Results 10,761-10,780 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The delivery of a new building for the school to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB). KWETB has appointed a design team for this project. The Design Team will now take the project through the various stages of architectural planning and onwards through the statutory planning requirements and construction. The timeframe...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The NDFA is currently preparing tender documents for the second phase of the process of appointment of multi-disciplinary technical advisors (design teams) for these projects. This process will involve a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The NDFA is currently preparing tender documents for the second phase of the process of appointment of multi-disciplinary technical advisors (design teams) for these projects. This process will involve a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major school building project for the extension and refurbishment of the schools referred to by the Deputy has recently been authorized by my Department to proceed to tender for the appointment of a Building Contractor. The closing date for receipt of tenders is early January 2020. Subject to no significant issues arise during the tender process, my Department anticipates that the...

Scouting Ireland: Statements: School Placement (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Ar dtús báire, gabhaim comhghairdeas leis an Teachta agus a chomhghleacaí ar son a mbua tríd an bhfothoghchán a chuaigh thart. Gabhaim onóir mhór orthu faoi choinne a bpoist nua, chomh maith leis an díograis agus an tsárobair a rinne siad tríd an toghchán. Gabhaim comhghairdeas leo arís. The new Deputies are up and running....

Scouting Ireland: Statements: School Placement (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I assure the Deputy that we will continue to monitor developments. He is correct in saying that there have been representations in terms of looking at future capacity. We are trying to build and project towards the future. Under Project Ireland 2040, our plan is to spend over €12 billion in capital infrastructure across the primary, second and third level sectors and to spend...

Report on Examination of School Costs, School Facilities and Teaching Principals: Motion [Private Members] (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Ar dtús, gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí agus na Seanadóirí ar an gComhchoiste um Oideachas agus Scileanna agus go háirithe an cathaoirleach, an Teachta Fiona O'Loughlin, don obair a bhaineann leis an "Tuarascáil ar Iniúchadh an Choiste ar Chostais Scoile, Áiseanna Scoile agus Príomhoidí atá ag Teagasc". Gabhaim buíochas...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff Data (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department's policy is that every child assessed as requiring SNA support will have access to such support. By the end of this year, there will be up to 15,950 SNAs working in our schools, an increase of over 51% since 2011, supporting in the region of 37,500 pupils. Budget 2020 has provided for 1,064 additional SNAs posts which will bring the total number of SNA posts in schools to over...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions Governance (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that the Code of Governance for Irish Universities was endorsed by the Council of Presidents of the Universities in January 2019 and approved by each governing authority by 5 April 2019. Following approval, effective from the 2019-20 academic year, a gap analysis and a work programme is been undertaken by each university to support the implementation of the Code. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (5 Dec 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 Service Provision (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 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: Schools Building Projects Applications (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's capital programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan. In this regard, my Department has been liasing with the school authority with a view to arranging a site visit to the school in the new year.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department does not employ agency staff. Where we have a requirement for temporary clerical support we have Temporary Clerical Officers assigned from the Public Appointments Service. I have requested information regarding agency staff from the aegis bodies of my department and will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it has been collated.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) is the main policy initiative of my Department to address educational disadvantage at school level. In order to tackle educational disadvantage, the DEIS programme provides for smaller class sizes and other supports including additional teaching posts, Home School Community Liaison Coordinators, DEIS grants, enhanced book grants,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: A number of steps are being taken to strengthen the regulation of the English language education sector in Ireland. The recently enactedQualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 contains provisions that will enable the introduction of the International Education Mark (IEM) alongside the establishment of a new national fund for the Protection for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under the Universities Act 1997, it is the function of the governing authority to manage and control the affairs of the institution. As autonomous bodies, the day to day operation of the institution including the procedures related to the withdrawal from courses and the refund of any fees paid are matters for the governing authority of each institution. The Free Fees initiative provides...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department continues to engage with the landowner and Kildare County Council in regard to the technical considerations crucial to the delivery of the site and the commencement of architectural planning. It is a priority for my Department to commence the architectural planning process for this site at the earliest possible stage. For the time being, and as previously indicated - given...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme Provision (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: 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. The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances. The Home Tuition Application form outlines that...