Results 2,141-2,160 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Health and Safety Authority: Discussion with Chairman Designate (19 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: I understand a code of practice to deal with bullying is in place but it is not enforceable. If a person fails to abide by that code of practice, this is not designated as an offence. Would the authority like to see this changed?

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: Everyone knew we would exit the bailout programme at some point and that a decision would have to be made on whether we would go for a backstop. Whether that decision would be taken now or in 12 months was a matter for the Government. It was up to it to weigh up everything that was happening and make an informed decision. It was obviously a surprise for us on Thursday morning to receive an...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Education Allowance Eligibility (20 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: 117. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the circumstances under which a person may retain his or her social welfare payment while receiving back to education allowance. [49680/13]

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (20 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: I welcome what the Minister has said on the last point. The prudent decision to include a figure for this year in the context of the current examination of the Magdalen laundries issue is also a positive step. As the Minister said in his opening remarks, letters have been issued or are about to be issued. I think that is the right thing to do, even if most of the payments will be made in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Education Review (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: 92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the working group established by the National Council for Special Education on its proposal to develop a new model for the allocation of teaching supports for children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50480/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Education Review (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: In June, the Minister decided to go to the Cabinet to seek an additional 500 resource teaching posts to maintain this year the number of hours that children had last year. That was because there was an increased demand for resource teachers. At the time, the Minister established a working group under the chairmanship of Mr. Eamon Stack. I am seeking an update on that working group.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Education Review (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: I am somewhat concerned because we were under the impression, although I do not know where that impression came from, that the working group would report back as quickly as possible. Everyone in the House thought the group would come back with recommendations. We have subsequently found out that is not the case and that it will report in early spring 2014. In response to a parliamentary...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Special Education Review (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his comments. I agree completely that the current model is flawed and needs to be re-examined. That is why we welcomed the establishment of the working group under Mr. Eamon Stack. We await its recommendations in due course. Now that we are looking at early spring 2014 - probably a further 12 months for it to be implemented, whatever the recommendations are - we...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Industrial Disputes (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: 95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the efforts that are being made to resolve the on-going industrial relations dispute with the ASTI; if he will provide assurances that his Department’s focus will be on reaching a fair settlement with the ASTI and to resolve the outstanding issues that have arisen from the Haddington Road Agreement; and if...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Industrial Disputes (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: As the Minister is aware, the ASTI's executive council will recommend to its members the rejection of the recent outcome of the discussions between the union and the Department of Education and Skills. The Minister may not wish to comment on this issue in advance, which I can understand, but the second part of my question again pertains to junior cycle reform. Does the Minister recognise...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Industrial Disputes (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: I thank the Minister and note he has made much of the issue of substitution and supervision. As he noted, the union members themselves will decide the outcome in this regard. However, the Minister must also see this issue in the context of the bigger picture, in which implementing junior cycle reform is being discussed. The Minister is aware that Sinn Féin is very supportive of what...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Industrial Disputes (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: I refer to the working group set up to examine the issue of junior cycle reform. On 12 November 2013, the Minister wrote to the ASTI general secretary, Mr. Pat King, about the establishment of this working group. I believe the working group will consist of representatives of the unions, school management, the Department and the NCCA. I am open to correction but I understand an initial...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Industrial Disputes (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: What about the working group?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Industrial Disputes (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: Does this mean the working group will not meet?

Other Questions: Early Child Care Education Issues (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: I share Deputy McConalogue's concerns because, as the Minister knows, Aistear has two parts and the first part has 12 principles. It is very similar to the primary school curriculum but there are some notable additions which take place at preschool level. When one moves into the primary school setting, it is done through a curriculum whereas Aistear in the preschool setting is done through...

Bond Repayments: Motion [Private Members] (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: Two days after this Government was formed on 31 March 2011 the issue of the promissory notes arose for many people both inside and outside this House. Having listened to the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach in the lead up to that campaign, many people would have been under the impression that things would be different. This Government was elected on a mandate of change yet one of the first...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Educational Disadvantage (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: 105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a detailed report on the cross-Border co-operative activities that are planned for 2014 which will draw on emerging evidence on improvements in learning and the evaluations of DEIS, the action plan of the Department of Education and Skills to combat educational disadvantage, developments in inspection practice, North and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: 115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children who have moved from a special needs unit to mainstream education and have sought a special needs assistant but have not been provided with one over the past year. [50105/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: 121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will introduce legislation to ensure that schools provide to parents a breakdown of the way voluntary contributions are spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50106/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (26 Nov 2013)

Jonathan O'Brien: 126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details on the collaborative agreement that has been reached by the Marino Institute of Education and the University of Ulster on the provision of assistance and support to students from the Six Counties and Border region wishing to undertake the Scurdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaelighe and Oiriúnú...