Results 1-20 of 6,570 for speaker:Michael Moynihan

Education (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I listened to both Deputies. I acknowledge the complete sincerity of the work Deputy Ó Murchú is doing. Others must judge my character but I would like to think that I am open. I do not have a monopoly on wisdom but I have a monopoly on experience and want to make sure that we are doing the best we can. I will outline a number of things we are doing. I outlined the...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I move: To delete all words after "That" and substitute with the following: "Dáil Éireann declines to give the Education (Amendment) Bill 2024 a second reading consequent on Dáil Éireann's passage of the following motion on 16th October, 2025: notes that: — a child's right to education is enshrined in the Constitution and, under the United Nations Convention...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (16 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs, including the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs). The NCSE issues guidance each year to schools regarding SNA reviews and the guidance for 2025/26 school year issued on the 12 September 2025. The SNA allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (16 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. I know the central role that our special needs assistants (SNAs) play in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools to enable them to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (16 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs, including the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs). The NCSE issues guidance each year to schools regarding SNA reviews and the guidance for 2025/26 school year issued on the 12 September 2025. The SNA allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (16 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs, including the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs). I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (16 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Early intervention classes are available in mainstream and special school settings for children aged 3 -5 years old with a diagnosis of autism. There is also a small number dedicated to children who are deaf/hard of hearing. These classes are intended to provide early support to children before they start school and can aid their transition to junior infants. The National Council for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (15 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The budget for special education is over €3 billion this year. The Deputy will recall that following the budget last week, we will hire over 1,700 additional SNAs and over 860 teachers in special schools and special classes. The first thing I would like to say is that the work being done by the teachers and the teams working in special schools or special classes helping children with...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (15 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Last Thursday, Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan contacted me about St. Gabriel's Special School and the information it had given to parents. It is a very challenging and distressing situation. On Friday morning, the Department and the National Council for Special Education made contact with the school and a very extensive meeting was held in the afternoon. Thankfully, the position taken by...

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...

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

Michael Moynihan: The first thing I will say is I will not be giving any wild commitments. I understand the frustration and accept it absolutely.

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

Michael Moynihan: The design team has finalised the tender documentation. The review of the documentation is in the Department. The commitment I will give is we will make sure it is not delayed within it. There was a commitment given for 1 September. We are now heading for the end of October. That is six weeks of a delay. Every week and day is a delay. I accept people's frustration. As public...

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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (15 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: In 2026, over €3 billion will be spent supporting children with special educational needs. It will ensure that specialist capacity continues to grow by providing 3,000 specialist places. The majority of these places will be available in special classes within mainstream schools. It will increase our special educational posts by 860 special education teacher and over 1,700 special needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (15 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. The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education and Youth on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (15 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. The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs. Transport is also provided for children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and those residing in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (15 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). As you are aware the vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (15 Oct 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs. The NCSE is currently collating the data and information received through the parents notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27...