The previous Minister, Deputy Foley, put out the following statement: "The Department of Education and Youth will shortly agree a new process to remove the requirement for professional reports such as assessment of need reports from entry requirements for special schools and special classes." We have all been inundated with queries from people who are very worried about this. We have no clarity and no information as to who is going to be assessed. I have no issue with streamlining processes but people need to know there is a process and who will make the assessment. We must ensure children who need added supports get those supports and an appropriate place, whether in a special class, special school or with supports in a mainstream class. The Minister of State really needs to provide clarity. Educators and parents are very worried at the moment.
Sentiment score: 0.15
We know there is a particular issue in relation to planning for school builds. There is a lack of flexibility in the system and there needs to be a greater level of agility. I brought this issue up previously with regard to Ardee Educate Together National School. It is a national school and a great build but the problem is there are 21 parking spaces and double that number are needed. There are only two set-down places for minibuses for children with disabilities who are brought to the school and there is a need for five. There is a lot of space to do this but building is about to continue, which means that when the situation is eventually resolved, it will be a lot more costly. Engagement is needed between Louth County Council, the design team, contractors and the Department. If an official could come back to me with a response, we could get a solution for the school.
Sentiment score: 0.13
213. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an outline of the engagement there has been with his Department, Dundalk IT and Queen's University Belfast about their recent partnership to create Dundalk university college; the plans for the future development and enhancement of the partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67774/25]
Sentiment score: 0.26
I ask the Minister to outline all the engagements between his Department, Dundalk IT and Queen's University Belfast. We were all happy to see this recent partnership, which will result in greater provision of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and the creation of an innovation hub, all of which is very positive. I commend Diarmuid O'Callaghan and his team on their work. We need to ensure this partnership is facilitated and enhanced.
Sentiment score: 0.48
We are all very supportive of this proposal, and why would we not be? Obviously, I want to see Dundalk university college, but the cross-Border aspects are fabulous, as is the research and innovation centre the Minister referred to. This is a world-class institute and a world-class university coming together to produce something better. We will be able to build on the great work done by the regional development centre that has spun out a number of impressive start-ups, some of which are incredibly well-known or world famous. We just need to see more of that. This project could avail of shared island funding. As the Minister said, the timetable is tight enough, so we need to make sure we can facilitate it. Does the Minister have any idea of when this legislation will need to be delivered? I also think the naming process falls within the Minister's remit.
Sentiment score: 0.35
I agree with the Minister. It is about making sure that happens, with the heads of agreement and then beyond that. Subject to all the caveats associated with setting deadlines, Dundalk university college could be up and running in 2026, possibly in September. As I said, it will be signed, sealed and delivered in respect of the relationship. We all welcome the fact that the college will be autonomous, rather than being subsumed into another outfit. There is a huge body of work to do to achieve alignment. We know the issues, whether at third level or in relation to apprenticeships. Certification and recognition of awards has created a whole pile of issues. We need some sort of means by which we deal with those cross-Border issues. At some point, we have to get down to the real work of building a new Ireland but this is definitely a good start. I call on the shared island unit to do more on that than it is doing at the minute.
Sentiment score: 0.37
254. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the progress of the review of personal assistance services funded from the fund for students with disabilities across tertiary education settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67773/25]
Sentiment score: 0.22
The Minister met personal assistants from the likes of Drogheda Institute of Further Education, DIFE, the Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education and Cavan Institute who do huge work in relation to those with disabilities. Fórsa has a pay claim in with the WRC at the moment. Some issues were resolved but I think the biggest issue was the fact that there was the expectation of a review. We know there was going to be a review specifically of PA services but I think it became subsumed into a wider review of disability services. I ask for an update in that regard.
Sentiment score: 0.12
It is a vital piece of work. It will commence in 2026. I ask the Minister to give me a rough outline as to what he thinks this deadline is. I do not think anybody here would dispute that there has been a need to do this for a long time in relation to further and higher education and to find out how we best suit those with disabilities and ensure we can keep them within the educational process. I am obviously disappointed - I have told the Minister this before - that the review in relation to personal assistants had not happened previously. That would have facilitated the WRC to look at the contracts and the other issues for the workers. They got a slight pay increase but they need to be on a similar rate, whether it is to an SNA or some other educator, and then there are those rights. They do not have a 52-week contract. At this point they will be looking at going back on a social welfare payment, with all the difficulties that occur in relation to this. We really have to facilitate them around that. I ask the Minister to come back with a timeline and a means by which we deal with this.
Sentiment score: 0.02
I ask the Minister to expand on that and this review in relation to PA services. I think the biggest issue, as I said previously, was that the position was that the role of the PAs in supporting disabled students was to be considered as part of an interdepartmental review and no progress could be made until the review had concluded. They were unable to state with any certainty when the review would commence and finish. At this point it could be almost both those projects, but it is a timeline as to when that is dealt with in that we could support those people who are doing vital work in facilitating those with disabilities in the PLC set-up. Again, we need to look at the third level sector across the board. That is vital. I ask the Minister to expand on the project, the review and then the timelines for completion.
Sentiment score: 0.35
I understand that.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I was.
Sentiment score: 0.00