Results 21,821-21,840 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: We will all be looking to the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Griffin, in respect of our hopes for sports capital grants.

Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: That is an area for which he has responsibility. We will look forward to him showing his prowess there, and I have no doubt that he will. The assurance I can give the Deputy is that, in the context of the national planning framework that has been published, it is the intention of the Government that half of all the population growth that would occur will be outside of the major cities. The...

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: We have brought forward a €1 billion extra investment in education and we have set a target that we will be the best in Europe within a decade. On the issue of early school leaving and drop-out, we are now making huge progress. We have seen our position drop from 14th place to 7th. In respect of people in the age bracket 20 to 24, we are now second best in Europe in terms of those...

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The decision on which routes ought to be selected for tendering is made independently, it is not made by Government. However, clearly, there is a commitment that we would open up the opportunity for competitive tendering for some elements of our public transport services. That allows other providers to offer alternatives. It is good for the consumer and user to see alternative offerings....

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Public Service Pay Commission is examining areas where there is difficulty in recruiting. The Government recognises that while observing public pay policy in a fair and even-handed way and living within the available resources, we have to be conscious of areas where there is genuine difficulty in recruiting people. The Deputy will know that such difficulties apply in many sectors,...

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I have to admit that I do not know the background to this issue. I will have to ask the Minister to respond to the Deputy.

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: As I think I indicated to the Deputy before, we are working with the Office of the Attorney General to get robust drafting of amendments to deal with that issue and others raised on Committee Stage, such as the power for the National Council for Special Education to oblige schools in certain circumstances to open special units. Both of those provisions require some careful drafting. No...

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: We have received a report from the committee following pre-legislative scrutiny which is broadly positive. We will now proceed to the drafting of the heads. A lot of work has already been done in my Department. The advantage of a parents and students charter is that it clearly sets out the rights of parents and students as full partners within the school to access information, participate...

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I can only repeat the response that the Taoiseach gave yesterday. I understand that he indicated legislation will be needed to introduce this, and that such legislation is in preparation.I do not know the exact state of play as to where that legislation-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I do not have that information to hand.

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I fully recognise that this is an issue of particular concern. Garda recruitment effectively ended in 2010 and after that there was a continuous decline in the Garda's strength. That undoubtedly impacted on local communities, but we are now rebuilding the police force. Templemore was reopened and it is increasing recruitment every year. It is operating to full capacity. If I am not...

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I will have to get the Minister to revert to the Deputy. I do not have that information to hand.

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: It is disappointing that we did not win. However, every time a ballot goes against us - I am sure the Deputy has seen ballots go against him - we cannot announce that we are going to have an examination as to why we did not win. Sometimes one does not win these ballots.

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The effort of making this bid will certainly help us for the future. Many lessons will have been learned.

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: In terms of this Government, the maintenance of the sports capital grant right through the very difficult years was a very inspired decision. It has helped communities across the country to build facilities that have kept up the involvement of people in sports on a very practical basis.

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: This year, we have made enhanced investment in the sports capital grants so that more communities can benefit. The long term aim for sport is to see more people actively involved. We need to see at least half of our population actively involved in sporting activities.

Estimates for Public Services 2017 (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I move the following Further Revised Estimate: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (Further Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €1,927,355,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on 31 December 2017 for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: There are no schemes or provisions currently in operation along the lines set out in the details supplied with the Deputy's question. Supporting school leadership is a major priority of mine, and I am conscious of the importance of developing and motivating school leadership at all levels.  Budget 2017 allowed me to make a start at re-investing in school leadership in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that DES Circular 0013/2017 for primary schools and 0014/2017 for post primary schools were published on 7th March 2017. These Circulars set out the details of the new model for allocating special education teachers to schools. The revised allocation process replaces the generalised allocation process at primary and post primary school level for learning support...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (16 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all...