Results 361-380 of 1,014,259 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Carol Nolan) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disadvantaged Status (16 Apr 2024)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Minister will know that I have raised this next matter probably more than any other issue in my capacity as the Labour Party's spokesperson on education. I refer to the need for a new designation of what is called DEIS plus for the most acutely disadvantaged schools. It is an initiative that was started in Dublin 17, in schools in Tallaght and Ballymun. The estimate is that about 100...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disadvantaged Status (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: The DEIS programme is a key policy initiative of the Department to address specifically concentrated areas of educational disadvantage at school level. The Department now spends over €180 million annually providing additional supports to just under 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme. This includes an additional €32 million allocated following the announcement to extend the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disadvantaged Status (16 Apr 2024)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: When I raised this matter before, the Minister said there would be no OECD review of the DEIS programme until the second quarter of this year. This is why I have been relatively patient in trying to find out if the Minister will listen to what the principals have said. The Minister has said she has met them. The need in these schools is absolutely profound. Making one child out of every...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (16 Apr 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank both Deputies. The NCSE has confirmed the need for special classes in the area, and it is working with Department to identify suitable locations. There are 14 special classes in Ballincollig already. I very much welcome and think it is really positive that the schools want to provide these services for children in the area. We are open to more coming into it, and how that is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Apr 2024)

Education Schemes

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Apr 2024)

Marian Harkin: 62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason no counsellor is available to a school in north Leitrim under the Counselling in Primary Schools pilot (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16346/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Apr 2024)

Marian Harkin: Why, after nearly one year into a two-year pilot programme entitled Counselling in Primary Schools, no counsellor is available to schools in the north Leitrim area, even though Leitrim is one of the counties in the pilot area? I have sent the Minister details of one of the schools. Obviously, I do not want the name of the school to be mentioned because of confidentiality but it is one of a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: In June 2023 - the Deputy is correct - I was very pleased to launch a €5 million pilot of counselling and well-being supports in primary schools in selected counties. This further supports the range of mental health and well-being supports already provided by my Department and the excellent work already happening in schools in respect of well-being. All of this supplements the mental...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Apr 2024)

Catherine Connolly: I am sorry, Minister. We are way over.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Apr 2024)

Marian Harkin: As the Minister said, this scheme came into being last May 2023. That is almost a year ago, and Leitrim is one of the seven counties in this scheme, along with Cavan, Laois, Longford, Tipperary, Mayo and Monaghan. This is a very valuable scheme. It provides counselling outside of the NEPS scheme. You do not need a full assessment from teachers etc. in order to get access to the scheme....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I can confirm in fact that 733 blocks of counselling have been allocated, benefiting 733 children. What I can say is that is has been difficult to recruit in certain areas. As I said, two counsellors were available to work in Leitrim, and I am pleased to say that on 11 April, an additional counsellor was added to the panel who is available to work in schools in Leitrim. The Department is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Apr 2024)

Marian Harkin: The school about which I gave the Minister details, which we are not mentioning here, contacted the Department in February, and again in March it submitted what I think is called the appendix 1 form. It has not heard back from the Department. It would be very useful if the Minister's Department could contact the school to let it know the situation. As the Minister knows, if a principal...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. I reiterate that 733 blocks of counselling have been provided to 733 children. It is new and innovative, and it will take time for it to take root. There have been challenges - I would be the first to say it - with regard to recruiting counsellors. The Deputy has specifically referenced her own area there. I am pleased, as I said, that from mid-April we have been...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Apr 2024)

Question No. 63 taken with Written Answers.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (16 Apr 2024)

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (16 Apr 2024)

David Stanton: 64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to establish a new second level school in the east Cork area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16461/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (16 Apr 2024)

David Stanton: What plans does the Minister and her Department have for another second level school in east Cork? This is probably one of the fastest-growing areas in the country at the moment, with thousands of houses planned but many of the schools there are already at capacity, even though they have got fantastic extensions. I would be interested in the Minister's response.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I will come back to the Minister on the three-school campus on another day. In respect of the issue before us, she mentioned the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, but she is the Minister for Education. I want to be clear. Is she saying that in the days ahead, her Department is going to issue a letter of intent to the proposed contractor? Will that be followed very quickly by the signing of a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. I absolutely understand and appreciate the importance of the provision of a new build for a school. I recognise the importance of such provision in the interests of the school community, including the staff, students and the wider school community, comprising parents and the wider community. It is for that reason this project has moved, as I said. We received the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (16 Apr 2024)

Special Educational Needs