Results 441-460 of 8,620 for speaker:Joe McHugh in 'Written Answers'

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

Joe McHugh: Schools have been notified of the arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2020/21. The arrangements include the following provisions: - 2019/20 mainstream class SNA allocations will be frozen, from the date of issue of Circular 0030/2020, and will automatically rollover into the 2020/21 school year. This means that no school will...

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 (ELE) sector and the substantial impact that the Covid-19 outbreak has had on students, teachers and providers in this sector. On May 1st, the Taoiseach announced the roadmap for the gradual lifting of the current Covid-19 restrictions. This roadmap sets out a number of phases with the re-opening of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Jun 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 duration...

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

Joe McHugh: The Major Building Project for the school referred to by the deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. The project in question is at Stage 1 of architectural planning which entails preliminary design of site and location suitability and initial sketch scheme. A review in 2019 of the demand for post...

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

Joe McHugh: I can confirm for the Deputy that my Department is currently undertaking a site identification exercise in order to appraise suitable sites for the school to which you refer. This exercise is being conducted in line with current restrictions in place due to the covid-19 pandemic, nevertheless, my officials are making progress on the exercise. The exercise is considering options in Kildare...

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. 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 outbreak of...

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

Joe McHugh: To assist with the development of contingency plans for the re-opening and operation of schools in an environment that may require social distancing and other public health requirements, my Department is engaging with education partners and relevant stakeholders. This work will be based on the National Return to Work Safely Protocol that was published by Government and will also be informed...

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

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 202 together. The Calculated Grades Student Portal opened for registration to Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied students on Tuesday 26 May. All Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied students were required to register on the portal between 10am Tuesday 26 May and 10pm Thursday 28 May. The deadline for registration was...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Public Sector Pay (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: The terms and conditions of employment of teachers may be considered under the auspices of the Teachers' Conciliation Council (TCC). The Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Education & Skills and is chaired by an Official of the Workplace Relations Commission. The criteria for...

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

Joe McHugh: Schools have been notified of the arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2020/21. The arrangements include the following provisions: - 2019/20 mainstream class SNA allocations will be frozen, from the date of issue of Circular 0030/2020, and will automatically rollover into the 2020/21 school year. This means that no school will...

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

Joe McHugh: Budget 2020 has provided for 1,064 additional SNAs posts, for allocation in 2020, which will bring the total number of SNA posts in schools to over 17,000 in 2020, an increase of over 60% since 2011. Schools have been notified of the arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2020/21. The arrangements include the following provisions:...

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

Joe McHugh: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included on the Department's Capital Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP). My Department is currently finalising the accommodation brief for the school in question and will be in further contact with the school authority when this process has been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Language Schools (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: Special Educational Needs (9 Jun 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. The...

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

Joe McHugh: To assist with the development of contingency plans for the re-opening and operation of schools in an environment that may require social distancing and other public health requirements, my Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders and experts from within the education sector and the health sector. This work will be based on the National Return to Work Safely Protocol that was...

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

Joe McHugh: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application, for capital funding, from the school in question. Schools which identify that they have a shortfall in accommodation may apply for funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). The application form and information relating to this scheme are available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Cycle to Work Scheme (9 Jun 2020)

Joe McHugh: The terms of the Cycle to Work Scheme are outlined in circular 66/2017 issued by my Department in respect of teachers and non-teaching staff of Primary, Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive Schools. The information requested by the Deputy on the number of applications processed for teaching and non teaching staff paid on payrolls operated by my Department is set out in the...

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

Joe McHugh: A contractor has been appointed to deliver the interim accommodation on the permanent site for the school to which the Deputy refers.My Department is liasing with the school Authority on the programme for delivery of this accommodation and any contingency arrangments if necessary in light of Covid 19. The tender stage for the permanent build is due to issue shortly it is envisaged that...

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

Joe McHugh: Special schools funded by my Department are classified as primary national schools and are intended, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 64(1) of the Rules for National Schools, to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from the age of 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. Special schools may however seek approval from...

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...