Results 2,301-2,320 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: I asked about bullying and the implementation of-----

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: I wish to refer to the apprenticeship schemes. We spoke about them in the Dáil yesterday and the specific issue of the changes in the fees being charged. I have looked at the figures and worked out that the changes will result in the raising of an additional €1.6 million. Apprentices will now have to pay a pro ratastudent contribution, proportionate to the time spent in...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: It will only yield €1.6 million, but it will cause a high level of hardship for apprentices. Given that we are awaiting a report on a review of the apprenticeship system, it seems to be a very premature move by the Department. I know that it is probably tied in with the establishment of SOLAS which will be taking over responsibility from FÁS for training courses, but it is a...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is in the context of the overall budget.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Those involved often have additional costs, including the cost of travelling to and from work, the cost of tools and so forth. It is not right to compare apprentices with the ordinary student population in institutes of technology. There are significant differences between them.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Why did the Department not wait until the report was completed?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: We tend to be critical of the Department but it has introduced some radical policy changes in the area of skills development, for example, the establishment of SOLAS and Quality and Qualifications Ireland. These changes do not receive sufficient publicity or public attention. I commend the work of the Minister in this area. These are significant policy developments which will benefit the...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Where does the report on capital assets sit at the moment? The Minister has announced that he will bring forward the heads of the Bill on technological universities. Leaving aside the educational advantages or outcomes of the proposal, what financial or resourcing pressures would be put on the Department with the implementation of that legislation?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: My question probably does not refer to capital services. I received an interesting email from a group of parents from the Polish community inquiring about the possibility of setting up a school to teach the curriculum through their own language. Have such requests been received by the Department, given the increasing number of nationalities locating in Ireland? Cork has significant...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: The major issue in the Gaelscoil sector is that we are seeing an ever-increasing number of such schools at primary level but no continuation for pupils at post-primary level. That is an issue the Department must address. In my constituency in Cork, for example, we have several primary schools which teach through the medium of Irish but only one such school at second level. Students who are...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: I wish to pose a question. I do not want to put the Minister on the spot but I will ask it in any event. We do not get the opportunity to question him very often. We are able to question him once every five weeks in the Dáil but, as a result of the lottery used, I only got to pose two questions, which is not sufficient. I will take that matter up with the Whips. There has been a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Proposed Legislation (23 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: 2. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the new timetable for the delayed workplace relations legislation. [3011/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Proposed Legislation (23 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: With respect to the Minister of State, I have heard that reply before. This legislation is a long time coming. In March 2012 a consultation document was issued by the Department and a commitment given that the Bill would be published in the third quarter of that year. We are still waiting. The Minister of State has indicated that the drafting of the Bill has been given priority and that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Proposed Legislation (23 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: I do not underestimate the complexity of devising this type of legislation. The point I am making is that we have been assured in every session since the third quarter of 2012 that the Bill would be published in that session. Every time that does not happen it damages the Minister of State's credibility in this matter. If this legislation really is a priority for the Government, it should...

Other Questions: Job Creation Data (23 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: 7. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created in IDA Ireland-supported enterprises arising from international relocation; and the number of jobs filled by internal transfers within such companies. [2945/14]

Other Questions: Job Creation Data (23 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: How many jobs have been created in IDA Ireland-supported enterprises as a result of international relocation compared with the number of jobs filled by internal transfers within those companies?

Other Questions: Job Creation Data (23 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: It should be noted that IDA Ireland had a good year last year in bringing jobs to this country, for which it is to be commended. Foreign direct investment is critical to the recovery of the economy. Apple Computers Limited is a significant employer in my constituency. However, what I would like to focus on is not the role and value of IDA Ireland but the companies relocating here. When we...

Other Questions: Job Creation Data (23 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: We are lacking in information on internal transfers within companies that relocate here. The Minister has said that information is not available, but he has also said US companies relocating to Ireland must apply for work permits for employees they propose to bring with them from the United States. Is it possible to get that information? We know how many jobs are being created, but we do...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Industrial Development (23 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: 18. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he will take with the Industrial Development Agency following its failure to again meet the target of 50% of investment located outside of the major urban centres of Cork and Dublin. [2947/14]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Local Enterprise Offices Establishment (23 Jan 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: 23. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the proposed local enterprise offices will be fully functioning in 2014. [2948/14]