I thank the Deputy. I will raise this again with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue. He has met representatives of the inshore fisheries recently and is very aware of the challenges they face. He is committed to ensuring we identify and explore all avenues available to us in terms of the funding supports that may be put in place for inshore fisheries. In saying that, we as a member state must be aware that while the EU Cohesion Fund provided to our seafood sector is of huge benefit to the sector, there are constraint…

On behalf of the Taoiseach, I thank Senator Ardagh for raising this matter today. In July 2016 as the Senator stated, the Government launched a major initiative for Dublin's north east inner city, in response to the series of gangland murders in the area and beyond, which arose from the ongoing feud between certain criminal gangs. To assist the work of the ministerial task force, Mr. Kieran Mulvey was appointed to engage with local community, public representatives and other stakeholders on the profound challenges …

I thank the Senator for her input to this debate and the views she expressed. The north east inner city initiative was a unique approach to an extreme time of violence in the area. While much has been achieved, challenges remain. As I mentioned, the Government recognises that disadvantaged areas require new forms of assistance to help them prosper. That path lies in consolidating and integrating the State-funded and sponsored interventions already under way in these areas and making sure they are responsive to the …

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is responsible for determining the appropriate staffing levels in support of students with special educational needs in special schools, in accordance with the Department’s policies. Special school staffing allocations will continue to be reviewed and updated each year by the NCSE. Special schools are staffed on the basis of their actual student profiles and the disability category of each student. This is in recognition …

The Senator is absolutely correct that we are all working together to ensure that these children have access to the supports they need. He raised an important question. I reassure him that the NCSE is committed to ensuring that all children can access education suitable to their needs. Special school staffing is reviewed by the NCSE every year. Generally, the number of staff allocated is in excess of the original baseline of the SERC guidelines. Staffing is based on a school's student profile, which the Senator kno…

I thank the Deputy for his question. There is a very important focus on special educational needs services being provided throughout the country. I will follow up directly regarding the school referenced by the Deputy. The matter was also raised in the Seanad this morning. I will come back to the Deputy directly on it. We are investing. The NCSE is working very closely with the Department of Education and all schools throughout the country. I will come back to the Deputy on the specifics of that school.

It is not.

It is not.

It is not.

I move: Tuesday's business shall be Statements on Housing for All (not to exceed 2 hrs 27 mins). Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Housing, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be Report and Final Stages of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024 (to commence no earlier than 2.49 p.m. and if not previously concluded, to adjourn either at 5.30 p.m. or after 2 hrs 41 mins, whichever is the later). Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re De…

As the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has said, we have a special Cabinet committee making sure health, education, disability and children are all working in relation to children with additional needs. Within my remit, one third of our education budget goes towards special education. For the coming school year, 400 special places are being allocated, of which 300 have already been allocated and the Department is working closely with the NCSE and the schools on the last 100. I will come back to the Deputy directly on t…

I move: That, notwithstanding the Order of the Dáil of 16th December, 2020, or the Order of the Dáil of 13th December, 2023, the sequence in which Leaders shall be called upon to put questions between 17th January, 2024, and the eleventh sitting day following the summer recess of 2024, inclusive, pursuant to Standing Order 36(ca), shall be in accordance with the rota contained in the report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform dated 13th May, 2024, entitled " Rota for Leaders' Questions pursuant to S…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Thirtieth Report of the Committee of Selection (without debate) - Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2024 (Second Stage) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn either at 5.30 p.m. or after 1 hr 41 mins, whichever is the later) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Dublin and Monaghan Bombings, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform on Rota for Lead…

I thank the Deputy for her question. As she said, the summer programme has gone from strength to strength over the years. One of the key barriers to the participation of schools previously has been the availability of staff, particularly experienced staff already working in the schools. In 2023, to maximise the budget, teachers and SNAs working on the school-based programme were paid a higher personal rate of pay so that more schools would take part. As the Deputy indicated, the capitation rate in mainstream school…

I thank the Deputy for his question. I am aware many parents are concerned about where their children will be in September. To reassure the Deputy, the Department is spending one third of the education budget on special education. This September, we have 400 new special classes coming onstream. Of those, 300 are already allocated and a further 100 locations are being identified by the Department of Education, working closely with boards of management and schools. I appreciate the pressure parents are under. I am in…

No.

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the Thirtieth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection in accordance with Standing Order 34, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 10th May, 2024, and accordingly appoints members to the Special Committee on Drugs Use, and appoints members to Committees in substitution for members who have been appointed as Ministers of State automatically standing discharged, with effect from 15th May, 2024.

Tá an-áthas orm an deis a bheith agam inniu tabhairt faoi réimse fíorthábhachtach an oideachais speisialta. Tá an-áthas orm é sin a dhéanamh i mo ról nua mar Aire Stáit le freagairt as oideachas speisialta agus cuimsiú. I very much welcome the opportunity to address the House this afternoon on the very important issue of special education and inclusion. I was delighted last month to be appointed by our new Taoiseach to the role of Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion. As a forme…

I thank Deputies from all sides of the House for their contributions this afternoon. I share their desire to do more for our children and young people with special educational needs. Deputies referred to a number of specific areas and cases. I will ask the Department to review their queries and provide direct responses. I will try to get through as many of them as I can, but for any I do not cover, the Department will get back to Deputies directly. Deputy Clarke spoke about the experience and outcomes of disabled c…

I move: Wednesday's business shall be: - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024 (back from Committee) (without debate) - Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (without debate) - Statements to mark Europe Day (not to exceed 2 hrs 27 mins) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Affordable Housing, selected by Sinn Féin. Thursday's business shall be Statements on Progressing Special Education Provision …