Results 2,441-2,460 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not believe she agreed to publish it but I will ask her about it again.

Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The position is that discussions are ongoing with the Minister, a group of officials and the Mahon tribunal on a number of issues. Until those discussions are concluded, the fees stay in place. It is not a question that we have changed it. That is the position and I do not believe it has changed. I had gone to lunch with the President of Slovakia so I was not actually there. I did not...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I appreciate I have not been asked by the Deputy to comment on an individual case but I do not take satisfaction in seeing parents having to fight issues relating to their children in court.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I assure the House that improving services for children of special needs across a range of areas has been, and continues to be, a major priority for the Government. We have worked hard to dramatically increase services in recent years. This year €820 million will be spent on special needs education, which is an increase of more than 30% on last year. A total of 8,000 special needs...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——whether through placement in mainstream classes, special classes or in special schools, a view supported by the findings of the task force report on autism. Autistic children in the school system have access to qualified teachers using a range of methodologies. Over the past few years, 182 special classes for children with autism have been provided in special and mainstream schools and...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Two of these facilities have to be established. As Deputy Sargent acknowledged, ABA is not the only issue. I have met the groups and committees working on this issue. The Department's view and the expert opinion is that exclusive intervention through ABA is not the only way. The task force on autism recommended that a range of resources and approaches be made available to meet the unique...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy cannot say the effort and significant resources that have been put in and the ongoing work and research in this area are not a good response in this area.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy says it is nonsense for us to have appointed thousands of additional staff to work in the education system. That is a huge improvement. That is what the Government is committed to and that is what the Minister for Education and Science has been doing so excellently over the past number of years.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Sargent understands that ABA is only one such treatment.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There are several. I have answered on the question of resources. There has been an increase of more than 30% this year.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Resources have increased by more than 30%. Public expenditure has risen by 38% or 39% and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act is regarded as being one of the most advanced anywhere in the world.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: That is the consideration regarding this Act.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is a fact.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Autism is an important issue and as I noted, 182 special classes for children with autism are attached to schools. This is considered to be the best approach. There are also special classes for different streams of autism. There are 18 pre-school classes to facilitate demand for early intervention and 14 stand-alone facilities have been provided for applied behavioural analysis. These are...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is the Government's priority to continue to expand provision for children with autism. All primary and post-primary schools have access to psychological assessments for their pupils through the various schemes. More than 4,000 such private assessments were funded in the school system last year. The Government has continued to provide resources for this matter in every way possible...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——per class with the possibility of additional special needs assistant posts being made available on a one to one basis, where required. Deputy Sargent should note this is already in existence. Significant support is now available in the area of teacher training through an accredited autism-specific course, an approach-specific course, on-line courses and through special education....

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——and the Government will continue to have ongoing meetings with Irish Autism Action on such issues.

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 22, inclusive, together. On Monday, we were witness to truly unprecedented developments in Northern Ireland. Anyone with any sense of the history and troubles of this island understands the significance of the meeting between Sinn Féin and the DUP and their unequivocal agreement to restore the devolved institutions on 8 May. I know that everyone in...

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The agreement is an historic landmark and an important development. I am delighted we reached such a pivotal point in what has been a long process. I would rather see the institutions being set up this week but having said that, the negotiations, agreements and understandings are even more important. Undoubtedly, it is a golden moment and an unprecedented hope. We all have to work to...

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Rabbitte for his acknowledgement of my role, which I appreciate. On policing, I do not believe anything will happen prior to 8 May other than that discussions will take place. The board will have to be reconstituted and I assume that will coincide with 8 May or it will be after it. I do not think it will be reconstituted before that. That will be a call for the Secretary of...