Results 22,001-22,020 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Guidance Counsellors (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: Measures announced by my Department as part of Budgets 2016, 2017 and 2018 mean that 500 of the 600 guidance posts that was withdrawn in Budget 2012, will be restored to schools from September 2018. All of these 500 posts are allocated separately and transparently on the normal staffing schedule of posts for schools. These posts have been ring-fenced so they can only be used for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: As a consequence of the economic crisis, there was a need to enact a number of measures to reduce public expenditure so as to stabilise the country’s public finances.  The Government approved a number of measures relating to public service allowances following a public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments conducted by the Minister for Public Expenditure and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The recently published Circular 0063/2017 "Leadership and Management in Primary schools" sets out a framework for promotion posts in recognised primary schools. The commencement of the restoration of middle management posts as part of an agreed distributed leadership model means that the rigidity of the longstanding moratorium on these posts has been lifted and all primary schools can now...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: Exact expenditure figures regarding the teaching of Computing or Coding in primary schools are not available, as funding is not allocated by my Department on a subject-by-subject basis. However, work in this area is taking place at both primary and post-primary levels.  The NCCA is in the process of developing a new primary mathematics curriculum and will consider my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware of the Programme for Government commitment to increase financial supports for post graduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households. In response to this commitment, I secured additional funding of €4 million in Budget 2017 and a further €3 million in Budget 2018, to facilitate the reinstatement of full...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Expenditure (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The cost of linking student maintenance grants to the CPI would be entirely contingent on movements in the CPI. For instance, the annual cost of paying student maintenance grants is circa €172m and therefore, a 1% movement in the CPI would cost €1.72m per annum. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Assistance Fund (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: In December 2012, an additional €3 million was approved to supplement the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) following a survey conducted by the HEA in relation to the demand for the Fund.   This supplementary funding was a once-off exceptional measure which was taken in the context of long grant delays/issues encountered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (29 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 also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (29 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: Exemptions from the study of Irish are granted in accordance with the provisions of Departmental Circular 12/96 for primary schools and M10/94 for post-primary schools. The criteria provides that exemptions may be granted by school authorities for certain categories of students with special educational needs as set out in these Circulars. Currently, a diagnosis of dyspraxia is not among the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I outlined the position to the Deputy's colleague, Deputy Declan Breathnach, yesterday. This is a grant that has been paid in most years but is not an automatic payment. The situation is that we are reviewing our capital budgets. There is huge pressure coming from the need to provide 20,000 additional places every year. The Department is reviewing the position to see what would be the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy may not want a list, but well over 80 items are being pursued vigorously to try to address this issue. Among these is planned additional extra emergency accommodation before Christmas that will be available to ensure no one has to be on the streets over that period. As the Deputy rightly pointed out, the Housing First initiative is being rolled out and a new co-ordination group...

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I understand it is awaiting Committee Stage, but I do not have more detail at this point on what amendments are necessary for Committee Stage. I will seek to get confirmation.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I regret to say I do not have that information to hand. I have no doubt there is a lot of work going into this, but I do not know the timing of when that report will be made available to the House.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I suggest that a parliamentary question might be the best way. I know there is a European directive-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: The Minister will come in and answer directly to the Deputy.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: There is a European directive, as the Deputy knows, which has to be implemented. There is an onus to identify a compliance authority and the Minister will have to be satisfied that whatever appointment he makes is a robust appointment that will deal with this important consideration.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Michael D'Arcy, has been working on this, and he made an announcement on progress in more than 33 initiatives put in place to tackle the cost of insurance. It is a complex issue, but I know this claims data is a high priority. I will revert to the Deputy to get a clear timescale for the legislation.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: There is a shared concern across the House about this matter. The various structures of the committees of the House and the debates in the Chamber offer such an opportunity. If, however, Deputies wish to bring certain issues to the attention of Ministers privately, the latter are always available to respond to their concerns.

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: These budgets have been set for 2018. Agencies must work within the budgets that are set. At this stage there cannot be a revision of budgetary provision. That would make it impossible to have reliable budgeting. While I am sure Pobal, in the context of its allocations and choices, will attempt to accommodate applications, I cannot see how an across-the-board change in budgeting could be...

Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Nov 2017)

Richard Bruton: Over the past couple of years ,Sinn Féin has not exactly been exemplary in broadening the tax base. It opposed water charges, local property tax and the universal service charge-----