Results 6,001-6,020 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question submitted an application for major capital funding to my Department to undertake significant improvement works at the school. The National Development Plan (NDP) provides for an €8.4 billion investment in school buildings over the period 2018 to 2027 to deliver on NDP and National Planning Framework objectives through...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Establishment (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware, the current focus for my Department is to prioritise the 17 schools due to be established in 2019 so that patrons can be appointed and accommodation solutions put in place as soon as possible. My Department has appointed a Project Manager to assist with this work and potential interim accommodation options have been identified for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) Detailed Design which includes the application for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured. This project was authorised to proceed to Stage 2(b) on 12th November...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff Remuneration (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: Circular letter 0139/2006 issued by my Department sets out the agreed scheme of incremental credit for Special Needs Assistants. As the service did not meet the terms of the scheme the application was refused by my Department on May 18 last.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware, a new school building for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's six year construction Programme. Officials in my Department are working in relation to the acquisition of a suitable site for the new school. A potential site option has been identified and discussions are ongoing with the owner with a view to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that the patron of the school in question has submitted an application for additional accommodation to my Department. The application was considered and approval in principle was given to provide additional permanent accommodation to the school. In this regard, my Department will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question submitted an application for major capital funding to my Department. The Deputy will be aware that the National Development Plan (NDP) provides for an €8.4 billion investment in school buildings over the period 2018 to 2027 to deliver on NDP and National Planning Framework objectives through addressing the twin priorities of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school. The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware, delivery of additional temporary accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers, is devolved to the school's patron body. In this regard, I understand that the patron body has appointed a consultant and is working on the delivery of the additional interim accommodation as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, the school to which she refers operates under the patronage of the local Education and Training Board (ETB). The ETB has informed my Department that the long term accommodation needs of the school are being reviewed and that it will revert to my Department when this process has been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Traveller Education (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: The National Access Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2019 (NAP) was launched in December 2015, and aims to ensure that the student body entering, participating in and completing higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population. Irish Travellers are identified as a target group within the Plan. To support the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Traveller Education (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: This Government recognises the importance of inclusive education for all and is supportive of actions that will ensure that the school setting is a more welcoming environment for all, including Travellers. The commitment to improve traveller retention and progression is reflected in a number of key policies and initiatives, including the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Local Authority Funding (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: Funding paid directly from my Department to local authorities in 2016 and 2017 (as recorded on the Department's Financial Management System) is set out in the table.   The figures in the table do not include any other payments to local authorities made by third parties in receipt of grants directly from the Department. Direct Payment by DES to Local...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that the patron of the school in question has submitted an application for additional accommodation to my Department. The application was considered and approval in principle was given to provide additional permanent accommodation to the school. In this regard, my Department will shortly be undertaking a technical site visit to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Establishment (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new primary or post-primary school is required. This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. Parental preferences for patronage and language of instruction, from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Traveller Education (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: Before the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) was published in 2017 my Department's policy in relation to Traveller Education was informed by the Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy (2006). The principle of inclusion was at the core of this report and as a result of this strategy provision for Travellers has been mainstreamed with previously...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: My Department's policy is focused on ensuring that all children, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary network. Children in ASD special classes benefit from a reduced pupil-teacher ratio of 6:1. Class teachers are fully qualified and have access, through the Special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research Funding (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: The institute referred to by the Deputy was established under the Institute for Advanced Studies Act, 1940. The functions of the Institute referred to are to provide facilities for the furtherance of advanced study and the conduct of research in specialised branches of knowledge and for the publication of the results of advanced study and research. The institute has three constituent...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (23 Oct 2018)

Joe McHugh: Funding for all primary schools in the free education scheme is dealt with on a per capita basis. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc., and the ancillary services grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff.  The school referred to by the...