Results 10,561-10,580 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

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

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together. In 2016, in the region of 12,900 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts were allocated to schools by the end of the year. This increased to 13,015 posts by the end of 2017. Funding provision for SNA posts, by way of the normal estimates/budget process, has been undertaken, on the basis of a Government decision, since Budget 2018. Budget...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 to 243, inclusive, together. The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances. By...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Audiology Services Provision (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. Following the HSE look back review of paediatric audiology services in Mayo, Galway and Roscommon, officials from my Department and the HSE met in September 2018 to discuss special educational supports for the affected children. It was agreed that where the affected children had special educational needs due to a hearing impairment,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Audiology Services Provision (19 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Department of Education and Skills can only work on behalf of the children who obtain consent from the HSE. If there are additional support requests on behalf of the nine children, my Department will prioritise them. If there are other children identified by the HSE who require support or some assistive technology or funding, we can only work on the basis of consent. We will, however,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology Funding (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Funding provided to the Institute of Technology (IoT) sector currently impacts on the General Government Borrowing (GGB).  Borrowing for capital development, including student accommodation, is included in the State’s balance sheet and therefore impacts on the Government’s available fiscal space.  The National Student Accommodation Strategy includes actions to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The school referred to by the Deputy is currently located in interim accommodation. Subject to availability of accommodation, it is open to the school to establish a special classes within its existing accommodation. In such circumstances, funding is available from my Department to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (20 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: Departmental Expenditure (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department’s current mobile phone contract was awarded to Vodafone Ireland, following a procurement process under the OGP Framework Agreement for the provision of Mobile Voice and Data Communications. This contract is due to expire in May 2022 subject to terms and conditions in this agreement.  The monthly tariff provides for all calls, texts and a limited data allowance. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I was delighted to visit Scoil Áine Naofa earlier this month and meet the principal and staff to discuss this building project.   The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is part of a joint project. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) Detailed Design which includes the application for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Data (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement. Staffing in the Department of Education and Skills: Breakdown by grade/gender Administrative Staff Grade Male Headcount Female Headcount Total Headcount Secretary General  1 0 1 Assistant Secretary 5 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Advisers Data (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The following tables give details of the special advisers appointed in my Department since the current Government came into office on the 14thJune 2017. Mr. Richard Bruton, T.D. Minister for Education & Skills 14/6/17to 16/10/2018 NAME SERVICE REASON Patrick Cluskey 14/6/17 to 16/10/18 Transfer to Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Sick Pay Scheme (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The provisions of the Sick Leave Scheme for Registered Teachers employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools are contained in my Department’s Circular Letter 0054/2019 which issued on 01 September 2019 and is published on my Department's website. The granting of Sick Leave to a teacher who is ill is intended to provide an adequate opportunity for that teacher to recover...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is currently reviewing the long term accommodation needs of the school in question. The National Development Plan (NDP) provides for an €8.4 billion investment in school buildings over the period 2018 to 2027 to deliver on NDP and National Planning Framework objectives through addressing the twin priorities of catering for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that in the event that a member of staff in my Department is concerned about bullying, harassment or sexual harassment at their place of work they are advised of the anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service, entitled "Dignity at Work", which is published by the Department of Public Expenditure &...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The estimated full year cost of increasing the rate of ancillary grant by €7.00 per pupil in primary schools is circa €4 million. Improvements have been made in recent years for the restoration of grant funding that is used by schools to fund the salaries of ancillary staff.  The ancillary grant has increased by €22 since 2016, in order to enable primary schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Data (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: During the period stated in the Deputy’s question no officials at my Department were dismissed or suspended from duty.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: On September 14th 2018, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar T.D., the Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton T.D., the Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D. and the Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development John Halligan T.D announced a major package of investment in education under Project Ireland 2040, the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department spent €4,190.30 on bottled water during the period 1st January, 2019 to 31st October, 2019.  My Department has not incurred any costs with regard to disposable coffee cups.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Freedom of Information (20 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department takes a proactive approach to the publication of a wide range of official information and the ‘publication scheme’ is regularly updated in accordance with the “Model Scheme” provided for in section 8 of the FOI Act, 2014. The scheme is readily accessible and prominently published under the Freedom of Information section of my...