Results 621-640 of 8,630 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: Following the school closure in March 2020, my Department published a range of guidance to assist schools and teachers in ensuring continuity of teaching and learning for students as well as supporting their wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This guidance aimed, inter alia, to ensure regular engagement of students in lessons, tasks and learning experiences across the range of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is aware of concerns that the closure of schools has impacted hardest upon families who have children with complex needs whose wellbeing and engagement with learning depend very much on the routine of school and their relationships with other students, teachers and Special Needs Assistants.  They have also lost out on specialist supports during this closure period. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 290 together. On the 1 May 2020, the Taoiseach announced as part of the "Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business" that schools will commence opening on a phased basis at the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic year.  My Department is engaging and working with the education partners and relevant stakeholders on planning arrangements for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: Schools have been notified of the arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2020/21.  The arrangements include the following provisions: - 2019/20 mainstream class SNA allocations will be frozen, from the date of issue of Circular 0030/2020, and will automatically roll over into the 2020/21...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: Ensuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department.  Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs. Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: On the 1 May 2020, the Taoiseach announced as part of the "Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business" that schools will commence opening on a phased basis at the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic year.  My Department is engaging and working with the education partners and relevant stakeholders on planning arrangements for the re-opening of schools in accordance with the timeframe...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Youth Services (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: It is regrettable that any summer camps have been or will be cancelled as they can be a memorable time for students who participate in them. Non-formal educational and outdoor activities resources and opportunities for the summer months including summer camps are not provided by my Department. These activities are normally provided for by organisations that charge a fee for their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (3 Jun 2020)

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: Third Level Education (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am aware that issues have been raised in relation to placement hours for students of Social Care programmes. While I have not met with QQI or CORU directly on this issue, my Department is keeping abreast of developments in this regard. Since the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, significant work has been undertaken by a stakeholder group chaired by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is aware of concerns that the closure of schools has impacted hardest upon families who have children with complex needs whose wellbeing and engagement with learning depend very much on the routine of school and their relationships with other students, teachers and Special Needs Assistants.  They have also lost out on specialist supports during this closure period. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: The Calculated Grades Student Portal opened for registration to Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied students on Tuesday 26 May. All Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied students were required to register on the portal between 10am Tuesday 26 May and 10pm Thursday 28 May. The deadline for registration  was subsequently extended to 12pm on Friday 29 May....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is working with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. I understand, based on the information available to me, that students in university-owned accommodation will receive pro-rata refunds if they have vacated their accommodation.  I have indicated that I would wish to see this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: Schools have been notified of the arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2020/21.  The arrangements include the following provisions: - 2019/20 mainstream class SNA allocations will be frozen, from the date of issue of Circular 0030/2020, and will automatically roll over into the 2020/21 school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is working with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. I understand, based on the information available to me, that students in university-owned accommodation will receive pro-rata refunds if they have vacated their accommodation.  I have indicated that I would wish to see this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is aware of concerns that the closure of schools has impacted hardest upon families who have children with complex needs whose wellbeing and engagement with learning depend very much on the routine of school and their relationships with other students, teachers and Special Needs Assistants.  They have also lost out on specialist supports during this closure period. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is aware of concerns that the closure of schools has impacted hardest upon families who have children with complex needs whose wellbeing and engagement with learning depend very much on the routine of school and their relationships with other students, teachers and Special Needs Assistants.  They have also lost out on specialist supports during this closure period. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: On the 1st May 2020, the Taoiseach announced as part of the "Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business" that schools will commence opening on a phased basis at the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic year. My Department is currently working with the Education Partners and relevant stakeholders in planning for this re-opening which will be based on public health advice. As part of this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Information and Communications Technology (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: This Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, the Department provided funding of €16.9 million in 2019 to all of these schools.  I also announced additional funding of €1million which is being allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: We understand that this is a time of uncertainty for students hoping to progress to higher education and work is ongoing in ensuring that the third level entry process can progress as smoothly and equitably as possible. The National Co-ordination group for tertiary education is meeting on a regular basis, and is closely monitoring the impact that Covid-19 is having on third level...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (3 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: As part of planning for the State examinations, I established an advisory group of stakeholders, including representatives of students, parents, teachers, the management and leadership of schools, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the State Examinations Commission, and officials of my Department, including the National Educational Psychological Service. A representative of...