Results 2,541-2,560 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 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 Building Projects Status (4 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware, a new site is required for the replacement building for the school in question and my Department has commenced the site identification process. In line with protocols for the use of State property assets, my Department has written to the Department of Defence enquiring if the Department is in a position to provide a site that could be suitable. My Department has...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major school building project for the extension and refurbishment of the schools referred to by the Deputy has recently been authorized by my Department to proceed to tender for the appointment of a Building Contractor. The closing date for receipt of tenders is early January 2020. Subject to no significant issues arise during the tender process, my Department anticipates that the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: We will continue to give it the focus it needs. It is about ensuring that once we have the information and once we know there are demand issues, we get in early. Engagement from the principals is critical here, and without singling any of those schools in the areas the Deputy mentioned out, I have met the majority of the principals. The Deputy is correct in saying I was in Portmarnock...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: In St. Joseph's secondary school in Rush, I was able to hear first-hand about the pressures and the frustrations with the processes involved in acquiring sites. There are external factors outside of the Department's control. One matter we are committed to as a Department is that where there is extra demand, we try to provide solutions. We have to work towards the long-term and we will put...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. I am aware of the pressures in the area. I reassure the parents who may be listening that we have put specific focus on this issue through the Department in Tullamore. I know the Acting Chairman is very interested in this issue. The Deputy made a point on doing analysis as part of planning for school provision. We constantly do this. We...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am happy for my officials to follow up on this.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I would like further details of the school situation. It is important to point out that there is a scale of prioritisation with the need for new schools, extra classrooms and special education provision. There is a big budgetary demand but I am happy to have my officials look at the application.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, the recent budget was framed in the expectation and fear of a no-deal Brexit. It was not a budget I wanted to be part of in terms of education. From a point of view of responsibility and the point of view of the country, there was an acceptance that we would make indicative moves on the pupil-teacher ratio. That is why we reduced the ratio in respect of schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology Funding (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Funding provided to the Institute of Technology (IoT) sector currently impacts on the General Government Borrowing (GGB). Borrowing for capital development, including student accommodation, is included in the State’s balance sheet and therefore impacts on the Government’s available fiscal space. The National Student Accommodation Strategy includes actions to explore, with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Departments July Provision Scheme provides funding for an extended school year for students with a severe/profound general learning disability and/or students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with these specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays. The Terms and conditions of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Eligibility (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application for an External Environment Project under my Department's multi-annual Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 onwards. 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'. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Eligibility (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application for an External Environment Project under my Department's multi-annual Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 onwards. 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'. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (3 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: School Admissions (3 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: School Curriculum (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Leaving Certificate Arabic was offered in Ireland for the first time in 1997, at Ordinary and Higher levels. The current syllabus is based on the Arabic curriculum taught at secondary school level in the state system of an Arabic-speaking country. A new interim Leaving Certificate Arabic syllabus was introduced in September 2002. A key feature of the 2002 syllabus was the addition to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The DEIS programme allows for a reduced class size in Urban Band 1 primary schools with the application of a preferential staffing schedule to these schools of 20:1 at junior classes and 24:1 at senior classes to support those students at the highest risk of educational disadvantage. Schools in the DEIS Urban Band 2 and Rural bands receive the same allocation under the primary staffing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold the specific information to which he refers. Detailed information relating to enrolments in all schools nationwide is available on the Department's website at the following link: . My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme Applications (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Minor Works Grant will be paid to all primary schools in the first half of December as part of the investment in education under Project Ireland 2040. All primary schools will receive a flat rate Minor Works Grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil attending a special school or special class. The grant is worth €6,425...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (3 Dec 2019)

Joe McHugh: Flat Rate Expenses are a matter for the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. The Minister for Education and Skills does not have a role in relation to such expenses.