Results 21,181-21,200 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy is raising two different issues. The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016, which is before the House, provides for rules governing what can and cannot be included in admissions policies. It bans waiting lists, certain restrictions and selectivity.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: It provides that children with special needs must be accepted and it gives the National Council for Special Education the power to require that. That is the admissions policy that is before the House. We have indicated that there are amendments to be made, having been agreed in principle on Committee Stage. They have to be drafted and go through the Office of the Attorney General. That is...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy must realise that every year we are increasing the number of patients treated. As I said, in the past four years 250,000 extra people have been treated, which represents an increase of about 15% in the number of patients treated. That is a significant number. Almost 7,000 patients leave our hospitals every day with their quality of life improved by medical intervention. It is...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: I will ask the Minister for Health to look at that. My understanding is that in any such case of a drug being presented there is research undertaken, I believe by the Health Research Board, HRB, to establish the health efficacy of the drug and the price for which it should be procured if it is effective. That results in negotiations, where it is proven effective, between the company and the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: I understand that Bill is on the priority list so it is being treated with great priority.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: I understand the work on that Bill is under way but there is not a date yet as to when it will be presented.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: I agree with the Deputy. It is vital, as we come to debate an issue that has been extremely divisive in our community over many years, that people are treated with respect on all sides. I know there are very strongly held views on all sides about this. I know it is an issue in respect of which people find it hard at times to be restrained. However, if we are to make mature decisions on...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: I am not in a position to give a date. I know the Taoiseach has also answered a question on this in the past. It has been a difficult issue. I think he signalled during the week that he would ask the Ministers involved to get together to see whether a resolution might be found. It is a matter of working out a workable and affordable scheme. I believe that is the position on the matter...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: I do not have that information to hand but I think the procedure as to how such a registered employment agreement becomes registered is set out in legislation. As the Deputy knows, it was struck down by the courts in the past and new legislation had to be introduced to ensure it was robust from a constitutional perspective. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Breen, to respond to...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: I presume this legislation, which is on the priority list, will proceed in the normal way to have pre-legislative scrutiny. That is the norm, unless the committee were of the view that it did not require it. Subject to confirmation for the Deputy, I presume it will proceed through the normal pre-legislative scrutiny.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: Before the summer recess, the Government made a decision to proceed with the drafting of amendments that were required following discussions here with trade unions and others. Those amendments are now in the course of drafting and work on those amendments is ongoing between my Department, the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor and the Office of the Attorney General.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: Unfortunately, I do not have access to that information here. I will revert to the Deputy.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: I am not aware that it is in the programme for Government but I will refer it to the Minister.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Payments (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: The student maintenance grant is a contribution towards the living costs of a student.  It is not intended to cover the full costs of attending college.  The student grant scheme does however, provide for different levels of maintenance support, depending on means.  Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates.  The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Broadband Service Provision (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: Through the Schools Broadband Access Programme the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for recognised primary and post primary schools. All post-primary schools and some special schools are now included in the 100 Mbps programme. Under the current programme the Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Designation (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: For school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 geographic areas known as school planning areas which facilitates the orderly planning of school provision and accommodation needs. The primary school referred to by the Deputy is located in the Crosshaven school planning area. The post-primary school referred to by the Deputy is located in the Carrigaline...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: I can confirm that my Deputy has given approval in principle to the school in question for the rental of temporary accommodation to provide three mainstream classrooms. The school recently submitted supplementary material requested by my Department relating to the proposed costs.  This will facilitate my Department's assessment of the application and a decision will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: The brief for the school referred to by the Deputy is for a new three storey building of 5926m², containing 20 classrooms, Junior/Senior dining area, GP Hall, Library, Special Teacher rooms, Multi- Sensory, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy rooms, nurse’s area, kitchen, ancillary storage and services. In July of this year, the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) was approved, pending...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Secondment (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: My Department arranges for the secondment of teachers from their teaching posts for the purpose of developing and providing CPD for teachers and for appointment as Directors of Education Support Centres (ESC's). By their nature, secondments are not permanent appointments and are renewed each year subject to ongoing need and policy requirements.  Secondment arrangements provide...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (28 Sep 2017)

Richard Bruton: The brief for the school referred to by the Deputy is for a new three storey building of 5926m², containing 20 classrooms, Junior/Senior dining area, GP Hall, Library, Special Teacher rooms, Multi- Sensory, Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy rooms, nurse’s area, kitchen, ancillary storage and services. In July of this year, the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) was approved,...