Fitzgerald welcomes new model for allocating resource teachers to schools

Local TD, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, has welcomed the announcement today that a new model for allocating Special Education Teaching Resources to mainstream primary and secondary schools will be introduced from September 2017.

“I receive a lot of queries from parents who want to know what resources are available to support their children with Special Educational Needs in our mainstream schools. A new model has been announced today that will see an additional 900 teaching posts provided to support the introduction of a new Special Education Teaching Resources allocation model, which will remove barriers in children accessing resources.

“This new model will allow schools allocate resources to pupils, taking into account their individual learning needs, as opposed to requiring a particular diagnosis of disability. It will also remove the barrier of having to wait for a specific diagnosis to access resources and instead allow schools to cater to that child’s need immediately, allowing early intervention and supporting inclusion in our schools,” confirmed Fitzgerald.

The provision of up to 900 additional teaching posts will ensure that no school receives an allocation of resources less than those received in the current school year. Furthermore, up to 1,000 schools will receive additional allocations, where the new model indicates additional need.

“Re-investing the benefits of the economic recovery into services in order to build a fair and compassionate society is my focus in Government. Education is the best means of delivering a fairer society, breaking down cycles of disadvantage and ensuring that all our people, in particular those with special educational needs, are able to participate in that progress and fulfil their potential.

“Special Education Needs provision accounts for one fifth (€1.5billion) of the overall education budget. This investment demonstrates the commitment to improving services and supporting children accessing education. Government has agreed to provide additional resources to implement this model including €18 million in funding and 900 extra resource teachers.

“The model which has been carefully worked up is aimed at ensuring that we can deliver better outcomes for children with special educational needs, and eliminate unfairness and other problems which exist in the current model.

“This model has already been postiviely received in a number of pilot schools throughout the country. I hope that parents in Lucan, Clondalkin, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart, Palmerstown and Brittas will also reap the benefits of the new model from September onwards,” concluded Fitzgerald.

Local clubs should register now for Sports Capital Funding

-    €30 million available nationwide in 2017

-    Applications must be in by 24^th February 2017

Local TD and Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald is encouraging sports clubs and organisations in Clondalkin, Lucan, Newcastle, Palmerstown, Rathcoole and Saggart to apply for Sports Capital funding.

Fitzgerald was speaking after confirmation from Minister for Sport, Patrick Donovan TD, that €30million has been secured for Sports Capital Programme funding in 2017.

Commenting on the announcement, she said, “I am delighted that once again, Sports Capital funding will be provided to clubs and local organisations around the country in the coming year. I recognise the role of sport and sports clubs in our communities and the imperative to invest in the clubs.

“As local TD and Tánaiste, I am committed to continuing investment in sport and supporting the volunteers who keep our sports clubs going. The Programme for Government contains the aim of allocating sports capital grants on an annual basis and since being given responsibility for sport. The Sports Capital Programme is an extremely effective way of bringing investment into local communities.
“Since the reopening of the programme in 2012, a number of clubs have been successful in receiving funding. This investment supports and rewards the great spirit of volunteerism that see hundreds of coaches every week supporting thousands of children and young people in sport.

“The application form has been significantly shortened, and the Department have issued new guides for completing the form. The upcoming holiday period provides a good opportunity for clubs to get registered online, familiarise themselves with the guide and undertake any other preparatory work in advance of formally submitting their application.

“As with previous years, there will be a two-step process, where clubs are required to register on the online system first and then submit the application subsequently. The online system will open today and online applications will be accepted from the 23rd January to the 24th February, 2017. Clubs not previously registered on the Department’s online application system need to do so in advance of this date and I strongly encourage clubs to register now.

She concluded, “I know a number of clubs will be submitting strong and ambitious applications for funding and I will be supporting them with their applications.  I wish them the very best of luck with their applications.”


ENDS

Fitzgerald marks Father’s Day with publication of Paternity Bill

Local TD and Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald marked Father’s Day by confirming publication of the Paternity Bill to provide fathers with two weeks of paternity leave and two weeks of paternity benefit.

Fitzgerald and her colleague Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar TD visited Farmleigh on Father’s Day to promote the Bill to families. It will be formally published today (Monday) and introduced to the Dáil this coming Friday.

Fitzgerald said: “This legislation has been a priority for me since the new Partnership Government was established in May. This will be very welcome news for local fathers and local families, and will afford them the opportunity to be more involved at the earliest stages of a child’s development. In fact it will be beneficial for the whole family, as studies show that targeting investment in a child’s early years leads to better outcomes for both the child and wider society.

“I have been a strong advocate for the necessity of paid paternity leave for many years. Consistent findings show that targeting investment in a child’s early years leads to better outcomes for both the child and wider society.