Results 10,541-10,560 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Data (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. Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland Administration (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The eligibility criteria for student grants including the income thresholds is reviewed annually in my Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As the Deputy will be aware, all proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including changes to grant rates are announced as part of the budget process. There were no changes to the thresholds in Budget...

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

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application, for additional school accommodation, from the school authority in question. The assessment process to determine the school’s permanent accommodation needs is nearing completion. The school will be informed of the decision in due course. My Department is aware of the enrolment issues in the Skerries...

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

Joe McHugh: My Department is committed to the construction of permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy. In this regard, a project manager has been appointed to develop a masterplan layout for the proposed site and is engaging with the local authority. The master planning process is well advanced at this point. My Department is continuing to engage with the school's patron in this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (19 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: School Fees (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Recognised primary and post primary schools are prohibited from charging school application fees. Section 64 of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, which was commenced on 3 October 2018, explicitly prohibits the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school. Section 64 applies to all recognised primary and post...

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

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together. As you are aware, the ex gratia scheme was established on foot of the specific circumstances arising from and in response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) relating to Louise O'Keeffe. Ireland submits bi-annual Action Plans to the relevant Committee of Ministers which is responsible for supervising the...

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, which is...

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

Joe McHugh: The selection and enrolment of pupils is the responsibility of the management authorities in each individual school. My Department’s main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place...

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

Joe McHugh: The project to deliver the school’s permanent accommodation requires the acquisition of a suitable site and engagement with a landowner in respect of an identified site option is currently underway. A planning application was submitted to the Local Authority for Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School to be located on third party lands at Colpe, in interim accommodation pending...

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

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 to 218, inclusive, together. 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%,...

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

Joe McHugh: The entire focus of Relationship and Sexuality Education is on preparing young people for adult life, on emphasising the importance of respect for themselves and each other, developing healthy relationships, understanding the importance of consent and helping young people to develop and mature in a positive light. Access to Relationship and Sexuality Education is an important right for...

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

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together. 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...

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

Joe McHugh: The entire focus of Relationship and Sexuality Education is on preparing young people for adult life, on emphasising the importance of respect for themselves and each other, developing healthy relationships, understanding the importance of consent and helping young people to develop and mature in a positive light. Access to Relationship and Sexuality Education is an important right for...

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

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 to 229, inclusive, together. 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. Major new residential...

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

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 235 together. 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...

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

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware, a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's school building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan. My Department is continuing to engage with the school in this regard and details of the accommodation to be provided as part of the project are expected to be determined shortly. Officials...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: In the current school year, the number of teachers employed in our schools have reached the highest ever level. Teacher numbers at primary level have increased by almost 3,500 when comparing the 2015/16 school year with the current school year. This builds on the Budget 2018 measure which provided a one point improvement in the staffing schedule in primary schools which brings the position...

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

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that one primary school continues to serve its local community in Brannoxtown under new multi-denominational patronage. Since 2018, this school is operating as a Community National School under the patronage of Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board. The school had previously been under Catholic patronage.