Results 7,661-7,680 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Data (5 Mar 2019)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Legal Costs (5 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: Leaving Certificate examination candidate Rebecca Carter appealed the result of her Business examination which she sat in June 2018. She claimed that a calculation error in the marking of her paper, which she viewed under the State Examinations Commission’s (SEC) script viewing process on 31 August 2018, resulted in her receiving less marks than she should have received. She was...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Health and Safety (5 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: My officials will contact Scoliosis Ireland to discuss this request and to determine the appropriate action to be taken.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (5 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: The NCCA initiated a debate on the nature of junior cycle in 2010, with an initial discussion paper entitled Innovation and Identity: Ideas for a New Junior Cycle. The mandatory nature of subjects was considered in this debate.  Following consultation and consideration, the decision was made that English, Irish and Mathematics would be ‘core’ subjects which all students...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Health and Safety (5 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department is active in the area of promotion of health and wellbeing in schools.  The issue of promoting healthy eating is addressed in schools through subjects such as Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), and Home Economics as well as in Physical Education.  The aim is to equip students with such skills and knowledge to enable them to make appropriate choices for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (5 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: The patronage divesting process arises from the recommendations of the 2012 report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, following which the Department undertook surveys of parental preferences in 43 areas of stable population in 2012 and 2013 to establish the level of parental demand for a wider choice in the patronage of primary schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (5 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: The purpose of the Special Education Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement and provision is made for early educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Facilities (5 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department does not have any remit for the provision of accommodation for playschools and therefore has no plans for the inclusion of playschools in the planing of new primary schools.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Educational Supports (5 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir fá choinne an seans labhairt faoin ábhar seo inniu. Bhí mé fíorbhuíoch as an chuireadh agus as an fháilte a fuair mé i gContae Luimnigh coicís ó shin. Táim sásta leis an dul chun cinn agus leis an sárobair atá ag dul ar aghaidh sa réigiún sna bunscoileanna,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Educational Supports (5 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Senator summed up the position very well. In my first months in this job, I have deliberately immersed myself in my new role. Visiting primary schools is a big part of this and it is obvious that there is momentum in primary schools. Teachers are embracing new ways of exploring the new world that we will live in. This is not being done in silos because there is co-operation and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Autism Support Services (6 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta fá choinne na ceiste. Beidh an t-ábhar seo iontach tábhachtach. Aontaím leis an Teachta maidir leis na príomhspriocanna atá i gceist. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, co-ordinating and advising on education provision for children with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Autism Support Services (6 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: It is important to point out the progress that has been made, although I know that is no consolation for a parent who is trying to facilitate a child. There is a process and a clear mechanism based on the NCSE, which is an independent group that works through SENOs in conjunction with a board of management. The prerogative is on the board of management to make the initial application....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Autism Support Services (6 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy and I are on the same page on the importance of this issue. Stepping outside the political arena for one second, we are serious in this country and as a society about having inclusion at the heart of our model. Whether this be people coming from different countries or people with special educational challenges, behavioural or otherwise, or autistic children. This is relevant not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Autism Support Services (6 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: If it makes the application in the first place-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Autism Support Services (6 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: There is a provision within the Education (Admission to Schools) Act from 3 December last year that compels the Minister if there is a demand, if there is an issue and all areas have been exhausted. However, we must also spread the good news that in the schools that have requested special classes and really looked at this inclusion model, it is working. I was at a small school just on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Autism Support Services (6 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: We must spread the good news, just as we did with DEIS in the past.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Autism Support Services (6 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta fá choinne an cheist seo. Is léir go bhfuil an cheist iontach práinneach, agus ba mhaith liom m'aitheantas a ghabháil leis an Teachta fá choinne na ceiste a tharraingt anuas. The National Council for Special Education, which is an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, co-ordinating and advising on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Autism Support Services (6 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy is picking up different messages on the ground, so we must look at meeting areas where there are weaknesses according to the anecdotal evidence and the feedback from my officials. For the 2018-19 school year, 160 new special classes have been opened, which means that there are now 1,459 special classes in place, compared with 548 in 2011. The number of special classes in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Autism Support Services (6 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy once again. With every new school build, there is provision in the new school build, and even for major additional capital expansion of a school, the general trend is that there is an in-built provision for autism classes, special classes, within those new schools. I am aware that with a cohort of 4,000 primary and secondary schools in the country, there are many old...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Autism Support Services (6 Mar 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy has been very constructive and we will certainly organise that and see how it pans out. We have a duty in this House, as legislators, to get the good message out. The Deputy is no different to me in that she visits primary schools and secondary schools. The schools that have special classes and that are embracing the social model of inclusion by ensuring the inclusion of people...