Results 8,281-8,300 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The number of children with special educational needs receiving their education at their local school have increased greatly in recent years. 160 new special classes have been opened for the 2018/19 school year, which means there are now 1,459 special classes in place, compared to 548 in 2011. Of these, 321 are Post Primary ASD special classes, compared to 72 in 2011. Because children with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I recognise the very important work done by school secretaries, and indeed by other support staff, in the running of our schools and I am grateful to them for the contribution they make to our education system.  I have spoken to a number of school secretaries about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised. Schemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I want to assure the Deputy that concerns regarding a shortage of appropriate school places for next September are being taken very seriously. An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has been engaging with local groups on this issue directly. The National Council for Special education (NCSE) has formally advised me that there is insufficient special school and special class capacity in Dublin 15. I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Catchment Areas (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I with to advise the Deputy that it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. The enrolment policy must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 45 together. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has undertaken extensive work reviewing Relationships and Sexuality Education. The NCCA Council is currently considering the draft report and following their consideration, I look forward to receiving the advice of the Council on this matter. The review of RSE will be an important...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The site acquisition referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage in the conveyancing process. Due to commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions, I am not in a position to provide further details at this time.  The major building project is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning – Stage 2b (Detailed Design) which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.  The design team is currently working on the Stage 2(b) report which on completion will be submitted to the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The funding arrangements made by the Department for voluntary secondary, comprehensive & community and ETB schools and colleges reflect the different management and ownership arrangements that apply to schools at second level. Voluntary secondary schools, in the Free Education scheme, which are privately owned and managed, are funded by way of per capita grants.  An additional...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together. The current positions on the proposed projects for the schools referred to by the Deputy are as follows: In relation to the first and fourth schools, in question: My Department is finalising the project brief for a capital projects at these schools. This process will be completed shortly and my Department will be in contact with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Junior Cycle Reform (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 40 together. In November of last year, I met with officials from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and asked that they undertake a review of the optional nature of History in the Junior Cycle. As part of their review the NCCA has also been asked to identify how we can best promote the study of history in our schools. The NCCA...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department approved two temporary classrooms and a Special Education Teaching room for Scoil Chronain National School, Rathcoole in 2018 to provide for additional school places. These additional classes are currently being accommodated in Rathcoole Community Centre pending installation of the temporary classrooms at the school. The responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware that last October and November my Department carried out initial investigations into 42 schools that were built by the company to which he refers.  He will also be aware that of those schools, 22 required precautionary measures to enable continued safe occupation.  The implementation of these precautionary measures was completed by December...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 was passed by the Oireachtas on 4th July 2018, and was signed into law by the President on the 18th July 2018. The Act will create a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy should operate for schools.  The first stage of commencement on 3rd October 2018 brought a number of sections of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process. The school was recently authorised to issue the Letter of Intent to the preferred tenderer. Subject to no issues arising it is anticipated that construction will commence in the second quarter of 2019, with a construction period of approximately 24 months.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government announced plans in April 2018 for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including two new schools to be established in the Swords school planning area as follows: A new 8-classroom primary school to serve Swords South to be established in 2019; and A new 8-classroom primary school to serve the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Digital Strategy for Schools (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school. Where the introduction of digital devices is planned, consultation with members of the school community including parents is advised. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: A building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.  The project was recently approved to proceed to tender.  Subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that construction will commence in the final quarter of 2019, with a construction period...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I want to assure the Deputy that concerns regarding a shortage of appropriate school places for next September are being taken very seriously. An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has been engaging with local groups on this issue directly. The National Council for Special education (NCSE) has formally advised me that there is insufficient special school and special class capacity in Dublin 15. I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. The starting salary for a new entrant teacher in 2012 was €30,702. As a result of the programme of pay restoration, the starting salary of a teacher is now €36,318 and from 1 October 2020 onwards will be €37,692. Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. The starting salary for a new entrant teacher in 2012 was €30,702. As a result of the programme of pay restoration, the starting salary of a teacher is now €36,318 and from 1 October 2020 onwards will be €37,692. Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and...