Results 11,701-11,720 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The Minister announced on 1stApril a contingency plan for all Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to be available for a new temporary assignment scheme as part of the Government’s response to Covid-19. In the normal course of events, the majority of children with disabilities access multidisciplinary therapy services through the HSE. Many of these services have been scaled down during the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: On 1stMay, the Government published a roadmap to ease Covid-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society. It is outlined in the roadmap that from 18 May 2020, school buildings will be open for access by school staff for the organisation and distribution of remote learning. My Department has published information for school staff which provides that schools can organise,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Education Review (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in special schools, in accordance with the policies of my Department. Staffing arrangements for special schools are in line with policy advice provided by the NCSE in 2013, which did not recommend alteration to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: English Language Training Organisations (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is conscious of the issues in the English language education sector arising from the Covid-19 outbreak. While I have not had direct engagement with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, officials from our respective Departments are in regular contact on these matters. My Department has established a Covid-19 Working Group for this sector which is comprised of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is aware of concerns that the closure of schools has impacted hardest upon families who have children with complex needs whose wellbeing and engagement with learning depend very much on the routine of school and their relationships with other students, teachers and Special Needs Assistants. They have also lost out on specialist supports during this closure period. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (27 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 learning...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The Minister announced on 1stApril a contingency plan for all Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to be available for a new temporary assignment scheme as part of the Government’s response to Covid-19. In the normal course of events, the majority of children with disabilities access multidisciplinary therapy services through the HSE. Many of these services have been scaled down during the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 288 together. On the 1 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. My Department is engaging and working with the education partners and relevant stakeholders on planning arrangements for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 294 together. As part of the calculated grades process where a student is not satisfied with their calculated grade it can be appealed to my Department. The appeal system is set out in the information available on my Department’s website. The appeals mechanism will ensure that each step in the process leading to the generation of a calculated...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cycle to Work Scheme (27 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 the Cycle to Work scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: Following the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, significant work has been undertaken by a stakeholder group chaired by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and including the representative bodies of education providers in the further and higher education sectors to address issues relating to the maintenance of the quality and standards of qualifications. This group has focused on the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: On the 1 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. My Department is engaging and working with the education partners and relevant stakeholders on planning arrangements for the re-opening of schools in accordance with the timeframe outlined...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Schooling (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: On the 1 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. My Department is engaging and working with the education partners and relevant stakeholders on planning arrangements for the re-opening of schools in accordance with the timeframe...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (27 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: SUSI’s online application process for student grant applications for the 2020/21 academic year opened on 23rd April, 2020. Students are advised to submit their renewal student grant application as soon as possible. The priority closing dates for the 2020/21 academic year are the 11th June 2020 for renewal applicants and the 9th July 2020 for new applicants. Further information in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: English Language Training Organisations (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am aware of the challenges that are being encountered in the English language education sector and the substantial impact that the Covid-19 outbreak has had on students, teachers and providers in this sector.    My Department recognises the important role that teachers play in this sector and the support they have provided and continue to provide for students at this time....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together. My Department is aware of concerns that the closure of schools has impacted hardest upon families who have children with complex needs whose well-being and engagement with learning depend very much on the routine of school and their relationships with other students, teachers and Special Needs Assistants.  They have also lost out on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Online Safety (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: Since the announcement that schools would close due to the current pandemic my Department has made it clear that teachers and other staff in the education sector are expected to continue to work and to engage with their students to ensure the continuity of Schooling. In this regard, the nature of distance learning has required schools to take on a range of approaches to support their students...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is aware of concerns that the closure of schools has impacted hardest upon families who have children with complex needs whose well-being and engagement with learning depend very much on the routine of school and their relationships with other students, teachers and Special Needs Assistants.  They have also lost out on specialist supports during this closure period. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is aware of concerns that the closure of schools has impacted hardest upon families who have children with complex needs whose well-being and engagement with learning depend very much on the routine of school and their relationships with other students, teachers and Special Needs Assistants.  They have also lost out on specialist supports during this closure period. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150, 214, 283 and 291 together. I published detailed guidance for schools on calculated grades on 21 May. The document sets out information on the process of estimating marks for students to receive calculated grades, and this has been sent to all schools. The document, together with Frequently Asked Questions, are available on my Department’s...