Results 4,981-5,000 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

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

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 to 324, inclusive, and 326 together. Universities are independent and autonomous bodies under the statutory framework set out in the Universities Act, 1997 and on that basis are responsible for the conduct of their day-to-day affairs, including in relation to borrowing activities. The performance of this role is subject to appropriate governance,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards Expenditure (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: Section 49 of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013 states that an Education and Training Board (ETB) may, with the consent of the Minister, accept a proposal, and borrow by means specified in the proposal, for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the board. In response to the question raised I can confirm that there are currently no moneys borrowed by any of the 16 ETBs. Some...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions Governance (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy may wish to note that under the statutory framework set out in the Universities Act, 1997 universities are independent, autonomous and self-governed legal entities and are, therefore, responsible for all matters relating to their day-to-day operations and activities. Section 13 of the Universities Act, 1997 states that in furthering its objects and development, universities may...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions Governance (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: There is a detailed framework in place, including for example, the requirements of Public Financial Procedures and the Code of Governance of Irish Universities, governing all expenditure by universities. Specifically, the Code of Governance for Irish Universities states that universities must abide by the Guidelines on Achieving Value for Money in Public Expenditure as set out in the...

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

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together. My Department already has a process underway with the higher education sector to compile information on projects delivered for the period since 2008. This process is nearing conclusion and will enable information for the period since 2008 to be provided to the Deputy in tabular format in the coming days. This process has required...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, Universities, Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous bodies as set out in the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Act 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. In that regard, the bodies in question are responsible for their day to day operations, including the procurement of goods and services; provision...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The position is that higher education universities are autonomous institutions as provided for in the Universities Act 1997. Therefore, the criteria governing the level of tuition fees to be charged in the case of postgraduate study is solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria. Accordingly, my Department has no function in relation to such...

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

Joe McHugh: The enrolment of a child to a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents/guardians of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is a statutory body, the functions of which include planning and co-ordinating the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Autism Support Services (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently received applications, for additional accommodation, under the Department's 'Additional School Accommodation Scheme' from the schools' in question. The applications for permanent accommodation are currently under assessment, as soon as the process has been completed the school authorities will be contacted directly. To ensure...

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

Joe McHugh: The correspondence referred to by the Deputy has been received and a response will issue shortly in this regard.

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

Joe McHugh: The NCSE, an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision and support services for children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been...

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

Joe McHugh: The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Authority Administration (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: Although the publication of minutes of meetings of a State body is not a requirement under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, I can advise the Deputy that my Department has been informed that it is the practice of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to post a record of meetings of the HEA Board periodically on the HEA’s website. I can confirm that a...

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 with officials in my Department to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Autism Support Services (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: Individual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school to make application to the National Council for Special education (NCSE) to establish a special class. The NCSE, an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational...

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

Joe McHugh: In 2016, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) was requested by the then Minister Richard Bruton to review the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Scheme and to advise him on what support options are needed to provide better outcomes for students with additional care needs. Following extensive research and consultation with schools, parents, SNAs and other stakeholders, a report was...

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

Joe McHugh: The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Scheme has been a major factor in both ensuring the successful integration of children with special educational needs into mainstream education and the provision of support to pupils enrolled in special schools and special classes. This support is very much valued by students, parents and schools, as they provide an indispensable service. Increased investment...

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

Joe McHugh: The primary statutory responsibility for child protection lies with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The role of my Department is to provide guidance and support to schools in implementing child protection requirements and to refer any allegations the Department receives to the appropriate authorities for investigation. In accordance with Children First – National Guidance for...

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

Joe McHugh: The State Claims Agency are mandated to manage these cases on behalf of the State. The information sought is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

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

Joe McHugh: Schools and the wider education sector have a vital role to play in contributing to the ‘Healthy Ireland’ agenda that is being led by the Department of Health and is supported by the Department of Education and Skills and Government Departments. The Healthy Ireland agenda is committed to supporting everyone’s efforts to improve their health and wellbeing. Schools are...