Results 4,441-4,460 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gaelscoil Issues (19 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: In relation to the planned new Gaelcholáiste to which the Deputy refers, my Department has recently received correspondence from the school patron, Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board, which sets out that for operational reasons the ETB has decided it is in the best interest of the school communities in the Maynooth and surrounding areas to defer the opening of this new...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included on the Department's school building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan. The accommodation brief for the project is being finalised at present and my Department will be in contact with the school authorities as soon as this process has been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Data (19 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together. The enrolment of a child to a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment in schools or keeping waiting lists. The NCSE has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (19 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that arrangements are in place to undertake refurbishment works during the summer months to a prefabricated unit that is not currently in use. The unit, comprising two rooms, will be ready for occupation for the commencement of the new school year and both schools will then have access to an additional classroom to meet their needs.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Funding (19 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Galway Autism Partnership has been awarded funding by Galway Roscommon Education Training Board for the provision of the Community Education Programme. The funding is provided by SOLAS, the further education authority. Community Education refers to education and learning, generally outside the formal education sector, with the aims of enhancing learning, empowerment and contributing...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, in April this year, approval was given to the school to which she refers to carry out refurbishment and other internal works under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme 2019. The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority in that respect. It is now a matter for the Board of Management of the school to progress it.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff Data (19 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I announced on 27 May that 792 additional SNA posts will be allocated to schools for the beginning of the 2019/20 school year, with up to 130 additional posts expected to be allocated by December 2019. By the end of this year, there will be up to 15,950 SNAs working in our schools, an increase of over 51% since 2011. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (19 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The primary school curriculum is designed as an eight year course, including a two year infant cycle followed by six years in standards from first to sixth, with children progressing to the next grade at the end of each school year. The Department is providing considerable support for pupils with learning difficulties in schools. Learning support teachers, resource teachers, special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment (19 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. After the redeployment processes have transacted, each school is permitted to fill any remaining vacancies through open recruitment. It is open to any suitably qualified teacher to apply for these advertised teaching positions as they arise. The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Offices (19 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The information requested by the Deputy for my Department is presented in tabular form below. The Department has three leases in the period under review and details are provided in respect of two of these contracts. The Department is obliged under the terms of the other contract to keep the terms confidential. Details, where available, are presented for the years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Social Welfare Code (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir fá choinne na ceiste. Bhí an ceart aige faoin Aire atá freagrach as an cheist seo. Tá sé as láthair ag an bhomaite. Tá brón orm fadúda sin ach má eíríonn aon cheist as an fhreagra seo, beidh mé sásta teagmháil a dhéanamh le mo chomhghleacaí chun aon bhearna a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Social Welfare Code (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: In terms of the education component on a general level, participating in this debate has been an education in and of itself. If there are any specific education related matters, I am more than happy to facilitate a communication plan in that regard. The next budget is scheduled for 8 October. There will be a lot of deliberations and conversations on where we are going in regard to that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Insurance Costs (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir fá choinne na ceiste seo, ceist atá iontach tábhachtach do scoileanna speisialta timpeall na tíre. Gabhaim aitheantas do na daoine uilig atá ag obair iontu - na múinteoirí agus na daoine eile - fá choinne an cheannaireacht a léiríonn siad sna scoileanna atá i gceist. Tá...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Insurance Costs (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Senator never misses an opportunity.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Insurance Costs (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I apologise for not being present at last week's debate. I had another engagement.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Insurance Costs (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am working closely with the special schools on this important issue. Approximately €1.9 billion, or almost 20% of the education budget of €11 billion, is spent on special education. There are things we get right, things we miss and things we get wrong. Much of what we do is focused on collaboration. I believe the idea of schools working together as part of a single entity...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that arrangements are in place to undertake refurbishment works during the summer months to a prefabricated unit that is not currently in use. The unit, comprising two rooms, will be ready for occupation for the commencement of the new school year and both schools will then have access to an additional classroom to meet their needs.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware my Department in September 2017 introduced a new model to support pupils with special educational needs in our schools. The new model differs significantly from the old Resource Allocation Model, in that Special Education Teacher allocation is now frontloaded into schools to support children with special educational needs. Rather than having to make individual...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Commission (18 Jun 2019)

Joe McHugh: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (18 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...