Results 6,681-6,700 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Status (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware DEIS Plan 2017 was the culmination of more than 18 months of consultation and discourse with education partners and other stakeholders to ensure that identification of schools and future delivery of interventions is fully informed by the practical experience of teachers, parents, students and non-governmental organisations working on behalf of children at risk of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Applications (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The school to which the Deputy refers recently submitted an appeal to my Department requesting a review of its application for funding under the Emergency Works Grant Scheme to address yard issues at the school. My Department has requested the school to submit additional information in relation to their appeal. This information has yet to be received. Once this information is received...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I proposed to takes Questions Nos. 169 to 173, inclusive, together. A demonstration project to provide in-school and pre-school therapy services has been introduced for the 2018/19 school year. The demonstration project is being developed by a Working Group which includes representatives from the Departments of Education, Children and Youth Affairs, Health, and the Health Service Executive...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) for delivery. KWETB is in the process of making arrangements for the appointment of a design team for the project.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: Physical Education (PE) is a core part of the curriculum at primary level, it is one of seven curriculum areas within the Primary School Curriculum. A minimum of one hour of PE per week is recommended for all primary school pupils. According to the 2015 Lifeskills survey, published 21 July 2017, 94% of primary schools are allocating at least one hour per week to physical activity. 82% of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: Under the current Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, PE should form part of the curriculum. The syllabus in PE have been developed on the basis of a time allocation of two hours per week. According to the 2015 Lifeskills survey, published 21 July 2017, 94% of post primary schools are allocating at least one hour per week to physical activity. Junior Cycle Physical Education Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Scheme which set out to ensure that the Scheme is achieving the best outcomes possible for children with special educational needs was published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in May this year. In undertaking the Review the NCSE consulted widely to seek the views of the many stakeholders involved, this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The Department of Education and Skills is actively engaged in an energy management and reduction programme. Using 2009 as a benchmark year, the department has succeeded in reducing its annual consumption from 11.1 million kilowatt hours in 2009 to 7.9 million kilowatt hours in 2017. This programme has included large light replacements projects, boiler and air conditioner upgrades, behavioural...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pension Provisions (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The person to whom the Deputy refers was an employee of the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) from March 1972 to April 1980 and during this period was a member of the University’s superannuation scheme. Each University is responsible for the administration of the pension schemes in operation for their employees and NUIG has clarified the position with to pension benefits...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Applications (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I am aware that the school to which the Deputy refers recently made an application under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for the works in question. However, as this application is related to an additional accommodation project already approved for the school, the issues raised in the applicaiton will be considered by officials within my Department responsible for that project.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training Places (5 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the criteria for entry to primary Initial Teacher Education programmes. In addition to the CAO points required (in the case of the Bachelor of Education) or the third level award requirement (in the case of the Professional Master of Education, "PME") for entry to programmes of primary Initial Teacher Education, my Department specifies minimum...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I am happy to check this particular application out. The Deputy mentioned a sports hall. As we move towards 2020, when PE will be on the curriculum, I am getting several representations from around the country asking about the investment trajectory. Next year we will have an extra €200 million in capital spending within the Department. There are a lot of pressures. The Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is currently considering the school's application for additional accommodation. A decision on the application will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Proposed Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: There are currently no plans to introduce plain language legislation. However, plain English guidelines have been produced by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), who receive substantial funding from my Department, via SOLAS. NALA work with a range of bodies both in the public and private sectors to ensure that there is a focus on the use of plain English in their publications, web...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Literacy Levels (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: In July 2011 the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy - Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life 2011-2020 - was published. It set out to raise standards in literacy and numeracy in early years and school settings. It recognised the importance of these key skills for all aspects of day-to-day life and learning. Circulars 56/2011 for the primary sector and 25/2012 for the post-primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 117 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application for additional school accommodation recently. My Department will consider the application and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities subsequently.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The student maintenance grant is a contribution towards the living costs of a student. The student grant scheme does however, provide for different levels of maintenance support, depending on means. Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates. The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to provide additional support to those students who may be living away from home. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The major project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at Stage 1 of Architectural planning which entails preliminary examination of site and location suitability and initial Sketch scheme. A revised Stage 1 submission, including an up to date cost plan, was requested from the Design Team following an increase in the schedule of accommodation to cater for up to 1200 pupils. That...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together. My Department has enacted ten pieces of legislation since March 2011. The details requested by the Deputy are contained in the table. Post-enactment reports for relevant legislation will be published in line with the requirements set out in the 2016 Dáil and Seanad standing orders, which provides for a report on the functioning of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I have asked for the the information requested by the Deputy to be collated by my Department and I will respond directly when this exercise is complete.