Results 8,121-8,140 of 9,471 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: That is what the NSCE told my officials today. Parents will apply to numerous schools, and we all understand the reason for that. That is right across the board, so there will be a bit of flux in those figures. To answer the Senator’s question, the NCSE will be in contact with the parents and will update them weekly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: They are all in Dublin 15.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: When places become available, the NCSE receives that information. For example, the NSCE will have information about primary schools in Dublin 15, that there is a demand for 12 places and that 15 places that are available. Of those 15 places - I will speak in general terms - let us say that ten, for example, could be already allocated within the school. Children in the school may need that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will add to that. That is just today's update. There is movement on this daily so there will be more places. What the NCSE has said to me is the capacity is there to accommodate the children it is aware of. I know many of those parents have contacted the NCSE but if there are parents who have not, they should make the NCSE aware of any other children who may require a school place....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: That is why I want to streamline the process, so the process does not take this long. The NCSE is engaging with the schools to try and bottom-out that exact question. The Deputy is asking-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am telling the Deputy. That is what the NCSE is doing at the moment, every day, with schools in this particular area to try to determine what spaces are available. Some of the classes are just sanctioned and the schools need to work through the admissions process now. There is an admissions process in schools and they have to work through that admissions process. That is what the NCSE...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: That is exactly the reason I put the 44 therapists that were allocated to the NCSE on a permanent footing. They were not being hired because they had temporary contracts and that is exactly what they will be doing - going in, working with the teachers and collaborating with them. All the evidence points to a reduction in the need for additional supports in these schools, and better learning...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: Coming from my own teaching background, it is up to the board of management and the principal when they are hiring. You have the best interests of the child at heart in making sure you are putting the right expertise in, and making sure that training is provided for teachers where required.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: Mr. Brendan Doody might come in on this. There is probably more happening in this space.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Senator.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will let Mr. McLoughlin respond.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Cathaoirleach can send us the details privately.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Deputy has just encompassed what others have said about not being in this position in the run-up to September and October, the new school year, by having advance notice of a year or two. Senator Currie spoke earlier about parents who knew the children who are coming through to school in the next year or two. I have met parents who want to plan now for their child starting primary school...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is the forward planning.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Cathaoirleach asked about co-location of special schools with mainstream schools. We have examples of special schools being located on the same site as mainstream schools. This facilitates integration and inclusion of all students. Templeogue College and Libermann Spiritan School are examples.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Department of Education (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Spiritans, yes.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: Details of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st March 2024. Funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children. All schools, including post primary schools, have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most. These children can...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: 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 (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: Details of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st March 2024. Funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children. All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most. These children can continue to be supported, nurtured...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (25 Jun 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: Details of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st March 2024. I want to clarify that there was no cut to the Summer Programme budget so that the full funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of this funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children. The main priority again in 2024 is that those children with the most complex...