Results 3,961-3,980 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2019. The definition of an approved course is set out in Section 8 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 4 of the Student Support Regulations 2019 I have been advised that the institution in question is not an approved institution for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Authority Funding (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: I would like to thank USI for their detailed pre-budget 2020 submission on Higher Education.  The recommendations outlined in the submission along with other relevant submissions received in advance of budget 2020 are being considered as part of the  overall budgetary discussions on higher education provision for 2020. To date significant progress has been made in increasing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: The patronage divesting process arises from the recommendations of the 2012 report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, following which the Department undertook surveys of parental preferences in 43 areas of stable population in 2012 and 2013 to establish the level of parental demand for a wider choice in the patronage of primary schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Council of Ireland (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State. The Council has established standards for post-qualification professional practice, as set out in Droichead, the new model of induction and probation for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: Budget 2019 marks the third year of a major reinvestment in the education. In 2019, the budget for the Department of Education and Skills will increase by €674 million, a 6.7% increase on last year.  In total, the Education budget will have increased by €1.7 billion compared to 2016. Budget 2019 will see numbers employed in our schools reach the highest ever level. Over...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Weight of Schoolbags (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 453 to 455, inclusive, together. Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Circulars were issued to all primary and post-primary schools in 2005 to highlight the potential health hazard of overweight schoolbags and to outline a range of local measures that could be put...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Parent and Student Charter (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: The development of an Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill reflects the commitment contained in A Programme for a Partnership Government to introduce a stronger complaints procedures and charter for parents. I believe that the Bill constitutes an important step aimed at improving the experiences of both students and parents in their engagement with schools. The Bill will require that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that the decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron/Trustees of the schools, and this is then subject to the approval of my Department. In this regard, consultations with the various stakeholders are held with the Patrons in question and I understand that this has taken place locally.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: I recognise the very important work done by school secretaries, and indeed by other support staff, in the running of our schools and I am grateful to them for the contribution they make to our education system.  I have spoken to a number of school secretaries about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised. I have recently relaxed the moratorium for those...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Patronage (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: The patronage divesting process arises from the recommendations of the 2012 report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, following which the Department undertook surveys of parental preferences in 43 areas of stable population in 2012 and 2013 to establish the level of parental demand for a wider choice in the patronage of primary schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (6 Sep 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. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained. The Stage 2(b) submission for this project has been reviewed...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for external environment projects  (Category 10) 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 onwards, applications will be assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is providing grant aid to facilitate the construction of a Special Needs Base, at the school in question, and will continue to liaise with the school authority in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: My officials have been advised by SUSI that a decision on her grant application issued on 12 August 2019. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. If an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the tender process for the project to which he refers will be completed shortly. The work to complete the external fabric of both school buildings will be fully completed in time for the contractor appointed under the current tender process to begin its work on site. It remains the case that the buildings will be available for occupation prior to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (6 Sep 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that in relation to schools admission, parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available, the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be...