Results 841-860 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for his question. Obviously, planning in respect of special school placements does not relate only to Cork, but to the rest of the country as well. However, Cork and Dublin are probably the most densely populated areas, which has an impact with regard to forward planning. I am not sure if the Deputy was in the Chamber earlier on but I outlined some of the initiatives...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disabilities Assessments (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: There is no stopgap. This is purely in relation to the educational component of the assessment of need, not the health component. The review in June and monthly monitoring will be important, as will engagement with the Department and NCSE. There are supports available for schools. There is detailed AON guidance and a short video, and there are also email supports and a health line. If...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disabilities Assessments (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for her topical question. The AON process is provided for under the Disability Act and is under the remit of the HSE. The Deputy will be aware that there was a court decision and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is now required to assist the HSE purely in respect of the educational assessment of the needs of children who have applied to the HSE for an...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disabilities Assessments (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: The INTO was involved, along with other education partners. In fact, it welcomed assurances from the Department in respect of the new process yesterday. It issued a press statement stating that it is important "the new process for reporting of education needs will not be used as a replacement for assessments undertaken by educational psychologists and other health professionals"....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for his question, which is important, in particular for me as Minister of State with responsibility for special education. The NCSE works very closely with the Department, parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential. The Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I am answering the Deputy's question because I am outlining to him the steps that are being undertaken, have been undertaken, and will continue to be undertaken, to ensure we have appropriate placements for the children. I will give him specific statistics if he wishes, but I want to outline to the House what we are doing in terms of forward planning, which is a critical component of making...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Accommodation (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: This is not just about the forecasting model. These are the new initiatives that we have undertaken. These initiatives are bearing fruit. We will have 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level and almost 300 new special classes at post-primary level. We have had five new special schools over the past three years. We can see clearly that it has had a major effect on what we are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 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 (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 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. For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion providing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 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. For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: The 2022 Summer Programme built on the expanded programmes of the previous two years. Since 2021, all primary and post-primary schools were given the opportunity to run at least one scheme under the programme. The Department has listened carefully to feedback from stakeholders and is working to make the scheme as inclusive as possible and available to as many eligible students as...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 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. For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: The 2022 Summer Programme built on the expanded programmes of the previous two years. Since 2021, all primary and post-primary schools were given the opportunity to run at least one scheme under the programme. The Department has listened carefully to feedback from stakeholders and is working to make the scheme as inclusive as possible and available to as many eligible students as...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: My Department provides funding to all schools to support them with their digital technologies and strategies including aspects for special education. Last April, my Department announced the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and associated grant funding for all recognised primary and post-primary schools for digital technology infrastructure. This strategy will advance the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: The Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by my Department to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who require essential specialist equipment in order to access the school curriculum. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and reassure him that the provision of education for children with special needs is a priority for Government and for me as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion. This is reflected in my Department’s 2023 budget allocation of more than €2.6 billion to support special education. This level of educational funding and support...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: As announced in December 2021, I have sought a review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004, which provides for the education of children aged under 18 years with special educational needs. The EPSEN Act 2004, is now in place for more than 18 years and there have been many significant changes and developments to policy relating to the education of children with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 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. For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 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. For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 2023)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question and would advise the following. Special Education Teachers (SET) provide additional teaching support for students with special educational needs enrolled in mainstream classes in primary and post primary schools. The Special Education Teaching allocation model provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs...