Results 5,381-5,400 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (25 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The Department is aware of the campaign. Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018. The Review made a number...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (25 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018. The Review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs including...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (25 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (25 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: As part of The Roadmap to the Full Reopening of schools which was announced in July 2020, guidance was provided to schools on the integration of pupils in special classes. Pupils in special classes should continue to interact, or integrate, with mainstream classes and move between classes. This guidance can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c0243-supports-for-the-special-edu...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (25 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018. The review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs including...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Functions (25 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: It is fair to say that students over the past two years have had great difficulty in trying to learn for their leaving certificate. I have a son who is doing his leaving certificate. I know that the Minister, Deputy Foley, is acutely aware of the difficulties and that clarity will be given as soon as possible. The advisory group in respect of State examinations is looking at this in real...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: It is extremely important when we are talking about the leaving certificate that there is fairness for children from DEIS areas, disadvantaged areas and across the board. This is something the advisory group on State examinations is looking at in considerable detail. I am sure the Minister, Deputy Foley, is aware of it also.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for the question. Special classes are an important issue. There are 2,118 special classes at the moment. This has been increased by 269 this year and it will be increased by 287 next year. That will create an additional 1,700 special class places. Notwithstanding that, it is important that we work with the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, and liaise on the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (27 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: While the Department has provided supports to schools to allow them to support their operation during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department also recognises that given the current high case numbers schools will continue to require additional substitute cover. In the period leading up to the mid-term break (to 23rd February 2022) a range of measures have been put in place to assist in dealing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (27 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018. The Review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank Deputy Joan Collins for her questions. Before I get into the specifics of Dublin 12, it important when we are talking about special education to acknowledge the amount of significant progress that we have made. For example, since 2011, we have increased special classes by 386% in this country. This year, we have 2,118 special classes in Ireland. We also have 126 special schools. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: We will always endeavour to open a special class in a school where the children live in the locality because we do not want them to travel unless they absolutely have to. It is in the Constitution that education is a right. That is not always possible in the locality but we will endeavour to do that. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, did an on-site inspection in Drimnagh...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I appreciate the Deputy's comments. As I said, that land is not owned by the school itself. I understand from the NCSE that the nearby schools will be able to meet the demand for this age cohort. Drimnagh Castle is a senior boys' primary school and I understand there is capacity and that we can meet that demand in the surrounding area. If the Deputy has specific issues she wants to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.   This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs. This includes additional teaching and care supports....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life.  This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018. The Review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: As announced in December 2021, I have sought a review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004, which provides for the education of children aged under 18 years with special educational needs. The EPSEN Act 2004, is now in place for more than 17 years and there have been many significant changes and developments to policy relating to the education of children with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for Government.  The numbers of special classes, special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants are at unprecedented levels. The State currently spends in excess of 25% of its annual education and training budget (€9.2 Billion) on making additional provision...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Reviews (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: As announced in December 2021, I have sought a review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004, which provides for the education of children aged under 18 years with special educational needs. The EPSEN Act 2004, is now in place for more than 17 years and there have been many significant changes and developments to policy relating to the education of children with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Places (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for...