Results 2,941-2,960 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (12 Nov 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 school building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan. My Department is continuing to engage with the school in this regard. The details of the accommodation to be provided as part of the project are expected to be determined shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (12 Nov 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 Building Contractor. The closing date for the completed tender returns is the end of November. Assuming no significant issues arise during the tender process, my Department expects that the project...

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

Joe McHugh: This building project referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. The major building project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes securing Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate...

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

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, the delivery of the project at Naas Community College has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) The letter of acceptance has now issued to the preferred contractor and it is expected that work will begin on site shortly.

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

Joe McHugh: The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design. The pre-qualification process to select a shortlist of suitable contractors has been completed and the Design Team is currently finalising the tender documentation. Once this work is complete, my Department will be in contact with the Board of Management of the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department allows for the appointment of Principals to new schools from 1 September of the school year prior to the opening of the school. The recruitment and appointment of teachers, including Principals, to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, in this instance Kildare & Wicklow ETB, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Appeals (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The awarding authority has advised my officials that a review has taken place. The awarding authority is currently awaiting confirmation from the college regarding the student’s registration. Subject to confirmation from the college, it is anticipated that a revised letter will issue to the student in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Reports (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Standing Order No. 164A of Dáil Éireann 2016 provides for post-enactment reports on the functioning of an Act, within twelve months of its enactment. A post-enactment report on the Technological Universities Act 2018 (No. 3 of 2018) was laid before the Houses on 17 April 2019.   A post-enactment report on the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018 (No. 14 of 2018)...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The project referred to by the Deputy is being purpose built by Wexford County Council and there has been consultation between Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board and the local authority on this project. My Department is not directly involved in the building project but we have received a copy of the proposal from the ETB and this is still under review.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff Data (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Budget 2019 provided for 950 additional SNA posts. To date over 900 of these posts have been allocated with the remainder expected to be allocated by the end of the year. 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.   Budget 2020 has provided for 1,064 additional SNAs posts, for allocation in...

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

Joe McHugh: This building project referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.   The major building project will deliver a new post primary school to cater for 650 pupils and a new primary school on a shared site. The project is currently in Stage 2b (Detailed Design) of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Health and Safety Authority (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am aware of the tragic circumstances of the project to which the Deputy refers and I share fully the Deputy's concerns and his desire to progress this project as a matter of urgency. As a Summer Works Scheme project, it has been devolved to the school for delivery.  The current position is that the consultant for the project has...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (12 Nov 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (12 Nov 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Data (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I announced on 27thMay that 792 additional SNA posts would be allocated to schools for the beginning of the 2019/20 school year, with almost 130 additional posts expected to be allocated by December 2019. 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.   The National Council...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Council for Special Education (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department meets  the pay and non-pay costs of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The NCSE is an independent statutory agency which has a number of functions set out in Section 20 of the EPSEN Act, including: a) planning for, and co-ordinating, the provision of education for children with special educational needs and ensuring that a continuum of special educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The consideration of professional reports is an integral part of determining the extent of supports to be provided for pupils with special educational needs.  However, whereas health reports provide valuable assistance to education providers in identifying a diagnosis or identifying appropriate interventions, health staff have been directed by the HSE not to include references to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The NCSE Appeals Process may be invoked by a parent or a school where it is considered that a child was not granted access to SNA support because the requirements outlined in the Department's SNA Circular 0030/2014 were not complied with.  Schools may also appeal a decision where the school considers that the NCSE, in applying Department policy, has not allocated the appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Psychological Assessments (12 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can inform the Deputy that in 2017 my Department introduced a new model to support pupils with special educational needs. This means schools are now front-loaded with additional teachers to enable them to respond to pupil needs, rather than requiring an assessment to allow them to apply for such additional resource.  This reduces the administrative burden on schools as schools...