Results 4,261-4,280 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (27 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: DEIS Plan 2017 acknowledges the allocation of teaching resources to DEIS primary schools with the highest concentrations of children at risk of educational disadvantage has served to improve learning outcomes. It also commits to the evaluation of the level of teaching resources for schools participating in DEIS to be undertaken to inform future policy in this area. In order to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (27 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The delivery of a new 800 pupil post-primary building (including PE Hall and Special Education Needs Base) for the school in question has been devolved to Limerick & Clare ETB (LCETB). A Stage 1 Report for the project has recently been received in the Department from LCETB. The next step is to arrange a meeting with LCETB and its Design Team to discuss the proposed plan. Subject...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (27 Jun 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: Mental Health Services Funding (27 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: Student services and associated activities are an integral part of the whole student experience at third level. Student services support each individual student to achieve his/her intellectual, cultural and social potential while supporting and complementing the formal academic programme. Student services can fall under a number of headings, particularly ‘Welfare and Guidance’...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (27 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department is actively engaging with USI and the higher education sector to find solutions to the student accommodation issue. The National Student Accommodation Strategy was launched in July 2017 and was designed to ensure that there is an increased supply of purpose built student accommodation (PBSA). Figures from the of the end of May 2019 show that a total of 6,691 additional PBSA...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (27 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: Under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (27 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The student maintenance grant is a contribution towards the living costs of a student. It is not intended to cover the full costs of attending college. The student grant scheme does however, provide for different levels of maintenance support, depending on means. Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates. The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to provide additional...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (27 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (27 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: Caranua is an independent statutory body and I have no input into their administrative decisions on how payments are made. The organisation publishes regular monthly updates on its website(www.caranua.ie) which contain information on the number of applications received, the current status of applications, the expenditure incurred, feedback and complaints, etc. If the information sought by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (26 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I understand that the Deputy is requesting information on the number of children availing of home tuition grants by county in each of the years 2015 to 2018, and who were awaiting a school placement. The information requested by the Deputy for the years 2015 to 2018 is not readily available. My Department will reply directly to the Deputy as soon as this information has been compiled. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (26 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b (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 2b report ensuring it will be a "Near Zero Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Meetings (26 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: This question relates to my recent Education Trade Mission to the UAE. While in the UAE, I engaged with 450 Irish teachers at two meetings in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These meetings gave me the opportunity to hear the challenges facing these teachers and also gave them a chance to offer practical solutions to some issues. The meetings allowed me in my role as Minister, to meet with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Ministerial Meetings (26 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I and officials from my Department recently met with FÓRSA representatives to discuss a range of issues in the education and training sector. This forms part of the ongoing and regular dialogue between my Department and union representatives.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (26 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: In April 2018, a review of Relationships and Sexual Education (RSE) in schools was announced. This review is currently underway by the NCCA and covers both the content of RSE curriculum and support materials, as well as the delivery of the curriculum to students. Included in the areas for particular consideration during the review are: - Consent, what it means and its importance -...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Data (26 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 93 together. At present, the Department of Education and Skills is investing heavily in supporting our children with special educational needs, with €1.8bn being spent annually, about €1 in every 5 of the education budget. Investment in this area includes an allocation of over €300 million towards providing additional resources...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (26 Jun 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: Special Educational Needs Staff (26 Jun 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: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (26 Jun 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, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: After-School Support Service Provision (26 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has very recently contacted my Department in relation to this matter. The matter is under consideration and a response will issue to the school authority shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (26 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The student maintenance grant is a contribution towards the living costs of a student. It is not intended to cover the full costs of attending college. The student grant scheme does however, provide for different levels of maintenance support, depending on means. Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates. The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to provide additional...