Results 1,321-1,340 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: The contribution prior to Deputy Feighan's had some more technical questions on which information will be provided on Friday. The Deputy asked about parents requesting home tuition. That is very much part of this scheme and we will have more detail on it. The protocol on work practices for the tutor coming into the house needs to be mapped out before that happens. I reassure parents that...

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: We need to establish what is the demand. Parents will have the opportunity to register on Friday, so that will give us an indication of the demand. From an information point of view, provision is not just broken down into school-based and home tuition. There are other school settings and settings outside of school where parents can come together in a group of ten in a community-based...

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: Let us deal with the Deputy's first question on traditional July provision. Last year, 70% of the summer programme was home based. Out of 4,000 schools, 232 signed up. We will find out within the next three days - after formal contact with the schools and once we have got approval from the Cabinet - what type of feedback we will get from the schools. Our contacts with them so far have...

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am sorry but I did not catch that. The Deputy said not a-----

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: We can continue to have the conversation here about what the Deputy is looking for and the information the parents are looking for this Friday. We will have the guidelines on Friday. I am bringing them to Cabinet. We will have the final guidelines and details. It will be an expanded scheme. As the Deputy knows, last week I announced I wanted to include Down's syndrome in the scheme, and...

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy was here last week when I said we would be back again next Wednesday and I would bring a detailed submission and guidelines to Cabinet on Friday. That has not changed. I cannot determine when I am and am not in here. I am absolutely delighted to be back, and today is an opportunity for Deputies, as representatives of their communities and constituencies, to put forward advice as...

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, this is a voluntary scheme. The July provision programme always was voluntary. It depends on demand so once we announce the guidelines on Friday there will be an opportunity for the parents to register with the Department in the first instance. That is the most fundamental part of this proposal. It is a scaled up proposal. It is not based on the July...

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Cheann Comhairle as a chuidiú agus gabhaim buíochas leis an Choiste Gnó fosta fá choinne an t-am a ofráil inniu. Táim fíorbhuíoch as sin toisc go raibh mé ábalta Dún na nGall a fhágáil chun dul go dtí Teach Laighean ar maidin agus beidh mé ábalta dul a luí i nDún na nGall...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 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 principle applied in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am aware of the challenges that are being encountered in the English language education sector and the substantial impact that the Covid-19 outbreak has had on students, teachers and providers in this sector. My Department recognises the important role that teachers play in this sector and the support they have provided and continue to provide for students at this time. Since the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is taking a number of actions to minimise the impact on schools due to the Covid 19 pandemic. A range of guidance was published to assist schools and teachers while out of school. This guidance issued to schools to support the continuity of teaching and learning, to support those with special educational needs, to support those at risk of educational disadvantage and to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is planning to provide a summer education programme for children with significant special educational needs as soon as it is safe to do so and in accordance with public health advice. It is intended that this programme will be similar to the July Provision of previous years. The Summer Education Programme will take place for children with significant special educational needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (9 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: State Examinations (9 Jun 2020)

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: Departmental Correspondence (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: The school to which the Deputy refers has been approved funding for a building project under my Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme 2018 that will provide for 2 additional mainstream classrooms. The tender process with respect to this project is well advanced and is expected to conclude in the coming weeks. My Department has also approved funding to the school for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is conscious of the issues in the English language education sector arising from the Covid-19 outbreak and has established a specific Working Group for this sector. This group is comprised of representatives of relevant Government Departments and representatives of both students and English language education providers. As part of the wider Covid-19 response, the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received a Stage 2b report from the school to which he refers. My Department will be in contact with the school directly once its review of this report has been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: The project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of the tender process; the Stage 3 tender report is currently under review within my Department. Once this review is completed and subject to no issues arising, Department officials will be in contact with the school with regard to completing the tender process and with a view to commencing on site later this year.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: A planning application for the school to which the Deputy refers was lodged with the relevant local authority on 2 April 2020 and a decision is awaited. The tendering process for the procurement of prefabricated accommodation for the project is currently ongoing. It is envisaged that the school will open in suitable interim accommodation with standard classroom sizes for the 2020/2021...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am aware of the challenges that are being encountered in the English language education sector and the substantial impact that the Covid-19 outbreak has had on students, teachers and providers in this sector. My Department recognises the important role that teachers play in this sector and the support they have provided and continue to provide for students at this time. Since the...