Results 1,881-1,900 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: My Department meets with Forsa regularly in respect of SNAs and, indeed, has established a forum which meets throughout the year specifically to engage with Forsa trade union and consult on all matters relating to SNAs. Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Very significant levels of financial provision are made to ensure that all children with special educational needs can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs. The State currently spends approximately €2 Billion - almost a quarter - of its annual educational and training budget on making additional provision for children with special educational needs. This...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018. The Review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Reviews (1 Feb 2022)

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 17 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 (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 460 together. Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. I fully recognise that where parents have difficulties in securing an appropriate school placement for their child, particularly a child with special educational needs, it can be a stressful experience. My Department is working...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 464 together. Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life.  This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life.  This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018.  The Review made a number of recommendations regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: 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 additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.  The National Council for Special Education (NCSE)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: 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 educational needs. This includes additional teaching and care supports....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: My Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. These measures protect students/pupils, their parents and school staff and are very effective when adhered to.  Public Health continue to advise that the two most important actions to prevent the introduction and spread...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Josepha Madigan: 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 educational needs. This includes additional teaching and care supports. As a result,...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: It is extremely important when we are talking about the leaving certificate that there is fairness for children from DEIS areas, disadvantaged areas and across the board. This is something the advisory group on State examinations is looking at in considerable detail. I am sure the Minister, Deputy Foley, is aware of it also.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for the question. Special classes are an important issue. There are 2,118 special classes at the moment. This has been increased by 269 this year and it will be increased by 287 next year. That will create an additional 1,700 special class places. Notwithstanding that, it is important that we work with the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, and liaise on the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: It is fair to say that students over the past two years have had great difficulty in trying to learn for their leaving certificate. I have a son who is doing his leaving certificate. I know that the Minister, Deputy Foley, is acutely aware of the difficulties and that clarity will be given as soon as possible. The advisory group in respect of State examinations is looking at this in real...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (27 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: While the Department has provided supports to schools to allow them to support their operation during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department also recognises that given the current high case numbers schools will continue to require additional substitute cover. In the period leading up to the mid-term break (to 23rd February 2022) a range of measures have been put in place to assist in dealing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (27 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018. The Review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (26 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue matter today, which is relevant at the moment, particularly for my own Ministry for special education. The role of the SNA is critical. The Deputy has very eloquently set out the non-exhaustive list of duties they undertake daily. In my visits to different schools throughout the country, I have met many SNAs. I have spoken to them...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (26 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy. Again, it is important to stress that, through the education partners and the mechanism of the Department, there is ongoing engagement with SNA representatives. I know Fórsa has put in a claim to the Workplace Relations Commission. Any review of the SNA contract will happen through the Building Momentum national pay agreement, which would the be appropriate...

Leaving Certificate: Motion (25 Jan 2022)

Josepha Madigan: On behalf of the Government, I welcome the opportunity to close what has been a very insightful and informative debate on this very important matter. The many contributions made during the debate will feed into the Department's continuing engagement with members of the advisory group on State examinations in planning for these examinations this year. It is important to hear and understand...