Results 281-300 of 1,065,925 for in 'Dáil debates' OR speaker:Áine Collins in 'Committee meetings'

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Paul Murphy: I welcome the long overdue publication of this report. AsIAm has pointed out that it is worrying to see references to amending the Education Act, which could delay the action we need to see. All parents know, and the Government acknowledges in all its statements, how crucial timely intervention is, but for many it is not delivered. I will take the opportunity to raise an important...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Rory Hearne: The failure to implement key parts of the EPSEN Act shows that, while we remain a republic that has a proclamation that sets out to cherish all children equally, we are a republic of inequality when it comes to children with additional needs and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. They are not getting the education they have a constitutional right to and all the broad elements that...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Aidan Farrelly: I will open with the words of Professor Joseph Travers, who wrote about inclusive pedagogy in Ireland in 2023. He says: Given the exponential growth in special classes and the increase in special schools since Ireland’s ratification of the UNCRPD, a contradiction ... is apparent, which calls for a more radical appraisal of the purpose and role of these classes and schools. He...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Peter Roche: Like others, I welcome the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. I commend the Department of Education and Youth on undertaking that critical work. Although many positives have been reported, the findings of the review confirm what some families, educators and advocates have long felt. We still need to work harder on delivering inclusive, equitable...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

David Cullinane: I welcome the review report. I also want to take the opportunity to thank the Minister of State for the work done to provide additional special classes in County Waterford. We had a number of debates in the House over the last number of months and the Minister of State committed to improving services. It has to be said, additional classes were made available. That was a very important...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Donna McGettigan: I welcome the publication of this report. However, there is nothing new in it and without political will to implement its recommendations, it will be another report that is left to sit on the shelf. The fact is that the issues and shortcomings in the provision of education for pupils with special educational needs have been identified in the past, and spoken about in this House on numerous...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Jen Cummins: In recent months, since the Government was formed, there have been announcements about additional school places for children and young people with additional educational needs, be it in special classes in mainstream schools or in special schools. There have been promises that special education will improve. I know the Minister of State and his officials are trying their best in every way to...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Liam Quaide: I have been working with a parents' campaign group in Youghal in recent months, which is seeking the establishment of a new secondary level special education school in east Cork for children whose needs cannot be met by the autism hub in the local secondary school. As we know, parents can be left in a deeply unsettling state of uncertainty in the lead-up to a decision on their school...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

John Connolly: I will start by mentioning the July provision in schools around the country. One of the many successful measures taken by the Minister of State's predecessor was the expansion of the in-school July provision to mainstream schools, which occurred following the Covid years. I am not sure if the Minister of State has the figures but I estimate that tens of thousands of children are currently...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Naoise Ó Cearúil: I want to acknowledge the extensive work being done by the Minister of State with responsibility for special education. I have seen first hand his commitment to his brief. He has visited Kildare with me. He has visited the Presentation Girls' School in Maynooth, Maynooth Community College, An Garraí Beag in Donadea and St. Patrick's Primary School in Celbridge. The schools' staff,...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

George Lawlor: I thank all the stakeholders in this review. I will speak to the proposed changes to the special school system. Circular 39/2025 in part refers to the designation of special schools under the plan. The Department and the NCSE have said they intend to commence work on reviewing the designation of existing special schools to ensure that all special schools respond to the needs of children in...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

John McGuinness: I should have called Deputy Gould earlier. My apologies.

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Thomas Gould: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and I appreciate him letting me speak. The results of this report are no surprise to parents or anyone involved with special education in Cork city. This Government and previous Governments have failed children with additional needs. Schools like Scoil Íosagáin in Farranree are crying out for additional autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classes....

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Conor McGuinness: The report shows very clearly that the Government has lost control of special education and it is families and children who are paying the price. Instead of support, they are met with silence. Instead of certainty, they are met with delays. Parents in schools are being forced to fight for basic entitlements and children with additional needs are being left in limbo. In Waterford alone,...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Eoghan Kenny: Most importantly, following the review, these recommendations must be implemented in a timely manner and continue to be reviewed by the Department. I compliment all stakeholders involved in the review, particularly those affected on the front line. I acknowledge the work done by schools, staff, parents and children. When it comes to additional educational needs, a large cohort of...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the review and the review process. I welcome the publication of the report and the comments of the Minister and Minister of State. I have to say the proof of the pudding will be in the eating and I come to this with something of a jaundiced and critical eye. I accept there is evolution in thinking, in processes and in language but it has fundamentally always been obvious what is...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh: Fáiltím roimh an deis ráiteas a thabhairt ar fhoilsiú na tuarascála seo. Is cáipéis chríochnúil atá os ár gcomhair inniu. Molaim an rannpháirtíocht leathan le páirtithe leasmhara sa phróiseas, go háirithe ionchur suntasach na ndaoine óga a tógadh san áireamh. Ag an stad seo, is beag duine sa...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act. I thank my colleague, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, for her opening statement. I wish to thank those who conducted the review and Members of the House for the opportunity to discuss the review. The review represents the most comprehensive national reflection to date on how...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to be here today to share the report of the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs, EPSEN, Act 2004 which was published last Wednesday. It is a significant milestone in our shared work to create a more inclusive and equitable education system. The report allows for a moment of reflection - a moment to honour the hopes that inspired this landmark...