Results 5,001-5,020 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

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

Joe McHugh: The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of 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,...

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

Joe McHugh: It is understood that the question from the Deputy refers to those Special Needs Assistants who had a compulsory retirement age of 65; who reached that age at the end of the 2017/18 school year and who availed of an interim arrangements to be rehired. This interim measure was introduced from 5 December 2017 on foot of a Government Decision pending the enactment of the Public Service...

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: Schools Building Projects Status (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to inform the Deputy that an application for capital funding to build a sport hall has been received from the school in question. The Deputy will be aware that under the National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme. This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of new permanent school places to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme Applications (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that an application for Emergency Works at the school referred to by him has been received in my Department. This application has been examined and further information has been requested from the school. Once the information has been received, the application will be considered in its entirety and the outcome will be conveyed directly to the school.

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

Joe McHugh: A building project for the school in question is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. It is proposed to develop this school to a 1,000 pupil school and to provide a significant amount of new accommodation, 7,460 square metres approx., in additional floor area. The existing retained accommodation, 2,720 square...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The Online Application System for the 2018/19 academic year was closed November 1st 2018. I understand from SUSI that students who wish to make an application after that date must satisfy one of the following criteria in order to be granted access to make a late application: 1) Course is starting after the Online Closing date of November 1st 2018. 2) Applicant has had a Change in...

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

Joe McHugh: A revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies was introduced by Government in 2016. In order to ensure compliance with the revised Code, both the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) and the Irish Universities Association (IUA) engaged in the development of revised Governance Codes for both the Institutes of Technology and the Universities. I can advise that a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grants Appeals Board (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The current Student Grants Appeals Board was appointed by the Minister in September 2016. It is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions but receives administrative support from the Department. There are statutory time provisions for determining appeals to the Board. Meetings are generally held once a fortnight but this can change depending on the number of appeals on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Appeals Board (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: While Section 27 of the Student Support Act 2011 makes provision for the Student Grants Appeals Board to submit a report of its activities to the Minister at such intervals and in such manner and form, as the Minister directs, in recent years my Department has not requested a formal report of the Board's activities. To date the only report prepared was titled "Report to the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Appointments to State Boards (8 May 2019)

Joe McHugh: The information requested by the Deputy, concerning state board appointments, for the timeline sought by the Deputy is being collated, and I will arrange to have it forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available. As the Deputy will be aware, individuals may be nominated for appointment to State Boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department by various organisations arising...

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

Joe McHugh: A Scheme was initiated in 1978/79 for the employment of Clerical Officers in primary and post primary schools. Currently there are 153 primary and 110 post primary whole time equivalent Clerical Officers (School Secretaries) employed in schools under the 1978/79 Scheme and paid through my Department’s payroll. This 1978/79 scheme has been superseded by a more extensive...

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 2(b) - Detailed Design which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured to date. Following the appointment of the replacement Quantity Surveyor, the Design Team is...

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

Joe McHugh: I can confirm my Department is currently in the process of acquiring additional land owned by South Dublin County Council adjoining the site of this school and the additional land offers the potential to enhance current facilities and support future development. There is ongoing engagement with officials from South Dublin County Council on this matter. In regard to inclusion on the building...

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

Joe McHugh: As a result of the ASTI's industrial action in refusing to carry out the Croke Park Hours between July 2016 and June 2017 and the union's consequent withdrawal from the Public Service Agreements, ASTI members were subject to a number of pay and other measures under the terms of the FEMPI legislation. The ASTI have raised this issue with my Department and my officials will engage with the ASTI...

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

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including a new 800 pupil post-primary school (to be established in 2020) to serve the Blanchardstown_West_Dublin15 and BlanchardstownVge_Dublin15 school planning areas as a regional solution. This announcement follows nationwide...

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

Joe McHugh: I would inform the Deputy that my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides guidelines, resource materials and support for schools to enable them to deal with certain traumatic events which can adversely affect pupils and school staff. The guidelines "Responding to Critical Incidents: Guidelines for Schools and resource Materials for Schools" refer to preventive...

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

Joe McHugh: I want to assure the Deputy and Parents that concerns regarding a shortage of appropriate school places for next September are being taken very seriously. My Department Officials and the NCSE are actively engaging with local schools and school patron bodies to address this urgent and important issue. I have asked the NCSE to keep in regular contact with the Parents of the children concerned...

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

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) 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...