Results 24,201-24,220 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: The total expenditure on travel and subsistence for my Department is €2,439,467.09 comprising of €2,263,967.14 and €175,449.95 for domestic and foreign travel and subsistence respectively. 

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: Details of payments made by my Department in the year 2017 in respect of consultancy, value for money and policy reviews are available on the Department's website .

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the criteria for entry to primary Initial Teacher Education programmes. In addition to the CAO points required (in the case of the Bachelor of Education) or the third level award requirement (in the case of the Postgraduate Masters in Education) for entry to programmes of primary Initial Teacher Education, my Department specifies...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: Circular 12/2016, which is available on the Department website, outlines the number of days that teaching principals may take as release time in a school year in order to assist them fulfilling their principal duties. Under these arrangements my Department pays for a substitute teacher to be employed by a school to facilitate administrative functions to be undertaken by the teaching...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 201, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included on the 6 Year Construction Programme. In this regard, my Department has undertaken a site visit to the school. My Department is also engaging with the school's trustees regarding the proposed project and will be in further contact...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Data (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: The numbers of graduates from initial teacher education (ITE) programmes have remained broadly constant over the last number of years. In 2018 my Department expects approximately 1,500 graduates from post primary ITE programmes, similar to 2017. A breakdown of the subject specialisms of the 2018 graduates is not available, but I am attaching for the Deputy's information a breakdown of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: In November 2017 I launched a STEM Policy Statement and Implementation Plan, which aims to make Ireland the best in Europe in STEM by 2026. The Statement focusses on the many strengths in STEM education in Ireland while providing a roadmap to address the areas for development. I recognise that the achievement of our STEM goals will rely greatly on the availability of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training Provision (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, I convened the first meeting of the Teacher Supply Steering Group, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, on 26th March 2018. The Group met again last month. The Steering Group will oversee a programme of actions according to strict timelines and clear deliverables. In undertaking its task, the Group is cognisant of the requirement that all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 224 together. As the Deputy may be aware, all newly established schools operate on a co-educational basis. Any school wishing to change their status to become co-educational facilities, or who wish to amalgamate to form a single co-educational facility, may contact the Schools Capital Appraisal Section of my Department for advice on how to make an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (22 May 2018)

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 criteria for the appointment of an administrative deputy principal to a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: TheSchools Bundle 5 PPP Project encompasses five school buildings and one further education college across four sites in Bray, Wexford, Carlow and Kells. Under the PPP arrangement, the PPP company, InspiredSpaces, had a construction works contract with Carillion Construction Ltd, which further sub-contracted to Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd (SCIL). When Carillion Construction Ltd went...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware, the building project for the school to which he refers is included on my Department's capital programme. Officials in my Department are working closely with officials in the relevant local authority in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site to facilitate the school...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: It is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: It is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department currently has a contract in place with a subsidiary of Capita. The Department’s contract (2017-2020) is with Capita Business Support for the supply of anti-virus software. The Department has received all goods/services and its licenses are valid and paid for until December 2020 which includes support from Symantec. Additional optional consultancy is provided under this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department currently has a contract with a subsidiary of Capita. The Department’s contract (2017-2020) is with Capita Business Support and was sourced using an Office of Government framework for security software.  The tender was competitive. The State Exams Commission (SEC) entered into a five year contract in 2014 with Capita IB Solutions (Ireland) Limited to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gaeltacht Policy (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Department of Education and Skills’ Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 sets out a comprehensive strategy for education in the Gaeltacht. This Policy, which was published in October 2016, following widespread public consultation is a comprehensive policy which sets out a wide range of actions that are consistent with the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Contracts (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: The position regarding time off for ante/post-natal care appointments and attendance at ante-natal classes is set out in – Maternity Protection Entitlements, Terms & Conditions of Employment for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools–Edition 2.  Paragraph 8 of Chapter 4 states: 8.1 Pregnant teachers are entitled to time off...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (22 May 2018)

Richard Bruton: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.