Results 1,141-1,160 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (14 Sep 2022)

Josepha Madigan: 111. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department is considering the installation of solar panels in schools as a form of energy for schools for heating and water and as a potential cost-saving initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44935/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Sep 2022)

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. This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Sep 2022)

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. This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Sep 2022)

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. This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Sep 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (the Vetting Act), which was commenced in April 2016, put in place statutory requirements for the Garda vetting of persons involved in working with children and vulnerable persons. The Vetting Act applies not just to schools but to any relevant organisation that employs, contracts, permits or places a person...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Sep 2022)

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. This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Sep 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following: Recognising some of the difficulties experienced by parents in securing appropriate school placements, over the last two years, the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process. This has ensured a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (14 Sep 2022)

Josepha Madigan: 564. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated amount it would cost to provide medical cards to all those 80 years of age and above; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44726/22]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The planning and building unit within the Department of Education is involved in the designing and building of schools. If the Deputy gives me the details of the project, I can check with that unit and come back to him on it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy. The school transport scheme at present caters for more than 121,000 children, 15,500 of whom have special needs. The Deputy will be aware that those availing of the scheme for this term will have it for free as part of the €67 million back-to-school package agreed by Government recently. I understand the submissions to input into the review closed in February of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: A review of the school transport scheme is under way. If the Deputy wishes to speak to me, I can give her submission to the working steering group.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (14 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for the questions raised and would advise the following: The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Budget 2022 provides funding for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (14 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to thank the Deputy for the questions raised and would advise the following: Budget 2022 provides for an additional 620 new Special Education Teacher (SET) posts in special education. This new investment is required to meet the needs of students with special educational needs enrolled in mainstream classes; students to be enrolled in new special classes and new special school...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (14 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: This year’s Summer Programme will allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. In line with last year, the total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million. Building on the 2021 programme, all schools, both...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Special Educational Needs (14 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: In May last, the Government announced this year's Summer Programme to allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation,...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I want to take a moment to inform the House of some good news on the provision of special classes in Dublin. Senators will be aware that the Department wrote to 14 schools a few weeks ago that had been identified as having space and capacity to open a special class for the coming academic year. I am delighted to announce that out of the 14 schools that were initially contacted, seven more...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: -----in September and I hope that will ease the pressure for parents and children in the area. Senator Warfield tabled the amendment and I thank him for his indulgence in sharing this good news. I will now deal specifically with his amendment. While I understand the amendment, I have to put out a number of issues around it. As the Senator mentioned, appropriate educational provision for...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: It is interesting to hear the different contributions. I thank Senator Mullen for his contribution and I will deal with it momentarily. I thank Senators Dolan, Seery Kearney and Carrigy for their contributions also. I should be clear that this is a two-step process. Co-operation, by its nature, is not 100% binding. Most people would be aware that the vast majority of schools co-operate,...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The Bill also requires schools to reflect this in their admission policy and statement. The Senator can take it that the NCSE is not going to contact or approach a school in circumstances where it is not of the view that it does not have sufficient capacity to open a special class. This is a two-step process and I am correct in what I have said, which the Senator repeated, about...

Seanad: Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I think I am just going to be repeating statements I have made to the Senator already.