Results 10,661-10,680 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (27 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: School Accommodation (27 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 application is currently being assessed and the school will be informed of the decision shortly.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (28 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue because it gives me the opportunity to clarify the position in relation to the Department of Education and Skills' plans for upgrading school buildings, including St. Aidan's comprehensive school, Cootehill, County Cavan. St. Aidan's is a co-educational comprehensive school under Catholic patronage. There are currently 512 pupils enrolled in the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (28 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy makes his case very well, much like his constituency colleague, Deputy Smyth. I have also spoken to my Cabinet colleague, Deputy Humphreys, about this and Senator O'Reilly keeps this issue on the agenda. I am well aware that a good bit of preparatory work is required for these applications. I am also aware, as the Deputy pointed out, that the education and training board is very...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme Data (28 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The 18 religious congregations involved in the management of most of the residential institutions in which child abuse took place have made contributions towards the costs incurred by the State in responding to that abuse under two rounds: the legally binging 2002 Indemnity Agreement and the voluntary offers made in 2009 in the aftermath of the publication of the report of the Commission to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training Provision (28 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I understand that the Deputy is referring in particular to the restoration of the Gaeltacht placement grant for students on State-funded Initial Teacher Education Programmes. The Gaeltacht placement is crucially important as an immersive Irish language experience for student teachers, to improve their communicative competence in Gaeilge, in the context of their future role as teachers of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (28 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: Summer Works Scheme Data (28 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am pleased to advise the Deputy the 24 Schools in County Donegal were approved for funding in Summer 2020 under the summer works Scheme. Commensurate with the level of funding set aside for the Scheme, applications are being assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the Circular accompanying the Scheme. In that regard, applications...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (28 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available at the moment due to the number of agenices involved. A response will issue directly to the Deputy once the information has been collated.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (28 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under the National Development Plan, increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme. This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of new permanent school places to keep pace with demographic demand and also provides for an additional focus on the refurbishment of existing school buildings, to include the building and modernisation of PE...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Participation (28 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The vision of the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2019 (National Access Plan) is to ensure that the student body participating in, and completing, higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population. Goal 3 of the Plan is to “gather accurate data and evidence on access and participation and to base policy on...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (28 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it allows me the opportunity to provide an update to the House on the provision of a permanent school building for Stepaside Educate Together secondary school, a co-educational school under the patronage of Educate Together. The school building project for Stepaside Educate Together secondary school is included in my Department's capital...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, the recent budget was framed in the expectation and fear of a no-deal Brexit. It was not a budget I wanted to be part of in terms of education. From a point of view of responsibility and the point of view of the country, there was an acceptance that we would make indicative moves on the pupil-teacher ratio. That is why we reduced the ratio in respect of schools...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am happy for my officials to follow up on this.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I would like further details of the school situation. It is important to point out that there is a scale of prioritisation with the need for new schools, extra classrooms and special education provision. There is a big budgetary demand but I am happy to have my officials look at the application.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. I am aware of the pressures in the area. I reassure the parents who may be listening that we have put specific focus on this issue through the Department in Tullamore. I know the Acting Chairman is very interested in this issue. The Deputy made a point on doing analysis as part of planning for school provision. We constantly do this. We...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: We will continue to give it the focus it needs. It is about ensuring that once we have the information and once we know there are demand issues, we get in early. Engagement from the principals is critical here, and without singling any of those schools in the areas the Deputy mentioned out, I have met the majority of the principals. The Deputy is correct in saying I was in Portmarnock...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: In St. Joseph's secondary school in Rush, I was able to hear first-hand about the pressures and the frustrations with the processes involved in acquiring sites. There are external factors outside of the Department's control. One matter we are committed to as a Department is that where there is extra demand, we try to provide solutions. We have to work towards the long-term and we will put...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology Funding (3 Dec 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 explore, with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Departments July Provision Scheme provides funding for an extended school year for students with a severe/profound general learning disability and/or students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with these specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays. The Terms and conditions of the...