Results 6,081-6,100 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: What about themselves?

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Sinn Féin did not form a government.

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I want to take a moment to inform the House of some good news on the provision of special classes in Dublin. Senators will be aware that the Department wrote to 14 schools a few weeks ago that had been identified as having space and capacity to open a special class for the coming academic year. I am delighted to announce that out of the 14 schools that were initially contacted, seven more...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: -----in September and I hope that will ease the pressure for parents and children in the area. Senator Warfield tabled the amendment and I thank him for his indulgence in sharing this good news. I will now deal specifically with his amendment. While I understand the amendment, I have to put out a number of issues around it. As the Senator mentioned, appropriate educational provision for...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: It is interesting to hear the different contributions. I thank Senator Mullen for his contribution and I will deal with it momentarily. I thank Senators Dolan, Seery Kearney and Carrigy for their contributions also. I should be clear that this is a two-step process. Co-operation, by its nature, is not 100% binding. Most people would be aware that the vast majority of schools co-operate,...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The Bill also requires schools to reflect this in their admission policy and statement. The Senator can take it that the NCSE is not going to contact or approach a school in circumstances where it is not of the view that it does not have sufficient capacity to open a special class. This is a two-step process and I am correct in what I have said, which the Senator repeated, about...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I think I am just going to be repeating statements I have made to the Senator already.

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: On the specific question in respect of the board, I have already responded to the Senator. I have------

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I have already answered that. I stated earlier to the Senator that I am not proposing that a patron should have to dissolve a board only in circumstances where it does not comply with the section 37A order. Other than that, there is no need to do it. I also reiterate that co-operation, by its very nature, is not 100% binding. We are adding new functions to comply. It is important to note...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: That is the question and that is my response to it. What else did the Senator ask me?

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I have given the Senator my reasons we are not linking it in. That is to allow the co-operation. Compelling schools and forcing them to a certain extent to open special classes is not something that anybody likes doing or wants to do. We want to have a culture and ethos in a school from the outset whereby it will embrace inclusivity and believe in integration of children with special...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: To conclude, from my own perspective there are very few scenarios where a patron has ever considered dissolving a board under the existing obligations. It is not envisaged that patrons would suddenly look to dissolve boards other than where they fail to comply with section 37A.

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank Senator Warfield for tabling this amendment. As the House will be aware, it relates to the core functions of the NCSE and its staff. As I mentioned to the Senator earlier, when speaking to another amendment he had tabled, perhaps the current review of the EPSEN Act is the appropriate forum in which to look at what the Senator suggests. I stress to him, though, that I am not opposed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Council for Special Education (12 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: This policy advice is expected to be completed in 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (12 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: In May 2022 the Government announced this year's Summer Programme to allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Council for Special Education (12 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As the matter raised relates to an individual case I have so arranged to forward the details you have provided to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (12 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and I would like to advise that my department officials have raised the matter with the NCSE who have provided the following response. The NCSE co-ordinates, develops, and delivers a broad range of professional development seminars for teachers and principals working with students with special educational needs in primary and post-primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (12 Jul 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (12 Jul 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 (12 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). In 2022, we will spend over 25% of our total educational budget on providing additional...