Results 2,481-2,500 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in contact with the patrons of the three schools in question, in relation to a proposed amalgamation of the schools. I wish to advise the Deputy that the decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron/Trustees of the school, and this is subject to the approval of the Department. Any proposed change involves...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Agencies Data (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The information sought by the Deputy, in regard to the agencies under the remit of my Department, is contained in the following table. State Bodies are required to follow the terms of the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and other Department of Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform guidance, where appropriate. In the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, in relation to the school to which he refers, my Department has approved funding for a permanent extension consisting of 3 general classrooms, 3 SET/offices, science laboratory and prep area, art room and toilets. This funding is being provided under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2019. I can also inform him that, pending the delivery of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Data (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached tabular statement. Staffing in the Department of Education and Skills – 2014 to date End 2014 End 2015 End 2016 End 2017 End 2018 To date - 2019 Staffing Numbers (*FTE) 1185 1205 1242 1319 1372 1427 ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for additional accommodation from the school in question. The application is being considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as the assessment process has been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Data (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware that an exercise is currently in train to develop a master plan layout for the proposed site. A project manager has been appointed to develop the masterplan. The process also includes engagement with the relevant education stakeholders and local authority. The master planning process is well advanced at this point. The outcome of this process will determine the next...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is currently considering the temporary accommodation needs of the school in question and will be in further contact with the school authority in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as an independent student or a dependent student. An applicant’s class is defined at his/her first point of entry or re-entry to an approved course and will continue for the duration of his/her studies. In order to be classified as an independent applicant a student must: - Be over 23 years...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Appeals (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I have been advised by my officials that an appeal has been submitted by the student in question to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board (SGAB). Subject to no issues arising, it is anticipated that the SGAB will make a determination on this case within the statutory time period on or before the end of January 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application under Toilet Facilities under my Department's multi-annual Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 onwards. The Deputy may be aware that I recently announced details of the 405 schools that will receive funding in summer 2020 under the summer works programme. Commensurate with the level of funding set aside...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no record of receiving an application, under the Summer Works Scheme, from the school in question.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured. The Design Team has confirmed that it is working on finalising the Stage 2(b) Report ensuring the new school building will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: A major school building project to provide new accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy has recently been authorized by my Department to proceed to tender for the appointment of a Main Contractor and Reserved Specialists. The closing date for the completed tender returns for the Main Contractor was originally the end of December, this has now been extended to early January....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: In order to qualify for funding towards tuition fees, students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality or certain permission given by the Minister for Justice and Equality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. Where students...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware that the school to which she refers is among 40 schools in which structural and fire safety issues have been identified. All of these schools are included in my Department’s Schools Remediation Programme. Significant progress has been made on this Programme over the summer months. Permanent structural remediation work was carried out at 14 schools with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (10 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: Departmental Staff Remuneration (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: There are 120,000 staff paid on a fortnightly basis on the payrolls operated by my Department. The primary objective is to ensure that the staff are paid on time and correctly. My Department has a legal obligation with under Section 4 of the Payment of Wages Act to provide each school employee with a payslip. My Department is in compliance with this legislation. It is my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The building project for this school has been devolved for delivery to Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB). LCETB is currently in the process of preparing a Stage 2(a) Report for review and assessment by my Department. As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion.