Results 1,881-1,900 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

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

Joe McHugh: I am aware that Inclusion Ireland has recently published a report on 'The Implications of COVID-19 on the Education of Pupils with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism- Supporting Children to Learn'. The recommendations included in this report will be taken into account as we review guidance for schools on supporting children with special educational needs during the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (20 May 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 year,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 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. The 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. A...

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

Joe McHugh: Since early April, I have been in correspondence with the NI Minister for the Economy Diane Dodds (with responsibility for higher education) on the question on Irish students who plan to pursue their studies with higher education institutions in Northern Ireland.  I have also written to the NI Minister for Education Peter Weir in a similar vein.  Since then, contacts are...

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

Joe McHugh: Since early April, I have been in correspondence with the NI Minister for the Economy Diane Dodds (with responsibility for higher education) on the question on Irish students who plan to pursue their studies with higher education institutions in Northern Ireland.  I have also written to the NI Minister for Education Peter Weir in a similar vein.  Since then, contacts are...

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

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that comprehensive therapy specific resources and guidance documents have been developed by Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Behaviour Practitioners to support home learning. These resources are available on the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) website and relevant resources and guidance documents have also been forwarded...

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

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has provided a range of support and guidance for schools on how to provide for the continuing education for pupils over the current school closure period. Supports are provided to schools and teachers engaged in distance learning and these are available at In additional to the general guidance that has been provided for schools, additional...

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

Joe McHugh: The major project for the construction of the new school building for the school referred to by the deputy is at an advanced stage of the tender process and my Department is currently awaiting the return of the supplementary tender report. Subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that construction should commence following the finalisation of the tender process with a contract...

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

Joe McHugh: Calculated Grades will be generated using a systematic model. It will combine estimates of a student’s expected performance  in a subject and level, with information about how students in the school have fared in this subject in recent years in line with national performance standards over time. The first source of data will be provided by the subject teacher. It will then be...

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

Joe McHugh: The major project for the construction of the new school building for the school referred to by the deputy is at an advanced stage of the tender process and my Department is currently awaiting the return of the supplementary tender report. Subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that construction should commence following the finalisation of the tender process with a contract...

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

Joe McHugh: I recently announced that a special €10 million fund is being made available to support the purchase of technology and devices for disadvantaged students, including students with special educational needs.  This is additional to the latest round of funding for ICT under the Digital Strategy for Schools whereby €40m grant funding will be distributed in the coming weeks to...

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

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that decisions in relation to schools re-opening and operating will be underpinned by the ongoing advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Department of Health. Engagement is underway with stakeholders in the education sector to develop contingency plans for the re-opening and operation of schools in an environment that may require social...

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

Joe McHugh: I recognise that this is a particularly challenging time for all students across the education system, but particularly for those students who will be transferring from primary to post-primary school.  On the 1stMay 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...

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

Joe McHugh: I can inform the Deputy that this project has been devolved for delivery to Westmeath County Council (WCC). 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 18th 2020. Subject to compliance with the...

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

Joe McHugh: My Departments assistive technology scheme provides grant-aid to schools to allow them to purchase specialist equipment which has been recommended by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as essential for pupils with physical or communicative disabilities to access the school curriculum. Applications are completed by schools and sent to the NCSE for recommendation and submission...

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

Joe McHugh: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has recently received a tender 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 Property (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. When State monies are provided to facilitate building works to school property owned by a third party, a legal mechanism is put in place in order to protect the State's interest. This is known as a Charging Lease or Declaration of Trust. These leases protect the Minister's capital investment in the school property and require that...