Results 6,321-6,340 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (13 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 was signed into law by the President on the 18thJuly 2018. The overall objective of the Act is to provide a new framework for school enrolment that is designed to ensure that every child is treated fairly and that the way in which schools decide on applications for admission is structured, fair and transparent. The Act does not prohibit schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (13 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: A number of requests to undertake the Senior Cycle (Leaving Certificate) programme over a one-year period are received each year, the Department under its rules does not provide for this option. This is because the programme, both in breadth and depth, was purposely designed to be covered over two academic years and not one. The Department has a responsibility to all students to ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (13 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: Budget 2019 marks the third year of a major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for Education, our plan to make Ireland’s education and training service the best in Europe by 2026. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Proposed Legislation (13 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: In January of this year the Government approved the formal drafting of an Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill. Since then, my Department has been working on the formal drafting of the Bill in conjunction with Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it is expected that this process will be completed shortly. As soon as the drafting process is complete, it is my intention to seek...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions (13 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: The first meeting of the inter-Departmental committee was held on 5th November. The committee comprises representatives from Departments of Education and Skills, Children and Youth Affairs, Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Housing, Planning and Local Government, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justice and Equality, Health and Public Expenditure and Reform. Survivors have always been...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: An Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta (13 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: Faoi Achtanna na Comhairle Múinteoireachta 2001-2015, is í an Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta an comhlacht a bhfuil údarás agus freagracht reachtúil aici as gairm na múinteoireachta in Éirinn a rialáil lena n-áirítear oidí a chlárú. Cláraíonn an Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta oidí de réir Rialachán na...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Expenditure (14 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 146, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below for the years in which all relevant data are available (2010-2017). Figures pertaining to the national economy are based on those published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This table sets out the Department's overall expenditure (both Voted and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (14 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together. As the Deputy is aware the building project for the school to which he refers is included on my Department's capital programme. My Department is currently engaging with the school Trustees in relation to the requirement for a site to facilitate the project.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (14 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the schools in question is included in my Department's 6 year Construction Programme. The options for providing this accommodation are currently being explored by the school authority and my Department will continue to liaise directly with the school authority in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (14 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 to 153, inclusive, together. The Deputy will appreciate that as there is an ongoing legal challenge in relation to the project to which she refers it is not possible for me to comment at present. The matter is being handled on my Department's behalf by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office. The legal challenge is specific to this project and does not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Appeals (14 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (14 Nov 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 Provision (14 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is now approving grant for a 4-classroom Special Educational Needs Unit at the school in question. The school patron has been advised accordingly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (14 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm that my Department recently received correspondence from the school referred to by the Deputy seeking a review of their application in for additional accommodation. The matter is currently being considered and my Department will be in further contact with the school authority on the matter at the earliest opportunity.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (14 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together. As the Deputy is aware, a building project to provide permanent accommodation for the school to which she refers is included on my Department's capital programme. In this regard, my Department is currently engaging with the school's Trustees in relation to the requirement for a site to facilitate the project. The Deputy will be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Contractors (14 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: The company referred to by the Deputy is currently engaged on two school building projects which are Greystones Community National School, under a Design and Build Contract, and temporary accommodation at Sandymount Park Educate Together Secondary School under the Public Works Contract for Works Designed by the Employer. The project at Greystones is currently under construction, while the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. It is an important matter because physical education, PE, is now being introduced as an examination subject in the leaving certificate curriculum. It has been trialled in a number of schools and it is a matter on which I am very focused. We also need to focus on PE very strategically in primary schools. The Deputy is correct in what she says about...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Meetings (15 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 79 together. I intend to meet with stakeholders in the education and training sector, including the INTO, in the near future. My officials are also in regular contact with the INTO on a range of issues relating to the primary sector.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Quality and Qualifications Ireland Accreditation (15 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: Quality and Qualifications Ireland’s (QQI) final certification period for 2018 will close on 12thDecember 2018. It is the responsibility of those providers that offer validated programmes leading to QQI awards to submit the quality assured results of the learners that have successfully completed such programmes by that date to ensure that the appropriate award is made. This applies...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pension Provisions (15 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: An arrangement in relation to the recovery of the outstanding overpayment from the individual referred to by the Deputy was agreed with my Department in May 2018. In October this year correspondence issued from my Department to the individual which enabled her to contact the Revenue Commissioners in relation to the taxation position for 2014 and 2015. Staff of my Department will continue to...