Results 10,261-10,280 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Maternity Leave (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). In accordance with Department Circular 31/ 2011and 44/2019, which are available on the Department’s website under www.education.ie, schools are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Psychological Assessments (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The 2018 annual report of the independent appeals officer appointed to consider appeals against decisions of Caranua (the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board) for the period 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2019 was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 16 October 2019.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht na nithe tábhachtacha agus iontach suntasacha seo fá choinne seirbhísí daoine óga a ardú. I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. The provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for the Government. Currently, almost 20%, or €1 out of every €5,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: One thing for sure is that anywhere there is a need, we have the professionalism and expertise to deal with it through the NCSE and my officials. If a delegation of parents wish to meet with officials, I will be happy to arrange that. I receive requests on a daily, if not an hourly, basis to meet different representations from more than 4,000 schools. I am conscious of not creating...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I apologise to the Leas-Chathaoirleach's team. Gabhaim buíochas leo.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I will try to comply with the rules and regulations and will try to be as brief as possible. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position in relation to the major building project for Ennistymon in County Clare. This major project will deliver a new post-primary school to cater for 650 pupils and a new...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I reiterate that the key point in any project is getting into the pre-qualification process and getting the list of potential companies. As the Senator said, that process has been completed and the design team has completed its work. We are awaiting feedback, which process will be completed in the next four weeks. It is not unreasonable to suggest we will move to the tendering process in...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Senator for moving this amendment. I am glad to be back in the House working on this important legislation. I assure the House that this Bill does not alter in any way the existing rights of teachers and other employees under current employment, health and safety legislation and other relevant legislation, nor will it interfere with disciplinary processes under section 24 of the...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Bill explicitly emphasises the need for early resolution. This is also not about reinventing the wheel. Many schools already engage in early resolution really well. They have their own policies in the form of their own individual charters. Each school has good practice, a good track record and good experience in ensuring issues can be addressed early before they become potentially...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: What we are trying to do is broaden the scope of the legislation. If we are specific about policies at this stage of the legislation's passage, its scope will be narrowed. Nevertheless, that is not say the important points the Senator raised should not be highlighted within the guidelines. She mentioned the education partners, which will have a specific role and remit in getting their...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: It is clear that the Senator's level of detail and experience on the whole issue of seclusion and restraint is really important. I take it from what she has said that a strong voice, which is focusing on what will and will not work, needs to be heard. This work will be presented to the education partners at the end of November, which is this month and not next month. It is a semi-formal...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: At the heart of this legislation is the need to provide more transparency. As the Senator said, this is about information for parents, whether it is €2 that has been collected for a school bus to go to a swimming pool, or a golf classic that has been organised by the local parents association to raise money for the school. It is also important in order to protect schools that people...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The amendment provides that the national charter guidelines would have to include model charters for schools which boards would have to follow in preparing their individual charters. The national charter guidelines will ensure clarity and consistency of approach across schools, but it is not the Bill's intention that every school's charter will be exactly the same. Schools, by their nature,...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I appreciate where the Senator wants to go with the amendment and we are singing from the same hymn sheet in seeking to ensure we will have a minimum period within which to ensure a review will be carried out. Five years is potentially too long. We can look at ensuring one will be carried out earlier, but I am not in a position to be specific in that regard. While not accepting the...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Senator for the amendment which would require the Minister, when preparing the charter guidelines, to have regard to the need for a school to have adequate personnel, financial and time resources in order to implement the provisions of the Bill. I repeat again that a lot of schools are doing very well with reference to what we are trying to do through a legislative framework....

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Much consideration has gone into this particular amendment, as it has gone into all the amendments. The Bill currently requires the Minister, when preparing the charter guidelines, to have regard to the need for a school to foster and promote mutual respect and communications between the school and students and their parents. This amendment would ensure this provision in the Bill also...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I want to highlight a number of points about these amendments. I know Senator Boyhan talked about the independence of the ombudsman as well as Senator Ruane. The specific basis on which the Ombudsman for Children engages with schools is already enshrined in legislation. The Ombudsman for Children does not engage with schools as a representative or advocate for the complainant or for the...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank Senator Craughwell for tabling the amendment.Amendment No. 11 provides for the deletion of the provision in the Bill that provides for the Minister to publish a direction issued under this Bill to a school board, together with the name of the school concerned. Amendment No. 12 is a consequential amendment that removes the obligation on the Minister to publish a notice where he or she...