Results 4,501-4,520 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Energy Efficiency (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: In the National Development Plan (2018-2027) €2.5bn is identified for the refurbishment and construction of schools. Part of this is intended for a deep energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008. My Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are currently involved in an energy efficiency retrofit pilot scheme for schools. Now in its third year, the aim of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: Budget 2019 marks the third year of a major reinvestment in the education. In 2019, the budget for the Department of Education and Skills will increase by €674 million, a 6.7% increase on last year. In total, the Education budget will have increased by €1.7 billion compared to 2016. Budget 2019 will see numbers employed in our schools reach the highest ever level. Over...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I fully recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools. I am pleased to have been able to provide for a 5% increase in capitation funding for primary and post primary schools that will apply from the start of the 2019/20 school year. Over the course of the school year 2019/20, an additional €10 million will be allocated to primary and post primary schools, of which...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning – Stage 2b (Detailed Design) which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. The design team is currently working on the Stage 2(b) report which on completion will be submitted to my Department for review. In...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The funding approved and or made available for the purpose to which the Deputy refers, is outlined in the table for each of the years 2017 and 2018. Year Amount Paid 2017 €130,000 2018 Nil As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot comment on funding approved or being approved for the current year due to commercial sensitivities surrounding site acquisitions in general.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cycle to Work Scheme Administration (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department operates a cycle to work scheme for teaching and non teaching staff employed in Primary, Voluntary Secondary and Community/Comprehensive schools and the details are outlined in Circular 0066/2017. The Circular sets out the parameters of the scheme facilitated by my Department. The Education and Training Boards also operate a cycle to work scheme for staff employed in their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: While no specific discussions on integrated schools have taken place, my officials regularly meet with their counterparts in the Department of Education and its agencies in Northern Ireland, to review the progress of delivery of objectives under the Shared Education strand under the PEACE IV programme. Since the Executive in Northern Ireland Executive ceased to operate in January 2017, it...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I recognise the very important work done by school secretaries, and indeed by other support staff, in the running of our schools and I am grateful to them for the contribution they make to our education system.  I have spoken to a number of school secretaries about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised. I have recently relaxed the moratorium for those...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: In relation to enrolment generally, it is my Department's responsibility to ensure that schools can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. Parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. In schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department's policy aims to ensure that all children with Special Needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in mainstream school settings. In 2018, in the region of €1.75 billion was invested in Special Education, nearly one fifth of the overall Education budget, and up 43% since 2011. This funding includes provision for over 13,400 Special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Establishment (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, the Cabra_Phibsboro_Dublin 7 school planning area is currently served by eight post-primary schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy which is currently under the patronage of City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB). This school, which has a current enrolment of some 120 pupils in the 2018/19 school year, is co-educational and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: In accordance with the Education Act, the terms and conditions of employment of teachers employed in approved posts funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas are determined by the Minister for Education and Skills with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.   The Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) is the recognised forum for dealing with matters...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: A Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project was completed at the education facility referred to by the Deputy in October 2004. The PPP contract is between the Minister for Education, the relevant Institute of Technology and the PPP Operator.  This was the first third level PPP Project to be completed and begin operating in Ireland.  State of the art education and training facilities...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 86 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that an official from my Department visited the school in question in June 2017 and in light of this visit, my Department is looking at options to provide improved accommodation for the school. My Department is also exploring options to address special needs provision in Cork City and has recently met with Enable...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments Data (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The enrolment figures for the years 2015-2017, as requested by the Deputy, are in the table. 2018/19 figures are not available as yet. All first level education institutions aided by the Department of Education and Skills All ages 2015-16 553,380 2016-17 558,314 2017-18 563,459 Figures refer to pupils in DES-aided schools only, including pupils in special classes in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Scholarships (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Scholarship to which the Deputy refers is managed by the University and not by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The site identification process is ongoing for a new building for the school to which the Deputy refers.  In line with protocols for the use of State property assets, my Department has written to the Department of Defence enquiring if the Department is in a position to provide a site that could be suitable.  Due to commercial sensitivities surrounding site acquisitions in general, I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major building project for this school is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained. Following a legal challenge, authorisation to re-commence the pre-qualification...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority for registration of teachers in the State.  Section 30 of the Teaching Council Acts requires that a teacher in a recognised school be registered with the Teaching Council in order to be paid from public funds.  Teachers are registered by the Teaching Council under the terms of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (13 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to acknowledge the important role stakeholders, like AsIAm, play in promoting education and the inclusion of children in education. My Department Officials are studying the Report to ensure its findings and recommendations are fully and appropriately considered. Enabling children with Special Educational Needs including Autism to receive an education appropriate to their...