sport Ireland (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: Horse Sport Ireland is the national governing body for equestrian sport in Ireland. It is recognised by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the Irish Sports Council, the Olympic Council of Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland. It was established in 2007, when the Equestrian Federation of Ireland and the Irish Horse Board were amalgamated, bringing together the breeding and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horse Sport Ireland (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I am advised that the board examined a number of sites in the context of choosing a location for its headquarters and the national centre for excellence. This was part of a selection process carried out by a subcommittee of the board. A detailed feasibility study for the centre was carried out. I understand Horse Sport Ireland appointed an independent consultant to carry out this study...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 163, inclusive, together. I wish to advise the Deputy that a number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 have been commenced. The commenced provisions include those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those providing for an inclusive approach to the education of children with special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I wish to advise the Deputy that Government is deeply conscious that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with additional needs can be even greater. The early reopening of schools is a key priority for Government. Government and my Department have invested heavily in schools to support them throughout this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 171 and 173 to 177, inclusive, together. I wish to advise the Deputy that a number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 have been commenced. The commenced provisions include those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those providing for an inclusive approach to the education of children...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Legal Costs (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: It should be noted by the Deputy that my Department does not initiate such proceedings and cases are generally only litigated where no potential settlement is acceptable to both sides and the Government's authority to decide issues of education policy is in question. My Department does not take lightly any decision to defend cases concerning children with special educational needs. Therefore,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: My Department is conscious of the fact that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with special educational needs can be even greater. Following intensive engagement and input from primary, post-primary and special education partners, a framework has now been developed and agreed with all partners, including...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. The Department of Education will spend approximately €2 Billion or over 20% of its total educational budget in 2021 on making additional provision for children with special educational needs this year. The National Council for Special Education...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: My Department is conscious of the fact that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with special educational needs can be even greater. Following intensive engagement and input from primary, post-primary and special education partners, a framework has now been developed and agreed with all partners, including...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (19 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank Senator Seery Kearney for raising this important matter. She raises it consistently with me. She raised it last week and I did not answer because there were so many other questions that there was not enough time. I am delighted to have the opportunity today. Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (19 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: As the Senator will appreciate, it is a co-located shared campus with Scoil Eoin which already has 132 pupils. Scoil Colm is envisaged as catering for 40 students at the outset and it is hoped more thereafter. The intricacies and the finer details are being discussed at present, but I assure the Senator it is ongoing. There is quite a lot of work to do. We have been straitjacketed by...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Senator for her question. My Department and I are very conscious of the fact that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with special educational needs can be even greater, as we all know. It is my and the Minister, Deputy Foley's strong preference that all students would return to school at the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: It is important to note that guidance has gone out to all schools on how they should be catering for children with special educational needs. Some of the requirements set out are: regular engagement with pupils and students; a blend of guided and independent learning tasks; appropriate and engaging learning opportunities; and two-way feedback between home and school. There are supports in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Chairman and the committee for the invitation to attend this meeting, particularly as the session that was due to take place in January had to be rescheduled. I am accompanied in this virtual setting by: Ms Martina Mannion, assistant secretary and head of inclusion in the Department; Mr. Eamonn Murtagh, director in the planning and building unit; and Ms Shirley Kearney, acting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I understand the frustrations that families of children with special needs have had over recent months. It has been extremely difficult for them and we can all share that concern. I appreciate the Senator's acknowledgement that children in special classes, a total of 10,300, returned to school yesterday. It was not before time but they have got back and that is a positive development. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I could not agree more on the summer provision, or the July provision, for this year. Regression has really adverse consequences for children with special needs and the summer provision is a way for them to reintegrate into a school environment. Last year, in line with the criteria we used, pupils included those with a diagnosis of autism or of severe and profound learning difficulties,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank Deputy Wynne for her questions. I hope that I have taken a note of all of them but if I have not, she can come back to me later. There were quite a few there. First, on contingency planning for the future, since the beginning of the pandemic there has been and is consistent engagement with our education partners at all times, including teacher and SNA unions. The Department's...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank Deputy Murnane O'Connor for her comments. I agree with what she said around communication. To be extra clear, I am not announcing any dates about the return to school. I know that is the intention, but a Cabinet decision is being made today and I can confirm that there will be clarity at that point. The Deputy referred to school buildings and smaller schools. It is important to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I did not reply to the question on SNAs, but I see I made a note of it. The current allocation is frozen at the moment due to Covid, but schools can apply for additionality. No school is losing an SNA at present. The Deputy might be aware that we secured 1,000 additional SNAs this year so we are up to 18,000 in total.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank Deputy Cairns for her questions. I am aware that online learning is not suitable and that is why we have been prioritising trying to get those with special educational needs back into the classroom. At least 50% of special schools are back. As the Deputy said, it is not ideal that it is not 100% yet, but it is a start. We also have special classes back. On waiting times for...