Results 24,921-24,940 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved permanent accommodation for the school in question and the school has been advised accordingly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: Voluntary contributions by parents are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition. The manner in which voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, however their collection should be such as not to create a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Fees (3 Jul 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.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question contacted my Department in late May indicating that the school would not be proceeding with the project in question. The school confirmed this by letter forwarded by the school principal and received in my Department on 28th June last.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff Contracts (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The number of SNAs employed in a school depends on the allocation given to the school by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), based on its assessment of the special educational needs of pupils in the school. This allocation can increase or decrease from year to year depending on a variety of factors, including changes in care needs and changes in the number of pupils in respect...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 186 together. In the last two years, we have hired 5,000 additional new teachers. The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data relating to class sizes at primary level. The most recent published information relates to the 2016/2017 school year. Statistics in relation to the current school year will be published...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training Provision (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The decision to stop the Gaeltacht placement grants was taken during the economic crisis when, unfortunately, very difficult decisions had to be made to stabilise the nation's finances. Priority was given to protecting resources for front line education services as far as possible. The Deputy should note that, to assist with the costs of the Gaeltacht placement, students who are in receipt...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: Budget 2017 allowed for the commencement of the restoration of middle management posts as part of an agreed distributed leadership model and meant lifting the rigidity of the longstanding moratorium on these posts at primary and post-primary levels. This recognises the key role school leadership has in promoting a school environment which is welcoming, inclusive and accountable. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme Payments (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools, having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. Restoring capitation funding as resources permit is one of the actions included in the Action Plan for Education. Budget 2018 marked the second year of major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: Recently published Circular - 40/2018 is available on the Department’s website, which 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...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: In the last two years we have hired 5,000 additional new teachers. It is the case that many teachers who would have been available to carry out substitution work are now gaining permanent and long-term contracts. I am aware of reports that some schools are experiencing difficulties in finding substitute teachers. In order to ease the situation, in the last school year I suspended the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is currently in negotiations to purchase the building currently occupied by the school. When ownership transfers to my Department, arrangements to refurbish the building will be initiated. My Department will be in contact with the school authority at that point.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. I, together with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, negotiated a 15-22% pay increase for new teachers. The agreements to date have restored an estimated 75% of the difference in pay for more recently recruited teachers and deliver convergence of the pay scales at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: Under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's Capital Programme. My Department is currently finalising the project brief with the aim of progressing the project into the architectural planning process. My Department will be in direct contact with the school when this process has been finalised.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). The policy of the Department is to ensure, as far as possible, that the Managerial Authorities of Primary and Post Primary schools give priority to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school. The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (3 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school. The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (3 Jul 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 this query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (3 Jul 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.