Results 10,461-10,480 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that I met with my Officials to discuss third level funding requirements in the context of Budget 2020 and in relation to the development of a sustainable funding model for higher education.  Following the further planned increases in higher education spending for 2020 announced in the recent Estimates, planned current spending on higher education for 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Digital Strategy for Schools (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Considerable work has been done in the development of curricula on digital literacy. At both primary and post-primary levels considerable scope for building the capacity of students in the area of digital literacy is provided for through the emphasis on dispositions, competencies and skills as foundational elements of the curriculum. Specifically, in the newly introduced Framework for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Contractors (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Safety is the number one priority for my Department since the structural and fire safety issues, which are the subject matter of the Deputy’s Parliamentary Question, arose and I am pleased to be able to inform him that significant progress has been made on the remediation programme for the 40 schools involved. A substantial programme of remediation work took place during the summer...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies. Operational matters, including in relation to building management, health and safety, and staff accommodation, are a matter for each institution. The issues raised by the Deputy are therefore a matter for the management of TU Dublin.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The school referred to by the Deputy were allocated a devolved grant for prefabricated accommodation in October 2018 under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme which will enable the school authority deliver 5 x Mainstream Classrooms, En-suite Toilets, Shower Area & Staff Toilets, Multi-sensory room, 3 x Small Safe Places, Storage, Staff Room & Office/Administration...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The school to which the Deputy refers has been approved one mainstream classroom and one ASD classroom under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2018.  The school obtained planning permission without first getting authorisation to proceed to planning stage, which is a condition of the Additional Accommodation scheme, and included unapproved works in this planning application. On that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated a devolved grant for prefabricated accommodation in October 2018 under my Department Additional Accommodation Scheme which will enable the school authority deliver 5 x Mainstream Classrooms, En-suite Toilets, Shower Area & Staff Toilets, Multi-sensory room, 3 x Small Safe Places, Storage, Staff Room &...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Contractors (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that approval has been granted to appoint a new specialist to enable the contractor to carry out the preparatory work necessary to proceed with the repair works. This includes the final steps in the preparation of a method statement for the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) to allow it to carry out the first phase of these works....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (19 Nov 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 staff about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised.  In Budget 2020 I increased the number of secretaries and caretakers in certain schools, allowing schools with enrolments of 500-625 to fill...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The provision of education for children with special needs, including those with Autism, is an ongoing priority for Government. Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs. Since 2011 investment in Special Education supports has increased by 50%, which is significantly above the 7% increase in total student numbers...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Insurance Costs (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department is aware of issues relating to very significant increases in insurance costs in some special schools, through correspondence received from some special schools, discussions with the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education (NABMSE) and media reports. These increases appear due, in some instances, to an annual increase in insurance costs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Rural schools make up the majority of our primary school sector: nearly 2,000 out of just over 3,100 schools. They are valued in their communities in that they provide a vital link to local heritage and history, help sustain rural populations and often act as a link for sports and social activity. The majority of rural schools (over 1,200) are classed as small- having 4 or fewer teachers....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Nov 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 Site Acquisitions (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, a new site is required for the replacement building for the school in question and my Department has commenced the site identification process. In line with protocols for the use of State property assets, my Department has written to the Department of Defence enquiring if the Department is in a position to provide a site that could be suitable. My Department has also...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department provides hoists and other equipment for special schools from the Furniture and Equipment grant. While this grant does not provide for the servicing of this equipment, funding for same is made available through the minor works and/or capitation grant.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.   The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Supply (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Earlier this year I introduced a new scheme to allow post-primary schools to share teachers in priority subjects. The “Scheme to Share Teachers between Recognised Post-Primary Schools” is intended to ease recruitment pressures in specific subject areas such as STEM, modern foreign languages, Irish, and home economics. I would strongly encourage Principals and boards of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware this project has been devolved for delivery to Westmeath County Council (WCC). He will also be aware that senior officials from my Department and WCC are working closely with the contractor to resolve issues that have arisen on this project under the dispute resolution mechanisms set out in the Public Works Contract. I can inform the Deputy that further...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (19 Nov 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 staff about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised.  In Budget 2020 I increased the number of secretaries and caretakers in certain schools, allowing schools with enrolments of 500-625 to fill...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 99 together. My Department currently spends approximately €1.9 Billion or almost 20% of its total current educational and training budget annually on making additional provision for children with special educational needs. This represents an increase of over 50% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was...