Results 2,921-2,940 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Pupil-Teacher Ratio at primary level for DEIS schools for 2018/19 is 12.6. The PTR at primary level for DEIS and non-DEIS schools does not include 233 visiting teacher and part time special education posts.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Pupil-Teacher Ratio at post primary level, excluding vocational schools managed by Education and Training Boards, for DEIS schools for 2018/19 is 10.5. This ratio only includes secondary and community & comprehensive schools as we do not have the number of teaching posts by individual vocational schools.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Expenditure (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together. In 2019 my Department will spend in the region of €125 million on the 891 schools participating in the programme. Further expenditure is incurred by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection on the School Meals Programme and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on the School Completion Programme. The full...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Expenditure (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, following the review of DEIS, my Department introduced an objective, statistics based model for assessing which schools merit inclusion in the DEIS Programme, which does not require schools to go through an application process. All schools at both Primary and Post Primary level are being assessed using the new identification model.   ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The assessment of means under my Department's student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources, with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt. In the assessment of means, a deduction can be made for holiday earnings made by the applicant from employment outside of term time but within the reference period. The value of this income disregard...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. I understand the importance of small...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Management bodies and schools have, in recent years, reported difficulties in recruiting teachers. At primary level this relates mainly to the recruitment of substitute teachers and at post-primary level to the recruitment of teachers of particular subjects (STEM, modern foreign languages, Irish and Home Economics, in particular).  The Steering Group on Teacher Supply, chaired by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm that an application for major capital works, for the school referred to by the Deputy, has been received in my Department. As the Deputy is aware, under the National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme.  This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of new permanent...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The delivery of this school building project has been devolved by the Department to the local Education and Training Board (ETB). The Service Level Agreement between my Department and the ETB has been signed and sealed.  It is now a matter for the  ETB to procure a Design Team for the project to design the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has not received an application for funding in respect of the project details to which he refers. I can also inform him that the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is designed to allow schools, on a devolved funding basis, to carry out necessary improvement and refurbishment works that will upgrade existing school facilities including the upgrading...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) provides a range of supports to teachers, parents and students in the area of special educational needs. This includes continuing professional development (CPD) for school principals and teachers, in-school support and advice on evidence informed interventions and information for parents and guardians of children with special educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (13 Nov 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. For school planning purposes Meakstown is located in the Finglas East-Ballymun...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Health and Safety (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to inform the Deputy that acquiring additional land to provide a set down area opposite the school in question is a matter between the landowner and the Patron. The issue of road safety measures in general outside the area of vested school sites such as road signage, traffic calming measures, car parking and pedestrian facilities are the responsibility in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that an application for a sports hall has been received from the school authority in question.  As you are aware the National Development Plan (NDP) provides for an €8.4 billion investment in school buildings over the period 2018 to 2027 to deliver on NDP and National Planning Framework objectives through addressing the twin priorities of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that schools which identify that they have a shortfall in accommodation that they may apply for funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). The application form and information relating to this scheme are available on my Department's website www.education.ie.   If the project required by schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department approved capital funding to Glynn N.S. for additional accommodation.  My Department advised the school authority that it is not in a position to provide funding to the school for a General Purpose room due to the necessity to prioritise funding for essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Health and Safety (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: In general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.  The issue of road safety measures in the road network outside the area of vested school sites such as road signage, traffic calming measures, car parking and pedestrian facilities are the responsibility in the first...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (13 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Funding of this nature does not fall within the remit of my Department.  I would suggest that the Deputy should speak to my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation on this matter.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy is talking about two separate schools and two separate issues. With respect to St. Laurence’s, I am not familiar with the two separate campuses idea. I can only suggest that if the application under the emergency works scheme was turned down, the summer works scheme will be open early in the new year. That could provide an opportunity for another application. I am...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for giving the opportunity to outline to the House the position regarding these schools. He covered a broad range of issues. I acknowledge the recent difficulties faced by Our Lady Immaculate SNS in Darndale and the supports provided by the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, which launched a critical incident response, that included advice to the school in...