Results 6,581-6,600 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Data (11 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 211, inclusive, together. The information in relation to the Deputy's questions is outlined in the tables attached. Grade Breakdown: Department of Education and Skills Administrative Staff Grade Male Head Count Female Head Count Male/Female % Total Head Count Secretary General 1 0 100%/0% 1 Asst. Secretary 7 2 78%/22% 9 Principal Officer 27 23...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pátrúnacht Scoileanna (11 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: Mar is eol don teachta, d'fhógair mo Roinnse pleananna le déanaí chun 42 scoil nua a bhunú sna ceithre bliana seo amach romhainn (2019-2022). Nuair a chinntear go bhfuil gá le scoil nua chun freastal ar riachtanais dhéimeagrafacha i gceantar, reáchtálann mo Roinnse próiseas pátrúnachta ar leith chun a shocrú cé a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Attendance Data (11 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together. The information requested by the Deputy is available in the attached table. The Department publishes information on second level retention rates by cohort - the latest information available is for the cohort of pupils who entered second level education in 2011 and were due to complete the Leaving Certificate in June of 2016 or 2017,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Projects (11 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, Action 88 of DEIS Plan 2017 provides for a review of current out of school education provision. This review has been carried out by a Working Group chaired by my Department and including representatives from Tusla and the ETB sector.  This review has been informed through the use of questionnaires, submissions from stakeholders and a public...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Appointments to State Boards (11 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: For the Deputy's information, details of the State bodies that fall under the aegis of my Department, including reference details of the manner of the filling of the board appointments, are available on my Department's website at the following link: . For ease of reference a copy of the board details, including the criteria for appointments to each board, is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (11 Dec 2018)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: English Language Training Organisations (11 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together. On Monday 3 December 2018 my Department was informed of the closure of the school referred to by the Deputy. This school, which was a private English language school, is a member of MEI (Marketing English in Ireland), an association of English language schools. I understand that MEI representatives met with the school’s...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I am happy to check this particular application out. The Deputy mentioned a sports hall. As we move towards 2020, when PE will be on the curriculum, I am getting several representations from around the country asking about the investment trajectory. Next year we will have an extra €200 million in capital spending within the Department. There are a lot of pressures. The Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is currently considering the school's application for additional accommodation. A decision on the application will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Proposed Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: There are currently no plans to introduce plain language legislation. However, plain English guidelines have been produced by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), who receive substantial funding from my Department, via SOLAS. NALA work with a range of bodies both in the public and private sectors to ensure that there is a focus on the use of plain English in their publications, web...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Literacy Levels (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: In July 2011 the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy - Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life 2011-2020 - was published. It set out to raise standards in literacy and numeracy in early years and school settings. It recognised the importance of these key skills for all aspects of day-to-day life and learning. Circulars 56/2011 for the primary sector and 25/2012 for the post-primary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 117 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application for additional school accommodation recently. My Department will consider the application and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities subsequently.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The student maintenance grant is a contribution towards the living costs of a student. The student grant scheme does however, provide for different levels of maintenance support, depending on means. Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates. The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to provide additional support to those students who may be living away from home. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The major project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at Stage 1 of Architectural planning which entails preliminary examination of site and location suitability and initial Sketch scheme. A revised Stage 1 submission, including an up to date cost plan, was requested from the Design Team following an increase in the schedule of accommodation to cater for up to 1200 pupils. That...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together. My Department has enacted ten pieces of legislation since March 2011. The details requested by the Deputy are contained in the table. Post-enactment reports for relevant legislation will be published in line with the requirements set out in the 2016 Dáil and Seanad standing orders, which provides for a report on the functioning of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: I have asked for the the information requested by the Deputy to be collated by my Department and I will respond directly when this exercise is complete.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2016 -2017 was applied on a multi-annual basis. The Deputy will be aware that nearly 50% of schools applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand. Almost €80 million has been approved to date under the SWS, in respect of over 640 school projects in categories 1 - 6. Details of the successful school applicants are published on my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school. The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools Closures (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: My Department is aware of the difficulties facing the English language school referred to by the Deputy. The school in question is a member of MEI (Marketing English in Ireland), an association of English language schools. One of the obligations of MEI membership is that schools have protection for enrolled learner policies in place. I understand that MEI are putting in place the necessary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Dec 2018)

Joe McHugh: The school building project to which the Deputy refers is at Tender stage and tenders are currently being reviewed. When the tender analysis is complete the Letter of Acceptance appointing the contractor will then issue. The Letter of Acceptance is expected to issue and construction to commence in Quarter 1, 2019. The school building project is to provide a new 16 no. classroom school...