Results 7,081-7,100 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Funding for special education provision in 2018 amounted to some €1.75 billion, up 43% since 2011 and equivalent to 18.7% of the gross overall allocation for education and training. My Department's policy is to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs in mainstream school settings, unless such a placement would not be in the best interests of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together. 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gaelcholáistí Issues (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Maynooth Community College opened in 2014 with an Irish-medium Aonad and it was stated that should the Aonad demonstrate sufficient viability after four years from its date of establishment, a Gaelcholáiste would be established. As the Deputy will be aware, Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) and An Foras Pátrúnachta had been working through...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Programme for Government commits to increasing the number of multi-/non-denominational schools to 400 such schools by 2030. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has developed the Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity process which is a new process to deliver on this commitment through patronage transfer, in line with the choices of local parents and school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Private Partnerships (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Schools Bundle 5 Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme was delayed due to the liquidation of Carillion Construction Ltd in January 2018 and the examinership and subsequent liquidation of Carillion’s sub-contractor, Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd (SCIL). As the Deputy will be aware, the factors which contributed to the collapse of Carillion have been the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cóiríocht Scoile (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Ba mhaith liom a chur in iúl don Teachta Dála go bhfuil seomra ilchuspóireach na scoile in úsáid mar chóiríocht do sheomra ranga príomhshrutha, agus go bhfuil an socrú seo ann le roinnt blianta anuas. Rinne an scoil iarratas ar sheomra ranga breise ansin chun go bhféadfaí an seomra ilchuspóireach a fháil ar ais le haghaidh na...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question submitted an application for major capital investment. Applications from schools for major capital works must be considered in the context of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. In order to meet the needs of our growing population of school going children, my Department must establish new...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the deputy is aware the extension to the school to which he refers has been devolved to the school authority for delivery. On 31 January 2018 my department approved a grant to construct a new 80-square metre mainstream classroom with en-suite toilets, another 80-square metre classroom to replace a prefabricated classroom, an assisted user toilet and three resource rooms to replace...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has completed its assessment of the application for a Special Education Needs (SEN) Base at the school in question. Funding has been approved for the SEN base and the school has been advised accordingly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: The project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA).  I can inform the Deputy that the NDFA has started preparations for the appointment of a design team for the project. This appointment will be a key first step in the design and construction stages.  While at this early stage it is not possible to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: According to the Department's projections of first level enrolments, 65,700 children are expected in Junior Infants in the 2019/2020 academic year. Futher information on these projections can be found on the Department's website at the following link: . The ECCE Scheme is the responsiblity of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and they would be best placed to provide information on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is very aware of the importance of small schools to rural communities and particularly the most dispersed and remote communities. To provide such communities with security about the future of their schools, a commitment is contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government not to close any small school without the consent of parents. ...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it allows me the opportunity to clarify the position in respect of St. Joseph’s secondary school, Rush, County Dublin. I acknowledge that my colleague, Senator James Reilly, has kept me up to speed on this issue. The school is currently located at Convent Lane, Rush and consists of a number of buildings, some permanent accommodation and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: For the purpose of clarification, it is important for me to point out what my role is, as Minister, in site acquisitions. I do not issue instructions to buy a preferred site. There is a memorandum of understanding, which is an engagement between the local authority, not just Fingal County Council but all local authorities, and the Department of Education and Skills. As part of that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Let us clarify that.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Let us find out who is not telling whom the right information.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: As far as I am concerned, my officials are engaging. That process has started so now we have to-----

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Now we have to ensure that we prioritise the younger people who are looking for a satisfactory building for their education. That is my priority. The Senator has raised an issue and claimed that there is a blockage in communications. Let us get to the bottom of the matter. Let us find out and continue the work that we do on a bipartisan and cross-political basis. My engagement, whether...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am happy to come back to Senator with any information.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: That is not correct.