Results 6,501-6,520 of 6,598 for speaker:Michael Moynihan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (7 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Further to my recent response to the Deputy on this matter, I can confirm that circular 0085/2024 guides Boards of Management/ETBs to the information pack that has been circulated to schools and is also available online. The information pack is set out at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (7 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Unfortunately, difficulties have arisen in a number of locations, with a small number of contracted services, where it has not yet been possible to provide vehicles / drivers. These difficulties have arisen in some cases due to lack of driver or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (7 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Further information on this matter has been requested from Bus Éireann by School Transport Section of my Department and they will revert directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (7 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Enabling children with additional needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The NCSE is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (7 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together. I want to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance and Strategic Action Plan (2024-2030) were published in December 2023. Four pillars underpin the vision for lifelong guidance in Ireland. One of these pillars is that of ''Access, Inclusion and Universal Design.'' Within the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (7 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (7 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. Substantial investment has been provided to increase the number of places available in special schools. Sixteen new schools have opened in the last five years and many more have...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (7 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I refer to the Deputy’s further queries about the Exceptional Interim Grant (EIG). This EIG is being offered to families affected by the delays in the commencement of their mainstream service. The EIG will be paid based on the number of days that children attended school and is calculated from 25th August 2025 until their school transport service commences. Officials in the School...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. It is important to remember that the majority of children with special educational needs are supported by classroom teachers, special education teachers and Special Needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: It has been a long standing policy within my department that children with special educational needs be supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. My department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are committed to ensuring that no...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: My department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have begun preparatory work in relation to planning for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year and beyond. As you are aware parents were asked to notify the NCSE of their requirement for a special class for the 2026/27 school year by 1 October 2025. The NCSE is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (8 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Unfortunately, difficulties have arisen in a number of locations, with a small number of contracted services, where it has not yet been possible to provide vehicles/drivers. I am pleased to advise that a contract has now been awarded to operate the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Council for Special Education (9 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs. It does so through a network of special educational needs organisers (SENOs). The NCSE has advised my department that the local SENO is working closely with the student’s family regarding options for school placements and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (9 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193, 194 and 195 together. This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) issues guidance each year to schools regarding special needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (9 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: My department is fully committed to supporting the vital role that Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play in our schools. This workforce provides essential support to students with additional needs, and their contribution to the educational experience of these students is deeply valued. My department has been steadily building the level of SNA support in our education system. This school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (9 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).  The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (15 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue regarding Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Dominick Street. It gives me the opportunity to outline to the Dáil the current position. The Minister and the Department of Education and Youth are fully committed to delivering a new school building for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire as quickly as possible. Department officials are in constant...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (15 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The Departments sets out to make sure building projects are moved forward. Issues have arisen with this project. The Department, the Minister and ourselves take very seriously the obligations we have in relation to public funding. We are very committed. My understanding clearly is that the Department officials are in contact with the school authorities on a regular basis. I accept the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (15 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I accept the frustration in relation to this project, which has been ongoing and which is hugely important for the community. I reassure the Deputy that the Department is engaging to find an interim solution first, but the long-term solution to make sure this project is completed. That is the aim and the goal of both the Department and the school authorities. They will work together to try...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (15 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: What is the old Irish seanfhocal - "Ní neart go cur le chéile"? I worked with the Deputies on Belmayne Educate Together and it is encouraging to see all Deputies from the area coming together. It sends a powerful signal to their communities, to us and to the Department about the seriousness of it. I commend the Deputies on that. I thank them for raising the issue. We are...