Results 2,381-2,400 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Meetings (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I have not met with parents or groups from areas in Fingal County Dublin to discuss school place provision.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy may be aware that I recently announced details of the schools that will receive funding in summer 2020 in respect of applications submitted for "Life Safety Systems projects". I can confirm to the Deputy that an application for 'Windows Projects' has been received, from the school authority in question, under my Department's multi annual Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 onwards....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The school referred to by the Deputy has been approved a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2019. This project will provide for four general classrooms to replace three existing prefabs. It will also provide for one Construction studies room, a Technology room with prep area, one WC for assisted users, a standard toilet, and one special education teaching room. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). The procedures set out in 6.2 c) and 6.2 d) of Appendix D of the Governance Manual for Primary Schools 2015-2019 have been superseded by Circular...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise that the school referred to by the Deputy currently rents temporary accommodation classrooms at an annual rental cost of €118,325.84. Since 2009, capital funding in the amount of €348,598.45 has also been allocated to the purchase of prefabricated units. The move to a new permanent building is awaiting the completion of a major building project for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Council of Ireland (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State. It is a function of the Council under the Teaching Council Acts (s7(2)) to act as the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications obtained by a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: There are currently four credit cards in operation within the Department Of Education and Skills. Each Minister’s Private Secretary has a credit card in name their issued to them, as does the Principal Officer of the IT unit. The bill for the credit cards is paid in full each month by Direct Debit from the Department’s bank account to avoid the accumulation of interest. A...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Parental Leave (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Parental Leave is regulated by the Parental Leave Acts 1998 - 2019. Parental Leave entitlement has increased from a maximum of 18 weeks to a maximum of 22 weeks from 1st September 2019 in respect of each child. This entitlement will increase to up to a maximum of 26 weeks from 1st September 2020. The purpose of Parental Leave is to allow a relevant parent a period of leave from employment...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware the project to which he refers is devolved to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for delivery. The OPW is currently preparing and checking the documents for issue to tender. It is envisaged that the tender for this project will be published in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. My Department submitted an application for planning permission to the Local Authority on 26th September 2019. A Request for Further Information was received on 20th November 2019. My Department's Project...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that a request for temporary accommodation has been received from the school. It has been advised to incorporate decanting solutions into its design plan for this building project and any identified need for temporary accommodation will be provided in that context.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (12 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 Data (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department can confirm that no there are no schools in rented prefabs in excess of 20-years. My Department does not hold information in relation to purchased prefabricated buildings.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Forecasting the cost implications of demographics is complex with multiple factors impinging on cost projections. In particular, while the school enrolments in any given year can be forecast with relative certainty in the short term, forecasting the implications for teacher numbers required at individual school level to maintain existing ratios of teachers to students is more challenging as...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus baill an choiste. Tá mé iontach sásta leis an gcuireadh theacht os comhair an choiste, ionas go mbeidh díospóireacht againn ar an ábhar seo. Má tá aon cheisteanna ag aon duine ina dhiaidh seo, beidh mé sásta iad a fhreagairt. Gabhaim buíochas le baill an choiste go léir as ucht an...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I acknowledge the help provided by this committee by proactively making proposals, etc. Today's engagement is important. As the committee examined the PISA results in recent weeks, it identified areas in which we are making gains. The DEIS scheme has been mentioned. It is great to see that the gap is being bridged at the lower levels. It is getting closer. The support we provide to more...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: We contribute a percentage depending on the number of hours provided for under the contract. I will get the Deputy more detail on this matter if she requires it. We want to ensure we continue to have this vital voice and expertise in our third level sector. This brings me on to our university ranking for research. One of the fundamental factors underpinning the ranking system is the...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: We have to get into that space and find smarter ways of doing things. It will be music to the ears of those in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform if we can make savings in that regard and have fewer buses on the roads. That said, we are here as servants of the people and not of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and must ensure that services are there. We are...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: We are having engagement on transport in general and have had conversations about safety and what we can do about speed limits at schools. I have heard what the Deputy has said about investing in pathways and cycle routes. It is a different type of scenario in many rural areas because of the distance that pupils have to travel, in some instances on narrower roads. We cannot just come up...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (12 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: There is a cost in the documentation. We are using a number of temporary buildings as well as prefabricated buildings. We have decanting and moving costs. We have to set up the proper infrastructure for schools. Some schools may be in a temporary building where the lease runs out and the school may then have to move. There are many challenges in this regard. Ultimately, we want to be...