Results 19,901-19,920 of 23,995 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Other Questions: State Examinations (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for her reply. Given that just 16 teachers have participated in the training for the new English curriculum so far this year, how exactly does she plan to go ahead with the assessment parts of that curriculum next year? Is that at all feasible? Last year, I called for the postponement of the introduction of the new English curriculum pending agreement with teachers....

Other Questions: State Examinations (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: It should be recognised that we have arrived at this place because the process of bringing in the reform was mishandled to a large extent previously. The approach that was taken, which involved dictating the terms of reform rather than doing it in partnership, led to entrenchment. I agree that there is a basis for dealing with the outstanding issues. Teachers have genuine concerns. It is...

Other Questions: School Meals Programme (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: 9. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role her Department plays in the provision of free school meals to students at primary level; her views on whether her Department should assume more responsibility for the service; the number of primary schools her Department is aware of that have free school meals provided; if her Department is aware of any primary schools that have had to...

Other Questions: School Meals Programme (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: Does the Minister believe her Department should take on a greater co-ordinating role in the programme for the provision of meals in schools? Also, is the Minister aware of any schools that have had to discontinue the provision of school meals during the current academic year due to lack of funding?

Other Questions: School Meals Programme (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: It is unacceptable that the Minister, having had notice of this question for over a week, would say this morning that any questions about whether schools have had to discontinue the provision of free meals is something we should discuss with another Department. Surely, if I am in a position to ask that of another Department or Minister, a Cabinet colleague of the Minister for Social...

Other Questions: School Meals Programme (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: Earlier we discussed how DEIS works across Departments and has yielded results. It is unacceptable that the Minister with responsibility for education would not make it her business to ascertain whether schools wish to participate in the school meals programme. The meals are provided in the schools and the Minister funds it, so she should have a primary interest in it, but she is not doing...

Other Questions: School Enrolments (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: I ask the Minister to explain why she does not believe there are good reasons for an allocation of 25%. I ask her to explain why she believes there is a case for an allocation of 10%.

Other Questions: School Enrolments (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: Can we hear the Minister's views?

Other Questions: School Enrolments (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: Why is 25% too much?

Other Questions: School Enrolments (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: Why do we need 10%?

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: I am very disappointed and will continue to highlight the Minister of State's refusal to address the situation and overturn the previous decision. Unfortunately, it is unfair. The rule the Minister of State's Government is enforcing and requiring Bus Éireann to enforce on its behalf is leading to this unfair situation. In the example of the Urris area and Clonmany parish in County...

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: If a school bus was provided to them, it simply could not go over Mamore Gap. It would have to go along the route it currently takes to deliver students to Carndonagh community school and would then have to continue on even further as it would now have to go to Buncrana. That will cost the Department a lot more and will cost the students in terms of time. It will also cost money to...

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: No. It was under the Minister of State's Government.

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: 6. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will put in place an appeal mechanism to facilitate, review and change outcomes generated by the nearest school rule under the school transport scheme, which families affected by this rule consider to be inefficient and unfair; her views on the particular circumstances of a decision referred to in a previous Parliamentary...

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: I understand that any appeal must be decided according to the criteria set out by the Department of Education and Skills. The appeals board would consider the criteria and rules, and if a decision by Bus Éireann meets the criteria, the board cannot change it. Is my understanding correct?

Other Questions: School Transport Eligibility (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: Since the Government changed the rules in 2012, I have raised numerous cases in which the rule was unfairly applied. Even in cases where older children in a family have qualified for transport to a certain school, younger siblings are required to attend a different school if it is closer or else pay €350 per year to take the same bus as their older brother or sister. That is an...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: 4. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will commit to removing the cap on the expansion of the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools Programme; if she will put in place the measures suggested by the review of the programme by the Economic and Social Research Institute, to enhance funding and supports for urban schools under the programme; and if she will make a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for her response. The ESRI report is indeed welcome and it is the first overall review of the DEIS scheme since it was introduced in 2006. The findings show the scheme is working. It is a scheme which my party, Fianna Fáil, was committed to when it established it in 2006. In recent times, we have been calling for it to be expanded. I welcome the fact the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Educational Disadvantage (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: The ESRI report showed real progress in several areas. Between 2007 and 2013, significant improvement in reading and maths scores of primary school students across DEIS programme schools was recorded. At the same time, the report pointed out there was a general improvement across all schools in these scores. Accordingly, DEIS programme schools kept pace with improvements and the gap did...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: EU Court Rulings (22 Apr 2015)

Charlie McConalogue: 1. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills with regard to the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of a person (details supplied), if she will commit to making compensation packages available to victims of abuse who were abused prior to a complaint being made against a perpetrator; if she will commit to ensuring those who had dropped their case against her Department,...