Results 1,541-1,560 of 4,188 for speaker:Sorca Clarke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students: Discussion (4 Jul 2023)

Sorca Clarke: That was not what I was asking. I was asking about the level of funding that is required for an individual to go to Birmingham.

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: Deputy Whitmore was in possession before the debate adjourned.

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: Does the Deputy want the Minister of State to respond?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: The Minister of State referred to a case-by-case basis, but she did not say when the service level agreement, SLA, was signed or the last time this tender went out, which is what the question relates to. Approximately 4,700 schoolchildren are visually impaired. That is a relatively low number, but it is unquestionably a high-needs disability and children need supplementary tools relating to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: When is that review due to commence and end? Is the Minister of State satisfied that the current SLA, which was signed in 2015, is fit for purpose? If a child is receiving his junior cycle books in transition year, then it is not fit for purpose. He is not the only child in this situation. A child who is blind or visually impaired needs to be able to access books in Braille. There can...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: 85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the last tender for educational books in Braille happened; and what action she intends to take to end the inordinate delays experienced by students requiring these books. [31617/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: Last month, representatives of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, NCBI, were before the Oireachtas education committee. They outlined the extraordinary delays some students experience in receiving their necessary schoolbooks in Braille. It is almost beyond belief what these students go through to get these books. Can the Minister please inform the House of the last time a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: 82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the payment dates of the minor works grants, ancillary grants and ICT grants. [31620/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: I am told there was a significant change in the financial support services unit, FSSU, produced grant schedule for the 2022-23 academic year, which led to confusion among primary schools because it changed so frequently throughout the year. We all accept and understand that primary schools, like every other sector, are feeling the effects of the current cost-of-living crisis. They need to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: I am told it is the changes in the FSSU grant schedule that are causing significant issues for schools. The Covid cleaning support grant was paid in September 2022, followed by the once-off cost-of-living grant in December 2022. That was entirety of moneys received from the Department in term 1, which resulted in some schools running at a deficit. The initial grant schedule stated the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: I will go back to the ICT grant for a moment, which was included in the FSSU calendar at the beginning of the past academic year. Schools invested wisely at that point, depending on that grant coming through. The Minister has just told the House and confirmed that grant will not be paid in this academic year. In fact, it will be the next academic year before that grant will be paid. Those...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: 80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will carry out a full review of the reasonable accommodations at certificate examinations scheme. [31619/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: Will the Minister please carry out a review of the reasonable accommodations at certificate examination level? I asked her Department on 16 May what were the qualifying criteria for the scheme and the question was referred to the State Examinations Commission, SEC, for reply. To date, no reply has been received and there is growing concern around the accessibility of this scheme.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: I thank the Minister. I am sure the stakeholders will be happy to hear that. However, I feel the need to raise the current issues. The framework of principles for the reasonable accommodations scheme, which the Minister mentioned, states they are designed to assist a candidate in demonstrating their achievements in an exam setting. The Deputy is correct that demand for the scheme has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Examinations (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: The Minister mentioned the Dyslexia Association of Ireland. It recently established an online petition, which was signed by 21,000 individuals, seeking the accommodation of additional time. At the moment, that is not available as standard for students with dyslexia but it is at third level. That creates an unfair situation and an unlevel playing field for those students. In many other...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (29 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: 140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the intervention she and her Department have made in relation to the ongoing issue of school transportation from Ballyvourney, Macroom and surrounding areas to a school (details supplied). [31618/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (28 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: 79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the SNA allocations for 2023/2024. [31584/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (28 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: 80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the spending per funding head for primary and post-primary schools for the full-year 2022 and to date in 2023. [31585/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Budgets (27 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: 309. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the capital budget allocation for her Department in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [31084/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (27 Jun 2023)

Sorca Clarke: 310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when construction works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [31085/23]