Results 6,861-6,880 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Establishment (22 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together. As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (22 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: The principal teachers of the school referred to by the Deputy were recruited and employed by the managerial authority of the school. They have been paid on payrolls operated by my Department on behalf of the managerial authority.  The information required for their payment is provided by the managerial authority on standardised forms submitted to my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Equipment (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: Under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment which they do not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: Funding for special education provision in 2018 will amount to some €1.75 billion, up 43% since 2011 and equivalent to 18.7% of the gross overall current allocation for education and training. My Department's policy is to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs, including Autism (ASD), in mainstream school settings, unless such a placement would...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Establishment (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including two new primary schools (to be established in 2020 and 2022) and one new post-primary school (to be established in 2021) to serve the Sallynoggin_Killiney_DLR (Cherrywood) school planning area. This announcement follows...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Mental Health Strategies (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware my Department launched the Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice 2018-2023 in July 2018.The policy statement provides an overarching structure encompassing existing, ongoing and developing work in the area of wellbeing. It builds on the good work already happening in schools to ensure that best practice in whole-school wellbeing promotion is embedded...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Health and Safety (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department arranged for structural assessments to be undertaken at 42 schools following the identification of significant structural issues at Ardgillan Community College in Balbriggan during an assessment undertaken by a structural engineer at the school on 19 October 2018. Proportionate precautionary measures including the erection of external...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the local Education and Training Board (ETB). I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that completion of the envelope of the two school buildings will commence shortly as part of an arrangement with the Bondsman.  This welcome development will weather the buildings and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Higher Education Institutions (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: My Department has not yet received a cost benefit analysis (CBA) from Maynooth University in relation to future campus development plans. However, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has informed the Department that Maynooth University has been developing a CBA for one of its priority projects and is likely to make an application for funding under the recently announced Strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm for the Deputy that officials in my Department are working closely with officials from Kildare County Council under the memorandum of understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site for the school in question.  A potential site has been identified and discussions are ongoing.  Due to commercial sensitivities relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Strategies (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs published a report in 2007, "Tomorrow's Skills, Towards a National Skills Strategy" which contained a target that the percentage of the labour force at levels 1 -3 on the National Framework of Qualifications should decrease to 7% by 2020. This indicator was carried over into Ireland's National Skills Strategy 2025 which was...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme. The school authority in question has advised my Department that it is currently addressing legal matters associated with the site portfolio. When these matters have been finalised, my Department will engage further with the school authority...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: A range of resources are available to support schools in dealing with identified additional educational needs, including needs which may arise for children who are experiencing homelessness. Where staff are aware of homelessness and where it is impacting on school attendance and participation the services of TUSLA Educational Welfare Service and the support services of my own Department,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Tuition Scheme (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: The policy of this Department is that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training Places (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm that my Department has received correspondence in relation to the specific circumstances referred to and a response will issue directly to the individual concerned in the coming days. In October 2017, my Department announced changes in relation to the Minimum Entry Requirements for entry into primary teacher training programmes, as follows:  Entry 2018 - Irish:...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (21 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, my Department has not received any communication from the patron or Board of Management of the school relating to the patron providing a site to construct permanent accommodation for the school. My Department is aware, through the Deputy, that the Patron has written to the Board of Management relating to the matter. My Department awaits a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): Protected Disclosures (20 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir fá choinne na ceiste agus fá choinne an seans labhairt leis. I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to familiarise myself with this issue and to fill in the background which the Senator and people in the school are familiar with. I want to put on the record the position regarding Ennis Educate Together national school in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): Protected Disclosures (20 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: Yes. I thank the Senator for raising this. I am new in the job and have to familiarise myself with all these issues but I want to put on record the important role that whistleblowers play. I agree with the Senator that one thing we have learned in the last years is the importance of listening attentively. While creating awareness, the duty of care and our own legislative responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (20 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: A scheme for clerical staff in schools was initiated in April 1978 as part of the then Government’s job-creation programme, with a similar scheme for caretakers introduced in 1979 whereby staff employed on these schemes were paid directly by the Department. However, on foot of a Government decision of the 22 October 1982 to phase out these schemes, no new appointments were permitted...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Autism Support Services (20 Nov 2018)

Joe McHugh: The delivery of a two classroom ASD unit for the school to which the Deputy refers was devolved for delivery to the local Education and Training Board (ETB) in December 2016. Subsequent to this approval, the ETB submitted a request to my Department to double the size of the Unit to four classrooms.   My Department approved this request on 15 November...