Results 1,901-1,920 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

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

Joe McHugh: When a school building becomes vacant as a result of closure/amalgamation/replacement, the future use of the old building is in the first instance a matter for the property owner. When the property owner applies to the Minister for permission to either use the property for community purposes or to sell it, my Department makes an assessment as to whether the property is required for...

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

Joe McHugh: At the core of both the school-based and national standardisation phases of the system of calculated grades is a commitment to objectivity and fairness. To ensure this, the school-based process must not be compromised. Therefore, the principal, deputy principal(s), teachers or other members of the school staff must not under any circumstances discuss with any student or with the parents or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (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, including schools for children...

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: State Examinations (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: Every effort was made to run the 2020 Leaving Certificate as close as possible to the way the examinations were originally intended to be held. However, based on medical advice and other assessments, that the Leaving Certificate examinations cannot be held in a reliable and valid manner, nor in a way that would be equitable for students.  All students will be given the option to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Health Professions Admission Test (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The HPAT is independently administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and the RCSI.  The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for those institutions in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs. Neither I nor my Department has a...

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. As part of this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cycle to Work Scheme (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: It was necessary for operational reasons to temporarily suspend the cycle to work scheme arising from the COVID 19 lockdown. The priority of my Department during the lockdown period has been to ensure that the 125,000 payees on the payrolls continued to be paid on a fortnightly basis.  I am glad to advise the Deputy that my Department will accept new applications for...

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: English Language Training Organisations (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I am aware that issues have been raised in relation to refunds for students in the English language education (ELE) sector.  These issues have been discussed at the ELE Covid-19 Working Group chaired by my Department.  In compliance with the Government Decision taken in March 2020, all English language education (ELE) providers closed their premises in accordance with public...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (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: Home Tuition Scheme (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, including schools for children with...

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: Departmental Contracts (20 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: My Department complies with the Department of Finance’s guidelines for engagements of consultants by the civil service, having regard to public procurement guidelines, which include a requirement for the provision of a declaration on conflict of interest. Contracts are awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender.  The data in respect of 2019 is available on my...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (13 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: It is too early to speculate as to what it would look like but to reassure the House, the primary forum met this morning. It is very anxious to get this right. We will be working within public health advice and guidance but one thing is certain. We need to get students back in the classroom but at the heart of that is ensuring they will be safe.

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (13 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: That issue was raised in the Dáil previously, and as I told the Deputy at that time, the Secretary General was engaging with the president of UL on it. Following that Dáil sitting, I contacted the chancellor and I know a meeting occurred. There has been no outcome, but the issue of paying back students was on the agenda, and as far as I know, the college has not made a decision on...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (13 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: I would like to respond to Deputy McNamara first, as this is important. I appreciate his intervention. The reason we need standardisation is that we cannot have a school in Bantry on a different platform from a school in Letterkenny. That is why we have it. There is an assumption that once this standardised model comes into place, maths scores, for example, within a school will be brought...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (13 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: The answer to the question is "Yes"; it is going ahead. We are working through it so we will have more information on that shortly-----

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (13 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: -----but it is going ahead.

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (13 May 2020)

Joe McHugh: As for what will happen in that regard, the teacher has the information, data and knowledge of the student and so will be looking to make an assessment. I will not pre-empt the decisions as to how that will happen because that will form part of the guidelines that will come out next week.