Results 2,761-2,780 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank Senator McGreehan for her questions. Of course, another advocacy group could be formed. Parents form them all the time. There are many different parental representative bodies and groups already. I do not see any reason another cannot be set up by the parents at any time. It would not be something for the Department to do as such but I understand what the Senator is talking about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: On the State examinations, there are accommodations in place for the children to whom the Deputy referred. They are called special arrangements or reasonable accommodations. There are, therefore, supports in place for children with special needs who are doing the leaving certificate this year. The junior certificate does not apply this year. I am not sure if the Deputy mentioned the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I took a note of the Senator's comments. On the on-off approach, as the Senator described it, I cannot give any guarantees about anything because the Department takes its advice from the public health authorities. I cannot give confirmative information about dates either. I said earlier that the Cabinet is meeting today and there is an indication that special schools will go back to 100%...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for his comments and questions. We will consider putting together a report but at the moment we are dealing primarily with getting all our children with SEN back to school. That is the priority right now but it may well merit some sort of report. I do not believe in having reports just for the sake of them but if we felt it would achieve something and we could learn from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I am not sure if there is time but if it is of any assistance, Ms Mannion might speak briefly about regression in general because a number of members have raised it. She might add something to what I have already mentioned, subject to the Chairman's approval.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Senator. On children with high risk, in primary school there are designated teachers who will ensure continuity in learning in relation to the schools. It is sort of home tuition to a certain extent. Post-primary pupils are matched with appropriate subject teachers who will teach either in person at home or using technology, or maybe a combination of blended learning. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: If a staff member or an SNA is high risk, they can avail of the enhanced occupational healthcare service via the HSE. If they have concerns about their health risk in the workplace, it is an anonymous consultation, their health conditions are assessed and they are advised whether it is safe to return to work or not. They can ask for more information or even have the assessment reviewed....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: The public health advice is for a cautious, phased approach for the return to school at the moment. Schools, of themselves, are safe environments and that has been consistently said by Dr. Ronan Glynn and others. International evidence shows that child-to-child and child-to-adult transmission of Covid-19 in schools is very uncommon.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Chairman. He absolutely may follow up with me if he wishes. Flexibility is important but there is obviously a policy that needs to be followed closely. The specific transport issues the Chairman mentioned are under the remit of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, but I can find out the information for the Chairman and come back to him. On the transition from primary to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Alignment of Special Education Policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for her question. It is a matter we can consider in the coming weeks. It is a new scheme. It is voluntary for families and staff. It is open to all students in special schools and classes for those with the greatest need. The tuition is for five hours per week over four weeks, amounting to 20 hours. We certainly can consider that proposal. The Chairman was talking...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (19 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank Senator Seery Kearney for raising this important matter. She raises it consistently with me. She raised it last week and I did not answer because there were so many other questions that there was not enough time. I am delighted to have the opportunity today. Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (19 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: As the Senator will appreciate, it is a co-located shared campus with Scoil Eoin which already has 132 pupils. Scoil Colm is envisaged as catering for 40 students at the outset and it is hoped more thereafter. The intricacies and the finer details are being discussed at present, but I assure the Senator it is ongoing. There is quite a lot of work to do. We have been straitjacketed by...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Senator for her question. My Department and I are very conscious of the fact that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with special educational needs can be even greater, as we all know. It is my and the Minister, Deputy Foley's strong preference that all students would return to school at the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: It is important to note that guidance has gone out to all schools on how they should be catering for children with special educational needs. Some of the requirements set out are: regular engagement with pupils and students; a blend of guided and independent learning tasks; appropriate and engaging learning opportunities; and two-way feedback between home and school. There are supports in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horse Sport Ireland (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: Horse Sport Ireland is the national governing body for equestrian sport in Ireland. It is recognised by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the Irish Sports Council, the Olympic Council of Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland. It was established in 2007, when the Equestrian Federation of Ireland and the Irish Horse Board were amalgamated, bringing together the breeding and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horse Sport Ireland (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I am advised that the board examined a number of sites in the context of choosing a location for its headquarters and the national centre for excellence. This was part of a selection process carried out by a subcommittee of the board. A detailed feasibility study for the centre was carried out. I understand Horse Sport Ireland appointed an independent consultant to carry out this study...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: Short-term options are being considered, for example, if any other vacant accommodation is available in an existing school in Cork city. In addition, a number of building projects in Cork are being re-examined for potential capacity. The process is ongoing and includes engagement with local patrons and the education and training board, ETB. Options for the provision of a special school in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He is correct when he says he consistently raises it with me in the Chamber and at the joint committee. He is correct to do so because it is an important issue for children with special needs in County Cork. This opportunity gives me a chance to outline the provision that we are giving for children with special educational needs, in general and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 163, inclusive, together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (18 Feb 2021)

Josepha Madigan: I wish to advise the Deputy that Government is deeply conscious that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with additional needs can be even greater. The early reopening of schools is a key priority for Government. Government and my Department have invested heavily in schools to support them throughout this...