Results 1,821-1,840 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. Therefore the timelines for re-opening are a matter for each institution to decide. The national co-ordination group for tertiary education is meeting on a regular basis to consider key issues impacting the tertiary sector,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The ‘Roadmap for the Reopening of Society and Business’ published by Government includes certain construction operations for inclusion in the first phase of economic activity which came into effect on May 18th2020. Subject to compliance with the ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’, contractors may commence operations on site.  The contractor must...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, a site has been identified to accommodate a permanent school building for the school to which she refers. My Department is working closely with officials from Monaghan County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the acquisition of the site. As the site acquisition process is complex, it is not possible to give a definitive timeframe for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: A student who may be awarded my Department's Third Level Bursary in the 2020/21 academic year may defer their bursary to the 2021/22 academic year.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 406 together. Education and Training Boards (ETBs) have an agreed position on determining and implementing reasonable alternative methods of assessment for their learners, while ensuring that learning outcomes can continue to be assessed and approved by academic governance. Each ETB has developed more detailed contingency plans at provider...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The Department provides funding for Secretary posts in the Community, Comprehensive and Education and Training Board Sectors. A recruitment moratorium was introduced in the Public Service in 2009 which applied to these posts. At that time alleviation measures were put in place which permitted schools to fill Clerical Officer vacancies so as to maintain staffing levels at a maximum of 1...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Services Staff (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department provides funding for Clerical Officer & Caretaker posts in the Community, Comprehensive and Education and Training Board Sectors. A recruitment moratorium was introduced in the Public Service in 2009 which applied to these posts. At that time alleviation measures were put in place which permitted schools to fill Clerical Officer & Caretaker vacancies so as to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: Any decision to run the 2020 Leaving Certificate examinations at a date in the future will be guided by public health advice at that time. My Department will engage with relevant stakeholders to assist with the development of plans for the running of the examinations in an environment that may require social distancing and other measures. The safety of students and staff will be the most...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am very conscious of the thousands of students taking the Leaving Certificate who have applied to study in Northern Ireland, Britain, Europe and elsewhere. On 8th May I announced that the Leaving Certificate was to be postponed and that students would be issued with calculated grades, which would form the basis for entry to third level. While timelines for the issuing of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: On 8thof May, 2020, I announced the postponement of the 2020 Leaving Certificate examinations until a later time when it is safe to run the examinations. This decision was taken by Cabinet based on public health advice as the welfare of students and that of their families is front and central to all decision making. Leaving Certificate candidates can now opt to have calculated grades issued...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: Student grant applications for academic year 2020/21 will be assessed based on income earned in 2019. However, if a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future they can apply to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision. In the case of a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: We understand that this is a time of uncertainty for students hoping to progress to third level 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 institutions and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I have received the paper referred to by the Deputy and I will respond directly to the association in relation to the issues raised.  Significant work has been undertaken by a stakeholder group chaired by the Higher Education Authority and including the representative bodies for the universities (IUA) and the institutes of technology (THEA) to collect information on the increased...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: Since the announcement in March that schools would close and the subsequent extensions of that closure, I and my Department have made it clear that teachers and other staff in the education sector would continue to work and to engage with their students. My Department has written to school management and asked schools to put in place arrangements to continue the delivery of education to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The HEAR and DARE schemes are operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. As such, the Department of Education and Skills has no role in the policy criteria of the scheme. Admissions under the HEAR and DARE scheme are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am conscious of the difficulties being experienced by students and their families as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and of the importance of the Student Grant Scheme and related supports, such as the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. These supports have a fundamental role in assisting families who are putting their children through further and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department is working on supporting schools to help learners as they transition from primary to post primary education. Guidance has already issued to schools to help ensure the continuity of teaching and learning, to support those with Special Educational Needs, those in areas of educational disadvantage, and to help support the wellbeing of all learners. Guidance will issue shortly...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Examinations (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and as such are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. Therefore responsibility for examinations and assessments rests ultimately with each individual institution. The national co-ordination group for tertiary education, which includes representatives...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am committed to running a summer Provision type programme for children with complex needs this year as soon as it is safe to do so and in accordance with public health advice.  My Department is exploring a number of options for a summer education programme for children with complex special needs. The primary aim of the proposed programme would be to limit potential regression in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Admissions (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: On Friday 8th May I announced the decision to postpone the Leaving Certificate and offer students calculated grades, which can be used as a basis for entry into tertiary education. This decision was made following the assessment of public health advice, and was made in the best interests of students and all those involved in running the state exams. The system whereby calculated grades...