Results 401-420 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: Our next business is public petition No. P00049/23, Extra Time to be introduced as a Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations (Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate), from the Dyslexia Association Ireland. We are meeting with representatives of the State Examinations Commission and the Department of Education in regard to public petition No. P00049/23. Before we...

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: I want to ask a couple of quick questions. The first is for the Department. Is there no way it can work with the SEC to ensure there is reasonable accommodation for dyslexic students in State examinations at junior certificate and leaving certificate stage? Would it not be expedient for the Department to develop a policy framework to fast-track the provision of extra time for such...

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: Yes. Is there any way the Department can work with the SEC?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: Unintended consequences in what way?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: It was on the rising number of candidates being provided with accommodations. In 2023-----

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: Yes.

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: Yes.

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: There was a report in 2008 in which one of the clear recommendations was for the introduction of additional time. Some 16 years later, Ms Feeney is saying that has not happened. That report was set up as a guide and why, 16 years later, has that additional time not been included?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: I am looking at the specific section with the clear recommendation for the introduction of additional time.

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: The recommendations were made for specific students who would be struggling. It was not meant to apply to a wide range of students. It was specific to students with dyslexia.

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: I have a couple of questions. It was stated earlier that will be extensive consultation and engagement with as broad a range of stakeholders as possible, including young people with special educational needs, their families and representatives. The SEC is finalising the terms of reference. What timeframe is it looking at to finish that?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: Does the Department look at the exam scores for those who get assistance compared with those who do not? To be certain if something is working, I presume this would inform the process in the future. Will the witnesses outline if it is included in any of the assessments that are done?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: That would all be part of other assessments that have been done throughout the process?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: Yes.

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: Does the Department's role extend to examining the demand for assistance with State examinations? From our experience as Oireachtas Members, work appears to be needed in the area of the allocation of special educational needs. Does the Department collect data? What kind of data would it be? How is it conveyed to the SEC?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations: Discussion (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: I thank Ms O'Callaghan, Ms Feeney and Mr. Dolan for coming in to speak to us today. It has been informative.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: The next item is the consideration of public petitions. I propose that the petitions that are considered by the committee at this meeting and during previous meetings are published and that the replies from the Departments and other bodies may also be published. Is that agreed? Agreed. We have four petitions for consideration today, the first of which is P00021/24, which is titled "4...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: Yes. The responses from both Departments have indicated that now is not the right time. It might be worth following up with them about whether they have considered when the right time would be. Also, to run a pilot programme like this, one would probably need more follow-up than just the likes of the public body because there would be fundamental changes. Are the recommendations agreed?...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: The correspondence from the Department of Finance clearly states that there may be a misinterpretation of the relevant parts of the Credit Union Act on behalf of the petitioner. I suggest that we await the petitioner’s response in case a more detailed analysis of the Act is required. Is that agreed? Agreed. Next, we will deal with P00029/24, which is titled "Ireland, Open up an...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (16 May 2024)

Martin Browne: The Department of Justice has no plans to establish such a programme for people from Sudan joining family members here but it is open to people affected who have been here to apply for a visa. We will wait to hear the response from the petitioner once they receive the correspondence. Is that agreed?