Results 5,561-5,580 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (9 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: We are still lawyers, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (9 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: That is true although neither of us is practising at present. I thank the Deputy for raising this important Topical Issue matter. He will appreciate that I am taking this today on behalf of the Minister for Education. Transport is not directly under my remit. The Deputy is quite correct, however. A review is ongoing at the moment. I understand that recommendations will be coming...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (9 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: That is the briefing I have here. I also understand from the Department's response that there are no plans at present to recognise both as one education centre. The Deputy is correct that there are two post-primary schools in Carrigtwohill, that is, Carrigtwohill Post-Primary School and St Aloysius' College, and four in Midleton, namely, Midleton C.B.S. Secondary School, St. Mary's High...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (9 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I hear what the Deputy is saying around this. My understanding from my instructions, to use a legal phrase, is that the Department has no plans-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (9 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: -----to recognise one centre. That is not to say it will not, however. I think it will consider this following the Deputy's contribution. There is certainly an argument for a more streamlined approach, bearing in mind the criteria, difficulties and challenges parents are facing and the stress delineated by him. I would surmise that because this review is ongoing, this is something that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (9 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I appreciate that. The Deputy and I speak about this outside the Dáil Chamber on a regular basis. I will obviously take that very seriously and look to see what we can do in that regard.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ukraine War (9 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy. This is a real topical issue at the moment. I want to reiterate the Government's position that the continuing Russian military action against Ukraine is illegal and immoral. As the Government has stated, the priority is a full and comprehensive cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of the Russian military from Ukrainian territory. The Deputy is quite right that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ukraine War (9 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: As a teacher, the Deputy has experience of educating children. As a country, we need to look at novel, innovative approaches for how we will educate Ukrainian nationals. Teachers who come from Ukraine will be able to teach in their mother tongue, which will be of assistance to these children. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment will publish resources to support learners with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Education with the UNCRPD (Resumed): Discussion (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: That is something I will mention to my colleague.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Education with the UNCRPD (Resumed): Discussion (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The Senator asked a number of different questions. Senator Murphy mentioned earlier the slowness or reluctance that the Senator mentioned about opening special classes. It can be a cultural issue, but it can also be a suitable accommodation issue. Training and professional development is required. The NCSE provides, as I said earlier, exclusive and extensive support and training...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Education with the UNCRPD (Resumed): Discussion (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: In general, each school has an admissions policy and it has to be in line with the Education Act. I will follow up with the National Council for Special Education on that. On moving designation in special schools such as St. Mary's to go from mild to autism spectrum disorder, ASD, not all children in ASD primary can move. Some of them move to special schools. The Department is working...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I am aware of the School referred to by the Deputy and recently met with members of the school staff and community outside Leinster House.  At my request, the NCSE met with the School on Friday last to discuss the issues of concern. At the meeting, the SENO explained the basis for the allocation of SNA support and will also engage with parents in this regard. The School...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Mar 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Mar 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Mar 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.  A continuum of education provision is in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Mar 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 for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The appeals process for the Special Education Teaching allocations is dealt with by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), therefore I have referred your query to the NCSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Mar 2022)

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 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Mar 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. As a result, the number...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The Special Education Teaching allocation provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile. Under the allocation model, schools have been provided with a total allocation for special education needs support based on their school profile. In order to minimise disruption for schools, due to...