Results 2,501-2,520 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

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

Joe McHugh: The school referred to by the Deputy was approved a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2019 for 2 Mainstream Classrooms with en-suites and an assisted user WC. The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. It is a matter for the school authority to progress the project in that context.

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

Joe McHugh: Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. With regard to the residency criterion, in order to be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (10 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school. The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is...

Report on Examination of School Costs, School Facilities and Teaching Principals: Motion [Private Members] (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Ar dtús, gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí agus na Seanadóirí ar an gComhchoiste um Oideachas agus Scileanna agus go háirithe an cathaoirleach, an Teachta Fiona O'Loughlin, don obair a bhaineann leis an "Tuarascáil ar Iniúchadh an Choiste ar Chostais Scoile, Áiseanna Scoile agus Príomhoidí atá ag Teagasc". Gabhaim buíochas...

Scouting Ireland: Statements: School Placement (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I assure the Deputy that we will continue to monitor developments. He is correct in saying that there have been representations in terms of looking at future capacity. We are trying to build and project towards the future. Under Project Ireland 2040, our plan is to spend over €12 billion in capital infrastructure across the primary, second and third level sectors and to spend...

Scouting Ireland: Statements: School Placement (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Ar dtús báire, gabhaim comhghairdeas leis an Teachta agus a chomhghleacaí ar son a mbua tríd an bhfothoghchán a chuaigh thart. Gabhaim onóir mhór orthu faoi choinne a bpoist nua, chomh maith leis an díograis agus an tsárobair a rinne siad tríd an toghchán. Gabhaim comhghairdeas leo arís. The new Deputies are up and running....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff Data (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department's policy is that every child assessed as requiring SNA support will have access to such support. By the end of this year, there will be up to 15,950 SNAs working in our schools, an increase of over 51% since 2011, supporting in the region of 37,500 pupils. Budget 2020 has provided for 1,064 additional SNAs posts which will bring the total number of SNA posts in schools to over...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions Governance (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that the Code of Governance for Irish Universities was endorsed by the Council of Presidents of the Universities in January 2019 and approved by each governing authority by 5 April 2019. Following approval, effective from the 2019-20 academic year, a gap analysis and a work programme is been undertaken by each university to support the implementation of the Code. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (5 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: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together. The provision of education for children with special needs, including those with Autism, 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. Since 2011 investment in Special Education supports has increased by 50%, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's capital programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan. In this regard, my Department has been liasing with the school authority with a view to arranging a site visit to the school in the new year.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department does not employ agency staff. Where we have a requirement for temporary clerical support we have Temporary Clerical Officers assigned from the Public Appointments Service. I have requested information regarding agency staff from the aegis bodies of my department and will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it has been collated.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: 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, enhanced book grants,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: A number of steps are being taken to strengthen the regulation of the English language education sector in Ireland. The recently enactedQualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 contains provisions that will enable the introduction of the International Education Mark (IEM) alongside the establishment of a new national fund for the Protection for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under the Universities Act 1997, it is the function of the governing authority to manage and control the affairs of the institution. As autonomous bodies, the day to day operation of the institution including the procedures related to the withdrawal from courses and the refund of any fees paid are matters for the governing authority of each institution. The Free Fees initiative provides...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department continues to engage with the landowner and Kildare County Council in regard to the technical considerations crucial to the delivery of the site and the commencement of architectural planning. It is a priority for my Department to commence the architectural planning process for this site at the earliest possible stage. For the time being, and as previously indicated - given...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme Provision (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances. The Home Tuition Application form outlines that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, a Class Size Working Group was established comprising representatives from the Education Partners, the Educational Research Centre and the relevant Business Units in my Department. This group has met on a number of occasions to consider class size in the context of improved learning outcomes of those most at risk of educational disadvantage. A report on the work...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (5 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department has no plans to engage with or promote any resources for schools that may be developed by the drinks industry. It is a matter for schools and teachers in the first instance to determine what resources and supports they will use to support their implementation of the curriculum. Teachers are equipped to make such decisions as a result of their initial teacher education and the...