Results 361-380 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (7 Nov 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The vast majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (7 Nov 2023)

Josepha Madigan: In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs and in 2024 a further 744 teachers, and 1,126 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean there will be close to 20,000 teachers and over 21,000 SNAs working in the area of special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (7 Nov 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 458 to 461, inclusive, together. I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (7 Nov 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The vast majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (7 Nov 2023)

Josepha Madigan: The details of the 2024 Summer Programme are expected to be announced as soon as possible in the coming months. For 2024, the total funding available to run the Summer Programme will be €40m which matches the budget for the last 3 years. Preparations for the 2024 Summer Programme have already commenced. This involves engagement with education partners, parents, schools,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (7 Nov 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The recommendations in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (26 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I wish to thank the Deputy for his further question on this matter. With regard to the questions in the correspondence relevant to the NCSE I have asked the NCSE to consider the questions raised and respond directly to the Deputy. In relation to the questions regarding the workings of the internal Working Group, as I have outlined previously the group was established in March 2023 and...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Data Centres (25 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I thank Senator Boylan for raising this matter. She is correct that I am responding on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Department. I refer the Senator to the July 2022 statement on the role of data centres in Ireland's enterprise strategy. Government policy seeks to enable the twin transitions of digitalisation and decarbonisation of our economy and society. These transitions...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Data Centres (25 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I will bring the Senator's comments about biomethane and hydrogen and Gas Networks Ireland back to the Minister. With regard to the legislative barriers to implementing the July 2022 statement, I understand the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Housing, Local Government and...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Schools Building Projects (25 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Senator. I am making this statement on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, in regard to the planning and building unit of the Department of Education.It gives me an opportunity to outline what is happening with regard to Ardscoil Phádraig. I note the Senator is on the board of management of the school, as well as his comments in respect of the rich and...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Schools Building Projects (25 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Senator. I wish the school, as well as the Senator and the other members of the board of management, the best of luck with its open night tonight. It is probably beneficial that he has tabled a Commencement matter on the issue. The Department will be aware it has been raised today in the Seanad. The stage 1 report is with the Department and is being reviewed. I will bring...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Mother and Baby Homes (25 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: As the Senator mentioned, I am making this statement on behalf of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman. I thank the Senator for raising the issue today, and I am happy to provide an update on the progress with regard to the delivery of this scheme to survivors and former residents. As colleagues will be aware, the mother and baby...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Mother and Baby Homes (25 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I note what the Senator says around the online application system. I mentioned that there is a stakeholder reference group there where members can provide feedback on draft applications. In terms of the scheme being advanced as soon as possible, I also outlined, from the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, some of the issues that need to be looked at and some of the measures in terms of making sure...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Fire Service (25 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I am bringing this statement on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Our firefighters, as the Senator says, do incredibly valuable work on a daily basis.The retained fire service is an elite front-line service staffed by dedicated people who serve their communities around the clock. There is no doubt that the efforts of retained firefighters and those of their...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Fire Service (25 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I appreciate the Senator's comments on a timeline. He mentioned earlier that the local authorities should be aware of this. The fact the Minister has made a commitment to implement the recommendations gives certainty and clarity to firefighters in the context of mortgages and loans. I will bring the Senator's comments to the Department and Minister and ensure we try to expedite this matter...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (25 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I wish to thank the Deputy for his further question on this matter. The Working Group met on the 6th June and the 11th September 2023. Both meetings were in-person with a virtual option for staff who were unable to attend in person. The Terms of Reference for the Group, as requested, are set out at the following link.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 together. I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Reviews (24 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and wish to advise you of the following: My Department's policy, which is set out in the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004, is that children with special educational needs should be educated in mainstream placements with additional supports provided as appropriate. The majority of children with special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together. I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Oct 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together. I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for...