Results 2,081-2,100 of 23,950 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister, Minister for State and the departmental officials for coming in and engaging in the process, which can be very constructive. My opening question relates to the cost-cutting measures introduced for 2013. Can the Minister provide an update in terms of the impact they have had or an assessment of what has taken place, especially in respect of the measure relating to...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: I refer to the previous matter of the overall envelope and the revised Exchequer ceiling for 2013. At the start of the year, it appeared to be €8.525 billion. For 2014, it is €8.453 billion. The revised Exchequer ceiling for 2013 is set out as €8.152 billion. There is a €300 million gap between the revised 2013 and the 2014 figures. Can the Minister explain...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: Does that mean the Department's spend for 2014 is likely to be a good deal higher - up to €300 million higher - than it was in 2013?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: With regard to the value for money review the Minister is planning to bring to Cabinet in the coming weeks, is there an expectation that the value for money review-----

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: Yes. It is now on the Minister's table. It is his baby now.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: Teachers' pay is covered by subheads A3 to A5. An increased number of teachers will be required from next September. I presume they are factored into that. What will be the cost of the additional 900 teachers required from September? If the Minister were also to increase the number of special needs assistant posts and learning support posts proportionately to cater for the increased...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: What does the Minister mean by that?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: Would an assessment have been done such as I mentioned?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: Is that exactly the same as the allocation for last year?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: In the previous year, would the 10,575 have been fully allocated?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: With regard to the grants to schools, VECs or ETBs, capitation does not include the minor works grant or summer works scheme allocations.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: I have a question on the early childhood education aspect of the Department. How much does the Department spend in the sector at present? What does this involve? This area has received much coverage recently. At present, however, the matter is falling between two Departments, the first being the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, which provides the free preschool year. The...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: If somebody else wants to ask a question they may.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: There has been a significant decrease in the grant funding provided to FÁS and SOLAS under subhead B3. The figure was €102 million last year and €103 million the previous year, but it is just €89 million this year. That represents a cut of 14%. Can the Minister of State explain where that reduction in funding came from and what impact it has had? According to the...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: The overall allocation in 2013 for universities-institutes of technology appears to be down. It is shown in the table under the heading "Administration - Universities-IoTs". The 2012 Estimate figure was €1.119 billion and the provisional outturn was the same amount. The 2013 Estimate figure has gone from €1.119 billion to just over €1 billion. It is €107...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: The entry for "Miscellaneous" went from €5 million in the previous year to €0 in 2013. What does that refer to?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: I was, yes.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: What about the context and impact indicators? Point 2 refers to a number of devolved projects providing either additional accommodation or upgrading and maintaining facilities in the primary, post-primary and higher education sectors. What is meant by "devolved projects"? Are they prefabs or rented rooms?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: To what does the figure of 494 at primary level in 2012 refer?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 27 - Education and Skills (Revised) (13 Jun 2013)

Charlie McConalogue: The school would do it. On the minor works grant and the summer work schemes which were not available this year or last year, how much was spent in the past? The Minister might have the figures. I again emphasise the loss of those schemes, in particular the minor works grant. We all see it in schools we visit. It is putting serious pressure on schools. It is paid in the autumn and is...