Results 121-140 of 1,014,014 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Máiría Cahill OR speaker:Willie Penrose)
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Apr 2024)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister. As she knows, the works that can be undertaken under the minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. However, many schools are finding that the costs have risen substantially and they are seeing a huge shortfall. The Minister has seen in areas such as housing, and in regard to all grants, that the costs of...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Apr 2024)
Norma Foley: In terms of the funding that has been made available to Carlow schools, from 2018 to 2023 schools in Carlow received in excess of €4.5 million under the minor works grant. The grant for the 2024 to 2025 school year, which is, as I said, due to issue later this month, will provide more than €400,000 in additional funding to Carlow schools. On the point of funding being issued...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Apr 2024)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: This funding is really welcome. It is so important. I note that it is planned to go to nearly 90 school building projects, which are currently at tender stage. The Minister announced that in the last few weeks. I welcome that. There are two capital projects for schools in County Carlow. One is, as the fellow said, "shovel ready" and ready to go. When will the announcement be made for...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Apr 2024)
Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. In terms of the information that is being made available, the Department deals directly with the patron bodies on the ground, whoever they may be. To be fair, there are 4,000 schools in the system, so I think it is an appropriate mechanism. Of course, there is always a mechanism through which the Deputy can ask a parliamentary question in the Dáil, etc. I want to...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)
Schools Building Projects
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on when construction will commence on new school buildings (details supplied). [16349/24]
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: My question is about when construction on a new school building in Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, will finally commence. The school has been waiting approximately 20 years now for this to happen. I cannot stress enough how appalling the conditions within the school buildings are. The Minister has been sent an email from the board of management containing more than 100 pages of...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)
Norma Foley: At the outset, I will say that I am very familiar with this particular school. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, has raised this with me on a number of occasions, so I am very invested in bringing this over the line. I know that is the Deputy’s view also. The project that has been referenced by the Deputy is included in the Department’s construction programme, which will...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am struggling to find words here. I have just told the Minister that a 114-page document has been sent to her. I have seen it and it contains photographic evidence of the absolutely appalling conditions that teachers and children have to endure. Planning permission was lost because two contractors did not proceed to tender stage. There has been a lack of urgency in the Minister’s...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (16 Apr 2024)
Norma Foley: There is no lack of urgency here; I want that to be very clear. This project has moved at pace under the last four years of this Government. As I have said, under the next phase of the school building programme, individual school building projects will be authorised to proceed to construction, subject to an assessment of tender reports and relevant due diligence by the Department’s...
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (16 Apr 2024)
School Admissions
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (16 Apr 2024)
Sorca Clarke: 58. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure that no child is left without an appropriate school place. [16257/24]
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (16 Apr 2024)
Sorca Clarke: Will the Minister outline her plans to ensure that no child is left without an appropriate school place for the coming September?
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (16 Apr 2024)
Norma Foley: It is an absolute priority of the Department and of mine to ensure that every child in the State has access to a school place that is appropriate to their needs. We are continually investing in existing and new schools to ensure that this is the case. Testament to this is that almost 400 new classes for children with special education were established in the 2023-24 school year and school...
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (16 Apr 2024)
Sorca Clarke: Any parent with a child with special educational needs will say that when their child's need is met it comes as the result of a struggle, fight or battle of some degree. To date the Government has reacted to a series of crises rather than adequately planning out the future. Some very welcome changes were made in this regard but, despite the energy and effort at the time, we still see...
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (16 Apr 2024)
Norma Foley: I thank Deputy Clarke. Specifically with regard to special education we have seen unprecedented development. I concede it was coming from a low base. We now have more than 3,000 special classes in the system, two thirds of which were delivered under the Government in the past four years. We also have seven new special schools delivered by the Government and four additional special schools...
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (16 Apr 2024)
Sorca Clarke: I thank the Minister. This is not just about navigating the system so that we do not have parents such as Sarah Dooley, about whom I have spoken to the Minister previously. She applied to 20 schools before her little boys were offered a place. This will mean a 90-minute round trip for those children to get to school in September. This is not inclusivity. They are literally excluded from...
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Admissions (16 Apr 2024)
Norma Foley: I want to be 100% clear. We are completely dedicated to ensuring that all children with additional needs will have the places that best meet their needs. It is my absolute vision that we will have a scenario in which children with additional needs can attend their nearest school. That is the objective. It is why 3,000 additional special educational classes are in place. As I have said...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (16 Apr 2024)
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (16 Apr 2024)
Grant Payments