Results 11,561-11,580 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that decisions in relation to schools re-opening and operating will be underpinned by the ongoing advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Department of Health. Engagement is underway with stakeholders in the education sector to develop contingency plans for the re-opening and operation of schools in an environment that may require social...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I recognise that this is a particularly challenging time for all students across the education system, but particularly for those students who will be transferring from primary to post-primary school.  On the 1stMay 2020, the Taoiseach announced as part of the "Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business" that schools will commence opening on a phased basis at the beginning of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I can inform the Deputy that this project has been devolved for delivery to Westmeath County Council (WCC). The ‘Roadmap for the Reopening of Society and Business’ published by Government includes certain construction operations for inclusion in the first phase of economic activity which came into effect on May 18th 2020. Subject to compliance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Departments assistive technology scheme provides grant-aid to schools to allow them to purchase specialist equipment which has been recommended by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as essential for pupils with physical or communicative disabilities to access the school curriculum. Applications are completed by schools and sent to the NCSE for recommendation and submission...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has recently received a tender report from the school to which he refers.  My Department will be in contact with the school directly once its review of this report has been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Property (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. When State monies are provided to facilitate building works to school property owned by a third party, a legal mechanism is put in place in order to protect the State's interest. This is known as a Charging Lease or Declaration of Trust. These leases protect the Minister's capital investment in the school property and require that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Property (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: When a school building becomes vacant as a result of closure/amalgamation/replacement, the future use of the old building is in the first instance a matter for the property owner. When the property owner applies to the Minister for permission to either use the property for community purposes or to sell it, my Department makes an assessment as to whether the property is required for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: At the core of both the school-based and national standardisation phases of the system of calculated grades is a commitment to objectivity and fairness. To ensure this, the school-based process must not be compromised. Therefore, the principal, deputy principal(s), teachers or other members of the school staff must not under any circumstances discuss with any student or with the parents or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that decisions in relation to schools re-opening and operating will be underpinned by the ongoing advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Department of Health.  Engagement is underway with stakeholders in the education sector to develop contingency plans for the re-opening and operation of schools, including schools for children...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am committed to running a summer Provision type programme for children with complex needs this year as soon as it is safe to do so and in accordance with public health advice.  My Department is exploring a number of options for a summer education programme for children with complex special needs. The primary aim of the proposed programme would be to limit potential regression in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: Every effort was made to run the 2020 Leaving Certificate as close as possible to the way the examinations were originally intended to be held. However, based on medical advice and other assessments, that the Leaving Certificate examinations cannot be held in a reliable and valid manner, nor in a way that would be equitable for students.  All students will be given the option to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Health Professions Admission Test (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The HPAT is independently administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and the RCSI.  The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for those institutions in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs. Neither I nor my Department has a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: On the 1st May 2020, the Taoiseach announced as part of the "Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business" that schools will commence opening on a phased basis at the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic year. The Department is currently working with the Education Partners and relevant stakeholders in planning for this re-opening which will be based on public health advice. As part of this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cycle to Work Scheme (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: It was necessary for operational reasons to temporarily suspend the cycle to work scheme arising from the COVID 19 lockdown. The priority of my Department during the lockdown period has been to ensure that the 125,000 payees on the payrolls continued to be paid on a fortnightly basis.  I am glad to advise the Deputy that my Department will accept new applications for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am committed to running a summer Provision type programme for children with complex needs this year as soon as it is safe to do so and in accordance with public health advice.  My Department is exploring a number of options for a summer education programme for children with complex special needs. The primary aim of the proposed programme would be to limit potential regression in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: English Language Training Organisations (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am aware that issues have been raised in relation to refunds for students in the English language education (ELE) sector.  These issues have been discussed at the ELE Covid-19 Working Group chaired by my Department.  In compliance with the Government Decision taken in March 2020, all English language education (ELE) providers closed their premises in accordance with public...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that decisions in relation to schools re-opening and operating will be underpinned by the ongoing advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Department of Health. Engagement is underway with stakeholders in the education sector to develop contingency plans for the re-opening and operation of schools, including schools for children with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am committed to running a summer Provision type programme for children with complex needs this year as soon as it is safe to do so and in accordance with public health advice.  My Department is exploring a number of options for a summer education programme for children with complex special needs. The primary aim of the proposed programme would be to limit potential regression in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department complies with the Department of Finance’s guidelines for engagements of consultants by the civil service, having regard to public procurement guidelines, which include a requirement for the provision of a declaration on conflict of interest. Contracts are awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender.  The data in respect of 2019 is available on my...