Results 9,941-9,960 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department understands that it is the intention of the patron of the facility in question to engage with the local authority relating to the options available to progress the future development of the facility. My Department has requested that it is kept informed of progress in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The school to which the Deputy refers is under the patronage of City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB). Partnership arrangements such as that referred to by the Deputy are a matter for patron bodies in the first instance. I was happy to support the patrons' proposal in relation to this particular school and another ETB school in Dublin 12 as it has the potential to enhance...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (16 Oct 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 to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (16 Oct 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 to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The procurement process for a bundle of projects is due to commence in the coming weeks with the publication of a contract notice to determine a shortlist of interested contractors.  The new school building for the school referred to by the Deputy is part of this bundle of projects. The procurement process (and the associated tendering to short-listed contractors) for this bundle of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 124 together. The new Danu Community Special School in Dublin 15, under the patronage of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB has been established and will be catering for up to 40 students with complex needs. A lot of work has been done over recent months including recruitment of teachers and SNAs and attendance at training. Danu Special School has now...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, a new post primary school for the Blanchardstown area was included in the announcement of new schools made in 2018. In line with the policy on the use of State assets (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars 11/15 and 17/16), in the first instance my Department is seeking to maximize the use of sites already in its ownership...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools.  I have spoken to a number of school secretaries about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised. In Budget 2020 I increased the number of secretaries in certain schools, allowing schools with enrolments of 500-625 to fill secretary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: Religious education is one of the seven curricular areas of the Primary School Curriculum (1999) and schools are currently required to allocate thirty minutes per day for religious education.  Section 30 of the Education Act 1998 provides that time will be made available in the school day to teach curriculum that arises from the characteristic spirit of the school.  This means...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools.  I have spoken to a number of school secretaries about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised. In Budget 2020 I increased the number of secretaries in certain schools, allowing schools with enrolments of 500-625 to fill secretary...

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I acknowledge Senator Colette Kelleher for her díograis on this issue and for prioritising this important area. It would be remiss of me to leave my county colleague, Senator Mac Lochlainn, out. He campaigned very intensively for recognition of ethnicity over the years. I acknowledge all Members of the House for their diligence in ensuring that actions which aim to improve educational...

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am happy to comment now. It is an absolute pleasure for me to come into this House every time and I do not say that because I am a former Senator. I think it was Senator Ruane who referred to me as a Senator. I accept the title of "Senator" even though I was elected one in 2002. She referred to us as "lowly Senators" and sought somebody to champion the Bill.I must disagree vehemently...

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank my officials for their work on this Bill. Senator Kelleher asked if I would prioritise this Bill progressing to the Dáil. I am happy to facilitate that and to keep her and the Seanad informed of progress. History will truly be made when there is somebody from the Traveller community standing where I am standing today. Since the foundation of the State there has been 40...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects Expenditure (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department monitors the cost of school building projects on an ongoing basis. School building costs, as reflected in the Department’s published basic building cost limit, fell significantly during the period of the economic downturn and took a number of years to return to a standard level. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland tender index also tracks tender levels in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects Expenditure (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: Let us be clear about the exact mathematics. In 2016, capital expenditure on the school buildings programme was €530 million. In 2017, it was €532 million. In 2018, it was €547 million. In 2019, it was €622 million, a 14% increase on 2018. Next year, it will be €620 million, some €2 million less. I have publicly stated what my first line of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects Expenditure (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: This is important, so I will make it my last point. The Kevin Street property sold for €140 million, approximately €60 million above the guide price.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects Expenditure (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: This has reduced the pressure on the 2020 capital budget.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects Expenditure (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: Since 2016, we have invested €3 billion in the school building programme. We will continue with that. Prior to this budget, I sat down with a dedicated team of my officials in Tullamore. They wanted to continue delivering on the programme. We agreed on rolling out 60 new schools in 2020. That was before the budget. The budget has passed. After the budget, we will still be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy who I appreciate has been in direct contact with me, as have colleagues in the constituency, Senator James Reilly and Deputy Alan Farrell, regarding the pressures and demographics in the area. As the Deputy will be aware, in 2018 the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the four years from 2019 to 2022, including two new primary...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department was awaiting final grant of planning permission for the site of the temporary school at 85-87 Main Street Swords and it issued on 27 August 2019. A commencement notice was submitted to Fingal County Council on Friday, 11 October, and it is envisaged that works will commence on site at the end of October. Once works are complete and the building control regulations...