Results 3,201-3,220 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I agree with the Deputy and reiterate that a timeframe is needed. An outline is needed to allow families to make preparations. We are hoping to be in a position to have the junior school back next week. We are looking at all options in respect of temporary provision prior to the school being rebuilt, from prefabs to spare capacity in local schools. Everything is on the table. I do not...

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank Deputy Haughey for raising this matter. As he stated, I met him and other representatives from the area at the school yesterday. I know all of them want to see this matter prioritised. We are as one in that regard. In raising this matter, the Deputy has given me the opportunity to outline the steps being taken to ensure that Scoil Chaitríona Cailíní agus Scoil...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank Deputy Burke for the continued pressure he is putting on in raising this question again. I know it reflects the desire of the community to see a conclusion. There have been so many false expectations on the date and I do not wish to add to the frustration and anxiety. I have received feedback from my officials. We are very lucky to have a great clerk of works and a good team...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I would be anxious to get them. There has been a transformative change in the way we allocate SNA resources. We are trying to get away from individual assessments and placing pressure on parents to get individual reports completed. I will follow up this case directly with the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy used the word "process". The process is important in this context, with a number of institutes of technology engaged in it. We are committed to this process in the south east. The Minister of State in the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Halligan, is constantly highlighting it. Those engaged in the process are CIT and IT Tralee, GMIT, IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT, and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: We are into injury time, extra time and, possibly, penalties. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the building project for the school to which he refers is being devolved for delivery to Cork Education and Training Board, CETB. My Department has been in ongoing contact with the patron of the school in question relating to the proposed building project and the brief for same....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Closures (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: It is my understanding that representatives of St. Mogue's College parents association were due to meet the patron in February 2019. This meeting was cancelled at the request of the parents association-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Closures (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: -----until an architectural assessment of the building was carried out. Following this assessment, another meeting was scheduled for the end of June 2019. I understand this meeting was subsequently cancelled by the parents association on 24 June. Meetings were scheduled for the end of June 2019 and early July 2019 with both Belturbet and Bawnboy community groups. I understand both of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes Places (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The further education and training sector provides a broad range of options to meet the needs of over 300,000 learners. The PLC programme is the largest of the full-time further education and training, FET, programmes with up to 30,000 PLC places available annually. Each ETB determines how best to distribute and plan the programmes to meet the needs of their area. This year, 2,697 PLC...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes Places (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I got a great insight into the benefits of PLC courses in Letterkenny a number of weeks ago. Looking at the transition and progression, people who finish a PLC course after two years are going on to do electronic engineering in Technical University Dublin, TUD, getting into access courses, and getting into first and second year to do degree courses in Letterkenny Institute of Technology,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Further Education and Training Programmes Places (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I acknowledge the work of the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, in this area. We are driving towards extra apprenticeships and opportunities. Various institutes of technology are looking at building apprenticeships into their course offerings. However, now - not in four years - we need to ensure that pathways and progression and not points are central to our education system. We have to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Administration (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I always value people's ideas and suggestions. The Deputy's constituent has gone through the system and has contacted several public representatives with the same observation. However, transparency and accountability are two very important cornerstones here. The FSSU, is acting in line with the requirements of the Department. The relevant circulars clearly state that it is the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Administration (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy would not be raising this if he thought there was no value in doing so. There is value in raising a matter that will take pressure off individual schools. I am going to say something that is not policy. I am saying it as a Minister. I am looking at the future. I refer to the collection of small primary schools that are found even within one parish. The small school symposium...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Closures (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As he is aware, the decision-making authority for any amalgamation is the patron or trustees of the schools, subject to the approval of my Department. Any proposed change involves extensive negotiations at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers and local...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Closures (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: It is very important to put on the record of the House that my Department does not and did not make that decision. It was a responsibility of the patron. The patron advised that an invitation to consultation meetings was forwarded to the boards of management of both schools in question and to all representative groups identified in both communities. Eleven groups were identified and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Teachers' Remuneration (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: There was a big issue with the payroll at the beginning of the year because the system changed on 1 January. It was a live issue and my officials worked around the clock, including on weekends, to ensure they got it right. If issues remain, I will be more than happy to follow up on the individual submission Deputy Ó Laoghaire received.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Teachers' Remuneration (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: Yes, I can. With my officials, I have dealt with the issue at first hand. That 120,000 payees are paid fortnightly, including current workers and those on pensions, is a phenomenal exercise and it requires adequate resources, which I am satisfied we have. Nevertheless, I am conscious my Department is responsible for the largest payroll. Of the €11.1 billion budget I have, a total...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Teachers' Remuneration (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: It certainly is but the people who work in the area are dedicated and able. When there was a transition to the new system on 1 January, there were outstanding issues for temporary teachers, as well as for retired teachers who worked as substitute teachers. We resolved the vast majority of issues but if any remain, I will be happy to follow up on them.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Refurbishment (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an cheist. Tuigim go bhfuil an Ghaeilge i gceist sa scoil sin. Bhí muid ag labhairt tríd an Ghaeilge arú inné. I am pleased to inform the Deputy the building project for the school is in the process of being devolved for delivery to Cork Education and Training Board, CETB. My Department has engaged with the school on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Refurbishment (17 Oct 2019)

Joe McHugh: Níl an tiomantas i gceist. Tá dul chun cinn déanta. Táimid ag fanacht anois ar an chéad chéim eile - an togra a bhogadh ar aghaidh go dtí an próiseas pleanála. Is é sin an bhealach is fearr agus is é sin an cloch choirnéil is tábhachtaí ó thaobh an phróisis. Níl mé in ann gealltanas a dhéanamh...