Results 1,721-1,740 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Report on Commission on Pensions: Motion (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I have listened to the debate on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, who is unavailable this evening. I assure each Deputy who has contributed that I will bring their comments to the attention of the Minister. A number of issues have been raised and I will take them all back to her. The State pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland and is extremely effective in...

Report on Commission on Pensions: Motion (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I very much welcome the opportunity to note and discuss the response of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands to the report of the pensions commission. I note Deputy Naughten's work as Chair and the work of other members. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, sends her apologies. She cannot be here this evening as she...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Maternity Hospital (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I would like to reassure the Deputy. I set out my understanding in my original contribution to this House. In fact, I said that canon law plays no part in the new maternity hospital. I have said that on a number of occasions here, including my initial contribution, and I will say it again to the Deputy. The House can be assured that maternity and reproductive healthcare at the new...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horticulture Sector (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: As the Deputy acknowledged, this issue is not within my remit but, nevertheless, I was happy to take it for the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, who is indisposed. I hear the Deputy's frustration regarding the lack of information. Perhaps I should say the alleged lack of information because obviously I am not up to speed with the minutiae of this issue. I do know, however, the key importance...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Maternity Hospital (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I am sorry to disappoint the Deputy that I am not the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. He too was not disposed today to take this Topical Issue matter but I am happy to take it on his behalf. I know the Deputy, like many other Members, has a strong interest in the ownership and governance arrangements of the new national maternity hospital and I welcome the opportunity to address the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horticulture Sector (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank Deputy Carthy for raising this important matter, which I am happy to take on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue. As the Deputy is aware, extraction of peat for the Irish professional horticultural industry in recent years has been challenging from both a legal and regulatory perspective. A series of High Court judgments, beginning in the early 2010s, which dealt with peat...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Offshore Islands (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy. I am taking this topic on behalf of the Minister for Community and Rural Development, Deputy Humphreys. The sustainability of the communities on our offshore islands is a core objective of the Government, as set out in its rural development policy. The policy acknowledges the importance for island communities of access to reliable, safe and affordable connectivity...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Offshore Islands (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy. I can hear the frustration in his comments. Nonetheless, I thank him for raising the matter this evening. I will relay his comments to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. I reiterate that, unlike the NTA, the Department does not subsidise all services on all routes and therefore any fare reduction scheme could-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Offshore Islands (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: May I finish?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Offshore Islands (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Could I just finish? Unlike the NTA, the Department does not subsidise all services on all routes, and therefore any fare reduction scheme could not be applied evenly and could put private operators at a disadvantage. The Deputy will appreciate that I am taking this topical issue on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Offshore Islands (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I am not in the Department myself. This is the information that I have but I hope the Deputy will be reassured by my stated commitment to speak to the Minister about this. I hear what he is saying about equality for islanders and note his comments on the reduction and the PSO contract. I will pass them on to her. I understand that what the Deputy is suggesting would create fare...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know it is something that is close to her heart and on which she has been advocating for a significant period. It is quite poignant to hear the names of the women who died in February and March over the past 27 years. It is good that their names have been put on the Dáil record, which is some sort of acknowledgement. As the Deputy...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Again, I commend the Deputy on her work in this area. I have seen her output on social media, including Instagram, and how effective it can be. She is right about the effect on people, even if we are just reading about it. Even the fact that so many women have lost their lives takes an emotional toll. The Deputy's work is good because it keeps their memory alive and gives credence to the...

Committee Report on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community: Statements (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: As the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, is regrettably unable to attend this session, I am pleased to deliver the closing statement on his behalf. I say to Senator Flynn that the usher who told her she deserves to be here is absolutely correct. Of course she deserves to be here and it is her voice that is effecting change as a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs.  Such...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Education with the UNCRPD (Resumed): Discussion (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Cathaoirleach and the committee for the invitation to attend. I am accompanied, as he said, by Ms Mannion, assistant secretary general for special education and inclusion, and Mr. Ward, principal officer of the special education section. The topic before the committee is aligning education with the UNCRPD and, in particular, a focus on the progress being made on aligning...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Education with the UNCRPD (Resumed): Discussion (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Senator for his comments, as well as for his acknowledgement of the progress that has been achieved to date. On the special classes, I have been acutely aware of this since I came into this role as the very first Minister of State with responsibility for special education. This is really about a collaborative effort with schools via the Department. The Senator will be aware,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Education with the UNCRPD (Resumed): Discussion (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: The Deputy has a number of different questions and I will try to deal with them as best as I can. First, around the progressing disability model, the Deputy is quite correct that it is under the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte’s, remit. Obviously, I keep a close eye on it because it has a direct effect on my remit. It is being implemented by the HSE and existing therapy resources...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Education with the UNCRPD (Resumed): Discussion (3 Mar 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Around expulsion, the team of the NCSE, National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, the inspector and the Department work with officials and schools that have expelled or suspended students. It happens, but rarely. It is regrettable when it happens at all. Obviously, one wants to keep a child in school if at all possible. However, sometimes that is just not possible. Again, it is...