Results 6,221-6,240 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: For the purpose of clarification, it is important for me to point out what my role is, as Minister, in site acquisitions. I do not issue instructions to buy a preferred site. There is a memorandum of understanding, which is an engagement between the local authority, not just Fingal County Council but all local authorities, and the Department of Education and Skills. As part of that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Let us clarify that.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Let us find out who is not telling whom the right information.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: As far as I am concerned, my officials are engaging. That process has started so now we have to-----

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Now we have to ensure that we prioritise the younger people who are looking for a satisfactory building for their education. That is my priority. The Senator has raised an issue and claimed that there is a blockage in communications. Let us get to the bottom of the matter. Let us find out and continue the work that we do on a bipartisan and cross-political basis. My engagement, whether...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: I am happy to come back to Senator with any information.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: That is not correct.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Welfare Service (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Each child has a right to education to enable them to live a full life as a child and to realise his or her potential as a unique individual. All pupils who are enrolled in a school should attend school for the full day, unless exempted from doing so for exceptional circumstances, such as medical reasons. Reduced timetables should not be used as a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: A building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s 6 year Construction Programme. A project brief has been finalised and the project will be delivered via the ADAPT programme. The ADAPT programme uses a professional external Project Manager to coordinate and drive the respective design teams on each project. In this regard, a tender...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Retirements (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: For the purposes of the annual Estimates process, my Department makes forecasts, based on trend analysis, of the scale of teacher retirements expected for the following year. While forecasting retirements in the education sector is complex, this approach has proved robust and has provided a good indication of the scale of likely retirements and the expenditure implications for the following...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Sna socruithe cistiúcháin atá déanta ag an Roinn le haghaidh meánscoileanna deonacha, scoileanna cuimsitheacha agus pobail agus le haghaidh scoileanna agus coláistí na mBord Oideachais agus Oiliúna (BOO) léirítear na socruithe éagsúla bainistíochta agus úinéireachta a bhaineann le scoileanna an dara leibhéil. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Oideachas Gaeltachta (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Mar iar-Aire Gaeltachta, amharcaim ar theagasc na Gaeilge mar phríomhthosaíocht sa ról atá agam mar Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna. Tá AnStraitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010 - 2030 tógtha ar bhunchloch stádas bunreachtúil na Gaeilge agus is é polasaí an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge í. Tá an phríomhfhreagracht ar an Roinn...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Brexit Issues (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: Firstly, as someone from a border county, let me say that a no deal Brexit is the worst possible outcome and would not be in the interests of the UK, Ireland or the EU. While I, along with my cabinet colleagues, continue to closely watch developments in the UK, my Department continues work to prepare for the UK’s exit. This work, at national and EU level, continues to intensify,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: The major school building project for St. Patrick's is currently 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. The Stage 2(b) submission for the project has been reviewed by my Department and comments have issued to the school and its Design Team. The Design...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware, the project to which she refers has been devolved for delivery to the local Education & Training Board (DDLETB). The Department is currently liaising with DDLETB with a view to resolving some issues that have arisen in respect of the project. These issues need to be addressed prior to proceeding to tender stage. My Department acknowledges that the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Facilities (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that many schools have a general purpose room/sports hall and practically all schools have outdoor play areas. In addition, many schools, use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools. The provision of general purpose rooms, PE halls and outdoor hard play areas such as basketball courts, form part of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 63 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron/Trustees of the school, and this is subject to the approval of the Department. Any proposed change involves extensive negotiations at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: My Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools, which have enrolled students with special educational needs, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education. Special classes facilitate students with more complex special educational needs who are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, was signed into law by the President on the 18th July 2018. This Act is an important piece of legislation which will introduce a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools in this country and a fair and balanced...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (22 Jan 2019)

Joe McHugh: In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to...