Local TD Denis Naughten has called for immediate action from Government to address the crisis situation where 11 local children are set to leave primary school in the next two weeks with no provision made for their secondary education in September. “Despite Minister Josepha Madigan assuring me four weeks ago that these local children would have access to an autism-specific …
Local autism places update
Last night in Dáil Éireann I raised the failure by the Department of Education to provide secondary school places for 11 local children, and the broader issue of specific classes at primary school level. Watch what I said here: I had previously raised this specific issue in the Dáil 4 weeks ago with the Minister: https://youtu.be/6FUExmazgO4 Dáil Éireann debate …
Local children traveling 4,500km/week to access education
11 local children are facing a 4,500km/week journey to access an autism specific second level class in either Glenamaddy or Longford Town because there is no capacity in the Athlone schools to cater for the students. I raised this issue in the Dáil this week and have received a commitment from Minister Madigan that local places will be secured for …
More autism school places needed in South Roscommon & Athlone – Naughten
Local TD Denis Naughten is seeking to quiz the Education Minister this week on the lack of places in Athlone and South Roscommon for pupils with autism. “The lack of places is now forcing pupils from South Roscommon to travel up to 100km each day to avail of an education with two south Roscommon children facing a daily journey to …
Update on autism education provision locally
There is currently a very serious shortage of autism school places for local children. I’ve worked in the past with a number of local primary and post-primary schools to establish specialist classes to meet the needs of local students, rather than forcing them to travel long distances to avail of an education. The ASD issue has been highlighted …
Leaving Certificate students need clarity on accredited grades – Naughten
“Many students facing into the Leaving Certificate exam next June are asking that they be given the option of accredited grades just like the last two exam classes,” says Denis Naughten TD. Denis Naughten raised the issue on the floor of the Dáil with An Taoiseach last November after receiving a request to do so from a Roscommon …
End of year broadband target missed by another 25,000 homes – Naughten
The National Broadband Plan is set to miss its revised target of 60,000 homes by the end of the year and instead will pass 35,000 homes by 1st January, says Denis Naughten TD. Responding to a Dáil question tabled by Denis Naughten, the Government admitted that just 35,000 homes will be passed by the end of the year and that …
Public health cannot just abandon schools – Naughten
Today in the Dáil I questioned An Taoiseach as to why Public Health doctors will have no roll in ensuring that school children are antigen tested. The option of antigen testing is ONLY made available to classmates IF parents report a positive case to schools. But it is questionable if schools can even do this under GDPR without the input …
3000 rural homes in Roscommon can now order broadband – Naughten
National Broadband Ireland is completing construction of its fibre optic broadband network in the rural areas surrounding Roscommon Town and companies now taking pre-orders for connections, says local TD, and architect of the National Broadband Plan, Denis Naughten. There are 2,993 premises in the Roscommon area such as Ballymurray, Knockcroghery, Lecarrow, Athleague, Castlecoote, Donamon, Ballymacurley, Kilroosky and Four-Mile-House (see attached …
We need independent scientific advice in policy and decision making
Science Week Speech by Denis Naughten TD Dáil Éireann 10th November 2021 Check against delivery While science and technology are playing an ever-increasing role in our lives, be it at home, work or in our leisure activities, there has remained a poor public awareness of science and its opportunities for Ireland, our economy, and our people. However, I hope …