Results 25,061-25,080 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further Education and Training Programmes (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: A conversion process for staff employed in ETBs to deliver programmes under the BTEI was agreed between the Department of Education and Skills and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) in May 2016. Under the process, BTEI staff affected will be given the option of converting to a Teacher (qualified or unqualified), an Adult Educator or to remain as is.  Following an analysis by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (4 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: Departmental Legal Costs (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: There are no instances where monetary compensation as a result of High Court orders against the Department of Education and Skills have not been paid to the persons involved.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (4 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: Teacher Training Provision (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department promotes the quality of teaching and learning through the provision of quality teacher training programmes and continuing professional development and support for principals and teachers in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas. This is done through initial teacher education programmes, education centres and support services for teachers at primary and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme Payments (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Minor Works Grant was introduced in 1997 and since then has issued to primary schools each year with the exception of the 2012/2013 school year. The payment of the Minor Works Grant is not confined to any particular date and can be issued during any month of the school year. For the 2002/2003 school year, part of the grant was paid in May 2003, with the balance in October 2003. It...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (4 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 and I remain committed to achieving this. However, I must be prudent in the context of ongoing budgetary pressures and prioritise where it is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training Provision (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that the Education Admissions to School Bill, which is currently progressing through the Seanad, aims to provide a new framework for school enrolment that is designed to ensure that every child is treated fairly and that the way in which schools decide on applications for admission is structured, fair and transparent. The approach taken, aims to strike the right...

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

Richard Bruton: The position in relation to enrolments at the 20 smallest schools in the country, four of which are island schools, is set out in the table. In respect of two of the schools listed, the Patron of the schools concerned has taken a decision to close the schools from the end of the 2017/18 school year. In respect of a 3rd school, following engagement with the school’s patron,...

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

Richard Bruton: Principal teachers are employed by the managerial authorities of their schools and the information required for their payment on payrolls operated by my Department is provided by them.  The information is provided on standardised forms which are completed by authorized representatives in the school. A Data Protection Privacy Statement is included on these forms. The...

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

Richard Bruton: An Occupational Health Strategy is in place as a supportive resource for teachers. The aim of this strategy is to promote the health of teachers in the workplace, with a focus primarily on prevention rather than cure. The Occupational Health Strategy comprises of the Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme (EAWP) and the Occupational Health Service (OHS) for teachers.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included on my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme. I wish to inform the Deputy that the project is progressing to the architectural planning stage and is expected to be delivered by an external agency to my Department. Arrangements are currently being made in this regard and my Department will be...

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

Richard Bruton: I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools, including primary 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 and I remain committed to achieving this. However, I must be prudent in the context of ongoing budgetary...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts Data (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: For the Deputy's information, my Department has not engaged polling companies or Irish market researchers to conduct research on its behalf in either of the past two years.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for additional accommodation. My Department has requested additional information from the school and this is awaited. When received, the application will be considered further.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Funding (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Expert Group’s Report (Cassells Report) which was published in July 2016, clearly outlines the funding challenges in the higher education sector and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration.  As committed to in the Programme for Government, the report was referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee for Education and Skills as part of the process for...

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

Richard Bruton: To answer the Deputy, the majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme receive capitation grant assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. Capitation related grants are issued to the majority of primary and post-primary schools to employ such staff.  Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (4 Jul 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy is aware the project in respect of the education campus in Buncrana is included on my Department's capital programme.  My Department is working closely with Donegal County Council in relation to the proposed site acquisition.  Unfortunately, the site acquisition process to date has been protracted due to technical challenges with identified site...

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

Richard Bruton: The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, established under the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act, is independent in the exercise of its functions. I have been advised by the Commission that it is still not in a position to release the information sought by the Deputy.  The Commission is still pursuing legal costs and disclosure, at this point in time, of any...