Results 14,021-14,040 of 15,969 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (13 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all pupils. Where the school is aware of potential difficulties that may arise as a consequence of a medical condition suffered by one or more pupils, it may be possible for the management authorities, working in conjunction with parents, teachers and student(s) to put appropriate measures in place. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (13 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: As is reflected in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, neither my department nor the State Examinations Commission (SEC), has a role in relation to the setting, running, or marking of mock examinations. Decisions to hold mock examinations are taken by individual schools. The format of these examinations varies from school to school and not all schools run mock examinations. For...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (13 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together. Please find attached requested data. In previous budgets, reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools was prioritised which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (13 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity. Since 2020, my department has invested over €1.3 billion in our schools throughout Dublin county, involving the completion of over 250 school building projects and with construction...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (13 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: Please find attached requested information. The number of primary, special and post-primary schools for the requested school planning areas. Please note that the enrolment data is for academic year 2023-24, this is the latest year we have final enrolment data for. We expect to publish final enrolment data for academic year 2024-25 in June 2025. Language of Instruction can be sourced from the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. At the outset I offer my sincere condolences to the young man who was brutally stabbed at the weekend. I must make it clear, and An Garda Síochána has made it very clear in its actions to date, that whoever is responsible for this will be held accountable and will be brought to justice. I acknowledge also the serious incident that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: For the second time, I will repeat it for the people in the back who may not have heard my response to all Deputy Doherty's three questions. The Deputy might repeat what I have actually said over the past number of years. There are absolutely problems in our city centre and in every part of our country that we need to address. By addressing those, we can ensure every person is safe and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising an important issue. I said when I was appointed to this role that my number one objective and goal was to make sure every young person - irrespective of their background, where they come from or what school they go to - is supported, and that our teachers are resourced and supported to help them achieve their full ability. That is my number one goal and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I do and always will engage with our teachers because they are the only way this will happen and they provide our young people with the fantastic education they get. We have spent over €6 billion on capital projects since the beginning of 2020. I have said clearly to the unions that we will invest more, whether in science labs or in making sure more training is provided. I have...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Similar to the delivery of our education system, the delivery of healthcare in this country can only happen with the support of fantastic people: from our consultants to our GPs to our nurses to our clinicians right across the system. That is why over recent years we have continued to significantly invest not just in our built...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: It is absolutely the case that the HSE must, will and will always work within the relevant framework. That is absolutely the case. It is what we expect from the HSE and what we expect from those working in our public sector. Where issues and challenges arise, there are very clear frameworks and structures that must be adhered to and mechanisms which can be put in place to resolve any...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: This Government has been very clear in stating that we need to invest more in our water system and that we need to do more to make sure towns, communities or villages which do not have access to the quality of water that they should get investment first and foremost. We must also ensure that sites are opened up and that in the delivery of housing in particular we have the investment and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I will respond to both points. In relation to the storm, a committee has already been established on a permanent basis to make sure all Departments and relevant agencies are prepared should something like this happen again. As I have said, the likelihood of that is quite high. What is Uisce Éireann doing? It is purchasing more generators and making sure sites are generator-ready. It...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I acknowledge the absolute devastation that was caused by this explosion. I met with the families because I wanted to hear from them. I wanted to meet them because I want to make sure they get the answers they are entitled to and they deserve. The number one objective here is that families get answers to the questions they have asked, as they are entitled to. We also want to make sure...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for the question. He will be aware that the timelines are there to protect wildlife and certain nature.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: It is certainly a question I can ask and relay to the Minister. The objective is that we do everything possible to put in place measures to prevent the type of destruction we saw in the last several weeks. I will certainly relay the specific timeline and the Deputy's request to the Minister.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I am aware that the route is closed and that this is a private contract. I am also aware that the Tánaiste has committed to writing to the NTA to see what possible measures or options could be put in place to service the towns and communities mentioned by the Deputy. Of course, I will again relay this information to ensure this happens.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I assure the Deputy it is a number one priority to ensure every child has access to the place they are entitled to, particularly those with special educational needs. I believe a great deal of progress has been made in recent years. I want to get to a point where every single child is offered a place at the same time as their sibling and every other child in their community. There is work...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I congratulate Deputy Neville and wish him well in the years ahead. I look forward to working with him and I know he will be a strong advocate for people in north Meath, like his predecessor.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: Apologies, in north Kildare. I think we share similar challenges within our counties as well, especially with our growing population, young population and proximity to Dublin. I assure the Deputy this Government is absolutely committed to ensuring we invest in north Kildare in communities where there is that growth and increase in population. We are committed through the expansion of the...