Results 1-20 of 7,013 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: To conclude on that point in the interests of time, I agree entirely with the Minister that is where the focus needs to be. We talk about school completion and absenteeism. The work done by home school liaison officers and education and welfare officers is incredibly important and life changing for individuals and families. It is about breaking the cycle. The Minister will have the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Facilities (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: There was very significant disappointment, which I raised in a Topical Issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, on the day of the announcement that the overall funding for the ICT and minor works grants were down from €79 million last year to €65 million this year. All that related to the ICT funding. All this fits into the wider piece of funding for schools. There...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Facilities (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: It is absolutely needed. This morning the CPSMA outlined results of its survey with an increase in insurance costs of one third, an increase in utility costs of 50%, an increase in cleaning costs of in excess of 80%. It is also clear the funding proposed for this year’s budget will not match the increasing costs that schools face. There is an ask for a comprehensive assessment. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional home school liaison officers and educational welfare officers her Department will provide to schools across the State for the 2025-26 academic year; the number of unfilled posts currently; the funding and recruitment processes she intends to provide to fill new and existing vacancies; and if she will make a statement...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Facilities (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: On behalf of Deputy McGuinness, I ask the Minister to explain, following her announcement that she will give €65 million in minor works and ICT funding for schools, the rationale for providing the same minor works grant to all schools when older buildings need increased funds to be maintained and whether older schools buildings will receive increased minor works funding.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Curriculum (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: Very real concerns have been articulated regarding the use of AI. I made that point from the research in Deakin University. This week, at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence, I asked the witnesses from Research Ireland how this impacts at third level. They said they have specifically changed their assessment process to ensure AI is not being presented as a student's...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Curriculum (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, in light of the deep concern regarding, among other things, the resourcing of schools, training of teachers and impact of artificial intelligence on the validity and authenticity of additional assessment components, and the related recent vote of rejection by the ASTI union, she will pause her accelerated plan for senior cycle redevelopment...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Curriculum (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: In light of the deep concern relating to, among other things, the resourcing of schools, training of teachers and impact of artificial intelligence on the validity and authenticity of additional assessment components, and the related recent vote of rejection by the ASTI union, will the Minister pause her accelerated plan for senior cycle redevelopment and re-engage with teachers and their...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Curriculum (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: We need to separate some of the issues here. Nobody is arguing against senior cycle redevelopment. What is relevant is the approach. We need to be clear that the issue is the accelerated approach and the level of preparedness at school and departmental levels across the board to make these changes. The resourcing of schools is a very clear issue. The resources to adequately resource...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I will drill down into those headline figures. They are figures which have been iterated for some time. My question was on the number of children with an identified recommendation that has been notified to the NCSE but who do not yet have an appropriate school place for September. Do we have that figure today? The Minister outlined that some schools have not yet opened up their offering...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister will be before the committee and I, as well as all those in opposition, would appreciate detailed, regular updates between now and September on the progress being made. Headline figures tell one story but I hope, as we accommodate more children, we can get the detail on that. I make the point again on the children in Dublin and the four children in Sligo. I can send on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline, in the context of special education preparedness for September 2025, the number of children with special educational needs but currently without an appropriate school place for September 2025, and the plans to address this; the way in which special needs assistant, SNA, posts will be allocated to these children and all children with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: With regard to special education preparedness for September 2025, how many children with special educational needs are currently without an appropriate school place for September 2025? What plans are there to address this? In what way will special needs assistant be allocated to these children and all children with special educational needs in September 2025? Have all schools with new...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Corps (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 79. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures he is taking to ensure the Air Corps remains fully operational at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel; his plans to recruit air traffic controllers and other personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30283/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 12. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he accepts that abolishing the triple lock was not necessary to release humanitarian deployments or secure the evacuation of Irish citizens abroad, as heard at a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Defence and National Security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30282/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how she intends to tackle soaring school running costs; if she will initiative a comprehensive review of school running costs and schools funding; if she will increase school capitation by 20% for primary schools in budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31222/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures she is taking to ensure children with Down's syndrome have access to school places and supports appropriate for their particular needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31226/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will pause the introduction of senior-cycle redevelopment for all tranche 2 subjects, not just English and accounting, in order to allow for adequate preparation particularly relating to school resourcing, the impact of artificial intelligence and evaluation of additional assessment components; and if she will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how she plans to expand trauma-based therapy; if this will be focussed in DEIS and DEIS+ schools or otherwise; the extent to which these supports will be resourced in terms of staffing and funding; a timeline for implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31223/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (12 Jun 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 327. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the teacher pupil ratio to 19:1. [31352/25]