Results 3,161-3,180 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: It is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. The National council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent statutory body whose functions include planning and co-ordinating...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question was approved significant capital funding, in January 2019, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme which includes prefab replacement.  In assessing the application for interim accommodation, my Department considered that existing accommodation could be utilised, as an interim measure, pending delivery of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured. The Design Team has confirmed that it is working on finalising the Stage 2(b) Report ensuring the new school building will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Springboard Programme (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: Springboard+ which incorporates the ICT skills conversion programme, is a targeted initiative which is used to provide funding for higher education courses aimed at meeting the need for in-demand skills in the economy.  Springboard+ supports jobseekers to return to employment and those in employment to upskill or reskill. Springboard+ courses are open to people irrespective of their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Digital Strategy for Schools (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the Board of Management is the body responsible for the day to day running of the school and therefore decisions regarding the use of educational resources including textbooks and online education platforms or resources, are taken at school level having regard to the context and circumstances of each school. Where the introduction...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department promotes the quality of teaching and learning through the provision of quality teacher training programmes and continuing professional development and support for principals and teachers in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas. This is done through initial teacher education programmes, education centres and support services for teachers at primary and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that a review of an application for additional accommodation under the 'Additional School Accommodation Scheme' has been received from the school in question.  The review is currently under assessment, as soon as this process is completed a decision will be conveyed directly to the school authority.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm that officials in my Department are progressing this matter and the document referred to by the Deputy will be signed and sealed as soon as possible, and returned to the Department's legal representatives to finalise the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application under my Department’s multi-annual Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 onwards. I wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the SWS in 2020, applications will be assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Reviews (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The review of the ex gratia scheme is progressing but is not yet complete.  However, Payments are being made to a number of victims of child sexual abuse in day schools on foot of the assessments made by the Independent Assessor to the ex gratia scheme, Mr. Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill.  The current position is that sixteen offers of payment have been made and, to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: Assessment of means under the Student Grant Scheme 2019 is based on gross income from all sources, of the applicant and his/her parents.  Under Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme 2019 a student may apply to the awarding authority to have his/her eligibility assessed or reassessed in the event of a change in circumstances, which includes reckonable income, between 1 January...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The building project is being delivered under my Department's Design & Build programme.  This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.  An application for Planning Permission in respect of the works was submitted to Cork County Council on 26th...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of Architectural Planning.  A Design Team was appointed but a number of site issues were required to be addressed which precluded the progression of the project pending their resolution. The school has now confirmed to the Department that all site issues have been resolved in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs. This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where the NCSE identifies need. It is open to any school to make application to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Contractors (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware that the Department commenced a programme of structural assessments in over 40 schools built by a company in late October last year.  At that time, a part of 1 school building was closed, immediate precautionary measures were put in place in 22 schools, with the remaining 17 schools, including Rush and Lusk Educate Together, not requiring immediate precautionary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Applications (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The school to which the Deputy refers recently submitted an appeal to my Department requesting a review of its application for funding under the Emergency Works Grant Scheme to address roof issues. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this review has been completed. Consequently, these repairs have been sanctioned and a letter outlining the approved funding has...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards Expenditure (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The colleges referred to in the question from the Deputy are under the patronage of Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB). Management of industrial relations issues under the auspices of the Work Place Relations Commission (WRC) and further on appeal through the Courts, including any legal fees or settlements resulting from such cases, are matters for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards Staff (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Chief Executive of an Education and Training Board(ETB) is responsible for executive functions in the ETB, including recruitment and employment of staff. ETBs appoint Principals using a Competency Based recruitment process. This process is conducted in accordance with the principles of recruitment as per the Commission for Public Service Appointments.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Protected Disclosures (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into effect on 15 July 2014. This Act provides a framework within which workers can raise concerns regarding potential wrongdoing that has come to their attention in the workplace in the knowledge that they can avail of the protections afforded under the legislation.  The school to which the Deputy refers operates under the patronage of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards Staff (22 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website. The school referred to by the Deputy is an ETB (Education and Training Board) school under the remit of...