Results 3,001-3,020 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (7 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. I have spoken to a number of staff about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised. In Budget 2020 I increased the number of secretaries and caretakers in certain schools, allowing schools with enrolments of 700 or more to fill caretaker vacancies...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (7 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. I have spoken to a number of staff about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised. In Budget 2020 I increased the number of secretaries and caretakers in certain schools, allowing schools with enrolments of 700 or more to fill caretaker vacancies...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (7 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Schemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of clerical officers and caretakers in schools. The schemes were withdrawn completely in 2008. These schemes have been superseded by the more extensive capitation grant schemes. Voluntary secondary schools now receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under these grant schemes. The main...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (7 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department provides assistance to 330 Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. Fee charging schools do not receive any capitation related grant funding from my Department. Voluntary secondary schools, in the Free Education scheme, are funded by way of per capita grants. The main grants are the Capitation Grant to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disabilities Assessments (7 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (7 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, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (7 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: My officials were advised by the awarding authority that the Appeals Officer in SUSI has determined that further documents are required in order to fully assess this student's application. The awarding authority issued a letter to the student in question on the 24thof October 2019 requesting additional documentation which I understand is still outstanding. Under the terms of the Student...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (7 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The provision of education for children with special needs 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. The numbers of special classes, special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants are at unprecedented levels. Nationally, 167 new special classes opened for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (7 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware that this project has been devolved for delivery to Westmeath County Council (WCC). Officials in my Department continue to engage with WCC and the relevant contractor to ensure that the project is completed as quickly as possible while also ensuring that the quality and integrity of the project is fully protected. We are all fully focussed on completing the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (7 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 30th September. However, the staffing arrangements for primary schools also includes the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht na nithe tábhachtacha agus iontach suntasacha seo fá choinne seirbhísí daoine óga a ardú. I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. The provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for the Government. Currently, almost 20%, or €1 out of every €5,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: One thing for sure is that anywhere there is a need, we have the professionalism and expertise to deal with it through the NCSE and my officials. If a delegation of parents wish to meet with officials, I will be happy to arrange that. I receive requests on a daily, if not an hourly, basis to meet different representations from more than 4,000 schools. I am conscious of not creating...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I apologise to the Leas-Chathaoirleach's team. Gabhaim buíochas leo.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I will try to comply with the rules and regulations and will try to be as brief as possible. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position in relation to the major building project for Ennistymon in County Clare. This major project will deliver a new post-primary school to cater for 650 pupils and a new...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I reiterate that the key point in any project is getting into the pre-qualification process and getting the list of potential companies. As the Senator said, that process has been completed and the design team has completed its work. We are awaiting feedback, which process will be completed in the next four weeks. It is not unreasonable to suggest we will move to the tendering process in...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Senator for moving this amendment. I am glad to be back in the House working on this important legislation. I assure the House that this Bill does not alter in any way the existing rights of teachers and other employees under current employment, health and safety legislation and other relevant legislation, nor will it interfere with disciplinary processes under section 24 of the...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Bill explicitly emphasises the need for early resolution. This is also not about reinventing the wheel. Many schools already engage in early resolution really well. They have their own policies in the form of their own individual charters. Each school has good practice, a good track record and good experience in ensuring issues can be addressed early before they become potentially...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: What we are trying to do is broaden the scope of the legislation. If we are specific about policies at this stage of the legislation's passage, its scope will be narrowed. Nevertheless, that is not say the important points the Senator raised should not be highlighted within the guidelines. She mentioned the education partners, which will have a specific role and remit in getting their...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: It is clear that the Senator's level of detail and experience on the whole issue of seclusion and restraint is really important. I take it from what she has said that a strong voice, which is focusing on what will and will not work, needs to be heard. This work will be presented to the education partners at the end of November, which is this month and not next month. It is a semi-formal...

Seanad: Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Joe McHugh: At the heart of this legislation is the need to provide more transparency. As the Senator said, this is about information for parents, whether it is €2 that has been collected for a school bus to go to a swimming pool, or a golf classic that has been organised by the local parents association to raise money for the school. It is also important in order to protect schools that people...