Results 2,221-2,240 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (13 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: Special class provision in mainstream primary and post primary schools is a central element of the continuum of education provision in place to support children with special educational needs.  This continuum extends from full time placement in mainstream classes and special classes through to full time enrolment in special schools with a number of options in between.  My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (13 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: In May 2021 the Government announced a package of supports to allow 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, as a COVID-19 pandemic response measure for summer 2021. The total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million, a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (13 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I wish to advise the Deputy that a number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 have been commenced. The commenced provisions include those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those providing for an inclusive approach to the education of children with special educational needs. The following sections of the EPSEN Act...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Rights of People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: Action 36 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (NDIS) provides that schools will be required to link SNA support to individualised planning for each pupil.  As referenced in the Mid-Term Review of the Strategy, published in January 2020 and available at [1].pdf/Files/Midterm-Review-of-the-National-Disability-Incl usion-Strategy-2017-2021[1].pdf) this action is now...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (12 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: It is my belief that children with special educational needs should receive their education in placements which are appropriate to their needs alongside their peers, wherever possible unless such an approach would be inconsistent with the best interests of the individual child, or other children in the school. This approach is consistent with the provisions of the Education for Persons with...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (12 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Senator for her comments. I reiterate something which she will be well aware of which is that the communication between schools and the Department of Education, and more particularly the NCSE, will be crucial to ensuring that the child is in the right place. No expulsion or suspension should be unwarranted. It is important to say that there is that appeal mechanism available....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Safety (12 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I wish to confirm that there are curriculum supports educating young people about road safety from a young age. The Garda schools programme, at both primary and post-primary level includes modules on road safety and on cycle safety. The aim of this programme is to engage with young people in order to enhance their appreciation of the need to be caring, law-abiding citizens and to increase...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Safety (12 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I will pass those comments on to the Minister. The updated Garda primary schools and post-primary schools programmes will be launched in the coming year.I reiterate that basic tuition to lay foundation in driver education features in the school curricula. I note what the Senator said. While the RSA is not under the remit of the Department of Education, it provides back-to-school advice for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (12 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: The issues and challenges that pertain to children with educational needs are very close to the Senator's heart and he raises them in the Chamber regularly. One step I want to take in my position as the first Minister of State with responsibility for special education is to ensure we provide special class places and special school places for all children with additional needs, whether in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (12 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: The Acting Chairperson is sick of my voice already on a Monday morning. I note the Senator’s comments about this school. When there is any site acquisition by the Department, we must consider best value for money. That is the reality of the situation. The site acquisition must be thoroughly interrogated by the Department. I appreciate the Senator’s kind comments about my...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (12 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I can hear the passion for this project in the Senator's voice. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Department of Transport. Under the review of the NDP, the Department is examining its investment plans in light of the programme for Government. The plan is based around outcomes. The Senator is correct, in that I will refer to the sustainable mobility of 1 million people....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (12 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: That was not a speech I read out. It was my own summary. I took the pertinent points and summarised them. It was not word for word.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (12 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: It is a different sheet I read from, compared to the opening statement I was given by the Department. I will take the points from the opening statement I was given. The Senator will appreciate I am not in the Department of Transport and am doing my best to try to disseminate the information to him. As a ten-year plan, the NDP was scheduled for review in 2022. The Government has brought...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (8 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: We agree regarding the temporary nature of the proposed move of Danu Community Special School to Riversdale Community College. However, this is still phase 1 of the process and not phase 2, which will involve the review of which I spoke concerning long-term needs. I have no doubt that the consideration of other possible sites, as mentioned by the Deputy, will be taken into account in that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (8 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for setting out what is, in his view, the chronological series of events in this case. Some of the timeline he gave is correct but I will give him a different view on a number of points. It is important to stress the Government takes the care and consideration of children with additional needs very seriously. The Deputy noted that finance is not the only issue to be...

Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Acting Chairman. I thank Members for the interest they have shown in this Bill and their contributions yesterday and today. This is an important Bill. Its core aim is to improve communication and engagement within the whole school community. It is important that students, parents and school staff are part of a school environment and culture that are inclusive, connected and...

Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Referral to Select Committee (8 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, pursuant to Standing Order Nos. 95 and 181.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: Under the home-based programme the allocation is 10 hours per week for 4 weeks where a student’s school is not participating in a school-based programme. The allocation is done on a per household basis with adjusted allocations for siblings. Allocations of time for siblings broadly reflect how children may be grouped if they were in the same class at school. This is where one teacher...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227, 228, 229 and 230 together. In May 2021 the Government announced an expanded summer programme to allow 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 total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Jul 2021)

Josepha Madigan: 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. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist...