Results 4,901-4,920 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major building project for the school 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.  The design team is currently working on the Stage 2(b) report which on completion will be submitted to the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The funding arrangements made by the Department for voluntary secondary, comprehensive & community and ETB schools and colleges reflect the different management and ownership arrangements that apply to schools at second level. Voluntary secondary schools, in the Free Education scheme, which are privately owned and managed, are funded by way of per capita grants.  An additional...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together. The current positions on the proposed projects for the schools referred to by the Deputy are as follows: In relation to the first and fourth schools, in question: My Department is finalising the project brief for a capital projects at these schools. This process will be completed shortly and my Department will be in contact with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Junior Cycle Reform (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 40 together. In November of last year, I met with officials from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and asked that they undertake a review of the optional nature of History in the Junior Cycle. As part of their review the NCCA has also been asked to identify how we can best promote the study of history in our schools. The NCCA...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department approved two temporary classrooms and a Special Education Teaching room for Scoil Chronain National School, Rathcoole in 2018 to provide for additional school places. These additional classes are currently being accommodated in Rathcoole Community Centre pending installation of the temporary classrooms at the school. The responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware that last October and November my Department carried out initial investigations into 42 schools that were built by the company to which he refers.  He will also be aware that of those schools, 22 required precautionary measures to enable continued safe occupation.  The implementation of these precautionary measures was completed by December...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 was passed by the Oireachtas on 4th July 2018, and was signed into law by the President on the 18th July 2018. The Act will create a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy should operate for schools.  The first stage of commencement on 3rd October 2018 brought a number of sections of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process. The school was recently authorised to issue the Letter of Intent to the preferred tenderer. Subject to no issues arising it is anticipated that construction will commence in the second quarter of 2019, with a construction period of approximately 24 months.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government announced plans in April 2018 for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including two new schools to be established in the Swords school planning area as follows: A new 8-classroom primary school to serve Swords South to be established in 2019; and A new 8-classroom primary school to serve the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Digital Strategy for Schools (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school. Where the introduction of digital devices is planned, consultation with members of the school community including parents is advised. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: A building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.  The project was recently approved to proceed to tender.  Subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that construction will commence in the final quarter of 2019, with a construction period...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I want to assure the Deputy that concerns regarding a shortage of appropriate school places for next September are being taken very seriously. An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has been engaging with local groups on this issue directly. The National Council for Special education (NCSE) has formally advised me that there is insufficient special school and special class capacity in Dublin 15. I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. The starting salary for a new entrant teacher in 2012 was €30,702. As a result of the programme of pay restoration, the starting salary of a teacher is now €36,318 and from 1 October 2020 onwards will be €37,692. Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. The starting salary for a new entrant teacher in 2012 was €30,702. As a result of the programme of pay restoration, the starting salary of a teacher is now €36,318 and from 1 October 2020 onwards will be €37,692. Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department’s National Educational Psychological Service provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The tertiary education system has a number of key strategies in place at all levels to ensure we meet existing and future skills demands in the workplace and equip young people and the working population more generally with the skills and capacity to meet these demands, to enhance the level of human capital in Ireland and provide a solid basis for long-term economic sustainability and rising...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to Donegal Education and Training Board (DETB). A meeting took place with DETB and its design team on 12th February last. At this meeting, the Stage 2A submission was presented. A number of design issued were identified with this submission. DETB is liaising closely...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 251 together. The Department does not currently have plans for a national school-based counselling programme at primary-school level. NEPS provides consultation for school staff who may have concerns about individual pupils or students. NEPS supports schools in putting interventions in place for individuals with clearly identified and serious...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, a new site will be required for the school in question and my Department has commenced the site identification process in relation to same. In line with protocols for the use of State property assets, my Department has written to the Department of Defence enquiring if the Department is in a position to provide a site that could be suitable. Due to commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The project referred to by the Deputy is currently in architectural planning. The school will be delivered under the Department's Design & Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction in the shortest possible timeframe. The design is...