Results 24,981-25,000 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware, a project to deliver a new building for the school to which she refers is included in my Department's capital programme. As outlined previously, the site acquisition process in respect of this project proved to be extremely challenging. Although officials in my Department proposed an alternative and more expedient accommodation solution, the school authority stated a...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: Since Deputy Daly last raised this question, the various technical issues which related to access and connections to services have been addressed. They were the challenges. The clarifications needed were provided. Those involved are satisfied that they can resolve the issues but the resolution will impact on the contracts and so on. That work is being undertaken now. No unnecessary delay...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I am not a technical person but as I understand it the project requires various rights of way and wayleaves. Those responsible need to be satisfied that the proposed solution meets planning requirements in terms of whatever building standards are to be met. That involves certain infrastructure upgrades that have to be put in place. Certain links in the chain have to be put in place for...

Other Questions: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: They cannot give a definitive timeframe. It is nature of these things that, with the best will in the world, we cannot foresee everything. It may involve either getting wayleaves or satisfying planners that the standards are met by whatever is being proposed. None of this things is in the hands of the design team alone. They require a counterparty to sign up. Even with the best...

Other Questions: Capitation Grants (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I thank Deputy Curran. I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools, including DEIS schools, having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. Restoring of capitation funding as resources permit is one of the actions included in the Action Plan for Education and I remain committed to achieving this. However, I must be prudent in the context of...

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following: “notes that:- sexual abuse, and child sexual abuse in particular, is a heinous crime wherever and however it occurs; - everything that can be done should be done to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and to ensure that those responsible for such crimes...

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: It is to be paid to certain victims, not on the basis of the State's responsibilities for failings that led to the abuse that they suffered, but based on the fact that there was a conviction of the perpetrator in their cases. Although I looked at this and took advice on it, the position is that this would treat different victims differently purely on the basis of whether a conviction could...

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: There are many reasons a victim's abuser might not be successfully prosecuted. The victim might have been too traumatised to pursue the case. The evidence might not be sufficiently strong for the DPP to prosecute. It may not have been possible to secure a conviction beyond reasonable doubt in the courts. There are many reasons a person who was a perpetrator might not be convicted. For...

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I have been advised that it would breach the equality provisions of the Constitution in that it would seek to treat one group differently from people who are in similar circumstances.

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: If the State has a liability because of its failing, that has to be established and applied equally. It cannot be applied through using a conviction in a criminal court as establishing that the State had a liability. Convictions occur and the State is not by that proven to have been responsible.

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The payment of compensation is linked to the State being responsible.

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: That is what happened in the redress institutions. The State was responsible. It put many of the children in these institutions, oversaw and regulated those institutions and was responsible for safety in them.

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The State solely inspects in primary schools in respect of the execution of the curriculum.

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I have also taken advice and it is very clear from the legal advice available to me that any attempt to create a scheme such as this would be open to challenge by others who are not included within the ring fence of conviction and that such a case would be successful because it would be treating one group of victims differently from another group and that would not be acceptable and would not...

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The core issue the Deputy raises, namely, what the court established and whether the ex gratia scheme is properly applying that, is being evaluated by an independent High Court judge who is respected by everyone. It is not being evaluated by me, as Minister, or our legal advisers. It is being assessed independently by a judge and we should await his findings.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Mental Health Strategies (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The calls to which the Deputy refers arise from a recently published report commissioned by St Patrick’s Mental Health services.  The report includes an analysis of the findings from a survey of primary-school principals and interviews with twelve principals and nine counsellors, and makes certain recommendations. While the report has not been formally submitted to my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The State Examinations Commission appoints approximately 3,600 examiners annually to mark the Leaving and Junior Certificate written examinations.  The primary requirement for examiners is subject competence.  The SEC has a strict policy when it comes to the recruitment of examiners which requires that personnel appointed to mark the state examinations are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: DEIS Scheme (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: Tackling educational disadvantage is a key priority for my Department.  In order to achieve its vision for education to become a proven pathway to better opportunities for those in communities at risk of disadvantage and social exclusion, my Department has set the implementation of a renewed DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) programme as one of its key...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: I have set out the ambition to deliver the best education and training service in Europe by 2026.  This Government has already made significant provision to support this ambition. The mid-term capital review made provision for increased investment in my Department’s School Capital Programme. That Programme has been delivering an average of 18,000 school places per year in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: In April of this year, I announced a major review of the Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum and this review, by the National Council on Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), is underway.  The review will cover both the content of the RSE curriculum and support materials, as well as the delivery of the curriculum in schools. Some elements of the current RSE...