Results 1,921-1,940 of 5,828 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if guidelines will be introduced to ensure secondary schools have a policy in place to accept students from local feeder primary schools in order to ensure no child is left without a secondary school place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24601/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the level of access to education for children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24602/19]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Deputy Jan O'Sullivan for deputising for me earlier. I remind members and witnesses to turn their mobile phones off or switch them to flight mode because they interfere with the sound system. They make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the meeting, and television coverage and web streaming will be adversely affected. We have reached No. 6 on the agenda,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is not the first time we have heard about New Brunswick, Canada. There seems to be a good system in place there. We are looking forward to learning a little more about that. I thank Mr. Harris for his contribution and for respecting the time limit. It is appreciated. I call Mr. Bernard Joyce and welcome him back before the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Practical recommendations are always welcome. I call Ms Caroline Keane to make her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is very interesting work. I thank Ms Keane. I invite Ms Orla Hanahoe, principal of Scoil Cnoc Mhuire, to make her presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms Hanahoe. It is always good to hear another perspective, in this the point of view of all of the children within a class and a school. I invite Ms Mary Byrne, head of special education in the NCSE, to make her presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: If witnesses wish to make further comments in written form, or wish to provide further documentation, they should feel free to send it to the clerk.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: A welcome guest.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have a few short questions. I will be specific about who I am addressing. Mr. Harris talked about the provision of additional therapies. Is he suggesting that it be offered during the school day? Should it be timetabled during school time for the students concerned? Mr. Harris also said boards of management should explore other options before recommending that an autistic student with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Deputy Catherine Martin and I taught in DEIS schools, so we have that experience as well. There will be an opportunity for a supplementary when everybody is finished. I thank Ms Hanahoe. What she has described is harrowing but it is realistic. It is a true picture and that is what we need to hear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms Keane.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Joyce.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I invite Dr. Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children, to make his presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I now move to the Department of Education and Skills. We have Ms Mary Cregg, principal officer in social inclusion and Mr. Eddie Ward, principal officer in special education. Ms Cregg is going to make the opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Kelly for the clarification that a reduced timetable should be considered to be a suspension and recorded as such. It is the first time we have received that clarification. Further to Deputy Jan O'Sullivan's question about data, it seems clear that the Department has not been collecting data for reduced timetables. Why are they not collected? At our meeting two weeks ago...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will allow those members who have indicated to ask a supplementary question once Ms Cregg has finished.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms Cregg. Would Mr. Ward like to come in?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Ward. He referred to evidence-based policymaking. I understand that there is much evidence here, but based on the fact that data have not been collected, I believe there is not enough evidence to go forward.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I did say I would allow quick supplementary questions. I call Deputy Byrne.