Results 3,141-3,160 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Back to School, Further and Higher Education and Special Education: Statements (3 Sep 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I am pleased to be here, following on from statements to the Dáil by the Minister, Deputy Harris, and Minister, Deputy Foley on the reopening of education and the training sector in general. My specific focus is students with special educational needs. We want to ensure that they are supported in our schools. I have sought to be an advocate for young people with special educational...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I reassure the Deputy that this process has been accelerated for some time, going back to December 2019. There were information sessions in January and there was a public forum with Involve Autism, which I met, and other relevant advocacy groups. There was also extensive consultation with some of the schools. The Department will also determine whether other accommodation options are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Site visits will be arranged if necessary to ascertain any potential for extensions with three other special schools. It is always the aim of the Department and the NCSE to accommodate every child who has special needs. As I have said consistently this morning, I am determined to eradicate this lack of provision. I do not want it to be the case in the future that there is a perennial issue...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Data (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I reassure the Deputy with respect to children with special needs who will return to school. There are approximately 8,000 children, for example, in special schools and there are also approximately 8,000 children in special classes. They have been prioritised in the stimulus package provided for the reopening of schools with a significant amount of funding totalling approximately €13...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for her question. I agree with her that we cannot tolerate a child with special needs not being treated equal to every other child in terms of a right to access education. I am determined to rectify such problems. The Deputy will know that 20% of the Department's Vote, or €1.9 billion, goes towards special education in recognition of the work that needs to be done...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: As outlined previously, special schools funded by my Department are classified as primary national schools and are intended, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 64(1) of the Rules for National Schools, to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from the age of 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. Special schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.  Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs. Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country, including South Dublin, where...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.  Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs. Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country, including South Dublin, where...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.  Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs.   Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country, including South...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 669 together. Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs. Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: My Department has now published its roadmap to the Full Reopening of schools ‘COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of Primary and Special Schools.’ This roadmap sets outs how schools will reopen for all students, including students with special educational needs, from the end of August It provides details of a range of Additional Supports which will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie My Department has now published The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: My Department has now published its roadmap to the Full Reopening of schools, "COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of Primary and Special Schools". This roadmap sets outs how schools will reopen for all students, including students with special educational needs, from the end of August. It provides details of a range of Additional Supports which will be made...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (30 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Very significant levels of financial provision are made to ensure that all children with special educational needs can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs. My Department currently spends approximately €1.9 Billion or almost 20% of its total current educational and training budget annually on making additional provision for children with special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (29 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (29 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year; with 1,353 of these catering for children with autism. 167 new special classes have been established nationally for the 2019/20 school year of which approximately 156 are new autism special classes, comprising 6 Early Intervention, 100 primary,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (29 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: My Department has now published its roadmap to the Full Reopening of schools ‘COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of Primary and Special Schools.’ This roadmap sets outs how schools will reopen for all students, including students with special educational needs, from the end of August It provides details of a range of Additional Supports which will...

Future of School Education: Motion [Private Members] (28 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: With respect, I think this is a matter for the Chair, for the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Future of School Education: Motion [Private Members] (28 Jul 2020)

Josepha Madigan: In her opening remarks, my colleague the Minister, Deputy Foley, set out in detail the approach the Government is taking to reopening our schools. We have listened very carefully to the contributions in the House tonight. It is useful for me, as a Minister of State, and my colleagues in government to hear from Deputies of the concerns they are hearing in their communities. While the school...