Results 11,921-11,940 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department’s website shows the current position on all school projects on the Capital Programme, as well as listing the schools that have had large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date. These are listed on a county basis. The information is available at www.education.ie and is updated regularly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine. The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will not affect student grants in the academic year 2019/20. Students will continue to receive their maintenance grants as normal and the duration or value of the grant will not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) independently administers the HPAT on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and the RCSI. Neither I nor my Department has a function in the administration of the HPAT, and my Department does not hold information in relation to the number of students taking the HPAT. I published detailed guidance for schools on calculated...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is currently assessing an application, from the school in question, for capital funding. Officials have been communicating with the school authority and additional information sought has now been received. The information is being reviewed and the school authority will be informed of a decision in relation to this application shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: Ensuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department. Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs. Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: To assist with the development of contingency plans for the re-opening and operation of schools in an environment that may require social distancing and other public health requirements, my Department is engaging with education partners and relevant stakeholders. As part of this engagement, each of the education partners were given the opportunity to outline the key issues that they...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (9 Jun 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. My 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: School Accommodation (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: Options in relation to the location of interim accommodation to facilitate the school to which the Deputy refers are still under consideration. It is envisaged that the school will open in suitable interim accommodation for the 2020/2021 academic year.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: Following the school closure in March 2020, my Department published a range of guidance to assist schools and teachers in ensuring continuity of teaching and learning for students as well as supporting their wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance aimed, inter alia, to ensure regular engagement of students in lessons, tasks and learning experiences across the range of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: At postgraduate level, eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution may receive supports via the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. To qualify for grant support, a grant applicant must meet various criteria including those relating to means, residency, nationality and progression. The decision on eligibility for grant assistance is a matter for the student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: 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 www.gov.ie/leavingcertificate. Additional guidance to schools on the avoidance of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: To assist with the development of contingency plans for the re-opening and operation of schools in an environment that may require social distancing and other public health requirements, my Department is engaging with education partners and relevant stakeholders which include representatives of students, parents, school staff, school leadership and management bodies on planning arrangements...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I acknowledge that this is a particularly challenging time for all students, and parents across the education system, but particularly for those students who will be transferring from primary to post-primary school. I recognise that at this stage of the school year, teachers focus in particular on supporting the children who will be leaving the school to start the next stage of their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: 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 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. A core...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: As part of the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching Learning and Assessment, funding of €210m for ICT Infrastructure will be distributed to schools over the five years of the Strategy. €110m has issued over the lifetime of the strategy to date with €40m recently issuing in the form of a grant payment to all eligible schools and a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department has put in place a number of measures to support children at risk of educational disadvantage at this time. My Department has set up a Continuity of Learning Group and a series of guidance documents has been developed for schools. This guidance focuses on how schools can effectively support and engage with their students and address challenges in providing programmes of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am aware of the document in question which sets out the universities' proposed role as our partners in the post-pandemic recovery. Among a range of proposals, the document includes the concept of additional university places to help replace the projected significant drop in income across the sector along with a proposal for increased State support. My Department has provided a detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am conscious of the difficulties being experienced by students and their families as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The key supports available to students are Student Grant Scheme and related supports, such as the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. These supports have a fundamental role to play in assisting students in further and higher education. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Question Nos. 177 to 179, inclusive, together. The provision of education for children with special needs 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. As a result the numbers of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school...