Results 341-360 of 1,090,885 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Jackie Cahill OR speaker:Peadar Tóibín OR speaker:Louise O'Reilly OR speaker:James O'Connor OR speaker:Kathleen Funchion OR speaker:Jim O'Callaghan) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mental Health Services (17 Jul 2025)

Helen McEntee: I agree with Deputy Burke that any way in which we can provide support to our students at any age or level should be welcomed. It is my intention to continue the work on strands 1 and 2 in the areas under the pilot scheme, to put this programme in place as quickly as possible and to try to expand it further. That comes down to measures and what can be achieved in the budget, and this...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (17 Jul 2025)

John McGuinness: Deputy John Connolly will ask Question No. 86 on behalf of Deputy McAuliffe.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

Paul McAuliffe: 86. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of sanctioned classes nationally for children with additional needs, as announced earlier this year; the number hoped to be operational in autumn 2025 in the Dublin North-West constituency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40000/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

John Connolly: Deputy McAuliffe has asked a pertinent question that is relevant to his constituency but in which I think we all have an interest. It is to ask the number of sanctioned special classes for children with additional needs, as announced earlier this year. The pertinent part is Deputy McAuliffe's request for the number of such classes it is hoped will be operational in autumn 2025. I have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I thank the Deputy for his question and Deputy McAuliffe for his interest in this matter. I thank both Deputies for their continuing interest in education. It is hugely important that it is brought to the fore in the House. Education is a hugely important part of everyone's life, so it is hugely important that we strive to get it right. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

John Connolly: I am always conscious when we are discussing this topic of the review that was undertaken of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act recently. The research that went into that highlighted clearly that the term "additional needs" is preferable to "special education". I am conscious of that and that my language should be more appropriate. I very much welcome the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The review of the EPSEN Act was very important research. I commend all those who helped with the review. Launched recently, it provides very good information, including on additional needs. Teacher and SNA recruitment is kept under constant review by the Department. Many of the boards of management of schools and education and training boards are conducting interviews in these weeks to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

John Connolly: I concur with the Minister of State on the quality of the teaching personnel who are being produced by our teaching colleges. I just think we need more of them. We genuinely need to review that. There are gaps and vacancies that will not be filled in September. I am concerned about that and I think we need to expand the number of teacher training places. I will bring two other points...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

Michael Moynihan: We have had many discussions in recent weeks. The Deputy mentioned the deputation from the Down Syndrome Ireland Galway branch who were here yesterday to discuss mild general learning classes. ASD classes are opening across the country based on the need being presented. We have to be mindful of children with other additional needs and ensuring they are accommodated within the school...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

Question No. 87 taken with Question No. 85.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (17 Jul 2025)

Energy Conservation

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (17 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: 88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the percentage of eligible schools that have completed or commenced work to install solar panels under the free scheme for schools; if she will consider providing funding to allow private schools to take part in this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38827/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (17 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: My question is about the free solar panel scheme for schools, how many schools are in the scheme in progress and whether it can it be extended to private schools.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (17 Jul 2025)

Helen McEntee: The schools photovoltaic, PV, programme provides eligible schools with up to 6 kW peak of roof-mounted solar photovoltaic installations on their roofs, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels. The schools PV programme is funded by the Government’s climate action fund in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

Sorca Clarke: There are good working relationships 99% of the time between schools and the NCSE when it comes to opening ASD classes. The same can be said for this specific school in Athlone, which already has an ASD class in its Gaelscoil. However, the Minister of State is familiar with the 2022 document entitled "Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools", which clearly states that autistic students...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I have some personal experience of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí that opened special classes, and they would be taught through the medium of Irish. What the Deputy has said has been brought to our attention before by people, but it is clear that it is whatever the medium is in the school, in this case the medium of Irish. Some of the schools operating special classes are hugely...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (17 Jul 2025)

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (17 Jul 2025)

James O'Connor: 85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of school building projects across Cork county of which her Department is aware, in tabular form; the stage of the process they are currently at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40175/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects (17 Jul 2025)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a list of all capital projects currently underway in Cork city and county, in tabular form; the stages the various projects are at; the amount of capital estimated and spent on each project to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38583/25]